Itchy Beard - Treatment, Remedies, and Finding Comfort

Why is my beard itchy, when did it start, and will it ever go away?

If you’ve just started out on your bearded journey in life, then these may be some of the questions that are racing through your head and littering your search feed. 

Whether you’re new to growing out your whiskers or have been a fully-fledged member of the bearded community for a while, the itchiness of facial hair is something that can strike at any time. There are a few factors which can contribute to beard itchiness, but with some TLC and the right products, this will soon be an affliction of the past. 

Jericho Australia are the country’s leading provider of beard grooming products, and there are plenty of tools in our armoury to tackle an itchy beard. Below, we outline why your beard may be itchy, and find out not only how to stop this but also how it can be avoided in the future.

Table of Contents

• What Causes an Itchy Beard
  - Dry skin
  - Ingrown hair
  - Growth stage
  - Beard dandruff/rash (Seborrheic Dermatitis)
• How to Treat an Itchy Beard
  - Regular washing and beard maintenance
  - Use the right products
  - Moisturise your beard
  - Shaving aftercare
  
  

What Causes an Itchy Beard

When it comes to an itchy beard, there isn’t a universal itch clause that we can point to as being the main contributor. Instead, an itchy beard can come down to a number of unique factors, including:

Dry Skin

One of the most common reasons behind an itchy beard is actually the skin that lies underneath: facial hair removes moisture from the epidermis, drawing it up and onto the hairs where it will eventually evaporate. This causes a flaky, dry and dehydrated surface. Dead skin cells, dirt and oil may also build up on facial hair and can contribute to dryness. 

Ingrown Hair

A downside of any and all shaving are the pesky ingrown hairs. Sometimes the hair will grow back into the skin after shaving, causing raised red bumps that may be inflamed and itchy. People who struggle with managing curly beard hair are more likely to suffer from these. There are two main causes of ingrown hairs: removing body hair and dead skin cells.

Although they often improve on their own, washing the area with a washcloth can release the hairs. To prevent future bumps, make sure to wash your face with a mild cleanser, exfoliate before shaving, shave in the direction of the hairs and use shaving creams to cleanse the area.

Growth Stage

The dreaded beard itch usually occurs during the growth stage. Shaving leaves sharp edges on each hair, and once they start growing the tougher bristles scrape the edges of the follicle causing itchy stubble. Those who have been in the beard game for longer may still experience itching, but this could be to do with the skin below. 

Beard Dandruff/Rash (Seborrheic Dermatitis)

The plight of all beard-sporters is the dreaded beard dandruff, or if you want to get technical, seborrheic dermatitis. This dry, flaky skin under your facial hair can make its way to the surface and can be caused by anything from harsh soaps and hot showers to your genetics. Harsh soaps can dry-out or irritate your skin, so try using a cleanser that works best for your skin type on the area. Other factors that can suck the moisture from your skin are hot water and harsh weather. 

 

How to Treat an Itchy Beard 

Although uncomfortable and unpleasant, there are a few simple ways to stop beard itch and make your life a little easier.

Regular Washing and Beard Maintenance 

In order to remove the dead skin cells, you should regularly cleanse and exfoliate your face. However, facial hair is not the same as that on top of your head, so using the same shampoo for both may strip the beard’s oils and dry it out, this is where our 2 in 1 Beard Shampoo & Conditioner comes in. Using these one to three times a week will help to clean your skin while also softening the hairs using nutrient rich oils. 

Brushing your beard daily will also help to exfoliate the skin beneath your beard while promoting healthy hair growth. For an even deeper exfoliation, try a Coffee Scrub to remove flaky skin. 

Use the Right Products

With so much choice on the market, picking the right beard care products can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Beard products are designed with three main functions in mind: nourishment, shaping or styling.

Best used in the morning, the Beard Oil and Beard Balm combo will help moisturise the skin. Beard Balms are mainly used for shaping/styling thanks to their high beeswax content, while locking in moisture and taming fly away hairs. 

In the PM, you can opt for the deep conditioning benefits of Beard Butters. This will soften your hairs while keeping your skin hydrated.

Moisturise your Beard

In order to keep your skin hydrated and reduce any redness or itchiness, it’s essential to moisturise your beard. Massaging beard oil into your beard and skin at least once a day is one of the best ways to combat irritation. Beard Butters are a deeper conditioner for your beard, and soften the hairs while moisturising the skin underneath. 

Shaving Aftercare

Products that contain harsh, synthetic chemicals can dry the skin resulting in itching. Use a natural aftershave wash or lotion after you shave or trim your beard to keep irritation at bay.

 

Final Thoughts

Although beard itching can leave you scratching your chin wondering how best to alleviate the irritation, the good news is this is something that can be avoided in the future with the right products. So, check out our range of beard oils, balms, butters and brushes that will help to keep your beard in top condition.