The 4 Step Beard Care Routine for Anyone With Dry Skin

Anthony Mink |

January 27, 2026

Dry skin under your beard is way more common than you think, but don't worry. With a simple beard routine and the right natural products, you can get rid of the itchiness and flakes forever. The most important tip is to focus on cleansing, moisturizing and protecting both your skin and beard, and then with a little patience, you'll be on track to healthy beard growth.

Here is the Lowdown

Wash your beard just 2 or 3 times a week using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils.
Exfoliate gently with a soft beard brush or a gentle chemical exfoliant once or twice a week to keep dead skin and flakes at bay.
Moisturize your skin under your beard immediately after showering with a high-quality beard oil and balm that's packed with natural goodness like jojoba oil, shea butter and vitamin E.
Give those hot showers a break, steer clear of harsh soaps and alcohol-based products, and pop a humidifier into your dry environment. Your skin will thank you.
If your dryness or irritation persists for more than two weeks, it's time to pay a visit to the dermatologist to rule out any underlying conditions.

The best beard care routine for dry skin in 4 simple steps

If you have itchy or dry skin under your beard, know that you're not alone. Beard care for dry skin starts with getting to the bottom of the cause, choosing the right products and sticking to a gentle, consistent routine. Here's what works best and why it matters.

Understanding Why There Is Dry Skin Under Your Beard

Dry skin under your beard is usually down to a combination of your daily habits, the environment and, in some cases, the tools and products you use. Itchiness and irritation aren't just signals about your beard. They're a clear sign that your skin could use some extra care.

The most common reasons behind dry skin under your beard are dehydration, harsh soaps, cold air, hot showers and neglecting your skin. When I first started growing out my beard, I made the rookie mistake of using regular shampoo on my face . It left my skin feeling itchy and stripped, and even turned my skin to "beardruff" in the winter.

The Core Reasons Your Skin is Dry Under Your Beard

These are the most common causes of dry skin under your beard.

Washing too much or using hot water
Using harsh cleansers or shampoo on your face
Dry, cold climates and central heating
Skimping on moisturizer after showering
Poor internal hydration, such as not drinking enough water and eating a low-fat diet

If you notice itching, flakes, redness or that tight, uncomfortable feeling under your beard, it's time to mix things up and fast. Dermatologists recommend that having a gentle beard care routine can reverse dry skin issues within two weeks.

Our Four-Step Beard Care Routine for Solving Dry Skin

The key to the best beard routine for dry skin is protecting your skin first, then your beard. Every step in this 4-step routine is designed to lock in moisture and prevent irritation.

The Routine

Follow this 4-step routine for beard care for dry skin. This includes gentle cleansing, light exfoliation, deep moisturizing and daily brushing. Consistency is key to a flake-free, healthy beard and skin.

1. Wash Your Beard Gently

Only wash your beard 2-3 times a week using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Standard soaps will strip your skin of its natural oils, making dryness worse. Our Live Bearded Beard Wash is a great option. It uses plant-based ingredients for a gentle clean without leaving skin feeling tight.

2. Exfoliate with Care

Clear away dead skin and flakes using a soft boar bristle beard brush or a gentle chemical exfoliant like lactic or glycolic acid once or twice a week.

Check out our Top 4 Beard Brushes for Every Beard Type for some tips on choosing the right tool. Light brushing not only gets rid of "beardruff," but it also gives your skin a boost through improved circulation. I started using a beard brush on my dry skin, and the flakes just melted away like snow in spring.

3. Moisturize Post-Shower

Right after showering with lukewarm water, give your skin and beard a good dose of non-comedogenic beard moisturizer. Then, massage in a high-quality beard oil for dry skin or a beard balm for dry skin. If you're unsure which to choose or how to combine them, check out our guide: Beard Balm vs. Beard Oil: When and How to Use Both .

Our beard oil is also packed with jojoba oil, avocado oil, and argan oil. These will lock in moisture, soothe irritation and get your skin and beard revived. Think of beard oil as a big glass of water and beard balm as the topcoat to keep it from evaporating.

4. Brush Your Beard Every Day

Use a beard brush or comb every day. Using one every day will help you exfoliate, distribute those oils, and keep your beard in top condition. Even when skin is on the dry side, keeping up with regular brushing or combing will keep your beard looking neat.

Beard care for dry skin doesn't have to be complicated. It's just a matter of sticking to the basics with some gentle, natural beard care products. And in most cases, you'll start to see results in less than 2 weeks, according to recent research.

More Tips for Keeping Your Beard and Skin Hydrated

Taking care of your beard and keeping your skin hydrated is about making small lifestyle changes, together with using better products. Running a humidifier, for example, is a great idea, especially during the dry winter months or when you live in a really dry climate. And while hot showers may feel good, try to stick with lukewarm water. When it comes to products, steer clear of anything with harsh ingredients, alcohol, or strong fragrances. And don't forget to drink plenty of water and eat foods that are good for your skin, like avocados and nuts. Consistency is key, so try to stick with a daily routine.

A few additional steps we always recommend are:

Run a humidifier indoors when it's cold outside or when you live in a really dry place.
Take a lukewarm shower instead of a hot one because it's gentler on your skin.
Stick to products that are good for your skin and avoid harsh chemicals, alcohol and strong fragrances.
Drink plenty of water every day and snack on foods that are good for your skin.
Protect your face from the sun and try to get a beard care product with SPF if you can.
The most important thing is to stick with your routine because that's where the magic happens.

Why Choose All-Natural Beard Products from Live Bearded

At Live Bearded, we are all about using natural ingredients that actually work for your beard. We believe in keeping it simple and pure, because that's what gets you real results.

All-natural beard oils and butters like ours will help to hydrate your skin, calm down any irritation, and bring back that natural moisture that dry skin under your beard hair is missing. We use natural ingredients that work well for dry skin, like jojoba oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. They are all really gentle on your skin.

Jojoba oil is similar to the oils produced by your body, so it's a perfect moisturizer for your beard.
Argan Oil is the "liquid gold" for beard moisturizing. It is packed with Vitamin E and fatty acids that soften hair and soothe dry, flaky skin.
Evening Primrose Oil, which contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), is fantastic for reducing inflammation and hydrating very dry or itchy skin patches.

We only use simple ingredients, so you don't have to worry about artificial irritants that can dry out your skin even more.

I've seen guys in our community go from having a really uncomfortable, flaky beard to having a soft, happy beard and skin in just a few short days, all thanks to using our natural products. It's pretty cool to see, and it makes it even more fun to share tips and advice with one another.

Conclusion

A simple beard care routine for dry skin really works. By using a gentle beard wash, some beard oil and butter, you can eliminate itchiness and dry skin issues for good. Live Bearded natural products are designed to make this process easy and effective.

If you are ready for a soft and healthy beard, shop our top-rated oils today, and if you have any questions, our expert team and community are always here to help you find the perfect match.