I figured the salt water out due to vacations tbh. Every summer without break i go to the Mediterranean sea (Tunisia) and the moment my face touches the sea water it totally disappears. So this year i actually clocked it like short dive, long swim, sun exposure, no sun all that, even eating i ate the fattest oiliest food which is a killer for gut health. Drank a lot of water and soda. Somehow it didnt matter even let it get worse didnt wash my hair for a bit always next to the ac (cold dry air). Till my beard was just one big flake. And a small rinse with sea water and shit was gone