Beard Rash Solutions: Causes, Treatments, and How to Prevent Irritation

Experiencing an itchy, uncomfortable rash in your beard? Known (imaginatively) as beard rash, it might appear as a patch of itchy, painful, and dry skin. Depending on your skin tone, the rash could be red, pink, purple, gray, or even white. 

This isn't normal. With the right beard care, you shouldn't develop any form of rash. However, if you do, we're covering what's behind it and some top beard rash treatments.

In this guide:

• What Causes Beard Rash?
• Beard Rash Treatment
• Preventing Beard Rash

What Causes Beard Rash?

If you get a beard rash from time to time, it's hard to know what's behind the issue. You might attribute it simply to an episode of dry skin. However, there could be more going on. Here are some of the most common causes of beard rash:

Dry Skin

Dry skin is the leading cause of beard rash. It occurs when the skin is irritated or not hydrated, leading to patches of flaky skin. The underlying cause could be many different things, including hard soaps, dry or cold weather, certain medications, dehydration, and genetic factors.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Dry skin alone typically does not appear very red or raw. That's not the case for seborrheic dermatitis, however. This skin condition develops under facial hair and is notable for:

• Flaking
• Dandruff
• Redness
• Itchiness

Other forms of dermatitis or skin conditions can also cause a beard rash. For example, eczema and psoriasis may develop under or around the beard. The symptoms include dry scales, plaques, redness, bumps, and a sore or painful sensation.

Ingrown Hair

Ingrown hairs, or pseudofolliculitis barbae, occur when a hair grows back into the follicle. As the hair grows and grows, the pressure inside the follicle increases, causing inflammation and irritation. The condition gets even worse if you begin to scratch the area. 

Common signs of an ingrown hair include:

• Red bumps
• Pain in shaved areas
• Itchiness

Excessive Kissing

Yes, you read that right. Kissing too much increases the moisture around the mouth. When it dries, it can partially dry the skin with it. This might sound harmless. However, the repeated friction and skin-to-skin contact lead to chafing and irritation. 

Continuous exposure to saliva also disrupts the natural barrier of the skin. Little wonder people end up with a rash around their mouth. 

Follicle Inflammation

Follicle inflammation, or folliculitis, occurs when hair follicles become infected or inflamed, often due to bacterial or fungal infections. This condition can be exacerbated by a dirty razor or inadequate grooming habits. 

Symptoms include redness, swelling, and sometimes pus-filled bumps around the hair follicles. 

Managing folliculitis involves keeping the affected area clean, using antiseptic treatments, and avoiding irritation from shaving. In more severe cases, antibiotics or antifungal medications may be necessary. Regular beard care and cleanliness can help prevent folliculitis.

Beard Rash Treatment

Treating a beard rash is usually the easiest part. It mostly means taking a long, hard look at your grooming routine. Here are some ideas:

Give Your Beard a Rest

Sometimes, it's not a lack of grooming that's causing the problem; it's too much. If you're regularly shaving your neckline and cheekline, you can cause irritation, dryness, and even ingrown hairs. Give your skin a little bit of a break for a week or so to let everything recover – even if your beard looks a little unkept in the interim.

Moisturize Regularly

Tackling dryness is mostly about using a moisturizer. Try a few different products to see what works for you. You'll want to apply a small amount first on a skin section to see if you have a reaction. If not, it's safe to use. 

Look for high-quality moisturizers without any added scents. The absence of any harsh ingredients ensures that the moisturizer will do its job.

Keep Your Beard Well-Groomed

Let's be honest: the biggest reason behind beard rash is poor grooming. If you never wash or look after your beard, it's little wonder that the skin underneath is becoming irritated. There's an obvious solution: look after it. 

Always wash your beard using a gentle cleanser, exfoliate where you might develop ingrown hairs, and moisturize the area. Give your beard a good trim when necessary. 

Use a Beard Oil

Beard oil is one of the most effective treatments for beard rash. It adds some much-needed moisture into the beard airs, softening them. BEARD SORCERY's beard oils don't profess any medicinal benefits. However, they do contain several nourishing and moisturizing oils, including pure jojoba oil, virgin argan oil, apricot kernel oil, pumpkin seed oil, and more. These ingredients are rich in multiple vitamins and fatty acids, which are essential for healthy skin. 

How to Treat Beard Rash from Kissing

To treat beard rash from kissing, maintain good facial hygiene and moisturize regularly to protect the skin's barrier. Use a gentle cleanser and avoid harsh soaps. Apply a soothing cream to reduce irritation. For persistent issues, consider shortening or softening the beard with conditioners or oils. Avoiding frequent skin-to-skin contact until the rash improves can also help.

Preventing Beard Rash

Preventing beard rash is mostly just common sense. If you continue with your moisturizing and grooming routine, you'll get 80% of the results. There are just a few extra tips to consider:

Always Use a Clean Razor. Dirty razors harbor all kinds of germs. If you apply these to your skin, it's not surprising you might develop a rash. Clean your razor after use.

Use a Proper Beard Cleaner. There's no substitute for our Beard Wash and Restore Bundle. Designed specifically for beards, these products won't strip away your beard's natural oils. Instead, it leaves it softer and stronger than before. 

Establish a Beard Care Routine. Get yourself into the habit of looking after your beard and your skin. Set a routine for when to wash, groom, and oil your beard. Most importantly, stick to it.