Beard Dandruff: How to Get Rid of Beardruff

There are few things more annoying than waking up to dandruff plaguing your beard. It's not as if you can just pluck out every individual piece of dandruff, and trying to brush it out can make the problem worse. Before you cut your losses and shave the whole thing off, take a deep breath. You're not alone.

Beard dandruff is a common issue, especially among men more prone to skin problems. Luckily, common issues like dandruff often have common solutions.

Unfortunately, the problem of beard dandruff becomes much more visible if your style incorporates a lot of darker colors. As dandruff falls out of your beard, it falls onto your black shirt or navy blue pants and sticks out like a sore thumb. Plus, you can't claim it's snow if it's the middle of June.

However, there are ways to fight beard dandruff and restore your facial hair to its full glory. All it takes is the right products and some direction. Luckily for you, we're here to provide all that and more!

You can get rid of your current beard dandruff and prevent future flakes by avoiding dry weather, cleansing properly, drying properly, and applying moisturizer and beard oil. These steps are essential for weeding out beard dandruff.

Once again, you are not alone in this battle! The Beard Club's community is the perfect safe space and source of knowledge for all your beard needs. 

What Is Beardruff?

Beardruff is the flaky, itchy, and downright frustrating skin condition that happens right in your majestic man-mane. It's like the dandruff that plagues your scalp, but it's got its own unique twist. It's like dandruff's annoying little brother, making a home in your beard and causing a ruckus.

Beardruff can actually be more visible and irritating than its scalp counterpart. Why, you ask? Well, it's all down to your beard hair being coarser and more prominent on your face. Unlike the dandruff on your head, which has the courtesy of hiding under your hair, the beardruff has no such manners. It's out there, visible, and ready to ruin your black t-shirt game.

Now, you might think that beardruff and head dandruff are two peas in a pod, caused by the same things and dealt with in the same way. While both are caused by dry skin or a yeast-like fungus (sounds gross, we know), they're not exactly the same.

What makes them different? It's all about the terrain, my friend. The skin under your beard is a different beast compared to your scalp. It produces more natural oils such as sebum and is often more sensitive, making it a prime hotspot for skin flakes to set up camp. 

This means beardruff can be more stubborn and harder to evict than scalp dandruff. It's like the difference between trying to dig a hole in your backyard versus trying to dig one on a rocky mountainside. Same task, but different conditions make one a heck of a lot harder.

Why Does My Beard Have Dandruff?

Now that we've covered the "what," let's get into the "why." Why does your beard have dandruff flakes? What did you ever do to deserve this flaky fate? Well, my bearded friend, the answer lies in a cocktail of causes. So, pull up a chair, and let's break down some common causes of beard dandruff. 

First off, the usual suspect: Dry skin. Just like that one guy who's always at the scene of the crime in a detective show, dry skin is often lurking around when beardruff appears. Dry skin under beards can quickly result in flaky skin and produce unsightly white flakes in your beard.

This is especially true in cold, dry weather. Think of it as your skin throwing a tantrum because it's not getting enough moisture.

However, it's not just the weather that can dry out your skin. Using harsh soaps and cleansers can also be like inviting the beardruff party to start. These products can strip your skin of natural oils, leaving it drier than a desert and primed for flakiness. It's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut — overkill, my friend.

Next up in our lineup of culprits is a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia globosa. Now, before you start panicking about having fungus on your face, let's clear something up. This little guy is a normal resident on our skin. 

But sometimes, like a roommate who starts inviting friends over too often, it can get out of control. When it does, it can lead to skin irritation and increased skin cell growth. The result? You guessed it: Dandruff.

Lastly, not properly cleaning or oiling your beard can also lead to beardruff. Your beard is like a mini ecosystem. It needs the right care and a daily beard grooming routine to stay balanced. If you're not cleaning it properly, oil and dead skin cells can build up, leading to dandruff. Similarly, not oiling your beard can leave it dry and prone to flakiness.

How To Prevent and Get Rid of Beard Dandruff

So, you've got beard dandruff and are ready to evict it from your beard once and for all. Well, you've come to the right place. Here at The Beard Club, we've got your back, or rather, your beard.

Beard dandruff treatment isn’t rocket science, but it does take a consistent beard care routine and the right products. So grab your notebook because it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty on how to stop beard dandruff in its tracks.

Step 1: Cleanse with Care

First things first, you've got to keep that beard clean. But remember, not all cleansers are created equal. 

You're not cleaning dishes here. This is your face we're talking about. Ditch those harsh soaps that strip your skin of its natural oils and leave it drier than a bad joke. Instead, opt for a gentle, hydrating beard shampoo or beard wash. It’s like giving your beard a spa day, washing away dirt and grime without leaving your skin feeling like the Sahara.

Step 2: Condition to Perfection

Next up, it's time to bring on the conditioner. Think of it as the Robin to your anti-dandruff shampoo's Batman. A good conditioner softens your beard, hydrates your skin, and fights off dryness like a superhero. It's your secret weapon against beardruff, so don't skip it.

Step 3: Oil Up

Now that your beard is clean and conditioned, it's time to lock in that moisture with a high-quality beard oil. Be sure to use a beard brush to ensure an even spread. Beard oil is like the cherry on top of your beard care sundae. It keeps your beard follicles and the skin underneath it hydrated and happy, which is key to preventing beard dandruff from forming in the first place. 

Plus, it gives your beard that healthy sheen that says, "Yeah, I've got this beard thing down."

Does Climate Cause Dandruff? 

Unfortunately, you can't change the weather — and the weather can affect your beard, especially if you live in a dry climate. The two main dry climates are called arid and semi-arid climates. The less rainfall a climate receives, the more arid it is.

A dry climate like the Sahara desert or Australian outback can harm your skin and beard by drying it out. As much as people claim to hate humidity, it does wonders for your skin. All that moisture in the air constantly hydrates your skin, whereas the deserts of the world suck the moisture right out. Plus, an arid climate can be hot or cold — it's not just deserts that we're talking about here.

Coastal residents may also have a difficult time keeping their skin and beards hydrated and may deal with more dandruff. This is because of all the salt in the air blown in from the ocean. Salt dries out your skin, which means you may want to use a bit of extra beard oil when you're at the beach.

What's the Solution? 

Avoid going outside as much on dry, hot days. You can check the humidity percentage of the air on most weather apps. Once the percentage begins dropping below 30%, you are risking your skin drying out. This is when it is essential to moisturize. Investing in a humidifier for your room is an excellent idea too.

Can Shampoo and Conditioner Help With Beard Dandruff?

A harsh shampoo or soap on your skin often dries it out, especially if you're not moisturizing frequently. Those prone to sensitive skin need products that help, not hurt! Even people who are not prone to sensitive skin can benefit from gentler cleansers. 

A hydrating face wash or cleanser can even help get rid of dandruff and open up your pores. Clogged pores can lead to a worse ailment: beard rash. 

There are several different active ingredients, such as zinc, sulfide, and ketoconazole, that may help you banish your beard dandruff. These can all be intense ingredients, though, so be careful when first trying them out. 

Our beard shampoo is a safe place to start because it avoids those harsher ingredients in favor of more natural, hydrating, and soothing ones, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. 

Just as important is choosing the correct conditioner. Look for a beard conditioner with a scent you love, and try using it once a week. If your dandruff doesn't improve, then increase your usage to two or three times a week. 

Can Drying Off Properly Prevent Beard Dandruff?

Drying off your beard is probably already part of your routine, but there are right ways and wrong ways to get the moisture out of your mane. You might be wondering whether to air dry, towel dry, or blow dry. Each method is suitable depending on the circumstances, but they do each change up your routine.

Air Drying

Air drying is always a safe option because it helps you avoid drying too vigorously and damaging your face or beard. This method is ideal for the shortest types of beards — but it comes with some drawbacks.

If you decide to air dry, you'll need to wait to apply your moisturizer, oil, or balm. Otherwise, these products won't absorb as well since your skin and beard will still be wet. For men with beards of medium to long lengths, air-drying is seldom an option. You'll have water droplets falling from your beard for the next hour if you leave it to dry on its own.

For this reason, many men towel-dry their hair straight out of the shower or even decide to blow-dry it. In addition, some studies even find that air drying can even be bad for a beard in certain circumstances.

Towel Drying

Towel drying is the standard method since it is quick and straightforward. However, if you get too rough, you might damage your skin and beard. The friction can dry out your skin and create that dreaded dandruff you're trying to avoid.

Towel-drying also tugs at hair and damages the hair roots creating potential bald spots. No one likes a patchy beard.

Instead of rubbing, try gently patting your beard with a clean towel. Avoid using the towel you dried your body off with since it carries some dirt, oils, and residue from your body wash and normal shampoo. Patting your beard dry will get most of the moisture out without over-drying.

If you decide to dry off with a towel, be sure to apply your moisturizer, oil, and balm after you dry off. If you apply beforehand, then you may accidentally take off the hydrating products before they have a chance to absorb.

Blow Dryer

A blow dryer can be an ally — or your worst enemy. 

It's all going to come down to whether or not you use this tool correctly. First things first, when you decide to blow dry your beard, it is vital to put any moisturizer and oil on before blow drying. These products act as an extra line of defense against the heat.

Next, when blow-drying your beard, you should use the lowest heat and speed settings. This precaution will stop the harsh air from hurting your skin. Move the blow dryer back and forth so that no one area is taking a continuous stream of air. 

Patience is certainly a virtue when it comes to drying your beard, so the next time you get out of the shower, make sure to approach the situation gently!

Moisturizers, Oils, Balms, and Brushing

The right oil can make or break a beard, and we mean that literally. If your beard does not get the nutrients it needs, then it may become brittle and generate more dandruff.

Your skin naturally generates oil, but if you don't clean off that oil at least once a day, you can break out with a rash or acne. On the other hand, without oils on your face, your skin can dry out and develop dandruff. 

Moisturizers go hand-in-hand with high-quality beard oil, but they should also always be applied first since it is meant for your skin. An ideal beard oil includes jojoba oil, almond oil, and various natural ingredients.

A fantastic beard balm has coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and other natural ingredients. 

Finally, this is the best and only time to brush. Once the moisturizer, oil, and balm have been applied to your beard and skin, use a beard brush to spread them out evenly. This not only exfoliates but stimulates blood circulation on your face.

Keep That Beard Flake-Free

Don't let your beard suffer. Use these helpful tips to prevent and get rid of beard dandruff. You may practice the same routine you did years ago, but that doesn't make it right. Take the necessary steps to make your beard the best beard it can be.

After the successful treatment of the beard dandruff, don't stop practicing good environmental choices, shampooing, conditioning, properly drying, and applying moisturizers, oils, and beard balms. All these steps work in tandem, so don't let anything fall by the wayside.

If your dandruff issue persists, then it might be time to visit a specialist. Maybe it's time to go get a skincare facial. Men can get them, too!

However, the average man should find everything you need to know right here at The Beard Club.

Sources:

Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer | PMC

Caring for the skin Under the Beard | Arkansas College of Barbering and Hair Design

Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review | PMC

Association of Malassezia Species With Dandruff | PMC

Defeat Beard Dandruff, Forever | GQ