Why Do I Have Eyebrow Dandruff? Seborrheic Dermatitis Explained

Eyebrow dandruff is exactly what it sounds like: flaky skin and itching of the eyebrows. There are a couple of different things that can cause your eyebrows to flake. But what people usually refer to is a common condition called seborrheic dermatitis, which also causes scalp dandruff. 

Here, we’ll review the different causes of eyebrow dandruff and what you can do to keep your symptoms under control.

What is eyebrow dandruff?

Eyebrow dandruff is a mild type of seborrheic dermatitis — a common skin condition that causes flaking, redness, and irritation in oily areas of the body, like the scalp, face, and eyebrows. If you notice white or yellow flakes in your brows or the skin underneath looks greasy or irritated, that’s likely what’s going on. In babies, this same condition is called cradle cap.

Even though it sounds similar, eyebrow dandruff isn’t the same as scalp dandruff. Regular dandruff — known medically as pityriasis capitis — only affects the scalp and usually doesn’t make the skin red or inflamed. Still, both conditions share similar causes and respond to many of the same treatments.

Pictures

Discoloration and flaking caused by dandruff in eyebrows.

Discoloration and flaking caused by dandruff in eyebrows.

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What causes eyebrow dandruff?

Seborrheic dermatitis is the most common cause of eyebrow dandruff. But it's not the only cause. Let’s take a closer look.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is very common and can affect people of all ages. Milder forms cause dandruff on the scalp, while more noticeable flaking can show up in the eyebrows, around the nose, or in the beard area.

In more severe cases, it can lead to itchy, greasy patches of skin covered with yellowish scales. The condition can look different depending on your skin tone — it often appears red on lighter skin and lighter than your natural skin color in darker skin tones.

Seborrheic dermatitis usually forms in areas where there are lots of oil glands. These areas include the:

• Scalp

• Face, including the eyebrows and beard

• Chest

• Back

• Armpits

• Groin

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Experts aren’t exactly sure what causes seborrheic dermatitis, but it’s likely to be an inflammatory skin reaction to a natural skin yeast — called Malassezia. This yeast lives on everyone’s skin, but some people may be more sensitive to it, leading to irritation and flaking.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Eczema — also called atopic dermatitis — is a common skin condition that causes itchy skin and red, violet, or brown, flaky patches on different body parts. It’s more common in children and adolescents, but adults can get it, too. Eczema can cause flaky eyebrows, but that’s not the only symptom.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune condition that causes your skin to grow too quickly. It creates thick and irritated skin patches that are red, violet, or brown. Although you can get psoriasis anywhere on your body, it usually affects your elbows, knees, and scalp. If you have psoriasis, it can also affect your eyebrows and cause flaking.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by an allergy or irritation to ingredients in skin care products, like creams or shampoos. It also causes a red, violet, or brown, flaky skin rash. If your eyebrows begin flaking after using a new product, it could be the culprit. Stop using the product and your symptoms should improve.

Dry skin

Dry skin happens when your skin loses too much moisture. Unlike seborrheic dermatitis, dry skin doesn’t cause skin redness under the eyebrows or oily buildup around the hair. It’s also more likely to change with the weather and respond to moisturizers, whereas true eyebrow dandruff will not.

Symptoms of eyebrow seborrheic dermatitis

Certain symptoms can help you tell if seborrheic dermatitis could be causing your eyebrow dandruff, including:

• White or yellow flakes in or around your eyebrows

• Itchy skin under or between your brows

• Greasy, scaly patches that can look shiny or crusty

• Redness or irritation beneath the flakes

• Similar flaky or irritated patches on your scalp, face, chest, back, or in skin folds

• Symptoms that come and go over months or years

Treatments for eyebrow dandruff

There’s no cure for eyebrow seborrheic dermatitis, but it’s definitely possible to control the symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) products work well for most people. If you have more severe symptoms, you may need a prescription-strength treatment.

Keep in mind that most people with seborrheic dermatitis need long-term, regular treatment. Usually, treatment once or twice a week is enough to keep the symptoms away. But each person is different. You may need to try a few different combinations to find one that works best for you.

Over-the-counter treatments and home remedies for eyebrow dandruff

OTC dandruff shampoos are the main way to treat eyebrow dandruff.

Look for shampoos that have these active ingredients:

• Selenium sulfide: Some examples of selenium sulfide shampoos include Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength.

• Pyrithione zinc: Shampoos that have pyrithione zinc include Head and Shoulders, Solimo, and Vanicream Free & Clear.

• Ketoconazole 1%: Products like Nizoral A-D contain ketoconazole 1%.

• Coal tar: True + Real T Plus and DHS Tar are some examples of coal tar shampoos.

• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is found in a variety of products and can be used to treat eyebrow dandruff.

• Salicylic acid: Shampoos that contain salicylic acid can help treat eyebrow dandruff symptoms.

Prescription treatments for eyebrow dandruff

If OTC treatments don’t work, your healthcare professional may recommend using prescription strength shampoos, especially if you also have scalp dandruff that needs treatment. Sometimes rotating different treatments can give you the best results.

• Antifungal shampoos, like ketoconazole (Nizoral) and ciclopirox (Loprox), can be used daily until your symptoms improve and then once or twice a week for maintenance.

• Selenium sulfide shampoos, like Selseb, can be used twice a week for 2 weeks.

• Steroid shampoos, such as betamethasone (Luxiq) or fluocinolone (Capex), can cause side effects, like skin thinning. Use them for about 2 weeks to control symptoms and then switch to  other medicated shampoos for maintenance.

Tips to prevent eyebrow dandruff

If you find out you are prone to eyebrow dandruff, here are a few tips that may help:

• Use a medicated shampoo daily until your symptoms improve, and then switch to once or twice a week for maintenance. 

• Figure out what treatments work for you and keep them on hand.

• Wash your skin with a gentle cleanser, which is less likely to irritate your skin.

• Moisturize after washing your face to keep your skin moist and prevent future flaking.

• Put mineral oil on thick scales and let it sit, which will help loosen flakes and make them easier to wash off with a comb. 

• Avoid products and ingredients that can irritate your skin, like harsh soaps and fragrances.  

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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