Does your beard feel more like sandpaper than actual facial hair? Is your partner always complaining that your beard leaves them itchy after a kiss? Dryness and roughness on hair, whether they are on your scalp or beard, is pretty common and can be caused by a number of reasons.
A lot of guys often just shave off their beards to get rid of the roughness; however, that’s not the only solution. There is a solution to everything. But before you jump on to a solution, it is essential that you first understand the root cause of it.
This blog will help you understand what is making your beard feel rough and how to fix it.
What Makes Your Beard Feel Rough
The list of the reasons that might be causing a rough beard is very long. However, we have listed some of the most common ones and how to fix them.
1. Using Harsh Products
If you are using a regular shampoo to wash your beard then there is nothing that can stop your beard from becoming dry. These shampoos, sometimes even the beard-specific ones, often contain harsh chemicals such as fragrances, parabens, sulfates, artificial dyes, and phthalates.
These chemicals can strip away natural oils from your skin and hair, leaving your beard dry, rough, and itchy.
How to fix it?
- Always try to use beard-specific products, like those offered by Facial Fortress, to keep your beard clean.
- Before buying a beard shampoo, make sure that it is fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and dye-free.
- Try using a beard wash that doubles as a scalp shampoo and face wash and is infused with skin-soothing natural ingredients that can help keep your skin and hair soft.
2. Dehydration
What you eat and drink can have a great impact on the health of your skin and hair. Not drinking enough water throughout the day can make your body feel dehydrated on the inside and leave your hair and skin feeling dry and rough to the touch.
Another reason for why your beard may feel rough is if you are not moisturizing it regularly. Just like water hydrates our body, a moisturizer can hydrate the beard and the skin underneath it.
How to fix it?
- Drink around 2 to 3 liters of water daily to keep your body hydrated.
- Consume a diet that is rich in water, such as vegetables and fruits.
- Moisturize your beard once daily with the help of a beard oil or balm.
- Always moisturize your beard after taking a bath or washing it, preferably while it’s still a little damp.
3. Hot Showers
We know long, hot showers and baths are often relaxing. But in reality, hot water can strip away natural oil from your facial hair, leaving it rough and causing irritation on the skin beneath it.
How to fix it?
- Avoid taking long, hot baths; instead, use lukewarm water.
- Limit the time of your bath to a maximum of 10 minutes.
- If you have a dry skin type, then try taking a bath only 2 to 3 times a week instead of daily.
- If you still feel like taking a hot shower, end it with a cold rinse to seal the hair follicles.
4. Not Following a Beard Care Routine

Just like the scalp, if proper care and attention are not provided to the beard, it can feel rough and coarse. Most people think that washing the beard is enough to keep it healthy. However, the truth is that beards also require a proper care routine.
How to fix it?
- Always use a fragrance-free beard shampoo to wash your beard at least 2 to 3 times a week, depending on your skin type.
- Comb or brush your beard daily at least once, preferably in the morning, to keep it healthy.
- Use beard oil or balm to moisturize your beard after washing it.
- Trim split ends in your beard and mustache at least once every 4 weeks to promote healthy hair growth.
- Consume a healthy, balanced diet to keep your beard nourished on the inside.
- Avoid overwashing your beard; wash it only 2 to 3 times a week.
5. Certain Skin Conditions
While most of the factors that cause a rough beard are in our control, some aren’t, like skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. These conditions can leave your skin feeling red, itchy, dry, and irritated, which in turn make your beard rough and uncomfortable. But don’t worry; by treating these conditions, you can easily get rid of a dry beard.
- Consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment plan for these conditions.
- Use an eczema shampoo to wash your beard.
- Moisturize your beard more often if it feels too dry with beard oil.
- Always use products that are suitable for sensitive skin and contain skin-soothing ingredients.
Always remember that a well-maintained beard isn’t just about how it looks; it’s also about how it feels. By addressing the root cause, you can easily transform your rough beard into a soft one.
Conclusion
A rough beard does not have to be a permanent problem, you can easily get rid of it by understanding its root cause and by making a few simple changes in your lifestyle.
To keep a beard soft and smooth, all you have to do is use the right beard-specific products that are free from any harsh chemicals, keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water, moisturize your beard with beard oil, avoid taking long hot showers, and follow a consistent beard care routine.
If you are dealing with any skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, consult a doctor for their treatment. And if you are searching for high-quality beard wash, then try one by Facial Fortress.