Grooming up may not mean the same for all men. For some, the transition may be smooth, yet others have to deal with skin troubles and beard dandruff or beardruff. It is a common condition when you get small flaky skin in your beard. Consequently, your facial skin may feel dry, itchy, and irritated.
Beardruff may give you an unkempt and dirty appearance. No matter how embarrassing and uncomfortable facial dandruff may seem, you can easily treat these with effective home remedies. Read on to know more about beard dandruff and lasting remedies to cure it.
What Causes Beard Dandruff?
Beardruff appears when flaky pieces of your dead skin end up in your whiskers. Here are some of the primary causes of this issue-
Dryness of the skin – When your skin is dry and itchy, it can result in cracks, rashes, and dandruff. Moreover, not following a proper beard care routine or using the wrong type of products may further aggravate the condition.
Wrong lifestyle practices – Unhealthy lifestyle practices such as stressful routine, poor quality diet, and use of grooming products containing harsh chemicals may cause a yeast infection in your facial hair.
Excess use of hair growth serum – Many men use growth serum to boost facial hair growth. One of the most common side effects of such products is dandruff in the beard.
Chronic medical conditions – In rare cases, facial dandruff may result from a medical condition termed seborrheic dermatitis. In this case, patients have chronic dry skin with red patches and visible white flaky areas.
Autoimmune diseases – Other times, a person may have autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and eczema, resulting in beard dandruff.
A majority of home remedies work effectively in curing beard dandruff for people with general skin dryness. However, people with a history of eczema or psoriasis may need to consult with a dermatologist.
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Home Remedies for Lasting Relief
Unlike scalp hair, you cannot get rid of beard dandruff permanently by just washing it off with an antidandruff shampoo. Therefore, here are some effective home remedies to treat your beard dandruff without any side effects:
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera gel contains Vitamin E that deeply nourishes and naturally moisturizes your facial skin and beard hair. Moreover, its antioxidant and antibacterial properties help in treating skin troubles and removing beardruff. So, apply the gel in a generous amount on your beard hair and roots. Wash off after five minutes. Repeat thrice a week for effective results.
Lemon Juice
The acidic properties of lemon juice keep the micro-organism at bay and help restore a balanced pH level in your facial skin. Lemon juice contains Vitamin C and antioxidants that nourish your skin. For this remedy, mix 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a cup of warm water. Thereafter, rub your beard with a cotton swab and rinse off after five minutes.
Virgin Coconut Oil
Cold-pressed coconut oil contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work effectively on your dandruff-prone skin. Its anti-microbial properties reduce dandruff-causing germs and provide long-term relief from itching and flakiness of the skin. Apply it warm on your skin or combine it with other herbal ingredients to make a more effective remedy.
Baking Soda
You can find it in every kitchen. Baking soda works as a natural exfoliating agent that absorbs extra oil from the skin and removes dandruff flakes. Apply it occasionally by mixing a pinch in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Vinegar helps in restoring the natural pH of your skin.
Raw Honey
The anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties of honey make it one of the best ingredients for skin treatment at home. Apply raw honey on your facial skin and beard to reduce flakiness and itching. Mix 3 teaspoons of raw honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice and one teaspoon of organic yogurt. This herbal hair mask for your beard will balance the pH and heal your dandruff naturally.
Fenugreek
Traditional healers swear by the medicinal benefits of fenugreek. For this home remedy, you need to soak fenugreek seeds in buttermilk. After an hour, grind the mixture to make a paste. Apply the paste on your affected area and wash off after 15-20 minutes.
Tips and Precautions to Prevent Reappearance of Beardruff
Here are some tips and precautions that you must keep in mind to prevent beard dandruff from reappearing:
Avoid washing your beard too often – The best way to prevent the occurrence of dry flakes is by preserving the natural sebum oil in your beard hair.
Use gentle natural shampoos and conditioners – Select shampoos and hair cleansers with dandruff-fighting ingredients like tea tree oil. Also, remember that traditional shampoos used for the scalp may be too harsh for your facial skin. Therefore, pick a shampoo specifically designed for beard hair.
You may also apply some natural conditioner to preserve the moisture in your facial hair. Surprisingly, products containing natural calming elements like aloe vera, argan oil, and fish oil help fight dandruff without any side effects.
Follow after wash care – Towel damp your beard after washing and apply some beard oil to lock in the moisture. Also, moisturizing helps in rehydrating and conditioning your skin. So, applying beard oil will further help you in grooming a softer, smoother, and neater mane. You can also use a beard balm to prevent flakiness.
Use a quality scrub – Boar-bristle beard brushes are best to remove dead flakes and exfoliate the facial skin. Moreover, combing also helps in distributing the natural oils in your beard.
Wooden Beard Brush Rectangle – Beard Brush – Khaki – One Size
Follow a regular cleansing regimen – It is essential to follow a strict wash-care routine to keep the beard dandruff at bay. Follow the cleansing regimen as advised and notice how your skin feels deep down. If your facial skin feels stretched or irritated, maybe it is time to switch to better grooming products.
Watch for change of climate – Incidentally, climate changes like dry and cold weather or hot, humid temperatures may also cause or aggravate facial dandruff. Therefore, you may need to modify your beard-care regimen to combat the effects.
Consult a dermatologist – If nothing seems to work effectively, even after trying all suggested remedies, you should consult a dermatologist. Seek medical advice for better analysis and treatment of your condition.
Keep facial skin healthy – Remember, you cannot attain a well-groomed beard without following a proper skincare regimen. Therefore, it is equally essential to encourage healthy skin beneath your beard hair.
Follow proper shaving techniques – It is essential to move the blade correctly for trimming your beard to avoid irritation, red bumps, and dry skin. Use clean towels and equipment for shaving. Also, shave slowly and gently with a sharp blade. If you have sensitive skin, pick a scent-free aftershave balm to soothe and nourish your skin.
