The beard is becoming more and more popular in men, especially among young hipsters. You may have grown it like that of legendary American woodcutter Paul Bunyan, but you may notice annoying dandruff forming on your charming facial curls. Although the cause of beard dandruff is not known, it is a rather easy condition to treat; by taking care of it, addressing the underlying skin ailments and promoting skin health, you can solve this problem.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treating Beard Dandruff
Step 1. Wash with a medicated shampoo
Just like hair, beard dandruff responds well to dandruff shampoos. Please note that there are various different opinions and information regarding the use of these products and some people may find that some in particular are too aggressive for the delicate skin of the face.
- Do a skin test on a small, inconspicuous area first. Leave the shampoo on your skin for about five minutes and pay attention to any adverse reactions. If not, you can use the product with complete peace of mind; if you notice a rash, consider using a specific product to wash your beard or treat dandruff, as both are gentler than common anti-dandruff shampoos.
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser or baby shampoo to remove excess sebum before applying the medicated product; this is subsequently spread and left on the skin and beard for at least five minutes. This caution allows the active ingredient to better penetrate into tissues and hair; after the necessary time, rinse thoroughly so that no residues remain that could worsen the appearance of dandruff. Once the procedure is complete, carefully comb your beard.
Step 2. Use a conditioner
Dandruff could be caused or aggravated by environmental factors, such as cold air, which can deprive the skin and beard of valuable moisture, resulting in the formation of visible scales. You should use a deep conditioner especially in the winter months to keep your beard and skin well hydrated.
- You can use whichever type you prefer or consider applying a specific one for facial hair; look for those with ingredients that soothe and moisturize your beard and skin, such as cotton, green tea, oats, and willow bark extract.
- Apply it after shampooing and leave it on for a few minutes while you are in the shower; then make sure to rinse it thoroughly to prevent residues from accumulating and worsening the situation.
Step 3. Apply beard oil
A good oil keeps it soft, shiny, smooth and also helps prevent dandruff. This is especially true if you live in an area with a dry or cold climate. Spreading it after washing with the medicated product and treatment with the conditioner, you can reduce and counteract dandruff.
- Choose a product that contains grapeseed, jojoba, argan, or coconut oil. If you feel itchy, suffer from acne, or have sensitive skin, look for one made with rosemary, hemp seed, or safflower oil.
- Scrub your beard and mustache with a pea-sized dose of oil.
- Make this treatment an integral part of your hygiene routine to keep your skin and beard soft and hydrated.
Step 4. Don't touch your face
Your hands are covered with a lot of bacteria and fungi, especially if you don't have the habit of washing them often; try to touch your face as little as possible so as not to develop beard dandruff.
- Remember that scratching will only irritate the skin even more, which will make the situation worse.
- Wash your hands every time you go to the bathroom or when they are dirty; in this way, you do not favor the formation of dandruff by involuntarily touching the beard.
Step 5. Apply a hydrocortisone cream
If, in addition to dead skin scales, you also suffer from skin itching and redness, you need a product to calm the inflammation; by applying a cortisone cream you can find relief from discomfort, prevent the spread of infections and regenerate the skin.
Spread a cream or ointment with this active ingredient at least twice a day; you can buy it at the pharmacy, but if the problem gets worse, call your doctor, as a more concentrated product may be needed
Step 6. Shave
If you can't get rid of dandruff, consider trimming your beard; in this way, the health condition of the skin will improve rapidly. Once the skin irritation has been eradicated and the skin is healthy again, you can try to regrow facial hair. Just be sure to proceed with a good hygiene and skin care regimen to avoid recurrence.
Part 2 of 3: Promote Skin Health
Step 1. Keep your skin clean
The beard can attract a lot of dust and dirt, so wash your face and facial hair twice a day to get rid of dirt and excess oil. In this way, the pores of the epidermis do not become clogged and dandruff does not form.
- Choose a mild cleanser or a cleanser formulated specifically for the face of bearded men; opt for products that not only have cleansing, but also moisturizing properties.
- Treat your facial hair gently when you wash it. Massage them with the cleanser of your choice making it penetrate to the skin; then rinse your face thoroughly with warm, clean water.
- Do not wash your face excessively. Although it is important to maintain good hygiene, it is also advisable to avoid exposing your skin and beard too much to cleansers, otherwise you run the risk of eliminating all the sebum, inflaming the epidermis and suffering from dandruff.
Step 2. Shower after exercise
Sweat, dirt and sebum are easily trapped in the facial hair; if you exercise a lot, always shower at the end of each session. In this way, you keep the bacteria that cause dandruff at bay and your beard will be beautiful, voluminous and soft.
- Always use the same gentle cleanser even after sports.
- Gently dry the skin with a soft cloth by dabbing your face and beard; if you rub them you can in fact spread the bacteria or dirt that you have not been able to eliminate and you could also irritate the epidermis.
Step 3. Brush or comb your beard
Proceed every time you wash your face as part of your hygiene regimen; this simple operation allows you to exfoliate the skin and untangle the knots.
Use a beard comb or soft-bristled brush. Always make sure your beard is wet and run the comb down until the hair is soft, smooth and tangle-free
Step 4. Moisturize skin and beard
A fundamental element for maintaining the health of the epidermis and fighting dandruff is daily hydration, which prevents the skin surrounding and under the beard from drying out, peeling and at the same time guarantees an excellent appearance. Use a general moisturizer for the face and a specific oil for the beard and underlying skin.
- Choose a specific cream for your skin type; you can find products for oily, dry or mixed skin. If in doubt, ask your doctor or dermatologist for advice.
- Check that the product contains ingredients such as tea tree or argan oil; spread it carefully over all facial hair and the skin underneath.
Step 5. Exfoliate your skin regularly
Dead cells contribute to the formation of dandruff; by exfoliating your face once a week you can eliminate them and get rid of the scales of the epidermis.
- Apply a gentle exfoliant made with synthetic or natural microgranules that have a uniform shape; lightly massage the product into the skin for a minute or two, then rinse carefully using lukewarm water, to avoid itching or scaly residue.
- If you don't have an exfoliating product or you don't want to use it, rub a soft, wet cloth over your face. it is a gentle and natural way of eliminating dead cells.
Step 6. Let your skin breathe
Some items of clothing, such as balaclavas and hats, retain moisture and heat, promoting an environment conducive to the formation of dandruff. Choose soft accessories and use natural fiber bedding to keep facial hair supple and soft, as well as to have a beautiful beard.
- Wear sweaters, caps, balaclavas or helmets that let sweat transpire, especially in the cold and dry months; in this way, you avoid that moisture remains in contact with the skin and consequently the formation of dandruff.
- Make sure the bedding (or at least the pillowcase) is cotton or some other smooth, natural fabric. This simple detail avoids skin irritation, which in turn triggers the problem of dandruff. Make sure you regularly wash your underwear and any clothing that comes into contact with your skin and beard. Use a neutral detergent to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria that clog and irritate the skin.
Part 3 of 3: Prepare a Custom Beard Oil
Step 1. Choose an essential oil
Most commercial products are actually a blend of essential oils and carriers. The former are pure extracts that are distilled from leaves, flowers, bark, branches or roots of plants; they help treat beard dandruff and keep facial hair soft and supple. Consider using one of the following to manage this annoying problem and related skin conditions:
- Lavender;
- Cedar;
- Melaleuca;
- Patchouli;
- Rosemary;
- Bergamot.
Step 2. Choose a carrier oil
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be irritating if not diluted. A carrier oil, such as grapeseed or jojoba oil, is perfect for this purpose and hydrates the skin more. You can use any of the following to dilute the essentials and keep your skin moist:
- Grapeseeds:
- Jojoba;
- Avocado;
- Argan;
- Sweet almonds.
Step 3. Mix the product
You can mix the essential oil with the carrier oil every day before applying them or prepare a dose in a dark glass bottle. A 30 ml bottle of amber or tinted glass protects the contents from the action of the sun and light; Consider combining different essential oils and carriers to meet the needs of your skin and smell.
- Use 30ml of carrier oil for 10-15ml of essential oil; gently mix the ingredients to blend them and turn them into a single liquid.
- Try mixing different oils to find a personalized "recipe"; for example, you can dilute 30ml of carrier oil with 8 drops of patchouli oil, 4 of bergamot, 2 of lavender, and one drop of black pepper oil. A variant could be composed of 15 ml of argan oil, 7-8 ml of jojoba oil and the same number of sweet almonds mixed with 7 drops of lavender oil, 5 of rosemary and 3 of cedar.
Step 4. Run a skin test
After mixing the various substances, do a test to make sure you don't have any negative reactions. Leave the mixture for 5 minutes on an inconspicuous area of the face; if you don't notice any problems, you can start using the oil every day.
Step 5. Use it
Massage 5-7 drops all over your beard and skin, even every day if you wish; in this way, you keep dandruff and the skin problems associated with it under control.
