So, you're growing a beard… Great! I’m proud of you. But if you're here, it’s because you've entered the dreaded beard itch phase we all encounter in the early going. Or, you may be dealing with it later on if you don't know how to properly care for your beard.
I'm about to share my proven itchy beard remedy that has helped our customers push through the uncomfortable phase and achieve the magnificent beard they deserve. This four-step process addresses the root causes of beard itch while giving you practical solutions you can implement today. You'll discover exactly why your beard itches and how to fix it.
So first, let's scratch that itch.
Step 1: Identify What's Causing Your Beard Itch
Before we can fix your itchy beard, we need to understand what's causing it. I'll walk you through the most common culprits that plague bearded men everywhere.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Oof, doesn't sound good, does it? But spoiler alert — It has a much more common name you're likely familiar with: dandruff. When you grow a beard, your face can get it too.
And it's not fun! Your face, more specifically the skin under your beard, can get red, scaly, and flaky.
If you notice persistent flaking accompanied by redness or yellow scales that won't improve with regular beard care, it's time to consult a dermatologist. They can prescribe medicated shampoos or topical treatments that target the specific fungus causing the issue.
Dry Skin
Related, but different, dry skin affects roughly 1 in 3 beardos (we made that up, but it's definitely common).
What causes dry skin? A lot! Genetic factors, medications, underlying health conditions, even your shampoos, soaps, or other facial products. (This is why you need high-quality beard products, but we'll get to that later!)
Even your local climate can cause dry skin, particularly if you live somewhere that's typically dry and cold (we see you, long winter).
Here are my top tips for combating dry skin under your beard:
• Skip the scalding showers - hot water strips natural oils from your skin
• Run a humidifier in your bedroom during winter months
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Switch to gentle cleansers designed for facial hair
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs can surely itch, but they can also really hurt! This discomfort is caused by a confused hair that has lost its head in a shaving accident and grows inward instead of outward. Ouch! Or, itch!
These will make themselves known by red, itchy, bumpy, or even sore spots in the areas you've shaved. They can still pop up during beard growth when you're cleaning up your neck and beard line. Not fun! But it happens.
Prevention beats treatment every time with ingrown hairs. I exfoliate my neck and cheek lines two to three times per week with a gentle scrub to keep dead skin cells from trapping new growth. Always shave with the grain when cleaning up your edges. Going against the grain might give you a closer shave, but it dramatically increases your risk of ingrown hairs. Trust me on this one.
Hydration, Diet & Acne
Your beard itch might stem from issues happening inside your body rather than on the surface. Dehydration reduces your skin's ability to produce natural oils, leaving both your beard and the skin beneath parched and irritated. I notice my beard gets noticeably itchier when I don't drink enough water.
Vitamin deficiencies play a bigger role than most men realize. Low levels of vitamins A, B, C, and E can all contribute to dry, itchy skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Consider adding fish oil supplements or eating more salmon and walnuts.
Young men dealing with acne face a unique challenge. The bacteria and inflammation from acne can make beard itch worse, while beard hair can trap oils and bacteria against the skin. If you're battling both acne and beard itch, you need a targeted approach that addresses both issues simultaneously.
Other Causes Of Itchy Beards
Sometimes beard itch signals a more serious infection that needs medical attention. Watch for symptoms like persistent redness that spreads, yellow or green discharge, swelling, fever, or patches of hair loss. These could indicate bacterial or fungal infections such as:
• Folliculitis - inflamed beard hair follicles
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae - when facial hairs curve back during growth and irritate the follicle
• Tinae barbae - a fungal infection! Eek!
Okay, enough of that. Let's get to solutions.
Step 2: Wash Your Face Daily With A High-Quality Beard Wash
Okay, great. We've identified the problem. Now, it's time to stop scratching and create a more comfortable solution.
You may have noticed that the general theme of beard itchiness stems from dry skin. Most of the issues we’ve covered in Step #1 come back to moisture imbalance. Even acne-related itch improves when you properly hydrate and cleanse the skin.
Your beard creates a microenvironment that can trap bacteria and dead skin cells while simultaneously preventing your natural oils from properly moisturizing the area. Think of it this way — If you've routinely shaved your face for years, this acts as a natural exfoliant. When you stop, your face is all like "wait, what?" and starts to dry out. This generally happens a couple of weeks into your beard growth.
Another common problem early beard growers face is simply protecting your face from day-to-day elements. When you don't, your beard and skin will dry out, and YUP, you guessed it, become itchy.
Washing your beard with a wash that is specifically formulated for beards will remove impurities and moisturize rather than dry you out. Beard wash is tough enough for your coarse facial hair, yet soft enough for your skin. A good beard wash accomplishes what regular shampoo simply cannot. It gently cleanses while maintaining your skin's natural oil balance, something regular shampoo simply can’t accomplish on your face.
I use our Weatherbeard Beard Wash every morning. The formula is gentle enough for daily use but effective enough to eliminate buildup and grime. It contains natural ingredients that soothe irritated skin while thoroughly cleaning your beard. My customers tell me it's the first product that didn't leave their face feeling tight and dry after washing.
Step 3: Dry Your Beard Thoroughly
This might seem counterintuitive, but you want to properly dry your beard after washing. Leaving water in your beard will actually cause it to dry out and become brittle as the water evaporates. Instead, gently pat dry your beard with a towel. For longer beards, I wrap the towel around the beard and squeeze gently rather than rubbing.
If you’re feeling fancy use a blow dryer, keep it on cool or low heat and maintain at least six inches distance while constantly moving it around.
Step 4: Make Beard Care Part Of Your Daily Routine
The final step to permanently curing your beard itch is to make proper beard care part of your daily grooming routine. And the cornerstone of successful maintenance is beard oil.
I apply beard oil every day after drying my beard when the hair is still slightly damp. The lightweight oils penetrate deep into your beard and skin, delivering hydrating nutrients which are essential to stopping itchiness.
Beyond oil, you need either beard balm or beard butter to seal in that moisture and provide lasting protection. Balm gives you styling control while conditioning your beard, perfect for keeping flyaways in check. Butter offers deeper conditioning for particularly coarse or dry beards.
I alternate between the two depending on my day's activities. Both create a protective layer that shields your beard from environmental stressors that cause dryness and irritation.
Products That Can Cure Your Beard Itchyness
Ready to eliminate that beard itch for good? Start with our Beard Wash for daily cleansing that won't strip your natural oils. Then take a look at our Beard Oil Kit to find your perfect scent while getting immediate relief.
Follow up with our gentle yet effective Lock in moisture and style with our Beard Balm, or go for maximum conditioning with our rich Beard Butter. Each product in the Weatherbeard Supply line works together to create a comprehensive defense against beard itch.
Don't let another day go by scratching and suffering. Your beard deserves better, and so do you. Grab your itchy beard remedy today and join many men who've conquered the itch with Weatherbeard Supply.
When To See A Dermatologist
Some beard conditions require professional medical attention. The American Dermatological Association recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist for any skin condition that doesn't improve with basic care within 7-10 days.
If you experience persistent symptoms lasting longer than 10 days despite proper beard care, it's time to see a specialist. Severe redness, swelling, pus, or spreading rashes indicate infections that need prescription treatment.
Summary
There you have it. Four steps to a cleaner, moister (actually a word!), decidedly less itchy beard. And yes, you’re darn right Weatherbeard can help. Give our products a try, build the program into a consistent routine, and say goodbye to an itchy beard forever.