Remove beard dandruff

Dandruff is a common condition that occurs as a result of scaling of the skin beneath the beard. 

Dandruff on a beard is not a disorder of any particular individual. It happens to everyone at some point in time or another. It is a common scalp condition that does not cause any lasting damage to your beard as long as you take corrective measures in time.

Studies show that some of the reasons leading to dandruff on a beard may include dry skin, oily skin, hormonal changes, stress etc. 

Symptoms of Beard Dandruff

Some of the basic symptoms of dandruff are itchiness and burning sensation on the scalp and facial hair. These are usually followed by the appearance of white flakes on your beard, especially near the neck region.

Causes of Dandruff in Beard

There are a lot of reasons behind the formation of dandruff on your beard. They include certain external factors, internal factors, heredity, etc. Here are some of them given below.

External Causes:

Friction against flaked skin, pollution, abrasions.

Internal Causes:

Changes in hormones, nutritional deficiency, genetic factors.

Major reasons for beard dandruff:

• Dry skin: Dry skin is the result of using harsh cleansers or soap on the beard. These chemical products strip off the natural oil from our skin. These oils are essential because they keep our beard and skin nourished.
• Fungal infection: Fungal infection occurs when the beard blocks sunlight from reaching the skin and thus fungus starts to grow and causes dandruff. The fungus responsible for beard dandruff is Malassezia globosa.

How to Get Rid of Beard Dandruff?

As you may feel itching, scratching or irritation when you have dandruff on your beard, it can be accompanied by redness, dryness and soreness as well.

The foremost step is to remove dead skin cells while controlling extra oil to prevent skin flakes. For that, you need to follow some simple steps to keep dandruff at bay.

Exfoliating

Using a beard brush having soft bristles is the first step towards exfoliation. It helps in removing dead skin cells and distributes oil throughout the skin.

Before using any cleanser, gently move your beard brush thoroughly and avoid scrubbing your beard too hard.

Washing

Do not use regular shampoo: Shampoo for hair contains chemicals that can strip the natural moisture from your skin and beard. For this reason, regular shampoos should be avoided at all costs. Always use SLS-free shampoo to protect your beard and skin.

In order to get a soft and manageable beard, you need to wash it at least twice a week and moisturize it with a good conditioner after you wash it. Be sure to rinse all the soap well, because if there is still soap residue on your beard, you will look grimy.

Washing is an essential part of maintaining a healthy beard. If you do not allow any beard wash, it will lose its shine and will look unkempt. Apply some beard wash after shampooing your hair as it prevents removing natural oils from your hair and allows it to stay moisturized.

Drying

Too much moisture can make your beard unhygienic by encouraging different types of fungal infections. Therefore, always pat dry your beard after washing to remove the excess moisture.

Moisturizing

Moisturizing replenishes the dehydrated skin and gives it a new look. Just rub a few drops of beard oil on your skin under the beard.

Pro tip: Determine your skin type and then buy beard oil that is suitable for you. A lot of toxins, dead skin cells, environmental pollutants get built up on our skin and therefore it is necessary to use moisturizer or beard oil to keep the beard dirt-free.

Home Remedies for Beard Dandruff

It takes time to get rid of dandruff completely from your lifestyle. However, it is important to take remedial measures in order to prevent it from recurring again. Try out these home remedies to prevent beard dandruff. These remedies can also be used if you are already suffering from beard dandruff.

Raw Honey

Raw honey can treat dandruff because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Mix one tablespoon of money with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Now massage your beard with this mixture and keep it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with cold water afterwards.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek is a legume plant and is used as herbal medicine. It is also widely used in Indian cooking.

Fenugreek has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it an effective choice for treating beard dandruff.

Just soak some Fenugreek seeds in buttermilk for an hour and make a paste by grinding it later on.

Apply this paste on your beard and skin by rubbing it in a circular motion for two minutes. Rinse it off using cold water. It can remove the dandruff flakes and reduce itching.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties that can treat dandruff-causing germs. It also contains acetic acid which balances the alkalinity caused by chemical shampoos. High alkalinity can make your beard dry and prone to breakage.

Apple cider vinegar also replenishes the normal pH levels of the skin.

Using a cotton ball, apply apple cider vinegar on the area affected by dandruff and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing.

Take Away 

If you suffer from dandruff on your beard, then always wash your beard and the rest of the face with a gentle, non-drying soap or face wash to cleanse your skin. This will remove any accumulated dust and prevent itching.