Why Does My Beard Itch? What Causes it and How to Stop it

Beards are sexy, beards are masculine and a beard can turn anyone, and by that I really mean any boy, into a bad boy. Depending on the style, they are wild and daring and radiate elegance and class.

In a nutshell, beards come with quite a few great benefits. You already know all this and are you ready to grow a mighty beard? Then let me tell you one more thing, because beards also have a downside.

Beards can itch. Your beard can become so itchy when you let it grow that you’ll have to use the razor more than once to get rid of the part.

Growing a beard often takes several weeks, so the itching is almost certainly not long in coming. It often only takes two to three weeks for the sometimes unbearable itching to spread under the beard.

If you’re at this point, you wouldn’t be the first to give up and shave off that still-fresh beard. Should you decide to grow your beard, I can promise you the itching won’t last forever and there are tools that can help you look forward to a happy future with a beard and no itchiness.

Beard itches Cause: why?

Does your beard itch? It is a sensation that is felt very frequently. No bearded man can have had a growing beard without the hairs making him want to scratch at least once. If the itching happens infrequently and goes away quickly, that’s completely normal.

In order to beat the itch, you should also know why the beard itches in the first place. There are two times in a bear wearer’s life when severe, nerve-killing itching can occur. New beard wearers are usually affected by itching, but it also affects passionate beard wearers with a long beard.

If you have always shaved diligently, then the ends of your whiskers are neatly separated and provided with a sharp edge. If you let the beard grow now, these sharp-edged hairs will scratch the edges of the hair follicles and cause skin irritation with itching.

In addition, your skin is simply not used to hair growing. After all, it hasn’t happened in years.

You just have to go through this phase. The stubble usually doesn’t cause irritation for too long and to be honest, if you don’t even survive the phase, then you don’t deserve a beard either.

When it comes to itching beards, we often only talk about the early days, but even a grown beard can tend to be itchy, but the reasons are different.

The skin under a beard tends to get dry. It’s doesn’t get as much light, nutrients, and moisture as it would without a beard. This combination alone is often enough and sometimes causes severe itching.

If dry beard hairs with broken hair ends curl into the skin, then the catastrophe in the form of thick skin eczema is often only a matter of days.

The aim must therefore be to keep the beard healthy and soft, to provide the skin and hair with sufficient nutrients and moisture so that it does not start to itch in the first place.

Some others factors for causing bread itch

There are a total of 6 other causes of your beard itching: (After that, I’ll tell you how you can solve everything pretty easily).

1. Moisture of the skin:

When your skin lacks moisture, it becomes itchy and tight. Water that is too hot when showering or washing, blow-drying too hot, too much cold or not drinking enough fuel your skin to dry out.

Why?

Because the natural layer of oil is damaged, which causes itching and can lead to dandruff. (By the way, a 3-day beard itches just as much as a full beard).

Actually, like most men, I’m not the type to pay attention to things like that, but it’s really worth it for the beloved beard !

2. Neglected beard care:

If you don’t groom or wash your beard regularly, dust, food and drink residue, and even your sweat can make your beard excessively itchy.

3. Beard Styling Products:

I also experienced this: Some beard styling products can cause itching and dandruff. Especially with products that dry out your skin. But as always, every body is different.

This means that you can react even if you do not tolerate certain ingredients (regardless of the quality of the beard care product). It can also be due to one substance , so it’s just a matter of trying it out.

4. Bacteria:

Yes , good old beard scratching .

I know that so well! I used to grab my beard every 5 minutes without lying. Don’t even know why, just a habit. But note: every time you scratch your beard with unwashed hands, you are helping bacteria and fungi to colonize you.

Where are they from? From door handles, bus stop buttons, shopping trolleys, etc. Unfortunately, our hands provide the perfect habitat for microbes – of course, your beard will start itching! And where there is an itch, dandruff is often not far away.

(That doesn’t mean that you should be fanatical about not touching anything around you. Just give up the habit of constantly fiddling with your beard.

At least that way the C crisis has something good in you, that’s how you usually have disinfectant for your hands handy.)

Bacteria have a very good hold in frizzy or curly beard hair, which can lead to itching.

Even if the hair grows towards the skin and irritates there, we have the itching and reddening problem again .

6. Rare: skin diseases

If the beard itches, even though you have “overcome” your first phase of growth, a skin disease could be behind it. However, this is rare and can be clarified by a doctor.

5 tips to say stop to an itchy beard

Getting rid of the itch is the number one goal and luckily it’s not that difficult. I hope you didn’t let that unsettle you when I said that you have to put up with the itching of having a new beard, because even then there are things that can help you.

The following tips will help against an itchy beard, regardless of how long or short the beard is.

Tip #1: Thoroughly clean your beard

Gentlemen, the first essential advice I can give you to find a well hydrated skin, and avoid having an itchy beard, is to clean it. There is nothing more important than cleaning your beard, so that it receives the water it naturally needs, and so that it is as hydrated as possible.

If you have an itchy, itchy beard, it’s because your skin is dry. And by extension, probably little washed, if at all. You know, if you want a nice beard, consider it like your body: wash it every day, and you will feel the difference!

To do this, you have two main options: washing with soap or washing with shampoo. And if you feel like it, you can even do both! And of course, when I talk to you about soap or shampoo, I’m not talking about industrial products, huh! My state of mind is natural and organic, so I will only recommend products of this type.

So, when it comes to soap and shampoo, I would first like to give you a little focus on a special type of soap: cold process soap.

a) Cold saponified soap

1) The short story

Seen like that, it’s true that the name sounds a bit barbaric (or barb’art , as you wish…)
In fact, a cold saponified soap is a soap that is only made from vegetable oils. You can find olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, etc. 

They are numerous for all beings cited. From these vegetable oils, a chemical process will then be set up with an alkaline agent, then we can then add essential oils or other natural ingredients, depending on the skin problems to be treated (dry, sensitive, acneic, etc.)

We will therefore obtain a natural soap  , and above all bright in  natural colors . Green, beige, purple, blue… There is something for all tastes and all skin types. When you see them, you almost want to eat them!

2) The benefits of cold saponified soap

You can imagine that by using this soap, the advantages are much more numerous than a shower gel or industrial soap, and by extension for an itchy beard… We note for example that this soap is:

• gentle on the skin because surgras
• natural and ecological
• ethics
• qualitative
• etc

b) Beard shampoo

Same as for gentlemen ‘s shaving soap! It is ideal to choose a natural product, and preferably organic. Don’t use your hair shampoo on your beard, as this will damage it… The scalp is different from beard hair and the skin underneath, so it’s best to use a  beard shampoo.

Honestly, do you wash your hair with soap? Or your body shampoo? No… you definitely use one for your body, and the other for your hair. Why shouldn’t your little facial jewel, your beard, be entitled to this honor, too?

The beard shampoo will:

• Clean your beard well
• Soothe your beard hair
• To remove impurities
• Tone and fortify your beard

Not sure how to properly clean your itchy beard? Do not hesitate to consult our article specially written on this subject.

Tip #2: Nourish your beard well

You have understood the importance of cleaning your beard properly, haven’t you gentlemen? Well now we have to feed it. So no, you are not going to give the bread crumbs and tomato slices… But you will have to feed oil, lots of oil. Yum!

To be more serious, it is really important to nourish your beard well, especially with beard oil. Every day, even several times a day, your hair needs beard oil to stay beautiful, silky, and above all hydrated. A hair that is poorly hydrated is a hair that dies, or that will eventually fall out. Result: itchy beard, itchy beard!

As for the oils used in natural beard products, you can notably find: argan, jojoba, avocado, olive, castor oil, and others.

Argan oil is one of the oils used in the composition of a  beard oil. You know why? Because it is precisely known for its hyper-nourishing properties. From the argan tree, it is widely used in Morocco, or even by Berber women for centuries. And besides, it is used in cooking as well as in cosmetics. Argan oil is rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, and is an oil that also moisturizes. 

In short, what your beard needs!

Jojoba and avocado oils, if you find them in a beard oil, it is also for their nourishing side. Castor oil, on the other hand, is less known, rather it  protects and strengthens the hairs of the beard. Imagine all these ingredients combined in a single beard oil ? It’s just explosive! And above all, it will solve a hell of a problem your beard that irritates you, your itchy beard.

Tip #3: Moisturize your beard well

Feeding and moisturizing your beard is a bit similar, but it’s not really the same thing either . Generally, when we think of “hydrating”, we think of water . This is not wrong for your beard since as seen in tip 1, cleaning it with water is important to hydrate it. But several types of hydration exist.

a) The different types of hydration products

There, when I talk to you about hydration, I’m actually talking about  moisturizing products for your hair. To this end, you can moisturize your beard with (apart from beard oil of course)  beard balm, cream, serum, or even a moisturizer. Here are some clues to find your way around these different types of products that exist:

• Beard balm: more for small and medium beards
• Moisturizing care: mainly for three-day beards, to avoid tightness and itching, but also for all types of beards
• The cream: for all types of beard
• Beard serum: for all types of beard like beard oil; its “gel” texture is pleasant and gives a non-greasy feel to the beard

b) The composition of these products

Certain components will come up quite often in the preparation of these beard moisturizers. Mention may be made, for example, of shea butter and beeswax. No wonder, since in reality, these two elements are known to be natural moisturizers, but not only.
Shea is very rich in fatty acids, and is full of  vitamins E, D, A. Beeswax is mainly composed of  mono-esters and hydrocarbons, ideal for moisturizing your beard.

Tip #4: Brush your beard well

If you want to put an end to an itchy beard, it’s also important to brush it well. The bigger and thicker your beard, the more you will need to brush it. And that actually makes sense, because it’s kind of like hair. For them to be beautiful, they must be brushed. For the hairs of your beard, it’s exactly the same…

a) The purposes of a beard brush

Brushing your beard will allow you to be more elegant, but not only. It will also:

• Eliminate dead skin cells hiding under your beard (on the skin);
• To hide the holes that could be in some places of your beard;
• To obtain a softer, silkier, neater beard;
• Discipline your hair to look neat and tidy.

b) Choosing the right beard brush

When I talk to you about a brush, I am talking to you again and again about a natural product . Ditch the plastic brushes, which will only damage your bristles. On top of that, you will inevitably be confronted with static electricity, so I might as well tell you that it won’t be pretty! Prefer natural beard brushes, made of wood for example, with boar bristles (widely used in the field) or even badger hair. You will clearly see the difference, and your beard will be groomed.

Tip #5: Comb your beard well

You will tell me that brushing and combing your beard are the same things. Unfortunately no. These two things look similar but some differences exist. This makes both practices essential to avoid scratching your beard.

A beard comb first helps to detangle the hairs. Knots don’t just exist in the hair. Thus the hairs will be better distributed and you will avoid itching. In addition, the electrical charges will be better distributed within your beard and you will avoid unharmonious hairs due to static electricity.

A beard comb will bring the sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands, so essential to the protection of the skin, over the entire length of the hair. Better distributed, it has better effects and protects your entire beard. The scratching feelings you have will then disappear because your beard is better maintained. The circulation of blood is also found to be stimulated. As a result, the beard is neater, softer and smoother. So there are only positives.

Similar to the beard brush, you need to choose a good quality comb. Plastic is again to be avoided because it will damage your beard and can cause the itchiness to remain. Opt for a natural beard comb, with a quality composition. For example, there are combs made of zebu horn or wood.

You now have the cards in hand to take care of your beard and thus avoid itching. Say goodbye to the inconvenience of an itchy beard. If despite all these tips you are still bothered by your beard, do not hesitate to go see a dermatologist. 

Tip #6: The right diet

A healthy body equals a healthy beard and of course there are some things in your diet that can help your beard too.

Beta-carotene, vitamin D and biotin are particularly important. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A by your body, and vitamin A promotes the production of healthy sebum. Vitamin D stimulates hair growth and also ensures the formation of new hair follicles. Biotin is important for the formation of creatine and this in turn ensures strong hair.

Like most nutrients, the three can be found in fruits and vegetables or in beard growth supplements.

Otherwise, a healthy lifestyle supports your health and of course your beard. Avoid stress, drink enough and don’t smoke.

A day in the life of your beard

In order to get all the tips under one roof, you can get used to the following beard routine.

1) Stop scratching!

It will only lead to more itching and irritate your skin even more

2) Don’t rub dry too hard

Beard dry after showering, but only dab dry with a towel

3) Do not pull on the beard hairs

This can lead to irregular beard growth

4) Do not shower or wash too hot

Water that is too hot irritates the skin

5) Wash your hands more often than usual

Supports you in the fight against bacteria that cause itching

6) Tame frizzy whiskers

Blow dry beard hair on medium heat, comb with beard brush, use sulphate-free shampoo and creams with aloe

7) Beard care:

Beard Shampoo, Beard Cream, Balm and Beard Oil – natural non-irritating shampoos, beard oil for extra moisture (or beard creams for short beards), beard brush for dirt & dandruff removal

8) Keep an eye out when buying equipment!

First let it grow for at least 4-6 weeks, then shape the contours precisely with a safety razor. Electric razors are not particularly recommended due to the poor cleaning options (possibly help with beard growth agent to eliminate gaps). Regular blade changes! Straight razors only for experienced users (best made of carbon / damascus steel)

That’s it, with this routine the itching should be a thing of the past and you can enjoy the joys of a massive full beard.

To be happy with your beard, you should wash, moisturize and care for it regularly, because it is more than an accessory, it is part of your personality.

Frequently asked questions when the beard is itchy and flaky

At first everything goes smoothly and you get closer and closer to your goal of having a long and soft beard. But one day it starts to itch and you ask yourself whether this will go on forever, why does the beard itch and what you can do about it.

In this section of the article, I answer the most frequently asked questions about beard itching.

If your question is not included, please post it in the comments below.

What causes the dry skin under the beard?

Not enough moisture is just one reason your facial skin dries out and your beard is itchy as a result. So that you can better protect and care for your skin in the future, you should also know the other causes.

Wind, UV rays and low humidity all lead to dehydration of the skin. The skin is deprived of moisture and small cracks and redness form – the result is a scratchy beard.

• Solution: Use a beard oil and the beard balm to protect your beard and the skin underneath.

Your beard is a protective shield and catches all foreign objects before you inhale them. As a result, a lot of impurities and bacteria accumulate here if you don’t groom your beard regularly. Furthermore, your skin only produces fats to a certain extent in order to moisturize itself. From a certain beard length you have to help a little from the outside.

• Solution: Use a good beard oil and beard balm to condition your beard.

A beard can get dirty quickly and it is necessary that you wash it with a good beard shampoo. But if you do this too often, the skin on your face will dry out because the shampoo has a degreasing effect. Conventional shampoos in particular are far too aggressive and should not be used on the beard.

• Solution: Use a good beard shampoo and only wash your beard every 2 to 3 days.

The human skin is the largest organ on the body and is particularly susceptible to conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and infections.

• Solution: If your beard itch is caused by a skin condition, your best bet is to see a dermatologist. This one will give you much better and more meaningful advice than I could.

When your diet is monotonous and lacking in key macronutrients and vitamins, your skin will respond with visual warning signs of dehydration and rashes. Furthermore, too many unsaturated omega-6 fatty acids can lead to a poor complexion.

• Solution: Try some new recipes that not only add variety but also boost your health.

What home remedies help when the beard itches?

There aren’t many home remedies that can really help you get rid of dandruff on your beard.

It would be possible to use a normal face cream, but with this you would smear your beard too much – you don’t want to leave the house like that. A better alternative would be to use a few drops of organic coconut oil – also great for cooking. You simply rub the oil in your hand and then massage it into the beard right down to the roots.

Since the beard looks a bit greasy afterwards, it is better to apply the treatment in the evening when you don’t have to leave the house. I would not recommend using regular olive oil or sunflower oil as they are too greasy and will clog your pores.

These oils can also trigger allergic reactions.

When does the itching phase begin and how long does it last?

The beard starts to itch around the second to fourth week – This depends on your beard growth.

If your skin is stressed, then the itching can also occur much earlier. The reason for this is that the whiskers are still relatively hard and are beginning to curl. source.

The skin on your face is not used to it yet and you feel an unpleasant itching and tugging in your face.

How long this phase lasts and how quickly it passes depends on you and what you do about it. Most men grab a razor right away, but I already explained what to do in the article.

Ideally, you start grooming your beard early and don’t let it get that far.

I recommend that you work through all the points in my guide against dandruff on your beard right at the beginning at the first sign .

Does shaving cause the beard rash?

An improper shave can lead to a rash on the face. You attack your skin and it dries out faster after shaving because the natural layer of fat is lost with shaving.

If you draw your contours with a razor, then you should then calm the said areas with some aftershave or face cream – alternatively with a nourishing oil for the face.

Furthermore, after a shave, it is not uncommon for the whiskers to grow inwards and cysts to form on the face.

This leads to a rash and itching during the growth phase.

Does a facial scrub help with dandruff on the beard?

A face scrub can help slough off dead skin cells on your face. After the peeling, the skin under the beard is particularly receptive to creams and other care products.

If you want to try a skin peel, then I advise you to use a natural product without silicones and alcohol as these ingredients will clog your skin pores and dry out your face.

The problem with a normal peeling is that the beard dandruff gets stuck in the beard with longer full beards and cannot be completely removed with water.

Here I recommend that you use a suitable beard brush after the peeling and brush out the scales in the beard. What you should absolutely avoid, however, is a commercially available peeling glove, as it is too rough for the face and would irritate the skin more.

There are special peeling gloves for the face. But these are rather impractical for a long full beard. The thick beard hair prevents you from being able to clean all parts of your face carefully. On the other hand, if you have a short 3-day beard, then this type of beard peeling would be a possible option to get rid of the dandruff in the beard.

Just make sure you use a moisturizing cream after exfoliating.

Does the trimmer help if the beard itches?

The beard trimmer can only help to a certain extent against dandruff in the beard.

But always keep in mind that the itching is usually caused by skin that is too dry and is not directly caused by the beard hair itself. So the trimmer isn’t really a solution, especially if you have a full beard.

I hope that I was able to help you with this article and that your itching is finally over.

Cheer up, you can do it.

Rest assured: when the time comes, relief will come. If your beard is itchy for more than a week after following our tips and you’ve had it for a while, then it may be due to more serious skin issues. If so, go to a dermatologist and ask for advice.

Good care is not just the be-all and end-all for an itchy beard. Having an itchy beard is normal and frequent, but it is not inevitable. That shouldn’t stop you from letting it grow.

80% of men who decide to wear a beard, shave it because of this itching. They can’t stand them and decide to cut everything. Too bad when you know that the simple (but regular) use of an oil, a shampoo and a brush, helps prevent having an itchy beard.