Beard dandruff can be caused by dry skin, fungal infections, sunburns, and even soap.
Do you have white flakes all up in your beard? Don't worry. We can help you get to the root of the cause.
In this article, we will explain the causes of dandruff and how to get rid of it for good.
Table of Contents
- What is beard dandruff? - (Beard dandruff explained)
- What causes beard dandruff?
- How to get rid of beardruff permanently? (The 4 Step Beardruff Care Routine)
- Beard Dandruff FAQs
- Can I use dandruff shampoo on my beard?
- Is beard dandruff bad for you?
- How to stop beard itch?
- What products work best for beard dandruff?
What is beard dandruff? - (Beard dandruff explained)
Whether you have scalp dandruff or beard dandruff, the official term for it is seborrheic dermatitis.
It is a skin disorder that causes areas of skin to become red, itchy, and covered in scales.
If you have it, dandruff flakes end up everywhere. They are found in your hair, on your shirt, and even in your food.
There are other conditions that aren't technically "dandruff" but still cause a flaky beard. But let's be honest. Anyone who sees flakes in your beard or hair will call it dandruff.
Whether you have "dandruff" or just dry skin in your beard, we have your solution.
What causes beard dandruff?
Beard dandruff, aka beardruff, is caused by dead skin. When your skin cells die, they fall off and become what we commonly refer to as dandruff flakes.
More extreme cases of dandruff can happen when your dead skin combines with sebum, oil your skin naturally produces. The combination forms a cakey flake that sticks to your hair and makes it hard to remove.
As your beard grows, the hair penetrates the cakey flakes like a needle through fabric. Because of this, dandruff can be very difficult to comb out of your beard.
Common causes of beardruff are:
- Dry Skin
- Fungal Infections
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Sunburn
Dry Skin
Dry skin is the most common cause of beardruff and is the easiest to remedy.
As you might expect, dry skin generally occurs when there is a lack of moisture. This can be due to:
- Cold Weather
- Low Humidity
- Soaps & Detergents
- Long Hot Showers
- Eczema
- Dehydration
Don't worry. If you have dry skin ending up in your beard, we have an excellent solution for you, no matter what the cause.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections can cause flaky skin by over-producing oil, mixing with dead skin cells, and forming flakes.
Fungal infections can be caused by a variety of things, including:
- Oily Skin
- Hair Follicle Damage
- Sweat
- Moisture
- Poor Hygiene
If you have a fungal infection on the skin underneath your beard, you may need to consult a doctor for a diagnosis. A doctor will be able to tell whether a fungal infection is present or not.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that causes areas of skin to become red, itchy, and covered in scales.
According to WebMD.com, experts aren't exactly sure what causes it.
Screenshot image here.
To get rid of it, start by following our four-step process below. Consult your doctor if conditions worsen or don't get better after 5-7 days.
Sunburn
A sunburn is caused by exposure to radiation. It affects skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, aka UV rays.
For mild sunburns, a portion of the top layer of skin cells (epidermis) is killed. As skin cells regenerate to replace the dead cells, the dead cells peel off and end up in your beard.
If your sunburn was recent, treat it with aloe vera until it has healed. Once your sunburn has healed, complete the four-step process below.
To prevent sunburn, use a daily moisturizer with SPF 30 or more.
How to get rid of beardruff permanently? (The 4 Step Beardruff Care Routine)
No matter what the cause, the first step to treating beard dandruff is starting this four-step beard care routine.
- Exfoliate
- Wash
- Hydrate
- Brush & Comb
Follow these four steps once a day for 5-7 days. If your beard or skin is oily or extra dry follow the instructions below.
Oily Beard or Skin
If you have an oily beard, once a day may not be enough. Your skin may produce more sebum than most. If this is you, follow steps 2-4 more than once a day as needed.
Extra Dry Skin
For severe cases of dry skin, you will need to hydrate (Step 3) more than once a day.
Exfoliate The Skin Beneath Your Beard
The dead skin under your beard needs to be removed from your face to treat dandruff. But before you start scrubbing away, it's essential to know how to exfoliate properly.
When exfoliating, use circular motions and avoid scrubbing too hard.
You should only exfoliate as often as needed. Over-exfoliating can irritate and damage your skin. We recommend doing this once a day to start and adjust the frequency as required.
If exfoliating becomes painful or your skin is irritated, skip this step.
Wash Your Beard Properly
Beard hair is different than the hair on your head. It's thicker and coarser, and it needs to be washed with a beard shampoo, aka beard wash.
Using products like soap, shampoo, face cleanser, or body wash can be harsh on your facial hair and skin. These products strip away the skin's natural oils your beard needs to stay healthy.
Gently massage the beard wash into your beard and rinse it out with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out your skin and beard hair.
Once finished, pat your beard dry with a towel.
Hydrate Your Beard & The Skin Beneath It
Use a beard conditioner, beard cream, beard butter, beard balm, or beard oil to rehydrate your beard and the skin beneath it.
Using products containing jojoba oil is excellent for beard dandruff because it has anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties.
Massage the product into the skin beneath your beard. Be sure to distribute it throughout your beard hair evenly.
Moisturizing your beard is necessary to repair your skin, hair follicles, and hair. It will also keep your skin from drying out, causing more beardruff.
Comb and Brush Your Beard
You shouldn't have any flakes left in your beard by this point. If you do, using a beard comb is a great way to remove any leftover beard dandruff.
Brush your beard with a boar hair beard brush to tame any flyaways and evenly distribute the hydration product of your choice.
By following these four steps, you will be on your way to having a dandruff-free beard.
If your condition worsens or you experience any other irritation, discontinue use and consult your doctor.
Beard Dandruff FAQs
Can I use dandruff shampoo on my beard?
Using dandruff shampoo for your beard is not recommended. These products are made for your scalp and can be harsh on your facial hair and skin.
We do not recommend using head and shoulders, Selsun Blue, or any other dandruff shampoo on your beard. These products can strip away the natural oils your beard needs to stay healthy.
Is beard dandruff bad for you?
While beard dandruff is not usually harmful, it can be embarrassing and uncomfortable.
If you have tried our four-step beard care routine and are still experiencing excessive beard dandruff, consult your doctor. There may be a more serious underlying condition causing dandruff.
How to stop beard itch?
If you are experiencing beard itch, it is likely due to dry skin. The skin beneath your beard needs to be hydrated to stop the itch.
You can hydrate your skin by using a product like beard oil, beard balm, beard cream, or beard butter.
For a deeper look into beard itch check out our article: How To Get Rid Of An Itchy Beard.
What products work best for beard dandruff?
While shopping for products, make sure you are using products containing all-natural ingredients. Using harsh chemicals on your beard could be the reason for your beardruff.
We may be biased, but we dedicate our lives to creating all-natural beard products. Wild Willies has a lineup of products that will kick beardruff in the ass. Order now before your beardruff gets the best of you.
Tough Scrub Face Wash Exfoliator
$10.00
The Best Face Scrub For Oily Skin Is Wild Willies Tough Scrub Premium Face Exfoliation Tough Scrub is the more aggressive brother of True Cleanse. Tough Scrub is for those times when one needs to call in the artillery. Fortified… Read More
Beard Butter
$10.00
Looking to nourish & soften your beard, but don't want to deal with messy & greasy oils? Use a beard butter balm. All the same benefits of beard oil with a matte finish and mild hold for styling. Restores moisture… Read More
Beard Brush
$10.00
Groom, shape, and style your beard with the boar bristle brush. Made for all lengths of beards. … Read More
