Itchiness is one of the most irritating and common side effects that accompany beard growing. No matter if you are growing a new beard or have been growing one for years, itchiness can strike at any moment. The good news is that any itchy beard doesn’t last forever. If you find yourself asking, “Why does my beard itch?” on a regular basis, there are typically hidden issues or habits that cause the problem.
What Does An Itchy Beard Mean?
Although itchiness can indicate that your beard is growing, this isn’t always the case. If you are growing your beard out for the first time, itchiness is par for the course. The reason that new beards itch is because the hairs are used to trimming, so strands are stubby and sharp. Sharp bristles break the skin’s surface and start to grow, often tickling the face in the process. This is the itchiness you feel in the initial growing stage. If itching persists past the first month, something else is at the root of the problem. Your health or overall hygiene may be causing your beard to itch, and we’ll indicate a few problems and fixes below.
Your Beard And Skin Are Too Dry
Men with longer beards tend to experience itchiness when beards get too dry. The roots of your facial hair don’t produce enough natural oils to sustain the ends. They are different from the hair on your head in that way. Longer beards are at a natural disadvantage when it comes to oil production, which is why dryness or itchiness is fairly common. In fact, a dry or itchy beard can indicate that breakage and split ends are coming.
Fortunately, you can easily fix dryness issues by starting in the shower. Water that is too hot or too cold can instantly dry out your beard and cause discomfort. Additionally, using hair care products on your face can damage sensitive beard hair and the skin underneath. Opt for gentle beard shampoo and conditioner, looking for ingredients like green tea, vitamin E, jojoba oil, aloe vera, and other natural ingredients on the label. Over-washing can also lead to beard dryness. Try to condition your beard more than you shampoo it, and never forget to moisturize with a natural beard oil, especially if your beard is longer.
Your Beard Needs Extra Attention
Some beards are more high maintenance than others. It’s not always about how short, long, grimy, or clean your beard is. Specific hair types and the tools you use to trim your beard all factor into the itchiness of your beard. Thicker beards are more prone to itchiness and ingrown hairs. If you use the wrong tools on thick or curly hair types, you can ruin the texture of your beard and experience itchiness. When you force your beard through comb teeth that are too tight, it appears fullest at the roots and becomes wiry at the ends. Switch out your combs and brushes to help your beard avoid itchiness.
How can you find the right beard comb or brush? First off, you need to consider your beard hair type and styling needs. Combs tend to work well for wet styling and brushes are better for manicuring dry beards. Men with shorter beards can benefit from fine- or medium-toothed combs, or soft bristle brushes. These tools keep beard hair tight and secure, but don’t try to force too much beard into these tools, or else you may break your hair. Thicker or curly beards may benefit from firm bristle brushes or wide-toothed combs.
Your Beard And Skin Are Dirty
Don’t subscribe to the belief that a bearded man has to be grimy and rugged. Even though over-washing can cause beard itch, so can poor hygiene habits. When your skin and beard are too dirty, you’ll likely experience discomfort and itchiness. You really need to listen to this itch because you’ll start to see that poor hygiene negatively affects your beard. Bacteria and debris at the roots of your beard hairs cause itchiness and poor beard health.
Failure to wash your beard properly can result in ingrown hairs, acne, and beard dandruff. The combination of dry skin, oils, and general debris can clog pores, which increases the itchiness. Rinse your board with warm water before bed to prevent overnight build-up between showering. Make sure to apply beard oil or beard balm throughout the day if you seek relief from dryness. These products help create a protective barrier for your beard so that bacteria have a harder time clinging to your skin.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
