Beard Dandruff - What Causes It and What Helps | BRO Beard

What is beard dandruff

Beard dandruff is dry, flaking skin underneath the beard. It shows up as white or yellowish flakes in the hair and on your shirt, and it usually comes with an itch.

It is the same thing as dandruff on the scalp, just in a different spot. A beard makes it more obvious, because the hair traps oil, sweat and dead skin against the face and holds the flakes where everyone can see them.

It is very common, it is not caused by poor hygiene, and in most cases a few changes to how you wash and moisturise will help reduce it.

What causes beard dandruff

There are four main causes, and most blokes have more than one going on at once.

• Dry skin. The skin under a beard is hard to reach, so it rarely gets moisturised. When it dries out, the top layer sheds as small white flakes.
• Yeast and oil. A yeast called Malassezia lives on everyone's skin and feeds on the oil your skin produces. In some people the by-products irritate the skin, which then sheds faster than normal. This is the cause of classic dandruff.
• Harsh washing. Regular hair shampoo and bar soap are made for the scalp and body. On the face they strip away the skin's own oil, leaving it tight, dry and flaky.
• Weather and heat. Cold air, indoor heating, air conditioning and hot showers all pull moisture out of the skin. This is why flakes often get worse in winter.

Dry skin or dandruff - how to tell the difference

The flakes look different depending on the cause, and it helps to know which one you have.

	Dry skin flakes	Dandruff flakes
Look	Small, white, powdery	Larger, yellowish, slightly greasy
Skin underneath	Tight and dry	Oily, sometimes red
Tends to get worse	In winter or after hot showers	When the beard goes unwashed

Dry skin flakes mostly need moisture. Dandruff flakes mostly need regular, gentle washing to keep oil from building up. Plenty of beards have a bit of both.

Ingredients that help with beard dandruff

These are the ingredients worth looking for on the label, and what each one does.

• Jojoba oil. Technically a liquid wax, and very close in structure to the oil your skin makes itself. It absorbs quickly and moisturises the skin under the beard without leaving it greasy.
• Argan oil. Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. It conditions dry skin and softens coarse beard hair, which makes the beard less scratchy against the face.
• Shea butter. A thick, rich butter that sits on the skin and helps lock moisture in. Good for the tight, dry feeling that comes with white, powdery flakes.
• Tea tree oil. Widely used in washes for oily, flaky skin. It leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh, and a little goes a long way.
• Aloe vera. Light, water-based hydration that helps calm the feeling of itchy, irritated skin.
• Vitamin E. Helps condition the skin and supports its natural moisture barrier.

Just as important is what a beard wash leaves out. A wash made for beards is gentler than regular shampoo, so it cleans away oil and flakes without stripping the skin underneath.

A simple routine that helps reduce flakes

Consistency matters more than any single step. Give it two to three weeks before judging the result.

1. Wash two or three times a week. Use a beard wash and lukewarm water, and work it right down to the skin, not just through the hair.
2. Rinse properly. Leftover wash and product residue dries on the skin and adds to the flaking.
3. Dry it fully. Pat the beard dry with a towel. A beard left damp against the skin is where oil and yeast build up.
4. Moisturise the skin, not just the hair. Work a few drops of beard oil into the skin underneath while the beard is still slightly damp.
5. Brush daily. A boar bristle brush lifts loose flakes out and spreads oil evenly from the skin to the tips.
6. Seal it in. A small amount of beard balm over the top helps hold moisture in through the day.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Beard care products moisturise and clean - they are not a medical treatment. See a pharmacist or GP if:

• The skin is red, sore or inflamed
• The flakes are thick, yellow and greasy
• It spreads to the eyebrows, the sides of the nose or the scalp
• Nothing has changed after three to four weeks of a steady routine

These can be signs of seborrhoeic dermatitis, which usually needs a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo from a pharmacy.

Beard dandruff FAQs

Is beard dandruff the same as scalp dandruff? Yes. It has the same causes - dry skin, oil and yeast - and many people who get one also get the other.

Will shaving get rid of beard dandruff? Shaving removes the hair that traps the flakes, but it does not change the skin underneath. Most beards can be kept flake-free without shaving.

Can beard oil cause dandruff? Too much can. Oil that sits on the skin for days without being washed out builds up. Use a few drops, work it into the skin, and wash the beard regularly.

How often should you wash a beard with dandruff? Two or three times a week suits most beards. Washing daily tends to dry the skin out, and washing rarely lets oil and dead skin build up.