Can You Wash Your Beard With Neutrogena T/Gel

A pretty common problem faced by men when growing their facial hair is dandruff of the chin. Neutrogena t/Gel Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp is fragrance-free and formulated to clear scalp dandruff as well soothe dry and inflamed skin

Front and back view of Neutrogena T Gel shampoo packaging

what is neutrogena t gel?

To be clear Neutrogena t/Gel Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp is a relatively cheap fragrance-free medicated shampoo. It's formulated to clear dandruff (using salicylic acid and piroctone olamine),as well as soothe dry and inflamed skin. When it's used daily, it has proved to be effective for many people.

close up of man with flakes of dry skin on moustache and beard

what is the cause of beard dandruff?

Beard dandruff, typically seen as flaky skin on the cheeks, jaw, and neck, can be caused by factors like cold weather, psoriasis, or dermatitis. These conditions damage the skin, leading to flaking. Initially, as you start growing your beard, you may only experience the normal itchiness associated with new beard growth.

what are the signs of beard dandruff?

Over a few months, you might notice beard dandruff concentrated in certain spots on your jaw or cheeks, or it may spread across a wider area. Red patches may also develop on the skin under your beard, accompanied by soreness and tenderness. It's common to consider shaving your beard to better understand the issue.

close up of a young man grazed scar in beard area

how should you clear up beard dandruff?

Depending on what caused the irritation, it might resolve on its own or require a topical treatment. For instance, if you accidentally scratched your skin, it might scab over and shed flakes in your beard as it heals. Keeping the skin and beard clean and moisturized can help, and in most cases, no further action is needed.

man applying face moisturiser in front of a mirror

Can moisturiser help with beard dandruff?

If you don't moisturise your beard and the skin underneath it, you could end up with tight, dry, flakey skin. If you bathe or shower with hard water, the mineral deposits in the water are building up on your skin and beard hair over time. If you live in a dry or windy climate, that's going to have a drying effect on your skin.

beard dandruff triggers including food drink and weather

how does lifestyle trigger beard dandruff?

Stressors like injury, narcotics, heavy drinking, weather changes, infections, and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis can cause itchy, flaky skin, leading to dandruff. This can affect areas like sideburns, mustache, beard, and neck hair, potentially causing scarring and hair loss if untreated.

male personal care products sticking out of wash bag

can beard cleansers cause beard dandruff?

Using harsh soaps and cleansers can lead to dry, irritated skin and wrinkles over time. Beard cleansers are designed to clean and hydrate beard hair, removing flaky skin and unclogging pores to prevent irritation. It's best to avoid using scalp shampoo on delicate facial skin, as it's not formulated for that purpose.

man washing his hair in the shower with hair shampoo

is hair shampoo bad for facial hair?

To be fair when you wash your hair in the shower, your face will certainly come in contact with soapy suds from the shampoo, and there is not much you can do about it. Which is probably why some men have found that washing their beard hair with scalp shampoo is very effective for getting rid of beard dandruff in mild cases.

close up of a man combing out flakes from beard

methods for removing beard flakes

Methods to address this include gently scrubbing the skin under the beard with fingers or a loofah, and combing the beard with a stiff comb. Another approach is gentle exfoliation with smooth, manicured fingernails to remove shedding skin, followed by rinsing the skin and beard hair thoroughly.

man focused on massaging scalp while washing hair with his eyes closed

Can you use T-Gel (Neutrogena) for Beard Dandruff?

T-Gel is a medicated shampoo designed to address scalp issues like dandruff. It's recommended to use it three times a week for six weeks. However, it's formulated specifically for the scalp and hair, so care should be taken to avoid contact with sensitive areas like the eyes, groin, and rectum.

young man treating skin with topical medication

what happens if you do use t-gel for beard dandfruff?

People have experienced symptoms from light-sensitivity and rashes to hair loss and variation in hair colour. Burning and itching sensations along with skin breakouts are also symptoms experienced by people who are allergic to T-Gel.

red circle placed around warning on Neutrogena packaging, issued by shampoo manufacturers

Check The Ingredients

Before using T-Gel therapeutic shampoo, review its ingredients list. The Original Formula contains Neutar solubilised coal tar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, CLaureth-4, Fragrance, and other components, which may lead to skin irritation in some individuals. While the Extra Strength T/Gel is no longer available in the US, the original version can still be found online and in stores.

In Summary

Yes, you can use Neutrogena T-Gel on your beard to treat dandruff, but proceed with caution due to potential skin sensitivities. Ensure to check the ingredients list for any allergens and avoid contact with sensitive areas.