A well-kept beard demonstrates pride in your look, but equally, nothing can be more annoying than dealing with the irresistible urge to scratch your beard. Beard itchiness is incredibly common and is one of the most often cited reasons that men give for shaving off their beard and staying clean-shaven.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to stop your beard from feeling itchy. If you're wondering how to stop beard itch, read on to find out everything you need to know.
Before we can nip the itchy beard problem in the bud, we need to first understand why beards can be so incredibly itchy. Most men experience a short period of itchiness when they first start growing a beard. This problem usually resolves itself as the beard grows longer. On the other hand, some men develop an itchiness problem even after their beard is fully grown. Let's take a closer look at the causes of an itchy beard.
When you're growing beard itchy problems can often arise. This is because the sensitive skin on your face is used to receiving plenty of fresh air and sunlight, and is simply not used to being covered in hair. A related problem relates to all those years you shaved your face before you decided to grow a beard. Shaving cuts the hair, leaving a sharp edge. This is fine while you continue to shave regularly, but when you stop shaving and let the hair grow, these sharp edges scrape against the sides of the hair follicles, causing a decidedly itchy sensation. The good news is that this itchy phase will soon pass as your beard grows longer.
But what if you've had your beard for a while and you're still feeling itchy? You're no stranger to facial hair, so you're probably wondering, why is my beard itchy? The cause of your itchiness probably comes down to something lacking in your skincare or beard care regime, including a poorly conditioned beard, dry skin under beard, and dead skin cells that need to be removed.
The good news is that these problems are easy to fix by making slight changes or additions to your daily care routine.
The first tip on how to stop beard itch is often the hardest to follow: try not to scratch! You're going to resolve your beard itchiness issues by following the rest of the steps in this blog post, but in the meantime, your willpower will be tested as you do everything you can to refrain from scratching.
Just remember that every time you scratch your beard you're making the situation worse. If your itchy beard is caused by dry skin, scratching is only going to cause further flare-ups. Too much scratching and you could even end up with a nasty beard rash. Let's move on to the rest of the steps so you can spend as little time as possible in the "trying not to scratch" phase.
If you're dealing with an itchy beard, it's vitally important that you wash your beard properly. It's normal and natural for your skin to shed hundreds of dead skin cells every day. When you're clean-shaven, these dead skin cells are easily washed away. However, these same cells can end up trapped within your beard, unable to escape. Add to this the tiny particles of dirt, food, smoke, and other airborne nasties, and your beard may be a little dirtier than you think.
But it's not just enough to wash your beard, you have to wash it in the right way. Beard hair is very different from the hair on your head. Unlike head hair, beard hair is androgenic, which means that it is affected by the levels of testosterone in your body. To clean your beard properly, you need to use either a specialist beard wash product, or just use your fingers and lukewarm water. Most importantly, never use the same shampoo that you use on your head hair. Normal shampoo will strip your beard hair of its natural oils, causing it to dry out. This will only make the itchiness worse.
A problem with flaky skin under beard is best treated with an exfoliating scrub. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, which are probably one of the main causes of your itchy beard. Your exfoliating scrub will also help to remove all the other unwanted particles that have built up in your beard during the day.
You can either purchase an exfoliating scrub specifically designed for beards or make your own by mixing baking soda and water into a paste. For a stronger scrub, add some sea salt into the mix. To use, simply rub the paste through your beard and gently work through with your fingers. Be sure to not rub too hard on the skin under your beard.
Even though it's fine to let your head hair dry naturally, the same isn't true when it comes to your beard. If you don't dry your beard properly, you'll end up with water droplets trapped on the skin underneath your beard. When that water eventually evaporates, it will draw moisture from your skin, further exacerbating the itchiness problem.
Rather than using a hairdryer, simply rub and pat your beard dry with a soft towel. You know you're done when the skin underneath your beard is completely dry.
If you're ever tempted to skip drying your beard, just remember that a wet beard will cause dry skin and this dry skin is probably one of the main factors causing your beard itchiness.
If you're not already brushing your beard, it's time to start. Not only will brushing and combing your beard help to keep your beard clean and dirt-free, it will also make your beard look shiny. Plus, the running of a brush or comb through your beard can feel fantastic.
Many men choose to use a boars hair-brush, as the bristles are uniquely structured to carry naturally occurring sebum from your skin through to the tips of the hair shaft. A boars hair-brush will be a more expensive option, but you'll get a better beard brushing result and your brush may last longer than a cheaper alternative.
One of the most commonly overlooked tips on how to stop itchy beard is to use a beard conditioner. If you're already using the same conditioner that you use on your head hair, you must stop right now. Products designed for head hair are simply not suitable for beards, so it is vitally important that you use a conditioner specifically designed for beards.
A variety of different conditioners are available, from those used in the shower to those that you leave in, which are typically in the form of a butter or balm. Many men say that beard conditioners with jojoba oil or argan oil as their primary ingredient give the best results.
When you're dealing with beard itch, it's important to target the beard hair and the skin underneath your beard. Using a beard conditioner will nourish your beard hair, whereas a beard oil or balm will focus specifically on the sensitive skin underneath your beard.
As a bonus, beard oil can help treat or prevent beard dandruff.
When you first start growing your beard, you usually won't cut or trim at all for 8 to 12 weeks or until your beard has developed the desired length and thickness. But if you're wondering how to stop beard itching after your beard is fully grown, the answer may lie in more regular trimming. Regular trimming will deal with ingrown and stray hairs that don't add to the look of your beard, but which can cause a problem with itchiness. Whether you choose an electric or manual razor or beard scissors, keeping your beard trimmed after it has achieved its initial length and fullness will help to keep the itching at bay.
While this tip isn't specifically related to beards, you may be surprised how much your general diet and lifestyle choices can affect your beard. Good health starts from within, so make sure your diet is one that will nourish your body. Pay particular attention to foods that contain biotin (which assists your body to create keratin for healthy, strong hair), vitamin D (which stimulates the growth of new hair), and beta-carotene (which promotes the production of healthy sebum).
If you're looking to treat yourself, an oxygen facial from a reputable skin clinic is a type of hyperbaric treatment that infuses vital antioxidants and vitamins deep into the layers of your skin. Not only does an oxygen facial treatment provide instant results, but you'll also feel the benefits of fresher, healthier skin for months to come.
The definitive way to stop beard itch is to implement all of the above tips into your daily regime.
Here's what a healthy beard routine should look like for you:
An itchy beard is a common problem when you first start growing a beard. But if you're beard is well-established and you're still wondering how to stop beard itch, some simple changes or additions to your existing skincare and beard care regimes can help you nip the problem in the bud.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to stop your beard from feeling itchy. If you're wondering how to stop beard itch, read on to find out everything you need to know.
Why Does Beard Itch Occur?
Before we can nip the itchy beard problem in the bud, we need to first understand why beards can be so incredibly itchy. Most men experience a short period of itchiness when they first start growing a beard. This problem usually resolves itself as the beard grows longer. On the other hand, some men develop an itchiness problem even after their beard is fully grown. Let's take a closer look at the causes of an itchy beard.
New Beards
When you're growing beard itchy problems can often arise. This is because the sensitive skin on your face is used to receiving plenty of fresh air and sunlight, and is simply not used to being covered in hair. A related problem relates to all those years you shaved your face before you decided to grow a beard. Shaving cuts the hair, leaving a sharp edge. This is fine while you continue to shave regularly, but when you stop shaving and let the hair grow, these sharp edges scrape against the sides of the hair follicles, causing a decidedly itchy sensation. The good news is that this itchy phase will soon pass as your beard grows longer.
Dry Skin
But what if you've had your beard for a while and you're still feeling itchy? You're no stranger to facial hair, so you're probably wondering, why is my beard itchy? The cause of your itchiness probably comes down to something lacking in your skincare or beard care regime, including a poorly conditioned beard, dry skin under beard, and dead skin cells that need to be removed.
The good news is that these problems are easy to fix by making slight changes or additions to your daily care routine.
How To Stop Beard Itch
Do Not Scratch
The first tip on how to stop beard itch is often the hardest to follow: try not to scratch! You're going to resolve your beard itchiness issues by following the rest of the steps in this blog post, but in the meantime, your willpower will be tested as you do everything you can to refrain from scratching.
Just remember that every time you scratch your beard you're making the situation worse. If your itchy beard is caused by dry skin, scratching is only going to cause further flare-ups. Too much scratching and you could even end up with a nasty beard rash. Let's move on to the rest of the steps so you can spend as little time as possible in the "trying not to scratch" phase.
Wash Your Beard
If you're dealing with an itchy beard, it's vitally important that you wash your beard properly. It's normal and natural for your skin to shed hundreds of dead skin cells every day. When you're clean-shaven, these dead skin cells are easily washed away. However, these same cells can end up trapped within your beard, unable to escape. Add to this the tiny particles of dirt, food, smoke, and other airborne nasties, and your beard may be a little dirtier than you think.
But it's not just enough to wash your beard, you have to wash it in the right way. Beard hair is very different from the hair on your head. Unlike head hair, beard hair is androgenic, which means that it is affected by the levels of testosterone in your body. To clean your beard properly, you need to use either a specialist beard wash product, or just use your fingers and lukewarm water. Most importantly, never use the same shampoo that you use on your head hair. Normal shampoo will strip your beard hair of its natural oils, causing it to dry out. This will only make the itchiness worse.
Use An Exfoliating Scrub
A problem with flaky skin under beard is best treated with an exfoliating scrub. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, which are probably one of the main causes of your itchy beard. Your exfoliating scrub will also help to remove all the other unwanted particles that have built up in your beard during the day.
You can either purchase an exfoliating scrub specifically designed for beards or make your own by mixing baking soda and water into a paste. For a stronger scrub, add some sea salt into the mix. To use, simply rub the paste through your beard and gently work through with your fingers. Be sure to not rub too hard on the skin under your beard.
Properly Dry Your Beard
Even though it's fine to let your head hair dry naturally, the same isn't true when it comes to your beard. If you don't dry your beard properly, you'll end up with water droplets trapped on the skin underneath your beard. When that water eventually evaporates, it will draw moisture from your skin, further exacerbating the itchiness problem.
Rather than using a hairdryer, simply rub and pat your beard dry with a soft towel. You know you're done when the skin underneath your beard is completely dry.
If you're ever tempted to skip drying your beard, just remember that a wet beard will cause dry skin and this dry skin is probably one of the main factors causing your beard itchiness.
Brush Your Beard
If you're not already brushing your beard, it's time to start. Not only will brushing and combing your beard help to keep your beard clean and dirt-free, it will also make your beard look shiny. Plus, the running of a brush or comb through your beard can feel fantastic.
Many men choose to use a boars hair-brush, as the bristles are uniquely structured to carry naturally occurring sebum from your skin through to the tips of the hair shaft. A boars hair-brush will be a more expensive option, but you'll get a better beard brushing result and your brush may last longer than a cheaper alternative.
Condition Your Beard To Reduce Split Ends
One of the most commonly overlooked tips on how to stop itchy beard is to use a beard conditioner. If you're already using the same conditioner that you use on your head hair, you must stop right now. Products designed for head hair are simply not suitable for beards, so it is vitally important that you use a conditioner specifically designed for beards.
A variety of different conditioners are available, from those used in the shower to those that you leave in, which are typically in the form of a butter or balm. Many men say that beard conditioners with jojoba oil or argan oil as their primary ingredient give the best results.
Use Beard Oil Or Balm To Moisturise
When you're dealing with beard itch, it's important to target the beard hair and the skin underneath your beard. Using a beard conditioner will nourish your beard hair, whereas a beard oil or balm will focus specifically on the sensitive skin underneath your beard.
As a bonus, beard oil can help treat or prevent beard dandruff.
Trim
When you first start growing your beard, you usually won't cut or trim at all for 8 to 12 weeks or until your beard has developed the desired length and thickness. But if you're wondering how to stop beard itching after your beard is fully grown, the answer may lie in more regular trimming. Regular trimming will deal with ingrown and stray hairs that don't add to the look of your beard, but which can cause a problem with itchiness. Whether you choose an electric or manual razor or beard scissors, keeping your beard trimmed after it has achieved its initial length and fullness will help to keep the itching at bay.
A Healthy Diet And Lifestyle
While this tip isn't specifically related to beards, you may be surprised how much your general diet and lifestyle choices can affect your beard. Good health starts from within, so make sure your diet is one that will nourish your body. Pay particular attention to foods that contain biotin (which assists your body to create keratin for healthy, strong hair), vitamin D (which stimulates the growth of new hair), and beta-carotene (which promotes the production of healthy sebum).
If you're looking to treat yourself, an oxygen facial from a reputable skin clinic is a type of hyperbaric treatment that infuses vital antioxidants and vitamins deep into the layers of your skin. Not only does an oxygen facial treatment provide instant results, but you'll also feel the benefits of fresher, healthier skin for months to come.
Healthy Beard Routine
The definitive way to stop beard itch is to implement all of the above tips into your daily regime.
Here's what a healthy beard routine should look like for you:
- Brush your beard thoroughly after you wake up
- When you shower, rinse your beard with lukewarm water or use a specialty beard shampoo
- Use your exfoliating scrub
- Condition your beard with a beard conditioner
- Gently pat your beard with a soft towel until your beard and the skin underneath are completely dry
- Apply your beard balm and beard oil
- Brush your beard again to style it and make it look shiny.
An itchy beard is a common problem when you first start growing a beard. But if you're beard is well-established and you're still wondering how to stop beard itch, some simple changes or additions to your existing skincare and beard care regimes can help you nip the problem in the bud.