How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin Around Eyebrows – Expert Tips!

Are you noticing dry, flaky skin around your eyebrows? Welcome to the world of eyebrow dandruff. It can happen when the skin around your brows becomes really dry and starts to flake — just like the skin on your scalp does whenever you get dandruff on your head.

So, does that mean you have to hide it under tons of makeup? Is there anything that you can do about this rather embarrassing issue? 

Luckily, you can fix it! I asked the experts for tips on how to get rid of dry skin around eyebrows. In this article, I’ll explain how to get rid of dry skin around your brows, and how to keep eyebrow dandruff away.

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The Perfect Eyebrows

Most of us strive to create the perfect eyebrow shape that will make the eyes pop!

And there are many things we do for our eyebrows to help create the right shape to frame our face, such as tweezing, brushing, using serums, and processes like painful ombre brows and hair stroke eyebrows, and microblading to keep them looking at their best.

But if you discover that you have eyebrow dandruff, this can put a stop to achieving your desired look.

What Is Eyebrow Dandruff?

As Dr. Crystal Dinopol states, eyebrow dandruff, or Seborrheic dermatitis, “is an inflammatory skin condition where the skin is highly sensitive to yeasts or fungi on the skin. This results in excess sebum production and greasy scales (dandruff) in affected areas (eyebrows, scalp, beard area).”

Eyebrow dandruff is much more common than you might think. It’s especially common during the cold and dry winter months when most of us end up spending a lot of time indoors with the heating on. The heat can dehydrate the skin a lot!

But it can occur at any time.

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition where the skin is highly sensitive to yeasts or fungi on the skin. This results in excess sebum production and greasy scales (dandruff) in affected areas (eyebrows, scalp, beard area).

Dr. Crystal Dinopol

Just like dandruff that you can get on your head, if you have dry skin around your eyebrows, it is caused by what is known as seborrheic dermatitis. This can actually happen anywhere on your body where there are oil glands. 

Why Does Eyebrow Dandruff Occur?

Seborrheic dermatitis can occur even if you have oily skin, so this isn’t necessarily just an issue if you have dry skin. And if you suffer from seborrheic dermatitis, then the irritated skin (wherever it is on your body) can become itchy, or greasy. The flakes that come off can appear to be pink, yellow, or white.

And besides the colder weather, there are a few other reasons why you might get seborrheic dermatitis. 

The condition can manifest because of a combination of reasons including the following:

• A dry and cold climate
• The yeasts, fungus, and bacteria that live on the surface of our skin
• Drinking too much alcohol, which can cause severe dehydration
• Preexisting skin conditions like rosacea, acne, or psoriasis
• Emotional and hormonal issues like stress, depression, and eating disorders. 

Dr. Anju Methil recommends reaching out to your doctor if you are running into eyebrow dandruff and you already have a known skin condition. She suggests that “if you have an underlying condition such as psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis, seek a doctor’s help! There are topical creams or ointments that can help reduce the symptoms and make your skin more comfortable.”

Because there are so many factors that can contribute to developing dry skin around your eyebrows, it can be hard to figure out exactly what is the real cause.

Because there are so many factors that can contribute to developing dry skin around your eyebrows, it can be hard to figure out exactly what is the real cause.

However, knowing this isn’t completely necessary, because there are several simple ways to help you get rid of it. 

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How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Around Eyebrows – At-Home Eyebrow Dandruff Treatment Options

There are several pathways to removing dry skin around your eyebrows. The most obvious one is to grab your anti-dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders . But there are some other routine skincare practices you can follow, as well as other home remedies.

And remember that these are only temporary solutions, and the best thing to do is to prevent the dandruff from triggering (which I’ll discuss below).

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Dr. Anju Methil suggests a simple anti-dandruff shampoo.

As she explains, “the best way to prevent seborrheic dermatitis is to practice good skin care. This includes washing the affected area twice daily with mild soap and water, avoiding irritants such as harsh soaps or detergents, and using an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo. In addition, it’s important to practice good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding touching the affected area.”

The best way to prevent seborrheic dermatitis is to practice good skin care. This includes washing the affected area twice daily with mild soap and water, avoiding irritants such as harsh soaps or detergents, and using an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo

Dr. Anju Methil

However, many people find that these shampoos are pretty harsh on the sensitive skin around the eyebrows, and end up discontinuing use before the dandruff is solved.

Add Some Oil

Applying some oil to your brows before bedtime can help moisturize them throughout the night. Dr. Methil recommends “Coconut oil is one of the best natural oils for dry skin as it contains fatty acids that help soothe and moisturize. Other great options include almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or avocado oil.”

Cleanse and Exfoliate

Dr. Methil suggests that to get rid of eyebrow dandruff, we “use a gentle cleanser and exfoliate regularly. This will help remove any dry or dead skin cells that have built up on the area. Use a moisturizer on the area will help keep the skin hydrated. Look for one that contains hydrating ingredients such as Shea butter or aloe vera to lock in moisture.”

Wwashing your face when you wake up in the morning, and before you go to bed, will keep your skin free of dead skin, dirt, and yeast buildup.

Clean your face after doing any exercise as well. Because when you sweat, it can cause eyebrow dandruff to become even worse. 

However, you shouldn’t wash your face too much, because most soaps are alkaline, and can cause the acid barrier of your skin to become imbalanced, which will make it more prone to irritation. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

One of the best treatments for your eyebrow skin itching and flaking is more commonly known as a kitchen ingredient, although because of its clarifying and cleansing properties, it is also now found in many skincare and haircare products — apple cider vinegar.

To apply apple cider vinegar to your eyebrows, make sure that you’ve removed all of your makeup, and moisten a cotton ball to dab on the surrounding skin. 

Squeeze any excess liquid out of the cotton ball before applying it, because you definitely don’t want to get any vinegar in your eyes! There’s no need to rinse it off, simply allow it to soak into your skin.

Tea Tree Oil

Another product that you can use on your eyebrow dandruff is tea tree oil, which also contains antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties that will soothe and treat your skin while it heals.

Again, just like when applying apple cider vinegar, add a drop onto a cotton ball or Q-Tip that has already been moistened with water, and lightly dab the surrounding eyebrow skin. 

Please be aware though, that tea tree oil is quite potent, so you should only do this once a day, preferably at night before going to bed. In this way, the essential oil can work to help clear away flakes and hydrate your skin overnight.

If your skin becomes more irritated from using tea tree oil, stop using it immediately. 

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How to Prevent Eyebrow Dandruff

Esthetician Catherine Wison points out that “seborrheic dermatitis may require ongoing management.”

It’s not a one-and-done treatment, and you’ll have to work at it to keep your brows dandruff-free. But it can be managed. Dr. Methil encourages us, stating, “with consistent care and attention, it’s possible to successfully manage and even prevent seborrheic dermatitis.”

Catherine gives us the basics: “to prevent seborrheic dermatitis, keep the affected areas clean, use an anti-dandruff shampoo, limit the use of styling products, avoid hot showers, and avoid triggers.”

Triggers? We’re talking stress, diet, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Calm the Stress

As we mentioned above, your eyebrow dandruff might have triggered because of a combination of factors. And one of these — stress — can have a bigger impact than you might at first imagine. 

As Dr. Dinopol explains, “As cliche as it sounds, stress and an unhealthy lifestyle worsen seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups.”

Coping with too much stress can severely compromise your immune system, which can trigger all sorts of skin issues, including seborrheic dermatitis. 

So, if you’ve been under a lot of stress, you would do yourself and your body a big favor by finding different ways to relax your mind, while also using one of the treatment methods we’ve outlined above to get rid of the dry skin around your eyebrows. 

There are many ways to do this, including taking a yoga class, meditation, or listening to binaural beats on YouTube. When you relax your mind, you’ll also be relaxing your body and nervous system, which will also help to boost your immune system and eliminate the potential of aggravating your eyebrow dandruff.

Improve Your Diet

This is something we all need to do, regardless of the state of our eyebrow dandruff.

Eat better!

Healthy eating will improve the skin, simple as that. As Dr. Methil reminds us, “Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can also help keep the skin healthy. Consider taking a supplement like omega-3 fatty acids as this helps with keeping skin hydrated.”

Avoid Over-Plucking Your Eyebrows

Dr. Dinopol cautions us against going too far with the tweezers. She states that “you should avoid over-plucking your eyebrows as this can lead to further dryness and irritation. Make sure to use tweezers that are not too sharp or hard, as they may cause more damage than good.”

Use a Humidifier if You’re in a Dry Climate

Whether you’re in a hot, dry climate, or a cold dry climate, ultra-dry air can wreak havoc on your skin, and lead to scaly, flaky skin. The solution: fire up the humidifier.

Dr. Dinopol explains that “If you live in a hot, dry climate or use the air conditioner often, consider using a humidifier to keep the air moist and reduce skin irritation.”

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Final Thoughts

Just like if you have dandruff on your head, dry and flaking skin around your eyebrows has nothing to do with bad hygiene. So, although it may look bad, all you need to do is get your skin’s pH levels back into balance.

And of course, having eyebrow dandruff can be incredibly annoying, and even feel embarrassing, but it can be easily treated, as we’ve mentioned above. 

However, if none of these methods work for you, then it would be a good idea to visit a dermatologist to make sure that there’s nothing else going on with your skin. 

Anybody can come down with a case of seborrheic dermatitis, especially when the cold winds blow, and you’re spending more time indoors with the heating on. It’s actually quite common, and nothing you should feel ashamed about. 

Now you know how to get rid of it, and how to prevent it.