How to Heal Dry, Flaky Skin Under Beard

What Is Dry Skin Under Beard?

Many men with beards complain about dry skin, and chances are, they weren’t aware that they would be facing this problem when they started growing their beards.

There are many causes of dry flaky skin, and if you know the root cause of your problem, you’ll be able to solve it fast. Some of the symptoms of dry skin under the beard include rough and tight skin around the area, peeling skin, and scales.

You may even experience cracks that can lead to bleeding. It is also common for men to deal with discolored skin patches.

What Causes Dry Skin Beneath Your Beard?

Beards are now back in style, and many men battle with beard dandruff. If you are dealing with flaky skin under your beard, you just need to be reminded that sporting beards are not for low-maintenance men. Here are the major reasons for dry skin beneath your beard.

Environment

The skin under your beard can be affected by temperature and humidity.

For example, during the summer, you may not experience dry skin under your beard, but the same thing cannot be said for winter. When the temperature is low, your hair and skin follicles will close up. The level of humidity can also aggravate dry skin.

Genetics

Dealing with a flaky beard? You might chalk up this problem to your mom or dad. If you notice that dry skin runs in the family, you are bound to face this problem as well.

Skin Issues

Dry skin is not a serious concern, but for some people that are already dealing with skin issues, this could be a huge problem. Men who have atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, perioral dermatitis, ichthyosis, and seborrheic dermatitis are more prone to having dry skin under their beard.

Ingrown Hair

When you have flaky skin, and you continually exfoliate your face, the dead skin cells around it can get stuck in your hair shaft.

In time, this will attract grease and may lead to ingrown hairs. This is a potentially very painful condition that happens when the hair follicle grows sideways instead of towards the skin surface.

Overwashing

Washing your skin to keep it clean is a must. But if you do this too often, it can dry out your skin. A lot of cleansers have harsh ingredients that worsen this condition. When you wash your face, the skin under your beard can lose water and moisture due to evaporation, and this causes tight and dry skin.

Using Soaps or Products That Washes off Natural Oils

For people who have dry skin, choosing the wrong soap can worsen their condition. While soaps can cleanse your skin, they can also strip it of its natural moisture barrier if you pick a harsh option.

Therefore, you’ll be dealing with irritation and a flaky beard. Instead of using body soaps, try to look for products that contain cocoa butter, olive oil, or avocado oil.

Hot Showers

Taking a hot and steamy shower may seem like the most relaxing thing to do after a long day, especially during the winter months. But if you do this every day, you may have trouble with a dry beard. As much as you can, avoid hot baths and showers.

Aside from drying out your skin, it can also damage the skin surface and lead to inflammation and eczema.

Sunburn

If you spend a lot of time outdoors and you’re nursing sunburnt skin, you may notice that there is dry skin underneath your beard. This is because the sun damages the upper layer of your skin. In some cases, you’ll even notice peeling.

Growing Long Beard

When you have a longer beard, you increase your chance of suffering from dry skin underneath it. Why? This is because the longer your beard is, the more natural oils it needs. And there is a chance that your skin glands will not be able to keep up with its oil production.

Stress

You may think stress can’t affect your skin, but that is not the case. Stress can worsen your skin’s natural barrier and prevents your skin’s ability to retain moisture and water. Increased perspiration due to stress can also result in dehydrated skin and a dry beard.

How to Rid of Dry Skin Under Beard

We’ve rounded up some ways on how you can get rid of a dry beard.

Wash Your Beard Properly

It is important to cleanse your beard, but if you have dry skin, do not wash too often since it will strip your skin of its natural oils. If possible, invest in a good beard wash so you can get all the grit and grime off your beard without damaging your skin.

Dry Your Beard Properly After Washing

After washing your beard, gently pat it dry using a clean cloth. Do not blow-dry your beard with hot air since the heat and hot speed can dry it out and make it feel brittle.

If you want to dry it, use the coolest setting. Having a damp beard is also not recommended since it creates a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

Avoid Hot Water

A lot of men make the mistake of washing their beards at the wrong temperature. If the water is too cold, your pores won’t open. If it’s too hot, it will strip your skin.

Exfoliate the Dead Skin Cells

Exfoliating your beard should be a vital part of your routine. This is because your beard traps dirt and dead skin cells, as well as bacteria. This can block your pores and lead to acne. Exfoliating will ensure that all grime is removed.

Use a Good Quality Beard Moisturizer

Keeping your beard moisturized is key if you don’t want your body to overcompensate and produce extra oils. Applying hydrating moisturizer on your beard will also help your beard grow longer and thicker and ease the symptoms of dry skin.

Stop Using Soaps and Low-Quality Grooming Products

Regular soaps are not made with facial hair in mind. Not only that, but most soaps are designed for body use. So it can be harsh for your face and can lead to your face drying out.

If you stick to low-quality grooming products, your skin and beard will also suffer from the consequences, and you will notice, dry, flaky beard, as well as unhealthy beard growth and split ends.

Use Facial Scrub Weekly

It is recommended to exfoliate your beard once every two weeks using a trusted beard exfoliator scrub with natural beads like pumice. You can also use a beard brush.

Use Beard Oil or Beard Balm

If you’ve never used beard oil or beard balm, you’re missing out. While these two products are meant to be used together, they can also be used as a stand-alone product.

These products will help keep your beard growth healthy, especially in the first weeks where itching due to dry skin can be a problem. If you have a thicker and longer beard, beard oils may be easier to work with compared to balms.

Drink Lots of Water

While there is no direct link to your beard’s skin and water intake, it is still a good idea to drink lots of water. This will allow you to maintain the balance of your body fluids.

Say Goodbye to Your Stress and Get Adequate Sleep

Stress is not only good for your mind but also your beard. If you want to have a healthier beard, the ultimate way to solve it is to get your overall health in check and rest well.

When you sleep, your blood flow increases, and your organs, including your skin, rebuild collagen and repair damage.

Watch Your Food Habit

Foods that are rich in fat are not good for dry skin under beard. Sugary and baked goods can also lead to inflammation. Instead, eat foods that are rich in zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. These foods enable your skin to perform its functions and reduce water loss.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is amazing for your lungs, heart, and mental health. But did you know it’s also great for the skin? This is because exercise increases blood flow and carries oxygen and nutrients to your skin.

See a Dermatologist

In most cases, dry skin under the beard will get better after lifestyle changes. However, if it becomes too severe and uncomfortable and won’t disappear when you use over-the-counter products, you need to see a dermatologist.

Do’s and Don’ts: Tips to Cope with Dry or Flaky Skin Under Beard

You’re not the only man dealing with dry skin under your beard. The truth is, most men do not have the motivation to care for their skin because they don’t know what to do. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts of taking care of your dry skin under your beard:

Do’s

Use sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
Use a mild hydrating cleanser.
Trim your beard every six to eight weeks.
Use beard oil or beard balm for healthy growth.
Eat fresh leafy vegetables, nuts, and fish to help achieve healthy skin.
Keep your skin moisturized, especially in the winter.
Exfoliate twice a month.
Clean your trimming and shaving tools after every use.
Always use a clean face towel.

Don’ts

Do not use harsh or regular body soap to clean your beard.
Avoid using alcohol-based products since they can dry out your skin even more.
Do not let other people borrow your shaving tools.
Throw out old razors since they can cause skin conditions.
Do not leave your beard damp after cleaning it.
Do not forget to moisturize twice a day, especially during the winter.

FAQs

A Hot Shower or Cold Shower— What’s Good for My Skin?

Hot water can damage your skin faster and strip away your skin’s natural oils. Stick to a lukewarm or cold shower if you need an invigorating boost.

What Can Steam Do for Your Dry Skin Under Your Beard?

Steam can help your pores open up. It can also hydrate the skin by moisturizing the face naturally. Steam also helps to increase your blood flow and promote collagen. This results in softer and more supple skin.

Can I Grow a Beard If My Skin Is Dry?

While it’s possible to grow a beard if your skin is dry, keep your skin moisturized. Growing a beard when you have dry skin will make your skin problem worse because the hair will compete with your skin and soak up your body’s natural oils.

My Skin Is Red Under My Beard, Why?

The most common culprit for red skin under your beard is beard rash. This painful condition is caused by dry skin as well as poor skincare and shaving practices.

In some cases, it is caused by fungal or bacterial infection. Thankfully, it’s easy to solve. First, take a break from your shaving routine, and pamper your skin and beard with moisturizers. You can also use topical hydrocortisone.

Does Beard Oil Help With Dry Skin?

Beard oil will do wonders for both your facial hair and skin. When you apply beard oil every day, you can alleviate the symptoms associated with dry skin.