Eyebrow Dandruff: Everything You Need To Know

Have you ever scratched your head and noticed some small white flakes falling from your scalp? It’s likely you’ve felt the embarrassment of dandruff on the top of your head before, but did you know it’s not the only place you can get this dry, flaky skin?

Believe it or not, your eyebrows are another location where dandruff loves to grow. It causes flaky skin that sheds from the area. And while it’s similar to head dandruff, it’s usually a lot more noticeable.

But don’t fret: there are easy fixes that can help to restore your brows to their former glory. Let’s dive in and talk about everything you need to know about this frustrating occurrence.

What Is Eyebrow Dandruff?

Eyebrow dandruff is a common condition that causes the skin to dry up and flake away. It’s not contagious or severe, but it can be challenging to manage.

It might be dandruff if you notice whitish or grayish flakes of skin under or around your eyebrows. The area may also be inflamed, and it may also feel a little bit itchy.

Dandruff vs. Dry Skin

While dandruff can cause dry skin, it’s not necessarily the same thing. In fact, the cause of your eyebrow flakes might be that your skin is just dehydrated.

Typically, dandruff coincides with red, scaly skin. Additionally, it’s often more oily and greasy. Dry skin, by comparison, is normally denoted by small, dry flakes, and the underlying skin is usually not greasy.

What Causes Eyebrow Dandruff?

Dandruff is extremely common. In fact, it’s not normally caused by things that you have much control over.

Contact Dermatitis

If you’ve ever used a new shampoo and noticed that dandruff sprouted soon after, it’s likely because of contact dermatitis. This is a reaction on the skin due to an allergen or irritant.

While you’re not rubbing shampoo on your eyebrows, you are probably using facial cleansers, moisturizers, makeup, or lotions. Some products may irritate your skin and cause this form of skin irritation.

Contact dermatitis can cause an itchy, irritating, and reddened rash in the area around your eyebrows. It can also cause the skin to flake, resulting in dandruff.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

This is a common inflammatory form of dandruff that causes greasy, irritated skin that produces white flakes. While it’s most common on the scalp, it can appear in almost any area of the body, including your eyebrows.

It’s not exactly known what causes this form of dermatitis, though it is believed that a fungus called Malassezia may play a role. This is a fungus that lives in your skin’s sebum, the oil that your skin produces to keep itself hydrated.

Oily Skin

Some people may be more prone to dandruff simply because of their skin type. Specifically, people with oily skin tend to develop dandruff, especially if they apply oils to their skin.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches on your skin. It’s a chronic disease with no cure, and it usually occurs on the knees and elbows.

With that said, it’s estimated that 50% of people with psoriasis experience it on their face. This might be the cause of flaky skin on your face or around your eyebrows. 

Eczema

This is another chronic skin condition that causes inflammation on the skin. It typically results in a rash on the knees or arms. However, it can appear anywhere, and it might cause dry skin on or around your eyebrows.

Managing Eyebrow Dandruff

Dandruff doesn’t normally require a medical diagnosis, so treatments can often be done right from home.

Hydration and Moisturization

Your eyebrow dandruff is likely the result of dry, dehydrated skin underneath. You can alleviate this issue by making sure that the area is consistently hydrated and moisturized.

Natural ingredients that can be extremely useful for combating dryness include tea tree or coconut oil. Additionally, ocean peptide compounds found in our Replenishing Deep Sea Moisturizer improve skin firmness, elasticity, and rejuvenation to help reduce dryness.

Marine Collagen is a natural supplement that does just that.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and it’s the building block that makes up your hair, nails, ligaments, and your skin. When your collagen levels are low, it can lead to unhealthy skin that may flake, wrinkle, or age.

Enhancing your body’s natural collagen production may restore vibrancy and elasticity to your skin, which may be able to diminish the dryness and flakiness associated with dandruff. On top of that, it can help to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation in all areas of your body.

Avoid Exfoliating

There are plenty of things you should do to manage your dandruff, but there are also some things you shouldn’t do. Namely, you don’t want to exfoliate the flakes away by excessively scrubbing the area.

This can cause excessive irritation of your skin and make dandruff worse. Plus, simply removing the dry flakes by force won’t address the root cause of your dryness. Additionally, you won’t want to get your eyebrows waxed or threaded if you’re experiencing a bout of dandruff.

Dandruff Shampoo

If you happen to have any dandruff shampoo lying around that you’ve used on your scalp, you can use it on your eyebrows as well. In fact, you can treat it like a face wash to eliminate it from your face.

The only thing is that medicated shampoo can irritate the skin, especially if it gets into your eyes. You’ll want to consult your doctor or dermatologist before using dandruff shampoo for its intended use.

Prescription Medication

If at-home or over-the-counter remedies cannot get rid of your eyebrow dandruff, you’ll want to visit your dermatologist. They can prescribe you a prescription-strength medication that might be more powerful and suited to your needs.

Preventing Eyebrow Dandruff

Some people may be prone to eyebrow dandruff. However, there are some ways you might take preventative measures to reduce the risk of developing it.

For one, it’s essential to keep your skin hydrated. Not only can this help reduce dryness after the fact, but if you keep your skin healthy at all times, you may never see flakiness in the first place.

In harsh climates, especially during colder winter months, make sure you’re wearing protective clothing to stop your skin from becoming too dry. Warm hats or scarves can help keep you warm and possibly shield your brows from dandruff.

Also, use sunscreen to protect your face from the sun’s UV rays. Some oil-based creams may cause breakouts and dryness around your eyebrows. If you have oily skin, you may want to go for an alternative without harsh oils.

You also want to make sure you do not pick at the area around your eyebrows, as this might cause dryness. This is especially important if you’re prone to acne around the top of your nose.

In Conclusion

Eyebrow dandruff is a condition that can cause white, flaky skin to appear around your eyebrows. 

Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized is essential, especially if your dandruff is just dry skin in that area. It’s also necessary to restore your collagen levels.

You can use dandruff shampoo on your eyebrows to help reduce its appearance: just make sure you don’t use excessive force to remove the flakes.

Preventing eyebrow dandruff consists of staying hydrated and protecting your skin from pollutants such as UV rays. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid picking at the area if you’re prone to acne on the top of your nose.

Sources:

Types of Eczema: Contact Dermatitis | National Eczema Foundation

Seborrheic dermatitis - Symptoms and causes | The Mayo Clinic

Dandruff - Symptoms and causes | The Mayo Clinic

​​Psoriasis on the face, eyes, and ears | National Psoriasis Foundation