Growing a beard is fun. Redness, itchiness and flaking skin under the beard are not so fun.

Unfortunately, it happens.

If you’ve been there, you know how bothersome and insufferable dry skin under a beard can get.

Scratching your face while walking, going out with friends, eating and working makes you go crazy. Not to mention it looks bad and off-putting.

Why would you put up with all that when there are so many simple solutions to treating dry skin under your facial hair?

Here you’ll find the 13 most effective dry skin under beard treatments, along with a thorough explanation about what leads to dry skin in the first place so you can prevent it in the future.

What Is Dry Skin Under the Beard

If you have a beard, then one of the most common conditions that you may experience is dry skin beneath it. Having dry skin under the beard is even one common complaint among bearded men. It is caused by a wide range of factors, including constant exposure to hot and cold weather and humidity.

Fortunately, this problem is usually just temporary. It could be seasonal. If dry skin under the beard happens, expect it to be characterized by tight and rough skin, flakes, scales, and peels, as well as cracks that lead to bleeding. You may also notice ashy and discolored patches on your skin.

The good news is that it is treatable. You can get rid of this problem through various means that you will learn later on in this article.

What Causes Dry Skin Under the Beard

So what are the factors that might cause the skin under your beard to get dry? Here are the most common triggers of this skin condition experienced by bearded men:

Strong Detergents and Ingredients

The strong detergents and ingredients that we are trying to talk about here refer to the bar soap or shampoo you are using in cleaning and washing your beard. Some of these products have plenty of heavy detergents and chemicals that cause your beard or facial hair to get excessively dry. It might also cause the skin beneath it to get dry.

It usually happens if you just use your favorite shampoo or soap on your beard – that is the one you are also using for your hair or body. As much as possible, avoid doing this as this may only strip your beard from all the essential vitamins and nutrients. Choose products specifically designed for your beard as they have gentler ingredients that are friendly not only on your facial hair but also the skin beneath it.

Products That Strip Away Natural Oils

Another possible cause of dry skin under the beard is the use of products that contain ingredients that might strip away the natural oils around the area, specifically your beard and the skin beneath it. This is actually correlated to the first cause mentioned, which is the use of strong detergents.

Avoid harsh detergents as they contain ingredients that might get rid of your skin’s natural oils. Go for natural beard shampoos that use gentle and natural ingredients. Among the ingredients, you have to look for are olive fruit oil, castor seed oil, sodium hydroxide, and coconut oil.

These are gentle and natural ingredients that blend well with natural sebum oils instead of stripping them away. The beard products containing them are, therefore, among the safest and gentlest solutions when it comes to cleaning your beard and keeping them well-moisturized.

Washing Beard Too Often

There is also a chance for the skin beneath your beard to get too dry if you wash your facial hair too frequently. It is advisable to wash it just a few times every week, instead of every day.

It is because the beard or facial hair relies too much on your natural sebum oils. Washing your beard too frequently, like every day, can strip away this natural oil. The result is dry skin. It can even lead to an itchy beard, which has a higher chance of having split-ends and dandruff.

Long Beard

If your beard is long, then it has a high chance of causing dryness underneath. It is because your longer beard also means that it requires a higher amount of natural oils. If your sebaceous glands are unable to keep up with the production of natural oils, then it might result in dry skin under the beard.

Too Hot or Too Cold Weather

The weather might also cause dryness on the skin underneath your beard. Extremely cold and dry weather might get rid of the moisture from your skin, resulting in dryness and itchiness.

Your constant exposure to extremely hot weather can also cause the same problem. It may be because the hot weather might cause you to sweat profusely. This sweat will wash away your skin’s natural lubricants and sebum oil. Sweating constantly, then wiping it might also dry out your skin.

Sunburn

Sunburn is also another factor that you have to watch out for, as it can also trigger dryness under your beard. It happens when the UV rays penetrate your facial hair and reach the skin beneath, leading to sunburns. If that happens, your skin will most likely dry out quickly. This problem can also result in itchiness and irritation.

Stress

If you want to avoid dryness under your beard, then make sure that your stress level is low. Note that high-stress levels can drastically affect your skin, including the one beneath your beard. It can increase your cortisol level, a stress hormone, which can lead to excess oil on your skin. This can further result in clogged pores and leave residues.

The excess oil produced naturally because of your high cortisol level tends to strip away the natural oils in your hair. It is the reason why it can dry out your pores and cause inflamed, irritated, and dry skin.

Another problem that your stress might cause on your beard is that it might affect the growth. With that, you have to learn a few stress relief techniques, including aromatherapy, massage, and meditation.

Dry Skin Under Your Beard Treatment

If the skin beneath your beard experiences dryness, then you can rest assured that there are a few solutions to it. Here are just some of the simple things you can do to get rid of the dryness:

Take Colder Showers

It is understood that nothing can feel better on that cold, blustery day than taking a nice hot shower. The problem for guys growing beards is that the heat from the water robs the skin of natural oils.

Although it might not make sense that water could actually dry out your skin, the truth is that you are causing that are too dry out, resulting in flakes and redness that will lead to that incessant itching.

The simple solution here to reduce the chances of dry skin under beard issues, turn the hot water knob a few notches towards the cold water.

This simple fix could reduce the dry skin and eliminate the problem in a few days.

Stop Using Facial Soap

It is just a habit that guys will use the same bar of facial soap on their beards because they use it all over their bodies anyway.

The truth here is that your face has undergone changes since growing the beard, and using a cheap bar of soap can dry out the skin under the beard and lead to flaking issues.

You wouldn’t use that bar of soap on your hair, so stop using it to wash your beard. Start a new habit of using shampoo with moisturizer on your beard instead of the bar of soap.

Your shampoo should contain essential vitamins usually contained in popular dandruff shampoos. These shampoos will moisturize the beard and skin below, eliminating your itch and reducing those flakes.

Drying Your Beard

Unlike running a towel over your head to dry your hair, your beard is coarse and retains more of that moisture for longer periods of time.

If you are not properly taking the time to dry that beard, the excess moisture can become problematic to the skin underneath. If your water contains excess minerals, they too can lead to issues with your skin when left in contact too long.

Take the time to run the hairdryer over the beard while using your fingers to ensure the warm air dries all that moisture.

Now that the hair is dry pamper yourself with a little beard oil. This product is all-natural and designed to keep the skin under the beard moist so that even new hairs will not cause irritation as they grow.

Use Facial Scrub Twice Weekly

It is only natural for our skin cells to die over time. However, the buildup of dead skin cells on your scalp and face may cause dandruff. In a severe case, your skin may become so itchy, leading to great discomfort.

When this occurs, the only solution is to exfoliate your skin.

Exfoliating your skin at least twice a week using a facial scrub or a beard brush can help ward off dead skin cells, remove skin flakes and get rid of ingrown hairs.

Watch Your Diet

Eating the right foods is not only good for your health but also ideal for your skin. This includes the skin under your beard.

Specific foods are known to have vital macronutrients that can help get rid of dry skin and prevent the buildup of dandruff.

In essence, you should eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamins A, C, and E to deal with your flaking issues.

Work Out Regularly

If you are a fervent pogonophile, then you probably know that the health of your skin and your facial hair has to do with your testosterone levels. Apparently, people with high testosterone have thicker, healthier beards compared to their counterparts with low male hormones.

Furthermore, their skins are suppler and smoother, devoid of dandruff.

Besides eating the right foods, working out regularly can go a long way to boost your testosterone levels. Moreover, you do not even have to go to the gym to exercise. You may work out at home by investing in padded gymnastics tumbling mats.

Whether you prefer simple yoga poses or vigorous exercises, an effective workout routine will not only help maintain your health but also keep beard dandruff away, albeit indirectly.

Allow Your Skin to Breathe

The types of garments you wear can suffocate your skin and lead to the buildup of beard dandruff. For instance, hats and balaclavas are known to hold body heat, consequently creating a favorable environment for beard dandruff to thrive.

Similarly, your beddings, including that pillowcase that you love so much, may irritate the skin under your beard, subsequently causing dandruff.

To avoid this situation, you are advised to wear loose-fitting clothes and moisture-wicking hats to keep sweat away.

Furthermore, you should consider using cotton or any other smooth bedding to avoid irritating your skin.

See a Dermatologist

After trying out everything and nothing seems to work for you, then consider visiting a professional dermatologist. The presence of beard dandruff that does not go away can be a sign of a more serious underlying skin condition.

You may be having an abnormal skin condition that is causing dry skin under your beard. With this in mind, visiting a dermatologist will go a long way to help you diagnose the problem.

The doctor will also be in a better position to prescribe appropriate medications to treat the condition. Then again, in case of any negative reaction to the medication, you should inform your doctor as soon as possible.

Change Your Beard Washing Routine

Just like what has been indicated earlier, the use of wrong products when washing your beard can cause dryness on your skin. Overexposing it to harsh and strong detergents and ingredients might lead to not only dryness but also itchiness and beardruff.

With that in mind, you can avoid the problem by making some changes in your beard washing routines. For instance, you may want to reduce the number of times you wash your facial hair every week. Stick to only a couple of times weekly. Ensure that you are using gentle and natural beard shampoos and conditioners, too.

Use a Good Beard Moisturizer

Investing in a reliable beard moisturizer and using it regularly can also help prevent skin dryness. You can also use beard oil or beard balm. However, nothing seems to work more effectively than a beard moisturizer when dealing with excessively dry under the beard.

As much as possible, use the water-based beard moisturizer that comes in the form of a lotion. It is because this moisturizer is based on glycerin or water that can be quickly absorbed by your skin. It can even penetrate deeply, making it more effective in treating dryness.

Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells

Exfoliation also works wonders in preventing skin dryness. This process can help in removing dead skin cells, thereby ensuring that the skin beneath your beard remains healthy and well-moisturized.

You can use a special beard scrub for exfoliation. Do it once or twice every month. Make sure that you also invest in a stiff beard brush as it can also help in exfoliating dead skin cells. Just make sure to use it every day to make it work for that purpose.

Drink More Water

Another way to finally get rid of dry skin under your beard is to stay hydrated. Ensure that your body receives the right amount of water you need every day. Doing that will hydrate the area, especially from the inside, thereby ensuring that it won’t get too dry.

Use Beard Oil

Beard oil also seems to work wonders when it comes to relieving the dryness from under your beard. This product serves as a conditioner, which can moisturize and condition the area.

The good thing about beard oils is that there are versions you can easily make on your own. Just make sure to use its key ingredients, like vitamin, essential, and carrier oils. With these ingredients around, the oil will work its way towards adding moisture to your skin, preventing dryness.

It’s really that simple! These simple tips are excellent for dealing with dry skin under beard issues.

The thing to remember is that the skin under your beard goes through many changes during the growth of the hair follicles.

Moisturizing the skin with products made with all-natural ingredients will ensure you are not contributing to the cause of that irritation.

How to Take Proper Care of the Skin Under the Beard

Step 1 – Moisturize

Note that the ultimate step in properly caring for the skin beneath your beard is to moisturize. By keeping the area well-moisturized, you can’t only prevent dryness but also other issues, like flaking, itchiness, beardruff, and peeling. To moisturize the skin, apply some beard oil regularly.

Step 2 – Wash regularly

However, you should avoid doing the washing excessively. Regular washing in the case of your beard can already be done twice or thrice per week. Avoid doing it every day as it might only remove natural oils that protect your follicles, hair, and pores.

Step 3 – Brush and comb your beard regularly

You should not also forget to brush and comb your beard if you want to give the skin beneath it proper care. Aside from being a big help in styling your beard, brushing and combing also ensure that the skin beneath stays healthy and well-moisturized.

The regular use of a beard brush can even help in lifting and getting rid of dead skin cells. Regular brushing with the help of a boar bristle brush is also a big advantage as this carries sebum oil that can be evenly distributed throughout your beard.

As for combing, expect it to help in ensuring that your beard looks great all the time. It works in preventing knots, tangles, fly-away, and skin dryness.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Use only those beard products that contain natural and gentle ingredients. The products should be suitable for your skin type, too.
• Use a beard comb when applying beard oil. The comb can help properly and evenly distribute the oil, adding moisture to the right places.
• Do wash your beard twice or thrice weekly only. When washing, do not forget to rinse the beard thoroughly to prevent the cleanser from building up on your facial hair.
• Use a boar’s bristle brush as it serves its purpose more effectively. Brush your beard with it two times daily.
• Do not scrub your beard too vigorously when washing as it might just damage the area.
• Do not apply moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners or any other beard grooming products with plenty of chemicals and unnatural ingredients.

FAQs

How can I stop the skin under my beard from peeling?

The skin under your beard may also start peeling because of excessive dryness. Fortunately, you can deal with that problem through simple solutions and steps. One solution is the use of a facial scrub two times every week. You just have to apply the scrub over the beard area to get rid of dead skin cells and flakes and release ingrown hairs.

Another tip is to keep the skin under your beard well-hydrated with the help of a moisturizer, conditioner, or beard oil. Regardless of the product you decided to use; you have to ensure that you massage it gently to the area to guarantee full and proper coverage. These solutions can surely do a great job of ensuring that your skin does not peel.

Why is the skin under my beard red?

The redness on the skin under your beard may be caused by excessive dryness. However, there are also times when redness indicates a more specific skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis or eczema. If you have this condition, then expect the skin to become not only red but also get flaky and scaly.

While this skin condition often affects the scalp, the skin around and beneath your beard may also be affected. You are more vulnerable to experiencing the condition of your skin is naturally oily. Fortunately, there are ways to treat the problem and its symptoms, especially the redness. Some things that you can do include regular washing and exfoliating and moisturizing your skin.

Does beard oil help with dry skin?

Yes. As a matter of fact, beard oil is one of the most highly recommended solutions for bearded men experiencing dryness in the skin around and within their facial hair. This oil works as a high-quality shampoo specifically designed for the beard.

You can also enjoy its conditioning agent, so it can surely deal with the dryness.

The good thing about beard oils, especially those containing argan and jojoba oils, is that they are safe to use because they are mild and natural, plus they do their job well in curing dry skin.

Conclusion

You can grow a beard without worrying about it, causing excessive dryness around your face.
All you have to do is to identify the possible causes and triggers of it, so you can avoid it as much as possible.

Learning more about the most effective cures for dry skin under the beard can also help you act on it right away in case it happens.