10 Simple Treatments For Dandruff On Eyelashes And Eyebrows

Medically reviewed by Dr. Vindhya L Veerula, MD, FAAD
 by Arshiya Syeda
10 Simple Treatments For Dandruff On Eyelashes And Eyebrows

Having dandruff on your head can be frustrating enough. However, that frustration can go to a whole new level when dandruff starts appearing on your eyelashes and eyebrows as well. While highly annoying, getting dandruff on these parts of your face is not a matter of concern or a serious health issue. There are many simple at-home treatments that you can make use of to treat this condition. Before we look into that, let’s see what causes eyebrow and eyelash dandruff in the first place.

Causes Of Dandruff On Eyelashes And Eyebrows

There are two conditions that can be potentially responsible for the appearance of dandruff on your eyelashes and eyebrows:

Causes Of Dandruff On Eyelashes And Eyebrows

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  • Blepharitis: Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelid margin, and can be caused by a bacterial/fungal infection, dry eyes, meibomian gland dysfunction or demodex eyelash mites. The dandruff on eyelashes caused by it can be accompanied by burning, irritation, and grittiness in the eyes.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, the cause of which is relatively unknown. However, it is characterized by white or yellowish dandruff flakes that can appear on your eyelashes, eyebrows, behind the ears, and various other parts of your body.

Though the names of these skin conditions may sound alarming, there really is no need to be worried. The dandruff caused by them can be treated quite easily with some simple at-home remedies. However, there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind before you try out any of them:

  • The eye area is extremely delicate and you need to be cautious when applying anything on it.
  • Avoid getting harsh chemicals into your eyes.
  • Do not use your anti-dandruff shampoos on your lashes as they contain chemicals that can cause damage to your eyes.

Best Treatments For Dandruff On Eye Lashes And Eyebrows

  1. Drugstore Soaps
  2. Baby Shampoo
  3. Almond Oil
  4. Tea Tree Oil
  5. Warm Compress
  6. Olive Oil
  7. Aloe Vera Gel
  8. Salt
  9. Lemon Juice
  10. Petroleum Jelly

10 Simple And Effective Treatments For Dandruff On Eyelashes

1. Drugstore Soaps

Your best bet when treating eyelash/eyebrow dandruff problem would have to be a pyrithione zinc soap that you can find at your local drugstore. A soap containing pyrithione zinc works very well as it actively reduces the flakiness, redness, and irritation caused by eyelash dandruff and brings about a soothing effect.

What You Need
  • Pyrithione zinc-based soap
  • Water
What To Do
  1. Dampen the soap with some water and rub it between your hands.
  2. Shut your eyes tightly and gently rub the soap onto your eyelashes and eyebrows.
  3. Wash off the soap thoroughly with water.
  4. Follow this routine twice a day.

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2. Baby Shampoo

Baby Shampoo

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When dealing with any condition around your eyes, it is of paramount importance that you use treatments that are gentle and non-irritating. Which is why baby shampoo works excellently as it is not only soothing but also cleanses clogged pores and oil buildup up on your lash line and brows that could be causing inflammation. Moreover, it can help get rid of the bacterial/fungal infection that is causing the dandruff in the first place.

What You Need
  • Baby shampoo
  • A glass of water
  • Q-tips
What To Do
  1. Squirt one pump of baby shampoo in a glass and mix it well.
  2. Dip a Q-tip into this solution.
  3. Dampen your eye area with some warm water.
  4. Close your eye and hold your eyelid taut with one hand.
  5. Run the Q-tip over the lash line and eyebrows a couple of times.
  6. Wash off the solution after a few seconds.
  7. Repeat this routine twice a day.

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3. Almond Oil

Talk of any hair troubles (even if it’s your eyebrows and eyelashes) can never be complete without mentioning almond oil. Almond oil works as an emollient that cleanses the skin and removes dead cells from around your eyes that could be causing dandruff. Additionally, it nourishes and moisturizes the hair follicles that, in turn, promotes new eyelash and eyebrow hair growth.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon almond oil
What To Do
  1. Pour a tablespoon of almond oil in a glass bowl and heat it for a few seconds.
  2. Gently massage the warm almond oil on your eyelashes and eyebrows before going to bed. Leave it on overnight.
  3. Wash off with cool water the next morning.
  4. Follow this routine daily.

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4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil

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Here’s the thing about tea tree oil – a majority of the time, it is caused by a fungus called Malassezia. And tea tree oil has potent antifungal properties that help get rid of this fungus and, consequently, the dandruff it creates on your eyelashes and eyebrows.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon tea tree oil
  • Cotton balls
What To Do
  1. Pour the tea tree oil in a glass bowl and heat it in the microwave for a few seconds.
  2. Use a cotton ball to apply this warm oil on your eyelashes and eyebrows.
  3. Leave the oil on for 10 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
  4. Follow this routine 3 times a day.

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5. Warm Compress

Eyelash and eyebrow dandruff can be quite frustrating to get. But what can be even more distressing is the redness and irritation that it brings with it. A warm compress is the perfect solution for getting some immediate relief from this redness, irritation, itchiness, and dryness.

What You Need
  • Warm water
  • Washcloth
What To Do
  1. Take some warm water in a bowl and let the hand towel soak in it for a few minutes.
  2. Place the towel over your eyes and leave it on for 15 minutes. You can re-soak the towel every time it cools down.
  3. Follow this routine daily.

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6. Olive Oil

Olive Oil

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Dryness plays a crucial role in the development of dandruff on your eyelashes and eyebrows. And the only way to combat it is with moisture. Olive oil is a great moisturizing agent that can hydrate the skin around your lashes and brows and help get rid of dandruff.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Warm water
  • Washcloth
What To Do
  1. Heat the olive oil in a microwave for a few seconds.
  2. Gently massage the warm oil onto your eyebrows and eyelashes.
  3. Soak the washcloth in warm water and place it over your eyes.
  4. Leave the warm washcloth on your eyes for 15 minutes.
  5. Wash off the oil with some lukewarm water.
  6. Follow this routine daily.

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7. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is one of those ingredients that acts as an all-around threat to dandruff. Not only does it expel the bacteria/fungus that could be causing eyelash dandruff, it also soothes the irritation and redness caused by it. Moreover, it stimulates hair follicles and promotes new hair growth.

What You Need
  • Aloe vera gel
  • Cotton ball
What To Do
  1. Shut your eyes and hold our eyelid taut with one hand.
  2. Apply some aloe vera gel to your lash line and eyebrows with the help of a cotton ball.
  3. Leave it on for 5 minutes before washing it off with some lukewarm water.
  4. Follow this routine daily.

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8. Salt

Salt

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Now, the idea of applying salt anywhere near your eyes may seem strange to you but it actually works pretty well in getting rid of eyelash dandruff. It does so by cleansing clogged pores, absorbing excess oil that could be causing the build up on your lash line and eyebrows, and preventing fungal infection that could lead to dandruff.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ¼ cup water
What To Do
  1. Add the salt to the water and mix it with a spoon until it dissolves completely.
  2. Close your eyes and apply this salty water to your lash line and eyebrows, exfoliating gently with your fingers.
  3. Wash off with some cool water.
  4. Follow this routine daily.

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9. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a great ingredient for getting rid of eyelash and eyebrow dandruff as it contains citric acid. Citric acid is an antimicrobial agent that helps get rid of the fungal infection that is causing the dandruff.

What You Need
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • Cotton ball
What To Do
  1. Dilute a tablespoon of lemon juice in ¼ cup water.
  2. Close your eyes and apply this solution to your eyelashes and eyebrows with the help of a cotton ball.
  3. Keep your eyes closed and leave the lemon juice solution on for 5 minutes.
  4. Wash off the solution with cool water.
  5. Follow this routine twice a day.

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10. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum Jelly

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Dandruff on eyelashes and eyebrows can be caused by dry skin. There’s just a simple reason why petroleum jelly helps combat this problem. It’s because petroleum jelly moisturizes your skin and prevents dry skin from flaking off and causing dandruff.

What You Need
  • Petroleum jelly
What To Do
  1. Apply a little bit of the petroleum jelly on your lash line and eyebrows with your fingers before going to sleep.
  2. Wash it off the next morning with some lukewarm water.
  3. Follow this routine every night.

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Besides using these at-home treatments, there are a few tips that you can follow on a daily basis to prevent dandruff from appearing on eyelashes and eyebrows.

Tips
  • Makeup and dirt buildup on your eyelashes and eyebrows can lead to dandruff. Therefore, remove makeup and cleanse your eye area every night with a good makeup remover to keep dandruff at bay.
  • Drink lots of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol, and junk food to prevent any skin and hair conditions.
  • If you see dandruff flakes appearing on your eyelashes and eyebrows, refrain from using makeup for some time.
  • Drink lots of water (at least 10-12 glasses a day).
  • Take a multivitamin.
  • As you grow older, your body produces less hyaluronic acid that is actually responsible for protecting and hydrating your eyes. You could start using hyaluronic acid eye drops.
  • If all else fails and your eyelash and eyebrow dandruff persists, consult an ophthalmologist.

That’s all you need to know about eyelash and eyebrow dandruff treatment! If you have any more queries or have a suggestion to deal with this problem, comment below to let us know!

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

How do I stop my eyes from being so dry?

There are two main reasons why your eyes are dry. First, it could be because you live in an area that has high levels of air pollution. Second, it could be because you live in a high-altitude region where the air is typically drier.

What is the main cause of blepharitis?

Blepharitis can be caused by a bacterial infection (staphylococcus) or if there is a problem with the meibomian glands that are located in your eyelids.

Does eyebrow dandruff cause hair loss?

No, eyebrow dandruff cannot cause hair loss.

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Arshiya Syeda

Arshiya Syeda is an editor and certified counselor. Ever the lover of the written word, she served on the editorial boards of her school and college newsletters. Writing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and nutrition helped her combine her love for reading, writing, and research. As an editor, she helps her team members deliver polished and meticulously researched content. Arshiya is fluent in English, Urdu, and Hindi and aims to become a multilinguist by learning German and teaching herself American Sign Language (ASL).
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