Dry Skin Under Your Beard? Try These 5 Simple Steps
Many men struggle with dandruff and dry skin under their beards. Follow these tips to keep your skin smooth and healthy all year long.
What Causes Dry Skin Under Your Beard?
There are many factors that can contribute to dry skin under your beard, as well as flaking and itching. Each hair follicle contains a sebaceous gland, which produces a set amount of sebum, or oil. Sebum is what naturally helps your skin and facial hair to stay hydrated. However, when you suddenly grow out your beard or mustache, your skin does not produce enough sebum to coat the new hair growth, in addition to your skin. Thus, you are left with dry, itchy skin under your facial hair.
Other factors that can cause dry skin include weather changes, poor diet, harsh personal care ingredients, and your specific Baumann Skin Type.
Some men develop dandruff in their beard area. You can tell that it is dandruff because the flakiness also occurs on the scalp. Using Head and Shoulders shampoo on the beard 2 to 3 times a week will often solve this problem, known as seborrheic dermatitis.
1. Know Your Baumann Skin Type
If you don’t already know your Baumann Skin Type, the first step is to find out which of the 16 types your skin is. This step is as easy as downloading the Skin Type Solutions app and answering a few quick questions about your skin and lifestyle habits. You can also find a Skin Type Solutions Physician Partner near you to take the questionnaire and see your prescribed skincare regimen based on your unique skin type.
2. Use the Right Cleanser for Your Baumann Skin Type
Bar soap is one of the biggest culprits of dry, flaky skin. Instead, use the right cleanser for your skin type. In general, dry skin types should look for a creamy, moisturizing cleanser such as VMV Creammy Cleansing Milk, NIA24 Gentle Cleansing Cream, or PCA Skin Facial Wash. Do not use a foaming cleanser if you have dry skin. These products strip your skin and hair of their natural oils, making dryness and flaking worse.
Most shampoos contain drying ingredients as well, so avoid using these products to wash your beard. If you have a long beard, look for shampoos that contain moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E to help prevent dryness.
3. Use the Right Moisturizer for Your Baumann Skin Type
Dry skin types also need to moisturize in order to replenish the skin’s natural lipids. Use a moisturizer that corresponds with your Baumann Skin Type. While there are moisturizing products made specifically for beards, make sure their ingredients are a match for your skin type and will not lead to irritation.
Many beard oils, for example, contain ingredients that can clog pores, cause breakouts, and lead to irritation and dryness. If you are going to use these products, avoid ingredients like:
- Coconut oil
- Coconut butter
- Almond oil
- Soybean oil
- Some essential oils
If you are trying a new product for the first time and notice a significant change to your skin – like sudden dryness, dandruff, or breakouts – quit using the new product and see if your skin returns to normal. If so, there is most likely an ingredient in the new product that is not right for your Baumann Skin Type.
4. Don’t Use Scalding-Hot Water
You might be tempted to wash with hot water on a cold, wintry day, but this can dry out your skin and cause redness if you have rosacea. Use lukewarm water instead, and dry your beard by gentling patting it with a soft towel. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, as the friction can irritate your skin.
5. Eat Foods High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The foods you eat (and don’t eat) play a significant role in your skin’s health and appearance. Dry skin types can benefit from eating plenty of foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These include salmon, mackerel, walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds.
Other healthy lifestyle habits like getting enough exercise and sleep, not smoking or drinking excess alcohol, and limiting sugar intake can also have a noticeable effect on your skin’s health.
Bottom Line
Managing dry skin under your beard and mustache is easier than it might seem. Follow these simple steps to have smooth, attractive skin and beard all winter long.
For more skincare advice, tips, and how-to videos from Dr. Leslie Baumann, follow Baumann Cosmetic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
©2020 Metabeauty, Inc.
