Eyebrow Dandruff: Exploring Its Causes and Management Options

Eyebrow dandruff is pretty similar to scalp dandruff. You'll notice flaky skin around the affected area. For some people, these eyebrow dandruff symptoms also include an annoying itch, slight redness, or scaly patches.

While this skin condition isn't life-threatening, it can still be frustrating or embarrassing to deal with.

The good news is that eyebrow dandruff is highly treatable. It boils down to understanding the underlying cause behind your symptoms so you can find the right remedy to target it.

In this article, we'll explore the possible causes of eyebrow dandruff and different solutions to get rid of its symptoms.

Table of Contents: 

• What are the Causes of Eyebrow Dandruff?
• Does Eyebrow Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
• How to Manage Eyebrow Dandruff
• For Eyebrow Dandruff Due to Dry Skin
  
• For Contact Dermatitis-Linked Eyebrow Dandruff
• For Seborrheic Dermatitis Eyebrow Dandruff
• Finding a Malassezia-Safe Formula for Eyebrow Dandruff

What are the Causes of Eyebrow Dandruff?

Eyebrow dandruff can occur due to various reasons.

Let's explore the possible causes of flaky brows.

Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff

Skin flakiness, redness, and itchiness around the eyebrow area may be caused by seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff.

Some people use these terms interchangeably, but there are some differences between dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. For instance, seborrheic dermatitis can lead to skin inflammation and redness, while dandruff does not. Put simply, dandruff can be considered the milder cousin of seborrheic dermatitis.

Nonetheless, both conditions have been linked to a fungus called Malassezia [1]. This fungus typically resides on your skin without causing any trouble.

However, an increase in sebum production can trigger an increase in the population of Malassezia on your skin. That's because Malassezia feeds on the sebum, an oily and waxy substance that your skin produces [2].

This is also why seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff commonly affect areas of your skin high in sebaceous glands, which are the oil glands that secrete sebum. These oily areas of the skin include your eyebrow skin, scalp, and chest.

As the fungus feeds, it releases fatty acids, which can induce itching and flaking of the skin in certain people [2]. When this happens, you may develop eyebrow dandruff.

Dry Skin

Another cause for flaking skin around your eyebrows is dry skin. If dry skin is the cause, you'd normally notice smaller, whitish flakes without red or inflamed skin.

Your skin can dry out when it lacks moisture. If this happens, the affected area may become irritated and begin to flake off.

If you have dry skin, you may also notice it affecting other parts of your body, such as your face, scalp, legs, and arms.

Some causes of dry skin around the eyebrows include the following:

• Dry and cold weather or low-humidity climates

• Using harsh facial products that strip your skin of its natural oils

• Older age, as your pores naturally produce less oil as you get older

• Frequently scrubbing or washing your face using hot water

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is another skin condition in which the skin becomes red, inflamed, or itchy after contact with a substance that can trigger an allergic reaction or irritation. You may also notice crusty and scaly skin around the affected area [3].

Cosmetics, makeup, soaps, and facial care products are some irritants or sensitizing products that may cause contact dermatitis around the eyebrow area.

You can pinpoint contact dermatitis as the culprit if the only areas of the skin affected by symptoms are those that came into contact with the specific substance.

Does Eyebrow Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?

Seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, contact dermatitis, or dry skin affecting the eyebrow area do not directly cause hair loss.

However, if you repeatedly scratch the affected area, you may damage the hair follicles. This can lead to hair loss or thinning brow hair.

How to Manage Eyebrow Dandruff

There are different treatment approaches and natural remedies available for eyebrow dandruff. For the best results, the remedy you pick should target the actual cause of the problem.

Let's explore how you can reduce eyebrow dandruff based on the likely cause of your symptoms.

For Eyebrow Dandruff Due to Dry Skin

If you have eyebrow dandruff due to dry skin, you'll notice smaller, whitish flakes on the affected skin. You may also spot flaky skin on different parts of your body, such as your arms or legs.

As you'd probably guessed, restoring your skin's moisture and hydration is key here.

Here are a few steps you can take:

• Use a humidifier in dry and cold weather

• Avoid washing your face with hot water

• Avoid drying skincare ingredients, such as parabens, fragrances, and sodium lauryl sulfate

• Apply sunscreen daily and limit your time in direct sunlight

• Stay well-hydrated

You can also look for a gentle moisturizer, preferably one free of parabens and perfumes.

We've formulated the Soothing Malassezia Moisturizer with one goal: to rejuvenate and rehydrate your skin without harsh or hard-to-pronounce ingredients.

With ingredients like aloe vera, MCT oil, and vitamin B3, you can rest assured that your skin will stay well-nourished and hydrated throughout the day.

For Contact Dermatitis-Linked Eyebrow Dandruff

If your symptoms only appear on areas of the skin that come into contact with the substance, you probably have contact dermatitis.

In this case, try to review your makeup and skincare routine. Is there an eyebrow pencil, growth serum, or specific facial wash that could have caused the irritation or allergic reaction? You can also stop the use of one product at a time and see if your symptoms subside or return.

To soothe the itch and discomfort due to contact dermatitis, apply a wet compress to the area. Your doctor may also prescribe an antihistamine or steroid cream for your symptoms.

For Seborrheic Dermatitis Eyebrow Dandruff

Seborrheic dermatitis eyebrow dandruff usually presents with itching, irritation, and larger, whitish or yellowish flakes.

The following management options may help relieve eyebrow dandruff caused by Malassezia:

• You can try an anti-dandruff shampoo. You can work a small amount into a lather and carefully apply and rub it into your eyebrow area while you shower. After a couple of minutes, you can wash it off.

• Go through your skincare routine and vet the products you use. Are you using any facial products containing oils that may feed Malassezia? Examples include coconut oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil.

• Give essential oils a try. Some, such as tea tree oil, have natural antifungal properties [4]. However, you should avoid applying pure essential oil directly to the skin. Instead, dilute it in a Malassezia-safe oil, such as MCT oil, before application.

• Experiment with natural remedies that have antifungal properties. Some examples include manuka honey, sea salt, and apple cider vinegar. Mix any of these ingredients with water to create a solution that can be applied to the affected area.

We understand how sensitive skin may be more vulnerable to common skincare products, such as parabens and fragrances. If you're looking for a worry-free solution, we've got you covered.

The Calming Seborrheic Serum was formulated for moody skin. Its list of ingredients is holistic yet minimalistic and does not include harsh chemicals.

This serum helps provide relief through a comprehensive three-step process. Firstly, xylitol and colloidal silver work to disrupt Malassezia's biofilm, the protective barrier shielding the fungus from external threats.

Once this barrier is weakened or eliminated, other antifungal ingredients, such as tea tree oil, dead sea salt, and grapefruit seed extract, can more effectively target and clear away the fungus. This is the second step.

Finally, soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, help to restore moisture, calm, and nourish the skin.

To use the Calming Seborrheic Serum, you can rub a small amount into your eyebrow area and let it sit for at least a couple of hours or overnight before rinsing it off.

Finding a Malassezia-Safe Formula for Eyebrow Dandruff

Many skincare products contain harsh ingredients or oils that may become food and fuel for Malassezia, which can worsen or prolong symptoms.

The Cleansing Dandruff Shampoo can double up as a dandruff remedy for both your eyebrow area and your scalp. For milder symptoms, this product may provide relief.

If you notice itching, redness, inflammation, and flaking around your eyebrow area, you can opt for the Calming Seborrheic Serum. This serum can also be applied to other areas of the body affected by seborrheic dermatitis, such as your scalp, chest, back, or face.

Both products use ingredients that are Malassezia-safe. With our unique formula, you can enjoy the benefits of calm and healthy skin without any worry about fueling the fungus' growth.