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Itchy Beard: Reasons for an Itchy Beard and How To Soothe
After much deliberation and contemplation, you've decided to grow a beard. Congratulations, and welcome to the family! We here at The Beard Club couldn't be more proud of you. We know all sorts of wonderful whisker adventures await you in the future.
But while you can look forward to plenty of amazing beard tales with which to regale your family and friends, it’s important to prepare yourself for what might be the greatest challenge a new beard-wearer must overcome. Yes, we're here to warn you of a dreadful speed bump that lurks along the road to facial hair glory. Get ready to face the dreaded starter beard itch.
What Causes Itchy Beards?
Having a beard that feels scratchy can be a real son of an itch. There are a few different reasons why you’re not able to grow one out comfortably.
Dry Skin
One of the most common reasons for an itchy beard isn’t really the beard itself – it’s the sensitive skin underneath it. Cold weather and dry conditions can make your skin under a beard feel super dry, leading to dandruff and itchiness under your beard hair.
Underlying conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions can cause some skin flakes to feel itchy and scratchy, too. Plus, when dead skin cells get caught in your beard, it can make it look a little bit less appealing for a potential new mate.
If you need some help getting rid of the fakes, check out our beard dandruff guide. In general, if you use a moisturizer to hydrate and fight back against dryness, you should be good to go. Sometimes, it’s just time to go to the dermatologist. Whether you need advice on a cleanser or beard conditioner or can’t kick the dry skin to the curb, a professional can help.
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs occur when hair grows back into its follicle, which leads to inflammation and discomfort (the fancy science term is folliculitis). Curly hairs are more prone to ingrown debacles, though any hair type could experience some discomfort.
You can use an exfoliator to help cleanse the hair follicles and clear them out, reducing oil and sebum (natural oils) build-up, which can otherwise lead to ingrown growth. Not to mention, you want to make sure your trimmer and razor are clean before you start shaving in order to protect your skin from itchy harm.
Seborrheic Dermatitis (Beard Rash)
If you notice a red rash under your beard in addition to some itchy feelings, it might be a form of contact dermatitis called seborrheic dermatitis. It’s common in people who also have this condition on their scalp.
This condition also results in dandruff, those annoying white snowy flakes that you might see on your skin. You can get over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos if you start to notice that this might be affecting your beard appearance.
Lice
You read that right. While this is probably one of the least common reasons why you might be experiencing itchiness in your beard, these little buggers have the potential to wreak havoc on your beard hair and everywhere.
Most types of lice will go for head hair, but pubic lice will latch onto curlier hair that you’d find in your beard. You might be able to see them in your beard, or you’ll notice some eggs or irritation in the beard area.
You can use an over-the-counter lice medication or shave your beard off and let it regrow.
Unkempt Hairs
Sometimes, the reason for an itchy beard is just all about how you’re styling it (or not styling it). Messy, frizzy, curly beards without proper beard care can easily turn into a messy look that doesn’t feel too comfortable on the skin.
Flyaways and split ends can rub against your skin and cause some discomfort. If you start to itch and scratch, it might be a sign that your beard growth has gotten out of hand and you need a trim. As that beard hair growth picks up speed, grab a beard brush and beard balm.
New Beard Growth
No matter how big and burly you may be, beard itch is something that any kind of man may have to overcome. It’s usually a problem in the earliest days of starting up your beard growth.
As you first begin to cultivate your whiskers, the small, coarse bristles that make up your beard will start to rub up against your skin. This will happen over and over again, all throughout the day and into the night — then again the next day.
The more hair begins to grow on your face, the more frequently you’ll find yourself feeling that itchy sensation. A few days into your whisker journey, you may find it hard to keep from scratching away furiously. The itch is real, and so is the struggle to put up with it.
How Can You Fight it?
You're a week or two into your soon-to-be full beard, and you've been dying to know how you can overcome starter beard itch. We know how you feel because we’ve been there, too. Luckily for you, we have more than enough advice to soothe your irritated face — and the product to go with it.
Stick to these tricks and tools, and you'll be feeling better before you know it:
Keeping It Clean
The best place to start is by tackling the simplest solution: Handle your itch by making sure you keep your face and beard clean. As first steps go, it doesn’t get much easier. Don’t use hand soap or body wash — you need a specific beard wash here.
A routine of keeping your beard nicely scrubbed is the most basic step in staving off beard discomfort. All it takes is a bit of water and shampoo during your normal shower schedule… and as it happens, we make some of the best beard shampoo around. Beard Shampoo is an all-natural way to freshen up your beard while showering! Not only does it moisturize your whiskers, but it also works wonders for the skin underneath as well.
Skin Care Is Beard Care
After you're done washing your beard in warm water, you’ll want to follow up with a little product. Our Beard Cream and Beard Oil are a perfect one-two punch to clobber starter beard itch and make sure it remains a distant memory. Beard Cream keeps your skin nourished, and it’s specifically formulated to beat back beard itch. Beard Club Oil also works wonders as a deterrent to a scratchy face.
At the same time, it prevents whiskers from tangling up while combating beard dandruffbuild-up. We use natural vitamins and oils in both products, which go an extra step in preventing itch. You’ll find it a refreshing contrast to the harsh chemicals many other products use — they can lead to irritation and discomfort.
Make the Cut
Sometimes, all you need to do to get some relief from an itchy beard is to give it a good trim to manage unnecessary flyaways. All you really need is a quality trimmer that can get the job done, and the Beard Club has you covered.
The PT45 Precision Trimmer gives you unparalleled control over the cut and style of your beard. We designed the PT45 with your beard in mind, engineered to handle a beard of any size, shape, or itchiness. Three hours of battery life, ceramic blades, and no-nick technology all culminate to help you get the perfect look that you’ve been trying to obtain.
When trimming, be sure to use gentle strokes at a higher length. You can always decide to go shorter if you want, but you can’t paste hair back on that you’ve already removed. So play it safe and start with a longer blade head before switching to a shorter one.
Then, if you decide you need to use a razor afterward, be sure to use a clean blade to avoid clogging your pores and leading to even more itchiness afterward.
Comb-Over
So, you've washed your beard and freshened up by applying our creams and oils. Now what?
Well, for starters, make it a routine. As long as you keep up these good habits, you should have no problem triumphing over starter beard itch. But staying itch-free doesn’t just mean a good morning scrub—there are ways to fight irritation throughout the day.
The simplest solution? Keep a beard comb on hand while you’re out and about. Sometimes all it takes is a few strokes through the beard to do away with the irritants that build up as you go about your routine.
Like the rest of your body, your beard can accumulate grime and dirt throughout the day. You can't always hop in the shower when your beard is feeling not-so-fresh, but a quick comb-through can be a handy fix, and it only takes a few seconds.
Goodbye, Flaky Skin and Itchy Beard.
Seems simple enough, doesn't it? That's because it is! We know you've got this. Don't let starter beard itch get the best of you when it’s so easy to fight back. You may think you’re manly enough to tough it out, but why waste the energy when such simple solutions are available?
Now that you have the knowledge to beat the itch, it’s time to put it to good use. Get growing, and share your newfound wisdom with other hopeful beard-wearers-to-be.
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