How To Deal With Beard Itch

You’ve finally started to grow the beard you’ve always wanted; it looks great, you look suave, but there’s a problem - it itches - a lot. Beard itch is the one thing every man who decides to grow a beard faces - there’s no getting away from it (literally) and it’s downright unpleasant.

But before you give in, reach for the razor and shave your much loved and full-of-potential beard off, know that you’re not alone. Beard itch is just part of the process of growing a beard and it doesn’t last forever. You just need to give your skin time to get used to all that new growth. But don’t worry, there are some simple steps you can take in the meantime to minimise the itch, make growing a beard a bit more bearable and optimise the quality and health of your beard and the skin beneath.

1. Keep it Clean

There’s no way to avoid it, beards attract and hold dirt and detritus; a combination of dust, dead skin, and food particles. If these cells are allowed to remain in the hair, mixing with sebum and sweat they will cause irritation and itching. It’s vital therefore, that you keep your hair and skin clean by incorporating a quality beard cleansing routine into your weekly schedule. If you’re not sure where to start you may find our 8 step guide on how to wash your beard useful.

2. But Don’t Over-Cleanse

For hygiene reasons it’s important to keep your beard clean and fresh, but don’t go mad with the shampoo. Shampoo can strip the beard hair and skin of its natural oils, so try to only use it 1-2 times a week and always use a specialist beard cleanser not your standard hair shampoo, which will make the itch worse and will give you a stiff, crunchy, fuzzy beard. If your beard needs refreshing between washes opt for a beard conditioner or plain old clean, warm water.

3. Double Rinse

Ensure you rinse your beard thoroughly with clean, warm water post cleanse, moving your beard in all directions to ensure there is no trace of shampoo or conditioner left behind on the hair. Left-over residue will dry out and irritate the skin resulting in unsightly beardruff and even more itch, so always do a double rinse to be sure every trace has gone.

4. Dry it Properly

It’s important that you dry your beard thoroughly post wash as leaving water in the beard is a big contributor to skin drying out which will make the itch worse. Pat your beard dry with a fresh, clean towel, ensuring you get into the base of the beard to absorb any excess water. If you wish you can give your beard a blast from a hair dryer, set at a mild heat level, to finish the job.

5. Use Beard Oil

Beard oil creates a barrier over the skin, locking in moisture and protecting it from drying out and flaking, so it is your number one weapon in the fight against beard itch. Simply massage the oil on your skin and through the full length of your beard. Acting as a leave in conditioner beard oil will help to moisturise and nourish your skin, soften your beard, reduce beardruff and encourage healthy growth. It will also give your beard shine and hold so the benefits are multiple.You can start using beard oil from the moment stubble breaks through, so don’t delay if know you are susceptible to beard itch.

6. Comb and Trim Regularly

It’s important to comb and trim your beard on a consistent basis to keep wild, frizzy, sharp ends under control and away from your skin (where it can scratch and irritate). A quality beard trimmer or barbers scissors and a specialist beard brush or comb should be part of you beard care arsenal. As well as making your beard tidy and shiny, combing your beard will stimulate the hair follicles and blood flow, encouraging healthy growth and remove any weak and loose hairs which can cause further irritation.

Now you know how to fight the itch and grow the beard you always dreamed of check out our article on how to maintain your beard properly.