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How to Treat an
Itchy Beard

Read our guide on everything you need to know about dry skin under the beard and how to treat an itchy beard.

Read Time

5 min

In short:

How to Treat an Itchy Beard
Skin Irritation Under the Beard and What Causes It
Beard Pimples
How to Get Rid of Beard Dandruff

How to Treat an
Itchy Beard

Whether you've just started growing a beard, or have had one for a while now, you've probably experienced itching. Sometimes the itch can be barely noticeable, but it can also become very uncomfortable, as constant scratching can make your skin feel even more irritated.

Follow our guide on what causes an itchy beard, how to treat an itchy beard, and how to soothe dry skin under the beard.

What is the difference between beard hair and head hair?

Beard hair is different from the hair on your head. Beard hair is called androgenic hair, meaning that growth is mainly driven by hormones. It's thicker and coarser than the hair on your head, and the level of hormones determines the thickness and growth of your beard.

There are several causes of an itchy beard and itchy beard stubble, from irritation from shaving to clogged pores.

Read on to find out what's behind your itchy beard and how to treat it.

Close-up of a man with short facial hair and a dab of white cream beneath his eye

Skin irritation under the beard
and what causes it

If you have a full beard and it itches, this could be caused by dry skin under the beard. Facial hair draws moisture from the skin, pulling it up from the surface and onto the hairs, where it quickly evaporates. This can leave the skin extremely dry or flaky and even cause beard dandruff. Also, dead skin cells that are normally removed by daily face washing or exfoliation get trapped in the hair, and dirt and oil buildup can cause skin irritation.

It's also very common to have itchy beard stubble in the beginning when you decide to grow a beard. When you shave, you leave a sharp edge to each hair follicle, and when it first starts to grow, the tougher tufts of hair scrape against the edges of the follicle - which is what causes itchy beard stubble.

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Razor Burn

Known to dermatologists as irritant contact dermatitis. The razor can cause redness, burning, and beard itch. Dull razors, or a dull electric shaver, may be the culprits, while shaving too closely on skin that isn't properly prepared can cause friction and result in beard rash or itchy beard.

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Sensitivity to Products

Your skin may be sensitive to ingredients in shaving creams, gels, and pre-shave lotions that can lead to the protective outer layer of your skin breaking down, leaving it vulnerable to irritation and itching. Sensitive skin should choose fragrance-free lotions and creams to reduce the risk of itchy beard and itchy beard stubble. Try our NIVEA MEN Sensitive Pro Menmalist Liquid Shave, for a shaving cream that's gentle on the skin and perfect for a non-irritating shave.

BEARD
PIMPLES

Beard pimples, or beard Acne, are a major cause of itchy beard and itchy beard stubble. There are several reasons why you may experience red, bumpy, itchy patches – or beard pimples:

Breakouts
Spots and breakouts occur when sebum, produced by the skin, mixes with dead skin cells on the skin's surface.

Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair occurs when a hair that has been shaved or cut grows back into the follicle, instead of out, and becomes trapped under the skin. This is what causes irritation and inflammation. When this happens, the follicle can become red, lumpy, and itchy. People with curly hair are particularly prone to ingrown hair.

Folliculitis
Folliculitis is when the follicles that contain your beard hair become inflamed and feel tender or painful to touch. They can get blisters and, if there's a bacterial infection, they can become filled with pus. Folliculitis is usually a result of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, although it can also be caused by ingrown hairs.

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How to
Get Rid of Beard Dandruff

Beard dandruff is caused by a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, which causes beard rash and flaking skin.

Although experts don't know exactly what causes seborrheic dermatitis, they do know it's a reaction to a yeast in the skin called Malassezia. This fungus will likely grow in areas with many sebaceous glands, such as the scalp and face. The fungus breaks down the oil produced by these glands, a process that can trigger scale formation and flaky rashes on the scalp, eyebrows, nose, beard, and mustache. It's a chronic condition that can flare up at any time, but good beard hygiene will help to ease it.

If you have flaky skin under your beard but no redness or irritation, the cause of the itchy beard may be dry skin under the beard.

Tips for How to Get Rid of Beard Dandruff:

- Wash your beard with warm water daily.

- Use a beard wash that's gentle on the skin

- Exfoliate with a beard brush to remove dead skin cells. Be careful not to brush too hard, or you'll make beard dandruff or beard rash worse

- Moisturize your beard. This is a crucial step, especially if beard itch or dandruff is caused by dry skin under the beard. Again, choose a product that's gentle on the skin, like NIVEA MEN Sensitive Pro Facial Balm that soothes and relieves

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How to Care
for Your Beard and Stop Beard Itch

There are steps you can take to prevent beard itch. See our routine for getting rid of beard itch:

CLEANSE - Cleanse and exfoliate your face regularly to avoid dirt getting trapped in the beard. Since facial hair is different from the hair on your head, regular shampoo may not be the best option for your beard, as it can strip the natural oils from the beard and make it dry. Instead, choose a beard-specific shampoo or high-quality cleanser, as they are more suitable for facial hair and sensitive facial skin.

CONDITION - If you have a longer beard, use a special beard balm to loosen and soften the beard. Once you've cleansed your beard, apply balm and let it work for a few minutes before rinsing. When choosing a balm, look for products with natural ingredients like argan oil or jojoba oil – these are great for softening and strengthening your beard.

DRY YOUR BEARD - Although this step is often overlooked, it's quite important - make sure to dry your beard properly. Leaving water in the beard can dry out the skin and beard and cause itchy beard rash. Gently pat your beard with a towel after cleansing to absorb excess water.

Close-up of a smiling bearded man applying a dab of face cream to his cheek against a blue background

Smiling man applying white face cream to his cheek with his fingertips against a light blue background

MOISTURIZE - Moisturizing is another important step when dealing with an itchy beard rash. Use a light beard oil or Lotion to soften the beard and Nourish the skin underneath.

BRUSH - Regular brushing will not only give your beard a neat shape and smoother texture, but will also get the hairs to grow in a single direction - this will help avoid ingrown hair and itching. There are specialized beard combs available that make it easier to spread products through your beard, ensuring you get maximum results from the active ingredients.

REFINE YOUR SHAVING TECHNIQUE - How you shave can reduce your chances of suffering from itchy beard. To prevent itchy beard and beard pimples try:

- Shaving after showering - the steam will open your pores and provide easier access to the hair follicles, provides a much closer shave and reduces the chances of irritation, chafing, Redness and dryness
- Use a new razor blade each time you shave
- If you don't already use one, you should consider switching to an electric razor or a four- or five-blade razor

NOTE:
If you already have beard rash, give your skin some time to calm down. Try to avoid shaving or irritating your skin in other ways - use mild products to relieve the irritation and Nourish the dry skin under your beard.