Perioral dermatitis (sometimes called periorificial dermatitis) is a common skin condition marked by a rash around the mouth, nose, and sometimes the eyes. It’s easily confused with acne, rosacea, or eczema, but it has its own features, triggers, and management strategies.
Typical signs of perioral dermatitis include:
- A red rash, often small papules or pustules (tiny bumps, sometimes with a bit of pus).
- Possibly some scaling, dryness or flakiness.
- Itching, burning, or a stinging sensation in the affected area.
- Sparing of the vermillion border (i.e. right on the lip edge).
- The rash may occasionally spread somewhat beyond the immediate mouth area — to nose, eyes, or even cheeks in some cases.
The precise cause of perioral dermatitis isn’t fully understood, but there are many known risk factors. Often more than one is involved. Some of the main ones:
- Steroid use
- Topical steroids (especially on the face).
- Nasal/inhaled steroids, sometimes even oral steroids.
- Skin barrier dysfunction
- When your skin’s natural barrier is disrupted (by irritants, over-washing, harsh cleansers, etc.), it may become more susceptible.
- Irritants in skin care / cosmetic / topical products
- Heavy creams, occlusive moisturizers, thick cosmetics that trap moisture or irritate.
- Fragrances, preservatives, essential oils, etc. that may irritate sensitive skin.
- Fluorinated toothpaste
- Some reports suggest fluoridated or certain kinds of toothpastes may trigger or aggravate it.
- Other factors
- Hormonal fluctuations.
- Environmental stress: wind, UV, weather changes.
- Stress, mask-wearing, over-moisturizing, etc.
General Treatment & Prevention Principles
Because triggers vary, and because the skin barrier is often compromised, managing perioral dermatitis often involves a multi-pronged approach:
- Discontinue or greatly reduce the use of topical steroids (under physician’s guidance)
- Simplify your skincare routine. Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers, minimal actives (especially during flare-ups), non-occlusive moisturizers, etc.
- Replace any potentially irritating products (heavy creams, strong exfoliants, products with fragrance or harsh preservatives).
- Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial treatments if/based on doctor’s advice (e.g. topical antibiotics like metronidazole or oral ones in severe cases).
- Support the skin barrier (hydration, avoiding over-washing, sun protection).
- Identify & avoid personal triggers (toothpaste, certain cosmetics or ingredients, etc.).
GLW Shop Product Recommendations That May Help!
This is a fluoride-free toothpaste brand!
Potential Benefits for Perioral Dermatitis:
- Since one of the known triggers is fluorinated toothpaste, switching to a fluoride-free alternative may reduce irritation around the mouth.
- Ingredients like hydroxyapatite are less likely to be harsh or irritating compared to some abrasive whitening agents or strong fluoride.
- Red Light Therapy Mask
Red light therapy shows promise but is not a guaranteed cure. If you have a good mask (proper wavelengths, safe, gentle), it could help reduce inflammation and support healing around affected areas.
How to use it effectively:
- Make sure the skin is clean and dry before using the mask. Don’t apply other strong products (like harsh acids or retinoids) afterward until you see how your skin handles it.
- Use it for short sessions initially (perhaps lower intensity), a few times per week rather than daily.
- After a session, follow with a calming moisturizer to support barrier repair.
- Avoid using it when your skin is at its worst (very raw, extremely inflamed) until you’re sure it won’t worsen symptoms.
Doré is gentle skincare brand offering a range of products with very clean and limited ingredients.
How they might help:
- A gentle hydrating cleanser helps avoid further irritation from harsh cleansing. Washing with a mild, non-foaming or low-foam cleanser helps protect the skin barrier.
- A balm or cream may help with barrier repair / moisture retention if not overly occlusive or heavy.
- Products like micellar water (if formulated simply, without heavy fragrance or alcohol) might help remove irritants (e.g. sunscreen, makeup) gently.
- Less frequent, minimal-ingredient routines reduce risk of triggering flare-ups.
Perioral dermatitis is a tricky but manageable condition. The key is identifying and avoiding your triggers, simplifying your skincare, repairing the skin barrier, and using gentle, supportive treatments.
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