Beard burn is a real thing, people, but that doesn’t mean you must stick to suitors with a clean shave for the sake of clear skin. Here, derms explain how to prevent and treat the hairy situation. “Beard burn usually manifests with redness, irritation, and even sometimes swelling or red bumps,” Fenton adds. It ultimately looks different on everyone—those with fair skin might experience more visible redness, while those with deeper skin tones might recognize more swelling and tenderness—but generally the skin will look and feel raw, often paired with some textural concerns. Some people can even confuse the bumps for acne and treat them as such, which is a recipe for even more irritation (but we’ll get into that later). Of course, the type of beard you’re dealing with matters, too: According to Fenton, a shorter beard tends to cause more friction than a longer beard (surprising, I know), as the shorter strands can stab into your skin. Regardless of the length, though, well-moisturized beards and ‘staches are softer, which tend to result in less irritation. Moisture is crucial for optimal barrier function, one of your skin’s most important duties—without a strong barrier, your skin isn’t as protected from external aggressors, like pollution and bacteria. And, well, stubble. There are myriad ways to hydrate your skin, but if you know you’re going to come into contact with a spiky beard, make sure to load on a combination of humectants, emollients, and occlusives to help fortify that barrier. Emollient creams are particularly important here, as these help soothe the skin and fill in microcracks in the epidermis with lipids, thus helping to restore skin barrier function. Seek ingredients like ceramides (“Ceramides are fatty molecules that make up the natural skin barrier and help to retain moisture,” notes Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD), squalane (“squalane is a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin. It plays a role in skin hydration and barrier protection,” notes board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D.), and certain botanical extracts like colloidal oat. Essentially, you want to lubricate your skin so that it easily slides against those stubbly hairs rather than creating friction. On that note, make sure your partner implements a skin- and beard-softening routine, too. “For your partner’s beard, if they keep it well hydrated, it can help soften the beard and reduce the burn,” explains Fenton. A high-quality beard oil can help soften the strands, and you only need a few nourishing carrier oils to make your own at home. “My recommendations are jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and argan oil,” barber Mitsuru Aota of THE BARBER once shared with mbg. Fenton also recommends using a “bland, fragrance-free moisturizing cream” for the time being. Essentially, keep the routine nourishing and simple, focusing on no-fuss, pampering ingredients that help with barrier repair—players like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter are your friends. On that note, if your beard burn manifests as red bumps, you might confuse the irritation for a string of breakouts—it may be tempting to slap on an acne-fighting spot treatment or clarifying mask, but please take a beat to really I.D. those bumps. If it’s beard burn, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Fenton agrees: “You should avoid anything that is drying or potentially irritating such as acne products that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, retinols/retinoids, and benzoyl peroxide.” Better yet, toss those products in the fridge for a bit to let them chill; that cooling sensation can offer some instant relief on an angry beard burn.
