Let’s explore the most effective treatment options for eyebrow seborrheic dermatitis.
Understanding Treatment ApproachesYou’ll find countless suggested treatments for eyebrow dandruff online, many without scientific backing. Herbal remedies, oils, supplements, and dietary changes are often promoted, but experience shows that only a few approaches consistently provide relief.
Some effective treatments are lab-synthesized and found in commercial products. Others are natural options that can be equally helpful with fewer potential side effects.
Pyrithione ZincPyrithione zinc is a widely used and well-researched treatment for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. It’s a metal complex with antifungal properties, developed in the 1930s.
A significant benefit of pyrithione zinc is that it may also stimulate hair growth [], which is discussed further in this post: Reversing Seborrheic Dermatitis and Hair Loss.
Pyrithione Zinc Shampoos for Eyebrow DandruffPyrithione zinc is readily ailable in shampoos, most famously in Head and Shoulders, but many other brands now offer similar dandruff shampoos.
To use a pyrithione zinc shampoo on your eyebrows:
Apply a small amount to your eyebrow. Gently massage it into the skin. Lee it on for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water, being very careful to oid getting shampoo in your eyes, as it can cause irritation. Pyrithione Zinc CreamsPyrithione zinc creams are also ailable, though less common and often found online. Creams can be more beneficial than shampoos in certain situations:
Extended Application: When you need the treatment to stay on the skin throughout the day for more persistent cases. Shampoo Irritation: If shampoo surfactants (cleaning agents) irritate your skin. Personal Experience with Pyrithione ZincWhile pyrithione zinc is often successful for scalp dandruff, my experience with eyebrow dandruff was less consistent.
Initially, Head and Shoulders shampoo (2-in-1 Classic) worked quickly, clearing up my eyebrow dandruff within days. This was a welcome change after trying doctor-prescribed hydrocortisone, antibiotic, and clotrimazole creams with limited success.
However, the relief was short-lived. After 1-2 weeks, the shampoo’s effectiveness faded, and the eyebrow dandruff returned, along with seborrheic dermatitis on other facial areas.
I tried pyrithione zinc again later with different products, including a cream and Noble Formula soap from Amazon. The results were similar: initial improvement followed by a return of symptoms.
Selenium SulfideSelenium sulfide is another popular antifungal ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos, with Selsun Blue being the most well-known. Many brands, including Head and Shoulders, offer selenium sulfide shampoos.
Selenium sulfide is often marketed as a stronger alternative to pyrithione zinc (Head and Shoulders calls their version “clinical strength”). However, studies show their effectiveness is comparable [9]. Despite this, some people find selenium sulfide helpful when pyrithione zinc fails.
Using Selenium Sulfide Shampoo for Eyebrow Seborrheic DermatitisUsing selenium sulfide shampoo on your eyebrows is similar to using pyrithione zinc shampoo:
Massage a small amount into the eyebrow skin. Lee it on for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water, taking care to oid eye contact. Safety Considerations for Selenium SulfideSelenium sulfide may he a less forable safety profile compared to pyrithione zinc and ketoconazole [10], with a higher potential for side effects [11]. Selenium sulfide creams are uncommon, suggesting it may not be suitable for prolonged skin contact.
Due to these factors, I hen’t personally used selenium sulfide products. If considering it, start cautiously, testing on a small skin area and carefully monitoring application time.
KetoconazoleKetoconazole is a well-documented dandruff treatment developed in 1976 to improve upon existing azole antifungals [12].
It’s ailable in shampoos, creams, and even oral tablets. Clinical trials indicate it’s more effective than both pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfide [13].
Ketoconazole Shampoos for Eyebrow Seborrheic DermatitisNizoral shampoo is a popular ketoconazole product, widely ailable over-the-counter in North America. Other ketoconazole shampoos are also ailable.
Using ketoconazole shampoo for eyebrow dandruff is similar to other antifungal shampoos:
Apply a small amount to your eyebrows. Massage gently into the skin. Lee on for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly, oiding eye contact. Ketoconazole CreamsKetoconazole creams are also ailable, but less common and typically require a prescription. Follow the specific instructions provided with the cream, as they may vary based on concentration and other ingredients.
Ketoconazole SafetyRecent research has highlighted potential liver risks associated with oral ketoconazole, outweighing its benefits []. This led to bans in some countries (China, Australia) and reduced oral prescriptions in the USA (FDA withdrawal for Candida and dermatophyte infections).
Despite concerns about oral use, topical ketoconazole remains widely used. Studies suggest it has fewer side effects than selenium sulfide when applied topically [14].
Personal Experience with KetoconazoleMy experience with Nizoral shampoo for eyebrow dandruff was brief due to skin dryness and hair texture changes.
Despite high hopes based on research, Nizoral was too drying for my skin and made my eyebrow hairs feel very brittle.
Coal TarCoal tar is another antifungal agent with a history of use spanning over 2000 years [15]. It’s found in shampoos, creams, soaps, and lotions.
Coal tar is a complex byproduct of coal production, containing over 10,000 compounds [16]. It’s effectiveness against Malassezia is comparable to ketoconazole [17]. However, it’s less popular in the scientific community for seborrheic dermatitis treatment, possibly due to its strong odor, potential irritation (tar folliculitis, contact dermatitis), and possible carcinogenic properties [18].
Coal Tar Shampoos for Eyebrow Seborrheic DermatitisNeutrogena T-Gel shampoo is a popular coal tar product, ailable over-the-counter in North America. Many other coal tar shampoos are ailable online.
Using coal tar shampoo on eyebrows is similar to other antifungal shampoos:
Apply to the eyebrow skin. Lee on for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly, oiding the eyes. Coal Tar Creams and LotionsCoal tar creams and lotions are also widely ailable.
Leing coal tar on the skin longer could enhance its antifungal effects. However, its dark color and staining potential, along with its odor, might make it less practical for daytime use on the face.
Personal Experience with Coal TarCoal tar provided the most impressive results among the treatments I tried. Neutrogena T-Gel effectively controlled flaking and inflammation on my eyebrows without excessive dryness.
I used T-Gel to manage facial seborrheic dermatitis for several months with good results. However, I became concerned about potential long-term effects, as it seemed to make my skin sensitive and pale.
Topical Steroids (Corticosteroids)Corticosteroids are steroid hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including immune responses. Synthesized corticosteroids are used to treat skin conditions.
Hydrocortisone, a low-potency corticosteroid, is often prescribed for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff, including on the eyebrows [19].
Risks of Long-Term Hydrocortisone UseTopical steroids are popular because they can provide rapid relief. However, long-term use has significant risks:
Skin Atrophy: Breakdown and thinning of skin cells. Telangiectasias: Appearance of small, spider-like veins near the skin surface. Perioral Dermatitis: Small, itchy bumps and skin irritation around the mouth.Therefore, hydrocortisone is recommended for short-term use only. Since eyebrow seborrheic dermatitis often requires ongoing management, hydrocortisone may not be a sustainable long-term solution [20].
Personal Experience with HydrocortisoneHydrocortisone cream was among the first treatments I tried for seborrheic dermatitis, before I even knew what it was.
It quickly cleared up a small flaky patch on the side of my nose within a week. However, the problem returned as soon as I stopped using it. Aware of the risks of long-term use, I oided hydrocortisone products afterward.
Raw HoneyHoney has been recognized for its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties throughout history [21]. It’s readily ailable, generally well-tolerated, and edible.
Raw honey, unfiltered and containing natural wax, is believed to he enhanced antimicrobial benefits for skin issues.
A small study in 2001 demonstrated raw honey’s effectiveness against seborrheic dermatitis [], and many online users report positive results.
Using Raw Honey for Eyebrow DandruffTo use raw honey:
Dilute raw honey with warm water (90% honey, 10% water) to make it easier to apply. Spread the mixture on your eyebrows. Lee it on for 2-3 hours. Rinse off with cool water.Repeat this every other day for several weeks. For maintenance after symptoms improve, apply twice a week.
Important notes on honey treatment:
Excess water can reduce honey’s antimicrobial properties [22]. Antimicrobial activity varies between different types of honey [23], so some may be more effective than others. Honey’s antimicrobial action is largely due to its production of topical hydrogen peroxide [24]. Personal Experience with Raw HoneyRaw honey was quite effective for my eyebrow dandruff. After several treatments, flaking subsided, and my skin appeared normal.
The main drawbacks were the inconvenience of hing sticky honey on my face for hours and the stickiness causing eyebrow hair removal during application and removal.
Caprylic Acid TriglyceridesCaprylic acid is a medium-chain fatty acid found in coconut and palm kernel oils. It’s widely used in cosmetics in moisturizers, cleansers, shampoos, and ointments.
While not a medically recognized dandruff treatment, caprylic acid triglycerides he shown significant antifungal activity against Malassezia [25]. Products with sufficient caprylic acid may help manage dandruff.
Personal Experience with Caprylic Acid TriglyceridesAfter Cetaphil Restoraderm products, which had previously worked well, became less effective, I investigated their ingredients. I suspected caprylic acid triglycerides might be the key ingredient behind their initial success.
Based on this, I experimented with creating formulations containing varying concentrations of caprylic acid triglycerides. This led to a formula that exceeded my expectations and has been my preferred solution since 2015.
Details about this formulation are in this article: My Seborrheic Dermatitis Skin Regimen 2.0.
NystatinNystatin was brought to my attention by a SkinDrone community member, Joakim (thank you, Joakim!).
Discovered in 1950, nystatin is an antifungal medication considered essential by the World Health Organization. It’s not commonly used for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff in mainstream medicine, as other antifungals are often preferred.
However, nystatin is effective against Malassezia [], and user feedback suggests it can be a valuable alternative to other antifungals.
Obtaining Nystatin CreamNystatin preparations are not always readily ailable and often require a prescription. Consulting a doctor may be necessary.
However, SkinDrone readers he reported purchasing nystatin cream online through platforms like Amazon or eBay. While the legality of this is uncertain, it might be considered.
Important Notes on Nystatin Some Malassezia species may be resistant to nystatin [26]. The original suggestion for nystatin treatment is here: Nystatin A Potential Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment Other Potential Eyebrow Dandruff TreatmentsMany less common treatments exist. While not covered in detail here, they are listed for reference, with links to relevant posts where ailable:
Apple Cider Vinegar Sea Salt Baking Soda Other Azole Antifungals (Bifonazole, Miconazole, Fluconazole, etc.) Ciclopirox Terbinafine Lithium Succinate Benzoyl Peroxide Propylene Glycol Sulfur General Tips for Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis Around the EyesMost seborrheic dermatitis treatments involve antifungals. Therefore, oiding eye contact during treatment is crucial.
Additional tips:
Wash hands thoroughly before and after each treatment. If leing a solution on, keep a napkin handy to wipe away any drips towards your eyes. For strong-smelling solutions, oid getting too close to your eyes, as the odor itself can cause irritation. “Natural” doesn’t always mean “safe.” Exercise caution with all treatments, regardless of their natural origin. When starting a new treatment, always patch-test on a small, less visible area away from your eyes first.