It’s difficult to treat any condition without first understanding the root cause -- the same goes for beard dandruff.

There are two main causes of beard dandruff you need to consider in order to choose the right course of action in terms of prevention and treatment:

Dry Skin

Some people are prone to dry skin because of genetics or their environment, while others may experience dry skin as a result of issues like irritation to products, overwashing, and underwashing.

While you may think it’s acceptable to wash your beard with any old soap or even your shampoo, this isn’t always the best approach. In fact, you could be using harsh and irritating ingredients that can lead to irritation and dryness.

Even though washing your beard on a regular basis is important for hygiene reasons, you still don’t want to overwash it, either. If you wash too frequently, you could be stripping necessary oils from your skin and end up with dry and itchy skin as a result. At the same time, you don’t want to underwash it and risk the buildup of oils and dead skin cells that can lead to irritation and skin shedding. Overall, most experts recommend washing your beard 2-3 times a week to maintain a proper balance.

Fungal Infections

Beard dandruff can also be caused by a microbe called Malassezia globosa. Malassezia globosa helps break down sebum on your skin to keep it healthy and shine-free. This breakdown process results in oleic acid being left behind, which can, in turn, irritate your skin.

This fungus is especially prevalent in areas with a lot of oil, like your scalp and face. While this microbe in and of itself isn’t something to be concerned about since everyone has it, an overgrowth can prove problematic and lead to redness, irritation, itching, and the dreaded beard dandruff.

How Can You Treat Beard Dandruff?

Once you have a better idea of what’s causing your beard dandruff, it’s time to focus on treatment to free yourself of those pesky flakes for good. Here are the different steps you need to take to effectively treat your beard dandruff and get rid of itchiness, redness, dryness, and flakes:

Exfoliation

Dead skin cells can cause dandruff and flakiness. You can eliminate these dead skin cells by exfoliating your beard area. We personally love beard brushes that are specially made for facial hair. That being said, you could also use a loofah, washcloth, or exfoliating glove.

When it comes to exfoliants, there are two different types to choose from: chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliants use chemical reactions to break down the top layer of your skin and eliminate dead skin cells. Physical exfoliants, on the other hand, use actual particles to effectively scrub off those dead skin cells from your beard area. No matter which method you choose, be sure that you’re following the recommended guidelines on frequency to avoid irritation and damage from over-exfoliation.

Cleansing

As mentioned above, improperly washing your beard can contribute to dandruff. As a result, the best remedy is to wash your beard properly. But what does this look like in practice?

First of all, you should cleanse using a gentle product that is free of harsh chemicals, perfumes, and dyes.

Secondly, you should wash your beard just enough to keep it clean while not overwashing it and stripping it of its natural oils. Depending on the characteristics of your skin and hair, washing it 2-3 times a week is ideal.

Moisturizing

After cleansing your beard, you need to replace any moisture that was stripped away during the process by applying a moisturizer. The right moisturizer for you depends on your skin type.

For example, if you have oily skin that’s prone to breakouts, you should look for a light moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic. On the other hand, if you have really dry skin that’s in desperate need of some hydration, you should look for a heavier moisturizer with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, lactic acid, and glycerin.

Oils

If you’re really looking to moisturize your beard and knock out that dandruff for good, you may want to consider using beard oil. These products are made specifically for your beard and can soften, thicken, and grow your beard hair. There are tons of different options out there to consider, but look for ingredients like jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil, argan oil, tea tree oil, and coconut oil.