Beard Dandruff: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Tips

Beards are always in style. They may follow trends to some degree — who can forget walrus mustaches and glitter beards? — but one thing you won’t see featured in men’s magazines any time soon is beard dandruff.

So, what is beard dandruff? It’s a close cousin of scalp dandruff. In the simplest explanation, beard dandruff happens when the skin beneath a beard flakes off. It’s common, but that doesn’t mean you have to embrace it.

Here, we’ll cover the causes of white flakes in your beard, how to treat and prevent beard dandruff, plus everything you need to know for your best beard ever.

You already know about dandruff — a common (and pretty harmless) skin condition that causes yellow or white flaking and sometimes itching. While it’s often associated with the scalp and hair on the head, beard dandruff (sometimes called “beardruff”) is also a common condition in which the skin underneath the beard becomes dry and flaky, resulting in visible flakes within the beard hair.

Research shows that dandruff is more common in men than women — and not just because they’re more likely to rock beards.

Beard dandruff has four leading causes:

• Excess Malassezia globosa fungus

• Seborrheic dermatitis

• Oily buildup

• Dry skin

Keep scrolling for details about each potential cause.

Excess Malassezia Globosa Fungus

Beard dandruff can be caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia globosa, a harmless fungus present on everyone’s skin to some degree. Research from 2014 found that higher amounts of Malassezia were linked to more severe dandruff.

Malassezia feeds on sebum (the oily substance your pores produce), leaving behind oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid) as a byproduct. Some people are sensitive to oleic acid, which can cause an inflammatory response that leads to irritation and flaking.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic form of eczema and a cause of dandruff — including the beard variety. It can leave you with white or yellow scales on your skin and underneath hair that can either be dry or greasy and itchy.

Oily Buildup

Oil can build up under the beard. This can be a testament to the impressive thickness of your beard (it’s hard to reach the skin beneath all that hair).

It could also mean your body is producing excess sebum or that you’re not washing your beard the right way. Oil alone doesn’t cause dandruff, but it can lead to beard dandruff when paired with yeast (like Malassezia, which is both yeast and a fungus).

Dry Skin

Dry skin can cause flaking that looks a lot like dandruff, but it’s actually not dandruff per se. When skin under the beard becomes dry, it can flake and shed, leading to visible dandruff within the beard.

Several factors can contribute to dry skin under the beard, including cold, dry weather, harsh cleansers, not moisturizing, and regularly washing with very hot water.

Fortunately, beard dandruff is very treatable with a few easy, at-home steps.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating is the first step in fighting beard dandruff. And before the skincare lovers write us off, let it be known that — yes — exfoliating is usually the second step (after cleansing) in a skincare routine. But when it comes to beard dandruff, it helps to loosen the scales before washing them away.

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and dandruff flakes. It may also ease some of the itchiness that comes with beard dandruff.

A beard brush with soft bristles can be a nice way to exfoliate the skin. To exfoliate with a beard brush, brush in a downward motion.

You can also use products to exfoliate:

• Physical exfoliants. Physical (or manual) exfoliation involves using a gritty scrub or brush to manually slough off and polish away dead skin. It’s effective but can be harsh on the skin barrier if you go overboard — once or twice a week should be plenty.

• Chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), or enzymes derived from fruit or rice. These substances break down bonds between skin cells to essentially dissolve the uppermost dead, dry layer of skin. Chemical exfoliation helps skin turnover and is generally easier on the skin than physical exfoliants.

Wash Your Beard

After exfoliating, it’s time for a cleanser or beard wash. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends washing your face gently (as opposed to scrubbing) to avoid damaging your skin.

If you’d rather exfoliate with a beard brush only, you can use an exfoliating cleanser containing lactic acid or another AHA to help dissolve flakes. But even that may be too harsh for everyday use.

Another option is to get a beard-specific cleanser, but any gentle face wash from the drugstore should work just fine. If you have sensitive skin, avoid fragranced products, as they can be irritating.

Try a Medicated Shampoo

Beard shampoo exists, and some formulas are designed with dandruff in mind. However, beyond the burly packaging, these shampoos may be basically identical to any dandruff shampoo you’d use on your scalp.

If your healthcare provider gives it the okay, you can try dandruff shampoo on your beard (it may be drying but is likely safe).

Anti-dandruff shampoos are formulated with certain ingredients that help fight dandruff by killing the fungus that causes it or gently exfoliating the skin to prevent flaking. Many contain ketoconazole, salicylic acid, or pyrithione zinc (the latter two of which you’ll find in our dandruff detox shampoo).

Moisturize

If your beard dandruff is caused by dry, flaky skin trapped underneath the hair, using a moisturizer is a no-brainer.

On the flip side, if your skin feels extra oily, it could be that it’s actually dry — weird, right? Sometimes, when skin is dry, it creates extra sebum to compensate. So hydrating your skin with a moisturizing product can help balance things out.

Consider Beard Oil

Traditional lotion can be challenging to get through coarse beard hairs and onto the skin. The solution? Beard oil.

This men’s grooming product moisturizes the skin beneath the beard while conditioning facial hair and adding shine. Beard balm is a similar product, but it’s usually a solid oil.

There are plenty of beard oils on the market, but you can also use a facial oil, provided it’s light enough that it won’t make your beard look greasy (jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip, and argan oil are on the lighter side). In any case, a non-comedogenic oil is best, meaning it’s made without ingredients that clog pores (it shouldn’t cause acne). 

Once you’ve gotten beard dandruff under control, you’ll want to prevent it from coming back. Here are some easy prevention tips for beard dandruff.

Maintain a Beard Care Routine

Maybe you never thought you’d be the kind of guy with a skincare routine, but with a great beard comes great responsibility.

Stick with the routine we mentioned above. Try to use the products as gently as possible, but if you notice flakes creeping back in, reach for a medicated shampoo to nip it in the bud.

Use a Humidifier in Dry Environments

Using a humidifier to add moisture back into a dry room goes a long way in helping to prevent dry skin and, therefore, dandruff.

Be Mindful of Your Grooming Routine

Everyone loves a hot shower, but research shows that washing your face with very hot water can lead to transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

In layperson’s terms, this means hot water can be drying and irritating to the skin. Try to switch to warm water when washing your face in the shower to avoid stripping your skin of natural oils.

When you dry your beard, be gentle with the towel. If you prefer to use a hair dryer, keep it on a lower setting and hold it at least six inches away from your face (any closer or hotter can damage and dry out the skin).

See a Dermatologist

For stubborn cases of beard dandruff, it’s best to call in the experts. A dermatologist will help you get to the root of the problem and figure out the right treatment plan.

TL;DR? Here’s a recap of what to know about beard dandruff:

• Beard dandruff is common and highly manageable with proper care, including regular exfoliation, gentle cleansing, and moisturizing.

• Prevention is key to keeping beard flakes at bay. Maintain a consistent beard care routine and be mindful of environmental factors like humidity and water temperature that might dry out your skin.

• If your beard dandruff won’t quit despite changing your grooming routine, consult a dermatologist for expert advice and a tailored treatment plan that suits your skin’s specific needs.

To learn more about beards, check out our guide to beard hair loss. And if you’re looking for more ways to get rid of beard dandruff, our guide to home remedies for dandruff has you covered.

Does dandruff cause hair loss? Our blog has answers.