Beard dandruff can be a pesky nuisance the same as dandruff on the top of your head.

Just imagine all of those white flecks making a mess of your favorite sweater or t-shirt.

You probably won’t be able to ever wear black clothes in public ever again with beard dandruff.

Even though both head and beard dandruff look the same and cause similar discomfort, preventing and treating it is a whole can of worms altogether.

The products that you can use on the top of your head are not really suitable for your face, especially for those that have sensitive skin.

Luckily, there are numerous products that are specifically aimed at treating beard dandruff.

They eliminate those pesky flakes that eventually gather on your shirt just beneath your chin.

Here you will find the most suitable products needed to eliminate this problem and each one of them is reviewed so you can make the best choice on your own.

Additionally, we also included some best practices as they are also important in dealing with beardruff problems.

What Is Beard Dandruff

Dandruff is usually a common skin condition that mostly affects the scalp. It causes red, flaky skin that is usually itchy.

If you happen to have scalp dandruff, the chances are that you will see flakes of skin in your hair when you are combing it or after cleaning it. 

Your scalp will also be itchy, which can be mild or extreme, depending on how serious the condition is.

It’s a condition that can affect anyone and it’s nothing to be ashamed of if it happens to you. Dandruff is also known as seborrheic dermatitis and it is a treatable condition. 

As it is, same dandruff that can develop on your scalp can also happen to your beard, which will cause white flakes as well as itching in your facial hair.

Whether you have just started growing a beard or have been doing it for years, the last thing you want is white flakes on your beard, with some making their way to your shirt.  

As such, you need to find out what could be causing your beard dandruff and take measures to correct the situation once and for all. 

What Causes Beard Dandruff

Just like with every other common condition, beard dandruff can be a result of a few factors. Knowing what could be causing the skin underneath your beard to become dry and flaky is the first step to getting rid of beard dandruff once and for all.

The exact cause of your facial hair dandruff can be a combination of stress, a yeast that lives in the skin, and colder weather.

One of the more common reasons for the flaking of the skin is the yeast hides from ultraviolet light in the protection of the facial hair.

Without your facial hair, the ultraviolet light slows the growth of the yeast. The beard hair protects the yeast, and it thrives in that darker location.

So as you continue to grow your beard, the condition can get worse if not treated properly. While shaving will eliminate this condition in most men, you want to grow your manly beard and still have a dandruff-free beard as well.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a rare medical condition that can lead to beard dandruff. It is a condition that is characterized by dry as well as red skin.

The skin becomes so dry that flaky white areas start to form on the skin. On the face, seborrheic dermatitis resembles two other causes of beard dandruff; eczema and psoriasis.

These are autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks its own healthy cells. If you have a history of psoriasis, seborrhea or eczema, then you need to see a dermatologist to get the condition under control. 

These are home remedies; however, that can cure the conditions since they are within the autoimmune system. However, seeing a specialist to rule out any serious underlying condition should be at the top of the list before you even think about home remedies. 

Skin Dryness

Dry skin normally occurs when the skin underneath your facial hair is washed with harsh soaps and cleansers.

While these products do a good job of cleaning your beard as well as the skin underneath, they can also end up stripping your skin and beard of oils that keep it nourished. 

Beard dandruff can also be as a result of the environment where extreme warmth or cold dry the beard and the skin underneath. 

At the end of the day, as long as you are exposed to the environment, dry skin is impossible to avoid; as such, you need to use products that replace the oils that may be lost or that mimic sebum that is produced by the skin. 

Yeast Infection (Candida)

Yeast infections are less common but still a factor that can lead to beard dandruff. Fungal infections occur when yeast that lives on the skin is deprived of sunlight. 

Ideally, sunlight will kill or slow fungal growth, but when you start growing a beard, the beard blocks sunlight, which causes fungus to grow, leading to dry and flaky skin in the process. 

Potential Minoxidil Side Effect

Lastly, if you have been using minoxidil to boost beard growth, which is okay, especially if you can’t grow a full beard, there is one thing that you should know.

The most common side effect of using this product is dry skin and flaky beard. 

Methods to Get Rid of Beard Dandruff

Beard dandruff is a common condition that affects a certain percentage of men, especially those who have just started growing beards.

It can be caused by so many things from dry skin that are caused by the use of harsh cleaning products, fungal infections, use of minoxidil for facial hair growth to rare skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.

Knowing what could be causing your skin to become dry and flaky is the first step to finding a solution to beard dandruff.

Simply washing your beard with dandruff shampoo is not the solution. Those over the counter shampoos have harsh detergents in their ingredients that can actually worsen the condition by irritating the skin on your face.

Those products are designed to be used on the scalp, not the sensitive skin on your face.

Using a regular shampoo will not eliminate the beard dandruff, it will only exaggerate the problem with irritation and itching.

Luckily, there are certain proven methods that you can use to get rid of beard dandruff once and for all. 

Wash Your Beard

One of the most important steps that you must take when you want to get rid of beard dandruff is ensuring that you wash your beard regularly using beard shampoo. 

It’s the same approach that you would use to get rid of any dandruff on our scalp, except don’t use the same shampoo you would use on your head for your facial hair. 

There are certain reasons why you shouldn’t use regular shampoo in place of beard shampoo. 

For one, beard shampoos, as well as washes, don’t contain the harsh chemicals that are found in regular shampoo. Such chemicals get rid of oils that can lead to your hair looking greasy. 

The natural oils that the skin produces are very important in maintaining a healthy beard and skin. The sebaceous glands at the root of the follicles produce oils that keep the beard not only moisturized but well-nourished. 

Beard shampoos, unlike regular shampoos, clean the bears without getting rid of these natural oils that the skin produces.

Second, quality beard shampoo will not only clean our facial hair but will wash away dead skin cells that could lead to itching, irritation, and beard dandruff. 

Additionally, it leaves the oils intact so that your beard looks and feels healthy rather than dry and prone to split ends. One important ingredient that is found in beard shampoo is Ketoconazole, and it works to treat conditions like seborrheic dermatitis. 

When it comes to shampooing your beard, the process is not as complicated. First, wet your beard and apply a little shampoo into your palm. 

If it’s good quality beard shampoo, you don’t need to use a lot of it to get the job done. Next, work the shampoo in the beard and the skin using the tips of your fingers. 

Shift the hairs in different directions, rubbing vigorously until you are satisfied before rinsing with warm water. Once you are done, dry your beard with a towel to get rid of excess water that can irritate the skin if it’s not dried thoroughly. 

When it comes to using beard shampoo, you don’t need to use it every day; otherwise, you risk stripping your skin of natural oils that can lead to same dandruff that you are trying to avoid. 

Condition With Beard Oil

When it comes to taking care of your beard, you need to ensure that your grooming kit always has beard oil, whether you have beard dandruff or not.

Beard oil has several functions, but the most important is trapping moisture in your beard to ensure that it is always hydrated. 

It also prevents beard itching and helps prevent beard dandruff. While it’s not absolute which treatment is the best for beard dandruff, beard oil is at the top of the list. 

Growing a beard in the first place ends up stripping the skin of moisture because the hairs absorb it, beard oil adds moisture to the skin while conditioning the hair in the process. 

One other reason why you need to consider using beard oil is that it contains essential oils and carrier oils that help soften the skin and the beard. 

Carrier oils work by carrying the essential oils to the skin while delivering the therapeutic qualities of the oil. They consist of oils that come from fatty potions of plants and they include jojoba oils, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, castor oil, among others. 

These oils perform different functions; coconut oil, for instance, has both antifungal and anti-bacterial properties. As such, it works well to moisturize the beard and the skin underneath while decreasing inflammation that can cause beard dandruff. 

Essential oils, on the other hand, are what give plants their aroma and tend to consist of volatile compounds, which is why they shouldn’t be used alone. 

While essential oils don’t have the same health benefits as carrier oils, they deliver the unique scent of beard oils. You can use beard oil every day if you can, but ensure that you use it at least three times well. 

It’s highly recommended that you apply beard oil after a shower once you have dried the beard and its slightly damp. A few drops of beard oils should work just fine otherwise if you apply too much, you might end up with an overly greasy looking beard. 

When buying beard oil, one very important factor that you need to consider is your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, for instance, avoid beard oil that contains ingredients that can clog the pores, which could result in acne and inflammation.

Also, avoid beard oils that contain alcohol regardless of your skin type, since alcohol tends to dry the beard and the skin even further. If you have a long or thick beard, use a beard comb to work the oil into the roots of the beard and the skin. 

Exfoliate With a Beard Brush and Beard Scrub

Brushing your beard is an important step in your grooming routine. It not only helps you shape the beard and get rid of knots and tangles, but it exfoliates the skin in the process, which is a great way of getting rid of beard dandruff. 

After combing your beard, you need to clean it to get rid of the flakes that may have been deposited on the hairs and the skin. When it comes to brushes, don’t just use any but use a beard brush because this one does more than exfoliate the skin. 

Beard brushes tend to promote new hair growth while preventing hair loss. The bristles on beard brushes massage the skin, which increases blood flow to the skin follicles. 

A beard brush also works to distribute the natural oils evenly into your beard, which helps repair dry and itchy beards. 

At the same time, a beard brush also helps to improve the texture of your beard as well as the look by loosening the tangles, knots as well as excessive curls giving your beard a fuller and more conditioned look. 

You will also keep the beard clean by using a beard brush because this helps to remove any loose dirt as well as food crumbs that may have accumulated in your beard during the day. 

The reason why you shouldn’t use the same brush you use on your head for your beard is that the hair on your head is different in terms of texture and oils in it. There are so many beard brushes on the market that you can choose from, which includes those with natural bristles and synthetic ones. 

It’s recommended that you use a brush that has natural bristles, especially those made of boar hair, since they spread oils naturally and remove tangles and knots gently. 

Apply a Beard Balm

Beard balm, just like beard oil, is an important product in getting rid of beard dandruff and it should also be in your grooming kit. 

Beard balm, besides getting rid of beard dandruff, has other benefits that you can’t afford to overlook. 

Like beard oil, beard balm contains ingredients that resemble the natural sebum that is produced by the skin hydrating the skin in the process, which is very important in getting rid of dry skin. 

Beard balm acts as a leave-in conditioner and is used to style the beard thanks to the beeswax contained in the product. There are so many brands of beard balms in the market, but they all include beeswax and butter, whether shea or cocoa. 

Beeswax in beard balm helps to hold the beard in place and maintain the shape, although the hold will not be as strong as when you use beard wax. 

Shea and cocoa butter, on the other hand, improve the spreadability of the balm but also provide the much-needed hydration to the skin and the follicles. When it comes to texture and consistency, beard balms tend to resemble lip balm and come in a smooth paste that makes it easy to shape in your hand. 

Beard balm is effective on longer beards rather than short ones, although that doesn’t mean that it should be used on shorter beards. 

This is because you will need something that has a light hold to keep the stray hairs at bay, which is why you will not be getting value for your money if you use it in shorter beards. 

Reduce Stress

When it comes to stress, it’s not easy to eliminate all stress from your life, but reducing it can do wonders for your skin and the beard. 

Research has it that men who are overstressed tend to suffer from issues like dandruff more often. As such, ensure that you at least reduce stress by getting enough sleep to ensure that you are always functioning at your optimum. 

Use a Lactic-Acid Cleanser

Lactic acid is a natural acid that is derived from milk, fruits, vegetables as well as other plants. You will always find it as an ingredient in most over the counter products like chemical peels and anti-aging creams. 

So how does lactic acid work in preventing and getting rid of beard dandruff? Lactic acid cleaners tend to be an exfoliating agent that works to remove dead cells on the skin. 

While it may sound like a harsh chemical that you should avoid, lactic acid is gentle and is less irritating than other products like glycolic acid, which is also used in chemical peels. 

Lactic acid will also help hydrate the skin. When using a lactic acid cleanser, lather it up in your beard and rinse off, and in no time, you will find that you don’t have flaky skin anymore. 

Use Hydrocortisone

If your beard dandruff is accompanied by itchy and red skin, then you may need something that can soothe the irritation. Rubbing a hydrocortisone cream on the affected area relieves discomfort, revitalizes the skin, and prevents infections from spreading to other areas. 

Hydrocortisone cream can be purchased at pharmacies and should be applied at least twice a day. If the problem persists, then you can talk to your doctor to see whether they can prescribe a more powerful cream.  

Improve Your Diet

Eating well not only prevents the waistline from bulging and harmful diseases but can be good for your overall health, including your skin. 

Eating a healthy diet prevents the skin from drying up while providing the essential vitamins as well as minerals that can keep your skin healthy and well-nourished. 

Foods rich in Vitamin A such as milk, eggs, sweet potatoes, and the likes help repair damaged skin while encouraging hair growth. Additionally, foods that contain vitamin C and E can promote sebum oil production, which helps to keep the skin hydrated. 

Exercise

Exercise is important for so many reasons, but in this case, it helps maintain healthy skin and beard. 

Working out tends to balance the hormones in your body, which promotes the production of sebum oil as well as skin regeneration, while the increased blood flow that is created by working out distributes nutrients to the skin more effectively. 

Besides, exercising has been proved to help relieve stress, which is one of the causes of beard dandruff and dry skin. 

See Your Dermatologist

When you have tried everything discussed above, but still your beard dandruff persists, then it’s time to take the next step, which is seeing a specialist.

Without knowing it, you may have an abnormal skin condition that is causing your beard dandruff, and the earlier it is diagnosed, the earlier it can be treated and you can go back to rocking a lustrous beard.  

3 Best Anti-dandruff Products Reviewed

1. Medicine Man’s Anti-Itch Beard Wash

Made from all-natural and organic ingredients, Medicine Man’s Anti-Itch Beard Wash provides three solutions in one. It will eliminate your beardruff, and also beard itchiness and skin irritation.

Knowing that chemicals, fillers, and gums can block skin pores and inhibit beard growth, the manufacturer didn’t include them as the ingredients.

Instead, the key ingredient is the sea fennel, which is proven to improve the formation of blood vessels and in eliminating beard dandruff.

This anti-dandruff product works in two different ways. First, it removes beard itchiness in the early stages of beard growth. It also gets rid of chronic beardruff and redness of the skin underneath the beard.

The formula is carefully crafted to remove dead skin buildups and to cleanse, soften, condition and moisturize the beard.

Additionally, Medicine Man’s Anti-Itch Beard Wash has exfoliating power, which helps your facial hair grow faster than usual.

Men who like their beard to smell nice will enjoy this product even more because it smells earthy and soothing. One or two pumps are more than enough to create a big lather, no matter the size of the beard.

If you have tried to fight that annoying beard flaking a few times and failed, then this is the solution you should go for.

 

2. Kave Beard Wash

Combining an all-natural combination of essential oils and a natural soap that doesn’t damage the beard and skin beneath, Kave Beard Wash effectively alleviates beard dandruff and itchiness.

This formula makes a beard much cleaner and softer while making it smell nice and adding a clean, masculine scent that will make you feel irresistible.

If your worries are that all anti-dandruff products will strip your beard of its natural oils, with this one, you won’t have to worry about it.

Kave beard wash is made only with premium, all-natural conditioning agents that will clean and smooth your facial hair follicles and make your beard soft, dandruff-free and look fantastic.

 

3. Gentle Vikings Beard Wash

No matter your beard type and texture, Gentle Vikings Beard Wash will effectively deal with beard dandruff without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

It will keep your facial hair moisturized and your skin underneath hydrated.

Organic soap that is free from fillers and foaming agents is also a part of this anti-dandruff product. The formula of the soap uses organic oils and nutrient solutions.

Thanks to this, Gentle Vikings anti-dandruff beard wash is able to make your beard softer and to remove dirt and debris from your facial hair and skin.

One of the things you will definitely love is the fact that this product boosts beard growth and makes it look fuller. Its anti-bacterial properties inhibit the breeding of bacteria and effectively eradicates it.

If you want that your product not only removes beardruff but also smell nice, Gentle Vikings have you covered on this too.

Its woody amber fragrance will satisfy the taste of even the most pickier guys. The manufacturer recommends storing the product in a cool and dry place.

 

The time to treat your beard dandruff is the first time you see dead skin flakes on your face.

By incorporating an all-natural beard wash into your cleansing routine, you promote a more healthy beard.

During key stages of your beard growth, itching is a result of the hair reaching new growth levels and irritating your skin.

These all-natural products moisturize the skin so that the beard can grow with you having to suffer itchiness, redness, and dandruff.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of It

Beard dandruff can be annoying, especially if you have no idea what is causing yours. Luckily, there are some natural home remedies that you can incorporate in your beard grooming routine to get rid of dry, itchy, and flaky skin. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of those products that has so many uses and that includes fighting dandruff. It works as a mild exfoliating agent that helps to get rid of any dead skin on the beard. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is found in several beards, shaving as well as skin products. It is a soothing, healing agent that is also used to reduce skin dryness and itching. 

Aloe vera is packed with minerals and vitamins that help maintain the natural skin tone. 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a carrier oil that is found in beard oil and is part of many natural remedies, including for beard care. It is an antifungal agent that can also be used to smooth and heal damaged skin as well as hair. 

Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil supplements are found in a majority of products. Omega 3 oils found in oily fish like sebum, in particular, can work on your beard when it comes to getting rid of beard dandruff. 

This is because such oils reduce inflammation and help repair damaged skin while getting rid of flaky skin on your beard. 

Lemons

The natural acids found in lemons help to relieve flaky skin. Just mix lemon juice, some honey, and water and apply on your beard. 

Water

You are aware of all the benefits of drinking enough water every day. Drinking several glasses of water not only prevents dehydration but is important in flushing out toxins that could cause beard dandruff. 

Aspirin

Beard dandruff can be intolerable at times, which is why aspirin is included as a remedy. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is an important ingredient in a majority of anti-dandruff shampoos. 

How to Prevent It From Coming Back

Once you have managed to get rid of beard dandruff, then you need to keep up with your routine to ensure that dandruff doesn’t come back.

This involves continuing to wash and moisturize your beard. Additionally, regularly monitor how the skin feels. If it feels itchy and tight, then apply beard oil. Also, ensure that you use a rich moisturizer, especially during dry and cold weather. 

If you are using a medicated shampoo, then you can reduce the number of times you use it to once or twice a week once you have your dandruff situation under control. 

How to Get Rid of Beard Dandruff 

Step 1 – Exfoliate the skin

If you have time, exfoliate your skin to get rid of dirt, food crumbs, and dandruff. Exfoliation will also get rid of dead skin cells and fungus in your beard. 

Step 2 – Clean the beard

Wash your beard using beard shampoo. Work the shampoo into your beard and the skin underneath and rub vigorously to thoroughly clean the beard before rinsing using warm water. 

Step 3 – Dry the beard

Using a towel, dry the beard, ensuring that you don’t apply too much pressure. 

Step 4 – Apply beard oil

Apply beard oil and make sure that you massage it to the hair roots. It’s okay if you use beard oil every day, but twice a week is enough.

If you have a longer beard, then you might want to use beard balm rather than beard oil. The two contain the same ingredients, but beard balm works on a longer beard to keep stray hairs at bay. 

Step 5 – Use a beard brush

To groom your beard, use a beard brush, especially one made of boar hair. Brushing makes the beard appear fuller, denser as well as styles and helps to work the beard oil and balm into the skin in case of thick, and a long beard. 

How to Keep the Skin Under Your Beard Healthy

Step 1 – Keep the skin clean

Beards tend to attract dirt and dust during the day. As such, washing your face as well as the beard at least twice a day will help get rid of excess oil and dirt, which prevents the pores from clogging and causing dandruff. 

Step 2 – Shower after working out

Dirt, sweat as well as oil get trapped in the beard. If you are very active, ensure that you take a shower once you are done with your activities. This gets rid of bacteria that may cause dandruff and maintains the softness as well as the volume of your beard. 

Step 3 – Use a beard comb

Whenever you clean your face, ensure that you run a comb through your beard. This exfoliates the skin and helps get rid of knots and tangles that may have formed. 

Step 4 – Use a beard moisturizer

Part of maintaining healthy and flake-free skin is using a moisturizer every day. This keeps the skin around the beard as well as the one underneath from getting dry and flaky and maintains a luscious appearance. 

Step 5 – Exfoliate the skin

Beard dandruff is usually a result of excess dead skin. Exfoliating at least once a week helps remove dead skin that may have built up, which prevents dandruff from forming. 

Step 6 – Allow the skin to breath 

Garments like hats and balaclavas tend to hold in moisture and heat, which creates a conducive environment for dandruff to thrive. Wearing loose-fitting clothes and using natural fiber bedding will help keep your skin supple and moisturized, which will keep your beard look healthy and fabulous. 

Do’s and Don’ts 

• Do ensure that you allow your skin to breathe. Wearing very tight items holds in heat and moisture, which helps dandruff thrive.
• Do use beard shampoo rather than regular shampoo when cleaning your beard since the former doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.
• Do exfoliate your skin regularly to get rid of any dead skin cells that may appear. 
• Do use a beard conditioner to ensure that your beard is always well hydrated. 
• Don’t touch your face often since hands carry bacteria as well as fungus, which can contribute to the appearance of beard dandruff. 

FAQ 

Does beard oil help with beard dandruff?

Since dry skin is the main cause of beard dandruff, which is why it’s very important to keep the beard and the skin underneath moisturized. As such, beard oil should never miss in your grooming kit since it adds moisture to the beard and conditions it in the process. 

If I shave if my entire beard, will dandruff go away or will my hair-free chin still itch?

Shaving removes the hair that dandruff tends to cling on, which means that if there is no hair, there’s no dandruff. 

Conclusion

Beard dandruff is annoying, especially when it’s not treated. It can be caused by many things from fungal infections, underlying skin conditions, dry skin to minoxidil side effects. To get rid of beard dandruff, you need to not only clean your beard but use beard grooming products like beard oil and beard balm.

You also need to eat well, exercise and exfoliate the skin. If everything fails, you might want to consult a dermatologist because you may be suffering from a serious skin condition that requires treatment.