Perioral Dermatitis and the mystery that is managing it
Recently a friend needed help with her skin concern, perioral dermatitis.
(All information contained in this article is pulled from reputable sources but is not a substitute to consultations with a medical professional. Always patch test skincare prior to use).
Until then I had never really registered it, I was always battling with acne so this was of no impact to me so existed outside my remit.
Once I started to research and watch video after video on this mysterious condition I realised that one thing is true- there are no real dedicated skincare products for this condition and hundreds of ingredients that can exacerbate it.
Let's simplify it
Topical Skincare Triggers for Perioral Dermatitis
- Topical steroids (OTC or prescription)
- Harsh surfactants (e.g., sulfates/SLS in cleansers & toothpaste)
- Heavy occlusives & oils (petrolatum, lanolin, coconut oil, mineral oil)
- Fragrance & essential oils (synthetic or natural)
- Alcohol-based/astringent products (denatured alcohol, witch hazel)
- Potent actives (strong retinoids, high-level AHAs/BHAs, benzoyl peroxide)
- Heavy or occlusive sunscreens (fragrance, alcohol, pore-blocking vehicles)
- Fluoridated or SLS-containing toothpaste
All the videos I found on YouTube from dermatology specialists and experts talked about taking skincare back to absolute basics.
The trouble is, cleansers and skincare touted as being gentle can often still contain essential oils, linalool, sulphates and other triggers.
That's why I created the cleansing water. A very simple blend of mct oil and squalane with soothing ingredients, no essential oils and the minimal amount of polysorbate 80.
You may still require antibiotics but using skincare that doesn't further trigger or inflamed your skin is key.
Keep it simple with our universal oil and cleansing water.
Behavioural changes:
Double wash your pillow cases, once with gentle washing powder and then again with water only.
Check your makeup. Powder based mineral only foundations are best. Isopropyl myristate is commonly featured in BB creams and foundations and is regarded as a trigger for perioral dermatitis.
Change your toothpaste, almost every article cites toothpaste being a big culprit especially peppermint. Kids toothpastes can often be a safe starting point.
Check your body wash and deodorant for triggers.
It can be tricky to reach out to us if you need further assistance by using the contact us button in the main menu.
