When we think of dandruff, we usually assume it’s a condition that only affects our scalp and the hair on our heads. However, eyebrow dandruff is becoming increasingly common, and millions of us are forever frustrated by its symptoms.
There’s nothing worse than getting dressed up for a big event, making sure everything looks as perfect as it can be, only to realize that your eyebrows seem to be producing an endless wave of flakes that keep dropping down onto your face and clothes. So annoying!
Thankfully, while eyebrow dandruff can be tricky and frustrating, it’s relatively easy to treat. Here’s everything you need to know.
The causes of eyebrow dandruff
Before we get to the solutions, it’s important we understand what exactly causes eyebrow dandruff so we can take better protective measures in the future to prevent it.
There can be many reasons why your eyebrows have developed dry skin and flakes, and everyone’s experience can be different.
Here are some of the most common causes:
Contact dermatitis
The most simple explanation for your flaky eyebrows is something called contact dermatitis. Basically, contact dermatitis is when your body reacts negatively to a new cosmetic or skincare product. For example, if you have recently started using a new eyebrow serum, your skin may reject it and display some side effects such as redness, dryness, and ashy skin.
Some of these potential reactions can include:
- Flaky skin
- Dry, cracked skin
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Irritation
- Swelling
- Blisters
It must be said that the vast majority of contact dermatitis cases aren’t serious and don’t require medical treatment, but they can still be uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Another cause of eyebrow dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis. Also referred to as cradle cap in young children, seborrheic dermatitis is a non-infectious chronic condition in adults [1].
Seborrheic dermatitis can cause:
- Greasy skin
- Irritation
- Skin rashes
- Flaky or crusty skin
Once again, this condition isn’t medically serious, but it can be a source of stress and annoyance. Keep reading to learn how to treat seborrheic dermatitis later on in the article.
Eczema
Eczema is a condition that affects over 31 million people in the United States alone [2]. It is a common, non-contagious issue that causes areas of the skin to become bumpy, irritated, inflamed, dry, and flaky. Symptoms can appear on all parts of the body and can be extremely uncomfortable at times.
Eczema commonly affects facial regions, such as the skin around our eyes, mouth, and brows. This is why it is a potential cause of eyebrow dandruff in many people.
How do you get rid of eyebrow dandruff?
There are many ways you can begin treating your flaky eyebrows, both with professional products and simple home remedies. It can also be a process of trial and error because you will need to identify the root cause of your problem, and that can be different for everybody.
Nevertheless, here are some of our best suggestions for getting rid of eyebrow dandruff for good.
Cycle your products
Firstly, to discover whether you are suffering from contact dermatitis, you’ll have to begin cycling the usage of your skincare products. This is a way of eliminating suspects and figuring out which particular product is causing the issue.
In general, contact dermatitis is usually triggered by new products that your skin isn’t accustomed to, so take a long look at the cosmetics you’ve bought recently and try to identify the culprit. Then, simply remove that product from your routine and you should start to see positive improvements.
Also, check to see whether any of your products have expired. Using expired products can cause various complications in the skin.
Homemade remedies
Before you rush out and flash the cash on a well-marketed solution, there are some simple and effective home treatments that you can try!
Can we guarantee that all of these will work? Of course not. However, we believe they are all worth a try and since everyone experiences eyebrow dandruff differently, they might be rather helpful.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera is as close to a perfect ingredient as you can probably get. It works wonderfully as a hydrating moisturizer, which allows the skin to retain more water to reduce the chances of dryness forming. It can also be a helpful treatment for acne and eczema, working to soothe the skin and calm inflammation. Finally, it works well at treating dandruff and healing the scalp!
Simply rub aloe vera gel into your brows and let it lie for about half an hour. Once the time has passed, rinse it out with lukewarm water. Do this multiple times a week to achieve long-lasting results.
Almond oil
Almond oil has historically been used for healing skin wounds and providing vital rejuvenation. It is absolutely packed with amazing vitamins and nutrients, including zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Much like aloe vera, almond oil can reduce inflammation, heal cuts and scrapes, soften puffiness, smooth dry skin, and assist with acne and eczema. We think this is a great option to try and minimize dry skin in your eyebrows.
Warm up a tablespoon of almond oil for a couple of minutes and leave it to cool. Then, gently but thoroughly rub into your eyebrows, making sure to properly cover the affected area. We’d suggest leaving the oil in your brows for a few hours, or even overnight, in order to get the most favorable results possible. Again, repeat several times a week to keep your eyebrow dandruff at bay.
Tea tree oil
Another oil that may bring positive results is tea tree oil. Packed with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil has long been used to treat skin redness, breakouts, dry skin, acne, and eczema. It is also a popular choice for moisturizing the scalp and freeing it from dry or dead skin cells.
It goes without saying that much like aloe vera and almond oil, tea tree oil may have some very beneficial qualities to help with our flaky brows.
To use effectively, mix 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil with a spoonful of olive oil or almond oil. This is to help to dilute it, as it is very strong and potentially harmful to the eyes in its raw form. Next, massage the mixture into your eyebrows and leave for 15-20 minutes. Wash away with lukewarm water, and repeat the process a few times a week until the dandruff disappears.
Anti-dandruff products
Beyond the home remedies, we’ve just discussed, using everyday anti-dandruff products such as shampoos and serums can have an advantageous impact on your brows.
It’s not rocket science, simply apply anti-dandruff shampoo to your eyebrows while in the shower and leave it for 5 minutes. Remember to close your eyes so you avoid any discomfort! Once enough time has passed, rinse away and repeat the next time you shower. Over time, much like with your regular scalp, dandruff should become less prevalent and disappear.
Seek medical advice
If none of the above suggestions work out for you, it may be time to seek the opinion of a doctor or professional dermatologist. The likelihood that your flaky brows are a sign of a deeper medical problem is pretty low, but it never hurts to get a personalized opinion on the matter.
Does eyebrow dandruff cause hair loss?
This is a very common concern a lot of people have. Thankfully, there’s no evidence to suggest that eyebrow dandruff results in widespread hair loss on the brows. However, constantly scratching the affected area may result in increased stress and damage, which can cause some hair to fall out. So keep your fingers to yourself!
Conclusion
Eyebrow dandruff can be annoying, and unsightly, and impact us at the most random and inappropriate times. Fortunately, with simple homemade solutions or with anti-dandruff consumer products, the problem can be solved with relative ease and simplicity.
If you suffer from a medical issue such as eczema or acne, you may need to obtain more specific and personalized advice from a professional dermatologist.
Good luck!
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