How to avoid and stop a flaky beard

Written by: Simon Bang | Time to read 3 min

How to avoid and stop a flaky beard

A flaking beard is a very real thing. In fact, it is one of the main reasons men shave their beards and cancels their pursuit of the much-coveted, lustrous beard. So, is a flaky beard just something you have to live with when having a beard? Of course not. There are indeed ways to counter this condition and not only stop it but prevent it from ever happening again.

What is beard flaking, and what causes it?

Before we get into how to stop a flaky beard, we need to understand what it is and what causes it. That way, it’ll be much easier to combat.

Beard flaking, or beard dandruff, is actually a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is not a result of bad hygiene but is caused by yeast growth on your skin which is perfectly normal. Unfortunately, the body’s response to this is irritated and red skin that becomes flaky.

So, despite calling it “beard flaking” or “beard dandruff,” it is not the beard itself that’s flaking but the skin beneath the beard.

While you cannot completely get rid of the condition, there are definitely things you can do to help banish any existing dandruff while also strengthening the skin to prevent further flakeage.

How to stop flaky beard immediately

First things first. If you’re experiencing beard flaking, the first thing that needs to be done is to get rid of the flakes and end your suffering as quickly as possible. You do not want to walk around with dandruff falling from your beard. Afterward, we will get into how to prevent it from happening again.

One thing you can do to get rid of beard dandruff here and now is to exfoliate the skin under your beard with either a brush or a beard comb. A hard bristle brush is a great choice if you have a longer beard to get through the beard and onto the skin. Then, use the brush to rub your beard without pressing it down too hard. This maneuver is going to pull all the dandruff to the top of your beard, which makes it possible for you to wash it all off in the shower.

This is obviously not a sustainable, long-time solution as it only treats the symptoms – not the actual cause. Therefore, the next step is to look at what preventive measures you can initiate, to solve the issue at the root.

How to avoid a flaky beard

To permanently eliminate skin flakes, red skin, and itching, two things besides exfoliating must be implemented into your daily routine: wash and moisturize. We suggest you try the Greenkeeper from Copenhagen Grooming, as this moisturiser is designed to combat exactly that.

Wash your beard with a beard shampoo

You probably already wash your beard, but you are probably not washing it correctly. A beard should always be washed with lukewarm water. Using too hot water to rinse your beard will dry it out. Also, a designated beard shampoo, such as The 8AM Splash from CPH Grooming, needs to be used 2-3 times a week. Don’t use it daily, though, as this will do more harm than good. 2-3 times a day is usually sufficient for most men.

Moisturize your beard with a beard oil

After you’ve washed your beard correctly, it’s time to moisturize. But how do I get to the skin under my beard, you might ask. You use a beard oil. In contrast to a face crème, a beard oil, like The Beard Hero from CPH Grooming, can penetrate through your facial hair and onto your skin. This will help nourish your skin and keep it moist and hydrated.

You should use a beard oil once you’ve washed your beard. But depending on how severe your beard dandruff is, you might want to use it several times a day to ensure that your skin is constantly moisturized.

Beard Hero Beard Care Copenhagen Grooming Markets

Don’t slack

There’s no quick fix when it comes to how to stop a flaky beard. A combination of exfoliating, washing, and moisturizing needs to be implemented into your daily routine. And more importantly, it needs to be continued after you’ve gotten rid of the beard dandruff. Otherwise, it will return.

Also, remember that during cold and dry weather, you might need to use a few more drops of beard oil than you usually do, as these weather conditions tend to be extra harsh on the skin. Just stick to your routine, and you can keep the beard dandruff from reappearing.

The bottom line is that a flaky beard is a common problem, and it’s relatively easy to treat with the help of a simple routine and great beard products.

Simon Bang, Co-Founder

Meet Simon, one of the co-founders of Copenhagen Grooming. His passion for men's grooming and expertise in communication have shaped the brand's ethos. Simon curates grooming solutions, writes content, and educates about the products.

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