Beard Dandruff: How To Get Rid of It and Tips for Prevention

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 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. 

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 facial 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, 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. 

Drying Off

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 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 the 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:

All About Climate | National Geographic Society

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