No bearded man wants to scratch his beard and see dry flakes fly everywhere, but this is a very common occurrence. According to a 2019 statistic, one in every two bearded men in the United States suffers from beard dandruff, appropriately dubbed “beardruff.” The good news is that there are many home remedies to help men avert this problem, which worsens as we enter the dryer fall and winter months, and ultimately get rid of beard dandruff.
What Is Beardruff?
If you want to know how to get rid of beard dandruff, you must first understand the cause. Sebaceous glands surround the root of every beard follicle. These glands produce an oil known as sebum, which helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. Now, there come’s a time in every man’s beard growing journey when the hair follicles get too long. When this happens, the sebaceous glands cannot retain enough sebum to keep the skin nourished, causing it to dry out. Your beardruff worsens if you live in dryer climates, especially areas that are very hot or cold. The hot weather causes facial hair to draw moisture away from the skin, which leaves the skin underneath the beard flaky and dry. On the other hand, some men with thicker beards suffer from dandruff-causing fungus. The thickness actually causes the fungus to spread rapidly because it’s a shaded and protected from the sun and weather.
So How Do You Get Rid Of Beard Dandruff?
You don’t always need to seek help from a dermatologist to fix the dry skin under your beard. There are many natural ingredients that encourage a healthy beard. The first and most important rule is to address the problem. The longer you neglect the health of your beard, the harder it is to keep it hydrated and nourished. You can experiment with the following ingredients to keep your beard flake-free!
Wash With Care
Washing your beard too often with chemical beard shampoos can increase dryness under the beard. First off, don’t wash your beard every day. The reason you don’t wash every day is because it strips the skin of natural sebum. Only wash your beard with gentle beard shampoos two or three times per week. Finally, don’t use anti-dandruff shampoos because they inhibit beard growth.
Use Lemon Juice
If the skin under your beard is as dry as the Mojave desert, it’s time to restore the natural pH balance of your skin. Use lemon juice to help balance the skin’s pH and neutralize dandruff-causing microorganisms. The skin also absorbs the vitamin C in lemon juice, which helps to nourish skin cells. Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice in one cup of warm water. Rub this mixture into your beard and leave it on for five minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Keep doing this once daily until your beardruff goes away.
Nourish With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the best carrier oils for the skin, but make sure that you purchase virgin coconut oil for best results. Virgin coconut oil is cold-pressed, meaning it retains more vitamins and minerals that nourish your skin. The antimicrobial properties of virgin coconut oil fight dandruff-causing fungi. You can apply virgin coconut oil to your beard daily to reduce itchiness and flakiness.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains anti-fungal properties that work to fight back against dandruff. The acetic acid also helps to restore a healthy pH balance on the skin. Dry skin often results from being too alkaline, which is typically caused by the excessive use of shampoos. We have to reiterate that you should only wash your beard two to three times per week. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a bottle and rinse with that mixture once daily. Make sure to leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing it away with warm water.
Sea Salt Rinse
Sea salt has a high mineral content, making it excellent for the skin. In fact, the minerals in sea salt actually promote healthy skin cell growth! When you apply a sea salt rinse to your beard, it can help slow the growth of fungi, which causes dandruff. Dissolve one teaspoon of sea salt in one cup of warm water and allow it to come to room temperature. Rub it all through your beard and roots, leave it on for five minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
