What Is Beard Dandruff And How To Prevent It
Nothing can dampen your confidence in your beard like a sudden blizzard of dandruff particles landing on your clothing every time you smack your beard. We refer to this type of beard hair as beardruff, a frequent annoyance many men experience, especially those new to beards.
The positive side is that beard dandruff can generally be resolved with a few changes in your grooming or maintenance routine. Most men find that these changes result in a healthier, more attractive, and more comfortable beard.
Learn how to deal with the most prevalent reasons for beard flakes becoming annoying and stop them from recurring.
Keep on reading to learn more.👇🏼
What is Beard Dandruff?
Dandruff is a common skin condition typically associated with scalp hair. It causes flaky, red skin that is usually itchy. If you suffer from hair dandruff on your scalp, you'll notice flakes of skin appearing in your hair.
Dandruff is also known as seborrheic dermatitis.
Similar issues can occur with facial hair, resulting in white flakes and itching. Continue reading to learn more about the causes of beard dandruff and how to remove it.
Why Is My Beard Flaky?
Once we've covered all the fundamentals, we can tackle the most commonly asked question: What causes my beard to become flaky? A couple of factors can cause beard dandruff to appear suddenly.
Although you may initially think that beard dandruff is caused by uncleanliness, this isn't always true. Dandruff can be caused by Malassezia, a type of yeast found in your skin's pores. This yeast feeds on your skin's natural oils, releasing substances that trigger inflammation, increased cell turnover, and flaking.
Various factors, including harsh facial hair products, improper drying of the beard, or a lack of moisturizing for the skin underneath the beard, can trigger dandruff in the beard.
There are numerous causes of beard dandruff, but you must first determine the cause to prevent flaking.
How Can I Eliminate It?
Beard dandruff removal is about figuring out the perfect method to get rid of dead skin cells and control oil production to stop the formation of new flakes.
This involves a mix of exfoliation, washing, and moisturizing for most people. No matter what regimen or products you select, remember that it may take a week or two before you begin to see results.
👍🏻 Exfoliating
Exfoliation helps remove old skin cells, including those that contribute to dandruff. It can be the first step in your routine using a hairbrush with soft bristles. Apart from eliminating dead skin, a facial brush also helps disperse the oils on your skin. This will make the hair in your beard more supple and easier to manage.
When you're ready to wash your beard, gently massage the skin beneath your beard with the brush. Be careful not to rub your beard too vigorously, as this can worsen dandruff.
👍🏻 Washing
You should wash your beard just like you do your normal hair. You can apply the same shampoo on your scalp, but you may prefer an emollient shampoo designed to treat dandruff. Look for these ingredients that fight dandruff in shampoos:
- Pyrithione zinc
- Coal tar
- Selenium sulfide
- Tea tree oil
Gently massage the shampoo through your hair, ensuring it gets into the skin beneath. Leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause dryness and irritation to the skin.
Be aware that conventional shampoos designed for your hair might be too harsh for your face, particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin. If your shampoo is drying, opt for a cleanser specifically designed for beards.
👍🏻 Moisturize Your Beard Properly
One of the most common causes of beard dandruff is inadequate moisturization. Fortunately, various products are available to maintain your beard that can help with moisturization.
Beard Oil
Beard oil is one of these products; it is a specially formulated oil blend that resembles the natural oils produced by the skin. It hydrates your facial hair and the skin underneath.
Beard oil consists of two types of oil:
- Carrier oils, which account for 95-99% of beard oils.
- Essential oils which make up the remainder of the beard oil mixture.
When applied to your beard, the beard oil forms a protective layer over your skin, preventing moisture loss. A healthy skin layer supports a beard that is free of dandruff.
Beard oil is especially beneficial during the winter months when used with your regular moisturizer, as it helps secure moisture. When applying a thin coat to your beard, you're locking in hydration from your normal skincare routine while protecting your hair cuticle.
Read Also: What is Beard Oil
Check Our Beard Oil Range
Beard oil is highly recommended for facial dandruff. Regularly applying beard oil ensures that the skin beneath your beard remains in good condition and well-hydrated.
Beard oils generally contain various natural oils that moisturize facial hair and skin, soothe itchiness, enhance beard growth, and combat flaking, resulting in an impeccable beard.
Adding beard oil to your grooming toolkit is a logical choice, given all the benefits.
Beard Balm
Beard balm essentially serves the same purpose as beard oil. However, it also acts as a styling aid and conditioner. Beard balm is typically made from beeswax and shea butter, which makes it slightly thicker in consistency and can make your beard appear fuller.
Check our Bead Balm Range
Beard Wax
Beard wax is similar to beard balm but has a more solid consistency. It contains more wax and sometimes resin, giving your beard more hold.
Choosing the best beard conditioner is a personal preference, as they all accomplish similar goals.
Your choice will depend on the length and texture of your facial hair. If your facial hair grows in various directions and beard oil isn't resolving the issue, consider switching to beard balm.
Read Also: What is Beard Balm
For more hold, try beard wax. Whatever moisturizer you use will help fight beardruff.
👍🏻 Make Use of a Beard Brush or Beard Comb
Many men overlook these two tools when combating beard dandruff, which is where many of us go wrong.
The beard brush and comb have proven vital in the fight against beardruff. Using a beard brush makes your beard look great and helps exfoliate dead skin cells that have accumulated under it.
Our beard brush is made from 100% Sandalwood, which gives it a strong backbone. This allows it to effectively exfoliate your skin while keeping your beard smooth and healthy.
Skin free of dead cells is less susceptible to irritation and flaking. Additionally, using a beard brush will help remove dry skin cells from facial hair, making it easier to wash off your beard while you shower.
Check our Bead Balm Range
A beard brush or comb can help untangle hair and prevent skin irritation. Both tools help distribute oils evenly across your beard and skin, preventing breakage and irritation, ultimately helping to prevent beardruff.
Lifestyle Tips for a Flake-Free Beard
You should adopt certain lifestyle habits and treatments to maintain a smooth, flake-free beard. Consider the following suggestions:
Healthy Diet and Hydration
A balanced diet and proper hydration are significant in maintaining a healthy and beautiful beard, preventing flaking and dryness.
- A Balanced Diet: Consuming essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can improve the health of your hair and skin. Include a variety of foods in your diet, such as vegetables, fruits, proteins, and healthy fats.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water daily is crucial for keeping your hair and skin healthy and hydrated. Aim for at least eight glasses of water each day or more.
Avoid Stress and Manage Skin Conditions
Uncontrolled stress and skin conditions can lead to dryness and flaking.
- Manage Stress: High stress levels can negatively impact your overall health, including the condition of your face and beard. Incorporate stress-management techniques like meditation, exercise, and relaxation strategies into your routine.
- Control Skin Conditions: If you suffer from skin issues such as eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, ensure they are managed effectively under the supervision of a dermatologist. Proper management of these conditions can help maintain a flake-free beard.
Maintain Proper Beard Hygiene
Proper hygiene helps prevent the buildup of inflammation and beard dandruff.
- Regular Cleansing: Wash your beard regularly with an appropriate shampoo to eliminate excess oil, dirt, and dead cells. Avoid overwashing, as it can strip your skin of natural oils and cause dryness.
- Moisturizing: Keep your beard and skin well-hydrated with high-quality beard oil or balm to prevent dryness and irritation.
- Grooming: Regular brushing or combing can help exfoliate the skin beneath your beard and distribute oils evenly, preventing flaking.
Implementing these tips into your daily routine will ensure you have an attractive, healthy beard.
While external factors influence beard health, remember that internal factors such as diet and stress also play an important role. Maintaining a balance between both is essential to keep your beard free of flakes.
The Bottom Line
Beard dandruff is a problem, but it's relatively easy to manage with a simple routine. Whatever you do, pay attention to your beard and the skin beneath it. Consult your physician if you don't see improvements after a few weeks. You may require an antifungal prescription shampoo or medication to treat the condition.
Beard dandruff can be annoying, but the right combination of products and care will prevent it. Embrace your beard and wear it with pride!
FAQ
Can Shaving Reduce The Appearance of Beard Hair Dandruff?
While shaving your mustache or beard may help in some cases, it will not permanently eliminate seborrheic dermatitis since the skin is still susceptible to developing seborrheic dermatitis.
Can Lemon Remove Dandruff?
Yes, you can make use of lemon juice to treat dandruff. Due to the composition of lemons, citric acid can treat dryness and dandruff. It accomplishes this by stabilizing the pH of the scalp. Because it can fight bacteria, it also prevents the growth of fungi on the scalp.