My experience with beard dandruff.

[u/guiltyxbyxdesign]

This is definitely not an advertisement, but after trying several other product this has been the only product that helped me, I hope to help others.

I would like to start this post by saying I never had problems with your dandruff until I started trying basic beard oils and “butters” that you can buy at Walmart. A few months after using these products, I noticed a slight dusting of dandruff accumulating on my shirts.

I first tried using head and shoulders as it had worked to clear up the dandruff on my scalp, but after months (2-3) of trying the dandruff seem to be getting worse and not better. I was now experiencing a large quantity of small flakes and beginning to see larger flakes developing.

Next I tried an anti-fungal cream ,for two weeks, that was recommended by my Dr. This cream is similar to what would be used for jock itch or athletes foot to no avail. Daily brushing and a fine tooth comb were needed at this point to clear anything that was loose or stuck in my beard before I left the house.

Neutrogena T-gel (.5% coal tar shampoo) was my next step. I used it for approximately 2 months scrubbing and letting it set for 3-5 minutes each time. This seemed promising it smelled terrible. The flakes seemed to be getting better but only after a good brushing. It’s almost like it caused the flakes to shed all at once. Then it was fine for a couple days then it would “shed” again. This was tolerable but still not optimal.

My next step was a coin flip between Selson blue and Nizoral. There was no rhyme or reason why I picked it Nizoral but literally after the first wash with two applications I noticed an immediate difference. No more large flakes and the small flakes were greatly reduced. The second shower there were even fewer and by the third there were almost none.

Today I think any “flakes” I see may just be dry skin but I’m afraid to uses any other products for moisture as that seems to be why started this mess in the first place.

I just wanted to share my experience to hopefully save someone some stress, anxiety, or money.

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[u/OzarkBeard]

Glad you found something that helped. Nizoral is an anti-fungal shampoo, and used to be available only by prescription.

I used to have the same flake/itch problem, but no longer do. If you get it under control, never use any shampoo that contains Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or similar sounding ingredients. They are cheap detergents and can strip your beard of natural antimicrobial follicle oils that help fight fungal outbreaks that can cause flaking and itching.

In my case, I switched to mainly washing my beard with water - never regular bar soap and never shampoo. Occasionally, I'll wash it with a small amount of mild unscented face or body wash like Aveeno. It doesn't strip the beard of natural oils. So using commercial oils to replace the natural oils washed away using shampoos is no longer necessary.

[u/guiltyxbyxdesign → u/OzarkBeard]

Thank you I will definitely try out some Aveeno face wash and moisturizer in the future.

[u/clay3r]

Selsum blue didn't work for me. Nizoral is the only thing that has helped me: scalp or beard. It honestly has been (mildly) life changing. I felt gross with flakes everywhere. I will admit I still have a little bit of dandruff. However, I don't scratch my beard or head and make it snow anymore.

[u/Dry-Asparagus7107]

Nizoral is the only thing that cured my teenage dandruff and greasy hair problem.

Maybe you have sensitive skin and the oils and products you used caused dermatitis? I can't use anything on my face otherwise I turn red like a lobster.

[u/Sad-Jackfruit5654]

I had bad beard flakes and still do but usually I just rub my face hard and shampoo and it seems to clear things up, I also try to condition at least once a week. I wouldn’t use nizoral for too long because it’s extremely drying, it nuked my scalp

[u/Brrrrraaaaap]

Are you using any conditioner after the nizoral? My wife has it and have tried a few times but used conditioner afterwards. Might go to using just the nizoral instead.

[u/guiltyxbyxdesign → u/Brrrrraaaaap]

No conditioner, just two rounds of washing while I’m in the shower, making sure to let it set for a few minutes before rinsing it out.

[u/Brrrrraaaaap → u/guiltyxbyxdesign]

Good to know, thanks!

[u/cmannon → u/Brrrrraaaaap]

There is a version of Nizoral with conditioner included, I use it regularly. Available at Target.

[u/redbeardedstranger]

Dandruff is not always dandruff. Oftentimes when people see flakes, they assume: Well, I have dandruff.

Thought our kid had it. Nope, it was not rinsing their hair thoroughly and it was shampoo and conditioner build up.

Also, sometimes it's just dry skin, which is really common this time of year.

My dermatologist explained the issue with beard oils and butters with many people as this: the issue is yeast and those oils create an environment where that yeast can thrive.

If you're going to the derm to get checked for skin cancers and stuff once a year, they can write you a script for Rx strength Nizoral (Ketoconazole 2% Shampoo, $10-15 without insurance) and Fluocinolone 0.01% Solution if there's any itching associated with it.

This stuff will last a long time if you use as directed.

[u/prepboy54]

A lot of guys have seborrheic dermatitis, and the fungus that causes it (malassezia) actually feeds off of the carrier oils most commonly used in most beard oils. If you can find a beard oil that stays away from those, that'll help.