It can be uncomfortable to deal with skin problems, and it’s also upsetting to look at them. Some of you may have experienced flakiness, redness, or itchy patches, especially on the face. Perhaps you thought, “Ugh, my face seems dry… or dirty?” after taking a quick peek in the mirror.
Your face isn’t dirty. You may be experiencing something called facial dandruff.
Facial dandruff? Yes, you read that right. Dandruff isn’t just for your scalp; it can show up on your face as well. Never heard of it? Here’s what I have to say. Don’t worry.
What Is Facial Dandruff?
Facial dandruff, just like dandruff on the scalp, can be really annoying, especially when it shows up on the face. In addition to causing white or yellowish flakes on the skin, this condition is also known as seborrheic dermatitis.
Facial dandruff doesn’t only affect the face, eyebrows, sides of the nose, hairline, or beard area – it can also show up behind the ears.
I’m personally dealing with it presently, and that’s exactly why I decided to write this article to share what I’ve learned and hopefully help others who are going through the same thing.
Isn’t it just dry skin?
It’s a little different from dry skin, which is what many people think it is. Even when you use moisturizers, the flakiness tends to come back from time to time. You might notice redness and flakes around your eyebrows, along the sides of your nose, into the creases, and even down to your chin.
Sometimes, both conditions occur at the same time. So if your flakes don’t go away with moisturizer alone, it might be something more than just dryness.
How Do You Get Facial Dandruff?
The exact cause of facial dandruff still isn’t fully understood. When I went to see a dermatologist, he told me the same thing.
However, he did mention that it could flare up due to prolonged sun exposure or stress. He even advised me to avoid both if I wanted to prevent it from coming back.
But… stress? How am I supposed to avoid that, especially when I’m working full-time? Right?
However, I am looking for more information about facial dandruff. One of the main causes is a natural yeast that lives on everyone’s skin; its name is Malassezia globosa. These tiny microbes grow a bit too much and start to irritate the skin, breaking down the oily substance (sebum) from your skin, and in the process, they leave behind something called oleic acid. But, M. globosa isn’t always the villain behind dandruff. We all have this microbe living on our skin, but that doesn’t mean everyone will develop dandruff.
Facial dandruff usually appears when certain factors come together, like the ones below. Here are a few common things that might play a role.
Excessive oil (sebum)
When your skin produces more oil than usual, it creates the ideal environment for Malassezia to grow.
Skin sensitivity
Some people’s skin reacts more strongly to Malassezia, leading to irritation, redness, and flaking.
Dry skin
Dandruff can occur even with dry skin if your skin barrier is compromised.
Sun exposure
Too much sun can disrupt the skin barrier, making flare-ups more likely, especially after long outdoor days.
Stress
Emotional or physical stress can throw your skin off balance, making the symptoms worse (as if we needed one more reason to stress less, right?).
Skin care products
Sometimes, your skin doesn’t like a product, even if it’s labeled “gentle.” Fragrances, alcohol, or harsh cleansers may trigger reactions.
Weather changes
Dry or cold air may dehydrate your skin, making flaking more noticeable.
Since each person has a different skin type, what stimulates one person may not affect another. The secret is to pay attention to and be sympathetic to your skin’s cues.
I’ve been dealing with facial dandruff for years, and trust me, it’s not always easy. The flakes, the redness, the itching, the sting—it can be frustrating, especially when it shows up on your face.
But over time, I’ve found a few things that help me calm down. Everyone’s skin is different, but here are a few things that have helped me calm my flare-ups.
Keep it simple
I used to try lots of products at once, hoping that one would work. I now, however, maintain a basic skincare regimen. Just a soothing moisturizer, sunscreen, a serum, and a gentle cleanser.
Wash with care
I only wash my face twice a day. Too much cleansing makes things worse. And, I do exfoliate once a week.
Moisturize, always
Even if my skin feels oily, I still moisturize — in my case, I use Noroid. A light, fragrance-free cream helps keep my skin barrier strong and less reactive.
Use sunscreen
If I am going outside, I use a gentle, non-comedogenic sunscreen. Sun damage can make flares worse.
Find ways to de-stress
This one’s easier said than done, but I try to include things that help me relax, even just for a few minutes a day. I watch dramas, take a walk, meditate, or breathe slowly when life gets overwhelming. It helps my skin and my mind get better.
The last tip is that I haven’t tried yet, but some people use it, which is
Occasional dandruff shampoo
Some people use a small amount of dandruff shampoo, with ingredients like ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione, on affected areas, like a face mask, for a few minutes, once or twice a week. Facial dandruff is caused by yeast called Malassezia, which dandruff shampoo helps reduce and kill yeast and calm inflammation.
These are just small things I do that have helped me manage facial dandruff.
Facial dandruff might seem like a small thing, but it can affect your confidence and mood. It may not be dangerous, but it’s something that deserves care. Keep in mind that it’s more common than you might imagine, and you shouldn’t feel guilty over it. 💛
I’ve been there. That’s why I wanted to share my story, not as an expert, but as someone who’s learning to care for her skin day by day. This is my simple reminder to you all – be gentle with yourself, be patient with your skin. You deserve to feel good in your skin, even on flaky days.
Thank you for reading. I hope this brought you a little comfort and reminded you that you’re not alone.