What Should You Do If Your Beard Itches?

Every bearded person knows this: the skin underneath itches so much that you want to get rid of the hair. Before you rush to grab a razor, read our anti-itch tips

It’s maddening. You practiced patience for months and grew a stylish, full beard. And now? The skin underneath itches and itches almost unbearably.

Why is this so, and what should be done? Shave off? Please don’t! Here we reveal what exactly is responsible for itchy beards and what relieves the itching—without sacrificing the painstakingly cultivated beard.

Why does the beard itch?

No question, beards look casual and are very popular. But the fact is, a beard is also a battlefield for bacteria. And they are largely responsible for the annoying itching. In addition, there are dead skin cells that would otherwise simply fall off but can all too easily get caught in the hair and thus cause itching.

What helps? These are four tips.

1: If your beard itches: limit your intake of bacteria

Your hands offer bacteria the very best transport conditions. Whenever you fiddle with your beard hair, you are introducing the very same microbes that you previously came into contact with on the toilet, on the bus, or while shopping.

“Every time you run your fingers through your beard, bacteria and fungi are transferred,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. At a certain point, your beard becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, keep your hands out of your face. If you touch your itchy beard, it’s only to clean it.

By the way: This is how you care for a 3-day beard

2: Wash and oil regularly to prevent itching

“Skin flakes that get caught in the beard hair every day also contribute significantly to the dreaded itching,” says Richard Tucker, beard expert at the London barbershop Ruffians. “Men should pay attention to their beard care and wash their beard regularly; then you will get the problem under control.”

But be careful: washing does not mean applying shower gel to your beard in the shower. It’s better to invest in a proper beard shampoo. Shower gels degrease the hair, making it strawy and scratchy. No problem for a 3-day beard, but a problem for a full beard.

Beard oil and a beard brush are also worthwhile for longer beards; the tools not only make the hair shine but also nourish, invigorate, and soothe the facial skin at the same time.

3: Tame frizzy beard hair so that it doesn’t prick

Frizzy, irregularly grown beard hair, in particular, provides a good basis for microorganisms. “In the worst case, bacteria trapped in the hair bends cause infections,” says Zeichner.
“Curly and twisted beard hair can also grow towards the skin and cause pseudo-folliculitis there.” ‘Pseudofolliculitis barbae’, to use dermatological jargon, is an irritation of the skin caused by beard hair, which, in combination with bacteria, can cause itching, ingrown beard hair, and inflammation.

“If you tend to do this, you should develop a beard routine that promotes straight beard hair growth,” says barber Tucker. He advises:

• Wash your beard every second or third day.
• Not more often; otherwise, it will lose its elasticity and boost oil production unnecessarily.
• Blow-dry your beard at a maximum of medium heat to relax and straighten the beard hair.
• Men with a full beard should get a beard brush. It prevents the hair from tangling and smoothes it.
• Mild beard cleaning products and moisturizing styling products soften rough stubble so it pricks less.
• But use beard-styling products carefully. If there is too much oil and cream in the beard, bacteria and dirt particles can easily become trapped. By the way: It’s that easy to make your beard oil

4: Plane off the edges of the beard sharply

If your beard itches, it could also be because you are not shaving the contours correctly or are using the wrong device. “Electric razors in particular can cause skin irritation and, in the worst case, infections because they are harder to clean,” says Tucker. “Barbers recommend wet shaving around the beard.”

This can be done with a standard wet razor. But safety razors are the first choice for those with beards. “This creates precise contours. But above all, they cut the hair sharply without pulling on the hair root,” says the expert. This could lead to inflammation and itching again.

Sure, beard care and styling products are usually a little more expensive than shower gel and standard razors. But proper beard tools and care products will help keep your beard looking and feeling casual. And it’s worth it to you, right?