How can eyebrow dandruff be effectively eliminated?

The appearance of dandruff in the eyebrows may seem surprising since it is typically associated with the scalp. Yet the mechanism of formation is similar: when the skin’s natural cell renewal is disrupted and accelerates, keratinocytes accumulate on the epidermal surface and form small white or yellowish flakes, visible among the eyebrow hairs. The most frequent cause of this phenomenon is the seborrheic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, the sides of the nose, the beard and… the eyebrows. Seborrheic dermatitis is closely linked to the proliferation of the fungus Malassezia naturally present on the surface of the skin. This microorganism feeds on sebum lipids and releases irritating fatty acids that trigger a local inflammatory response and accelerate cell renewal.

In addition to seborrhoeic dermatitis, other factors can encourage the onset of dandruff on the eyebrows. Climatic conditions, notably cold and dry air in winter, disrupt the skin barrier and intensify desquamation. Overly aggressive cleansing, which strips away the protective hydrolipidic film, can also compromise the skin and heighten irritation. Finally, certain cutaneous disorders, such as psoriasis or eczema, may manifest on the eyebrows and lead to persistent dandruff, often associated with more pronounced redness.

Addressing dandruff confined to the eyebrows is somewhat more delicate than on the scalp. Many hesitate to intervene for fear of plucking hairs, and standard anti-dandruff shampoos are unsuitable: they could be too harsh for this sensitive area and risk running into the eyes, which can cause irritation. It is therefore advisable to choose gentler, locally applied treatments specifically designed for the eyebrow area.

To eliminate dandruff, some individuals use essential oils, particularly tea tree essential oil, known for its antifungal properties. As with any essential oil, it must always be diluted in a vegetable oil or neutral base to avoid irritation. Its efficacy against dandruff was demonstrated in a single-blind randomised clinical trial involving 126 participants with mild to moderate dandruff. For four weeks, volunteers used a shampoo containing 5% tea tree essential oil daily or the same shampoo without the essential oil. Dandruff regressed significantly more in the group that received the essential oil shampoo. Given that the proliferation of the yeast Malassezia is also implicated in eyebrow dandruff, one can reasonably assume a similar efficacy when tea tree essential oil is applied to this area.

Finally, if your dandruff persists, do not hesitate to seek advice from a doctor or a pharmacist. These healthcare professionals can guide you towards more potent antifungal agents, such as ciclopirox olamine, piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole. All share the common target of the yeast Malassezia, a key factor in dandruff formation. In practice, these agents are generally applied two to three times a week until the scales disappear, then sometimes once a week as maintenance to limit recurrences. In any case, we recommend following the healthcare professional’s advice and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prevention is better than cure!

Prevention remains the cornerstone in the management of dandruff, including that of the eyebrows. It relies primarily on adequate skin hydration, which reinforces the skin barrier and limits excessive desquamation. A gentle, regular exfoliation, tailored to the face and encompassing the eyebrow area, also helps to remove dead cells and curb the build-up of flakes. A recent study has shown the benefit of a routine combining a hydrating serum formulated with hyaluronic acid and an exfoliant containing AHAs, BHAs and PHAs to improve seborrhoeic dermatitis, a more severe form of dandruff that typically extends from the scalp to the forehead. Conducted on 32 volunteers, it revealed that after fifteen days of daily use, the dandruff severity score decreased by 61.24%, while skin hydration increased by 76.24%. These results confirm the importance of combining hydration and exfoliation in a skincare routine.

• BARNETSON R. & al. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2002).

• TALLEY A. L. & al. Enhanced piroctone olamine retention from shampoo for superior anti-dandruff efficacy. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2023).

• PATNAIK S. & al. An assessment of the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of a novel scalp treatment regimen combining a hydroxy acid-based scrub and copper tripeptide serum in the management of seborrheic dermatitis in adults. Cureus (2024).

• BUDZISZ E. & al. Ciclopirox and ciclopirox olamine: Antifungal agents in dermatology with expanding therapeutic potential. Applied Sciences (2024).