How to treat eyebrow dandruff effectively

Do you suffer from dandruff in your eyebrows? Although less common than scalp dandruff, this problem is no less frustrating. Why does dandruff also appear in this area, and what are the most effective treatments to restore comfort and improve appearance?? Find out more in this article.

Causes of eyebrow dandruff

There are many causes of eyebrow dandruff. They are often linked to an imbalance in the skin microbiome (micro-organisms living on the skin) influenced by a number of factors, including genetics.

The most common causes include:

• An impaired cutaneous barrier that makes the skin more vulnerable to irritants⁽¹⁾.
• Excess sebum creates a breeding ground for yeast. 
• The excessive proliferation of Malassezia (a yeast naturally present on the skin that feeds on sebum) is particularly active in areas with abundant sebaceous glands, such as the eyebrows. Research indicates that an increase in the ratio of Malassezia restricta / Malassezia globosa and a decrease in the ratio of Cutibacterium / Staphylococcus are linked to symptoms of desquamation and inflammation⁽²⁾.
• Insufficient hydration can lead to more pronounced eyebrow flaking (dead skin on the eyebrows). 

At the same time, it is not uncommon to observe crusting in the eyebrows, associated symptoms of itchy and peeling eyebrows, or dandruff on the eyelashes, indicating more extensive damage to the area. 

Dandruff is always found in areas of the body rich in hair: dandruff in the hair, dandruff in the beard, dandruff on the beard, or dandruff on the eyebrows.

Link between eyebrow dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

You've probably already heard of seborrhoeic dermatitis (or seborrhoeic dermatitis)?

Dandruff of the eyebrows is often associated with seborrhoeic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting around 5% of the population⁽²⁾. It presents as oily flakes, redness, and sometimes itching, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the scalp, eyebrows, and sides of the nose. 

When it appears on the eyebrows, it is often referred to as eyebrow dandruff or eyebrow scabs, but it is actually a symptom linked to a severe, inflammatory dandruff.

Aggravating factors

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not a serious disease, but it is chronic and develops in phases of flare-ups. 

A number of factors can contribute to its appearance or recurrence: 

• Stress, overwork, fatigue. 
• Seasonal changes (cold, humidity, temperature variations). 
• Exposure to pollution.
• Using the wrong cosmetics. 

All these factors affect the skin barrier⁽¹⁾ and cause the skin's microbiome to become unbalanced. 

Common symptoms

Eyebrow dandruff is often accompanied by: 

• visible dandruff (scales) or crusts in the eyebrows that accumulate at the base of the hair follicles. 
• redness around the eyebrows. 
• itching or tingling. 
• Peeling skin between the eyebrows and a feeling of discomfort, which are signs of dryness. 

If other parts of the face or body are also affected by these symptoms, such as: 

• scalp, 
• sides of the nose and forehead (with scales and persistent redness); 
• the area behind the ears, 
• the beard, 
• around the eyelids (seborrhoeic blepharitis) with dandruff on the eyelashes, or even red eyelids... 

Then it could be seborrhoeic dermatitis. 

When should you consult a specialist?

If the symptoms of eyebrow dandruff persist for more than a few weeks, worsen or spread to other areas of the face and body, consider consulting a specialist. 

A dermatological consultation is strongly recommended if you observe any of the following: 

• thick, sticky dandruff on the eyebrows, which is difficult to remove despite a suitable skincare routine. 
• persistent redness.
• dry eyebrows. 
• intense itching, to the point of causing lesions by scratching. 
• spread of symptoms to other areas: scalp, sides of the nose, around the eyelids, beard, etc. 
• a daily inconvenience that affects your comfort. 

Only a dermatologist will be able to make a precise diagnosis and suggest a suitable treatment, particularly if seborrhoeic dermatitis is suspected.

Antifungal products and treatments

In the case of dandruff on the eyebrows, treatment often begins with the application of antifungal creams containing ketoconazole, ciclopiroxolamine⁽³⁾ or piroctone olamine (PO).

These treatment creams help control the proliferation of Malassezia, which is responsible for inflammation and dandruff:

1. Cleanse the skin with a cleansing gel suitable for irritated skin with redness and flaking. 
2. Then apply the antifungal treatment or soothing antifungal cream as recommended.

Dandruff on the eyebrows should never be scratched, as this could aggravate the symptoms and weaken the skin. 

And if the treatment fails, return to your pharmacy or dermatologist to change the treatment, as not all treatments work for everyone. 

Use of ketoconazole

Ketoconazole, in the form of a 2% cream or shampoo, is an antifungal agent recognised for its effectiveness against dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.⁽⁴⁾.

In the case of dandruff or crusting of the eyebrows, it can be applied in very small quantities, using a cotton bud to avoid contact with the eyes. 

Eyebrow scrub

A gentle exfoliation can help remove dandruff from the eyebrows and prevent it from accumulating. Nevertheless, a few precautions should be taken:

• Choose exfoliants that are gentle, without abrasive grains, suitable for irritated or sensitive skin, and without irritating or allergy-prone ingredients (such as essential oils). 
• Use light, circular movements to avoid irritating the skin. 
• Moisturise the area well after exfoliation with a suitable soothing cream. 
• Do not exfoliate more than once a week. Stop exfoliating if there is no visible improvement in dandruff on the eyebrows, or if there is any adverse reaction, and seek advice from a health professional. 

And, of course, care must be taken when applying products to the eyebrows, as they are close to the eyes: you must avoid any risk of the product being applied or dripping into the eye. 

Practical advice to relieve symptoms

While you wait to see your dermatologist, here are a few practical tips to quickly soothe and relieve the symptoms of dandruff in the eyebrows:

• Apply a cold compress to reduce itching and redness. 
• Gently clean the eyebrows, without rubbing, with an anti-squamous cleansing gel suitable for the face. 
• Moisturise the eyebrows with a soothing cream, specifically designed for irritated skin with redness and flaking. Packaging often includes the words " SD "for seborrhoeic dermatitis.
• Avoid using make-up and styling products until you have consulted your dermatologist. 

Prevent dandruff of the eyebrows

To prevent the reappearance of eyebrow dandruff and maintain daily comfort, we recommend incorporating a soothing anti-fungal cream into your skincare routine, moisturising the skin and maintaining impeccable eyebrow hygiene with a suitable anti-dandruff cleansing gel. 

The importance of hydration

Testimony of an expert dermatologist from the Ducray laboratories:

" To prevent and treat dandruff on the eyebrows, I recommend using a skincare product that combines antifungal, soothing and moisturising action. A specific cream, formulated with ciclopiroxolamine and piroctone olamine, helps control the proliferation of Malassezia yeast. β-glycyrrhetinic acid is a complementary active ingredient that is also highly effective in helping to soothe redness and irritation. And don't forget that well-moisturised skin is more resistant to irritants, which helps to limit recurrences! "

Ingredients to avoid in cosmetics

Certain ingredients can aggravate irritation and promote skin dryness.

It is best to avoid alcohol (alcohol, ethanol), synthetic perfumes, occlusive mineral oils (mineral oil, paraffinium liquidum) and irritating sulphates (sodium lauryl sulphate or sodium laureth sulphate). 

Choose hypoallergenic products formulated for irritated skin with redness and flakiness to minimise the risk of irritation. 

Impact of stress and pollution

Stress and pollution are among the factors that can encourage the appearance or worsening of dandruff in the eyebrows, partly due to oxidative stress.⁽⁵⁾ and microbial imbalances⁽²⁾. 

When it is chronic, stress influences sebum production and weakens the skin's natural defences. Malassezia yeast, involved in seborrhoeic dermatitis, takes advantage of this to develop. 

Pollution exposes the skin to fine particles and toxins that weaken the cutaneous barrier. Result: the inflammation worsens and the flakes become more visible. 

Proper daily cleansing and appropriate skin care can limit these effects and preserve the skin of the eyebrows.