How To Find Out If Your Face Has Dandruff

Strictly speaking, dandruff occurs mostly on your scalp. Those who suffer from it will find that they are almost constantly shedding white flakes of skin, and the condition is often accompanied by itchiness. In some people, the flakes will only show up on the hair, but severe cases may result in a ‘snowfall’ on the shoulders and back. Regardless of anything else, dandruff is not a condition caused by poor hygiene, and perhaps half of the population suffers from it at any given time.

Several theories have been postulated as to why some people develop dandruff and others do not: some dandruff is simply the result of your genes – your family just may have a trait for developing dandruff; it is thought that a certain yeast, malassezia, could be at the root of the problem; or you might simply have a condition such as psoriasis or seborrhea.

Flaking Skin on Your Face

Unfortunately, your scalp is not the only place where you can exhibit, dry, flaking skin. Skin flakes not only are unsightly on their own, they also cause your face to look rough, and are a symptom of a deeper problem as well.  

·      At the most basic level, dry skin is also the kind most likely to produce flakes. The sebaceous glands in the epidermis and dermis are unable to produce the sebum necessary to properly protect and keep the skin hydrated. Although most dry skin is a lifelong problem for some, even people with normal or oily skin can experience flaking skin at certain times of the year, especially during the winter when exposed to the dry heat produced by central heating systems.

·      Oily skin is the skin type most often associated with acne, and while it might seem odd that flaking can be a problem with oily skin, it is quite possible. Often oily skin that is exhibiting this ‘facial dandruff’ is actually dehydrated. It should also be kept in mind that for many people their skin will be oily in some spots, such as the nose and forehead and dry in others such as the cheeks. A combination of oily skin, acne, and flaking can present some care problems.

·      If you spend considerable time outside, especially during the summer, you may easily get sunburn. Sunburn visibly damages the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, making it look red and angry and causing it to itch and burn. The red appearance of the skin is your body’s attempt to heal the damage by sending extra blood to the skin. As your skin starts to heal below the damaged layer, this will begin to be shed in flakes. Nearly every sunburn peels off as the skin beneath it is restored.

·      Dehydration can occur with any skin type, and is the result of a lack of normal intake of fluids into the body. Although the minimum amount of moisture in your skin should be 10%, during the winter months indoors, when outside during the summer, or in a dry climate, it’s easy for this percentage to fall far below what it should be. Once your skin begins to dry out too much, it will start to flake off.

Preventing Flaking Skin on Your Face

Even if you have dry or problem skin of any kind, it should not be too difficult to keep your skin properly hydrated, regardless of the season. Even if flaking were not an aesthetic problem, skin that is flaking is telling you that it needs some help to restore moisture. Skin that is flaking is much more likely to become wrinkled as it lacks the resilience to bounce back after use, or resist the formation of wrinkles.

·      Keeping your face from flaking begins when you wash it. Regardless of your skin type, it is never a good idea to wash more than twice a day; this will strip too much of the sebum from your skin and make it more likely to dry out and flake. Oily skin often comes with its own set of problems, and can experience flaking, too. Finding the best face wash for pimples that will clean acne skin without overly drying it is important in maintaining a proper moisture level for even oily skin.

·      Regardless of your skin type, a moisturizer is absolutely essential for keeping your skin hydrated. Even if your skin is oily, it can still experience dry spots which can flake. Acne can also be further irritated by cracked skin. Moisturizers for dry skin will work best if they contain oil or even petroleum jelly. If you are worried about using a moisturizer if your skin is oily or has acne, you should choose a moisturizing lotion that is water based.

·      Face masks designed for dry, flaking skin are also an excellent way to moisturize and rehydrate your skin. Sheet masks or cream masks will work to restore lost moisture and repair damage that dryness has done to your skin.

This post was made possible by Facing Acne.