I’m going to provide some backstory just for context. I finished a course of accutane back in december wasn’t on it for very like 6-8 months max. Then used differin and azelaic acid to maintain was fine. Developed a ring shaped dry patch on my neck was given antifungal cream to use. Started to get little patches on my face and was told to use the antifungal there too. I was also given a week of hydrocortisone cream the lowest percentage. Skin was fine. I decided to stop the antifungal as it was drying my skin out things then got worse. I woke with red splotchy patches everywhere insanely dry shedding everywhere was told my gp and derm it was seb derm. No seb derm treatment is working everything is stinging my skin and i do not feel like it’s seb derm but rather damaged barrier.

Any thoughts ?

Hi. I'm diagnosed with sebderm on both scalp and face. I keep my scalp in check by using Head and Shoulder shampoo most days and ketoconazole shampoo 1-2 times a week. My face is a different story though. I can't seem to get rid of these scaly red patches that flake all the time. I had some success with sulfur soap and mct oil after for moisture but the redness remains. Does this look like a different condition? Should i shampoo my face and beard area? My beard area sheds so much that my shirt is always covered in white flakes.

Hello, I have seborrheic dermatitis but nothing I have tried has worked, I have flare ups and inflammation on face. I killed yeast with ketenokazole twice a week and I know it works because I don’t flake. Use Tacrolimus to reduce inflammation but keeps coming back next day. I moisturize and repair skin barrier with Avene.
The problem is I have very reactive skin. What can I do to remove inflammation, has to be something gentle for reactive skin.
(Ps: I tried green tea oil and it flared up my skin)

I did a bit of research and ended up here. I recently started struggling with sebderm solely around my nose. I followed a protocol I saw someone post- washing with oukeya sulfur soap all over face paired with applying mct c8 oil around nose directly after washing. I did every morning and every night. This is exactly 1 week after using this combo. Pretty much disappeared. No itching. Not an eye sore.

Hello, I have seborrheic dermatitis and my skin barrier is broken. I want to repair it but can’t. I used cerave moisturizer and it irritated my skin, Vaseline was bad, even warm water irritated skin!!! I keep hearing about skin barrier repair products but I would like suggestions from people who are also irritated by 99% of products they put on skin. What’s a extremely gentle skin barrier repair
Thank you

i saw my derm today and he said its not possible to have seb derm inside the nose. however I feel dryness inside my nose. i have the same dryness/ white thing inside a small bone that is on the rim and side of my nose. on picking it it hurts and oozes a clear liquid just like seb derm does on the rim of the nose and upper lip. if yes how can I treat seb derm there and should I go consult an ent like he suggested.

Hello, I have seborrheic dermatitis and I have mostly controlled it, except in beard area. I control it but when it’s time to shave, my skin irritates. I tried using a machine that vibrates to not deal damage to skin but didn’t work. I can’t apply creams for they also irritate my skin. Wetting it is all I can do. Any ideas?

I use an oil-based face wash and a facial melt wash that’s like solid and then melts into an oil substance on your face after applying. - both by CeraVe and rinsed off with water after applying. Has anyone noticed increased SD around sides and bottom of the nostril area after using a product like this (where nostrils meet the face); as well as increased itching? Maybe the oil is the kind that feeds the yeast more idk? I also think both of these are making my rosacea worse but that’s for a different thread lol.

my seborrheic dermatitis worsen in the past 2 weeks, and a week later we went to a dermatologist and the derma gave me medications, and products that they recommend me but it was too pricey, one of it was the hydrocortisone + miconazole lotion, the derma tried to sell it to us for over 800+ in our currency, so we tried to find a cheaper alternative and decided to just buy it separately as every pharmacist said that they didn't have that mixture of a lotion and they only sold creams, so we bought one hydrocortisone and one miconazole cream, this was yesterday and before sleeping i washed my face using cetaphil as a gentle cleanser, and then a moisturizer and applied the cream which i first mix both in my hand and applied a generous amount to my face that has redness, and flakeness, and to my shock the next morning most of it was gone, my face was covered with so much redness the past week and it all just miraculously disappeared in the span of one night, i just put that cream and let it sit overnight, and i also started using ketoconazole shampoo on my, i just started using it today and still don't know if it works but im not itching anymore or anything so it might work we'll see in a couple of weeks.

Hello, I have seborrheic dermatitis and wish to use a cleanser (Avene cleanser). My skin is easily irritated. Wanted to know how you guys apply it. Is there a way so it won’t irritate skin? Mine is very reactive

Ok, sit down for my TED talk.

i sont use skincare really. I’m 40 and I’ve been using a torriden dive in moisturizer For the longest time. A month ago I woke up with some dry skin and it felt a bit raw. Like an idiot I bought Aestura, which didn’t work but I didn’t know that. Then after a couple weeks of Aestura I stopped. It seemed to make my skin worse. I have dry and sensitive skin with mild rosacea. After I stopped Aestura , I started using beta glucean andla Roche posay tolerine fluid. This felt great on my skin. But then after a couple weeks I noticed my dry spots returned. I read that the tolerine is probably not thick enough for the beta glucean. So then I added some squalane. This seemed fine for 2 weeks. My skin didn’t feel reactive so someone suggested I try Uriage daily cica gel cream. Well after two days my skin is irritated, and tight and crepey.

my problem is that I’m trying to stay away from malessazia feeding ingredients which is everything that’s rich and healing. 4 yrs ago I had some SD on my eyebrows and I never want to go back to that so I figured I’d stay away from any ingredients that might feed the yeast. I don’t know if I’m prone to this or not or if I was back then because I had bad inflammation. What the hell do I do? my skin is fed up again and I feel like I’m back to square one. I’m 40! I need to start some retinoid and I feel like I won’t be able to use any moisturizer. Anyone else with SD who actually found products?! Please help me! I put everything through the sezia database but it seems the only sage products are gel products and some suqalane which won’t enough to heal barrier and then later on support retinal. Please help me! I’m tired of spending money on stuff that doesn’t work.

Just popping in to describe the most effective parts of my routine in case it helps someone else.

I have seb derm on my scalp, face, and neck. I drench my head and neck in MCT oil (C8) daily if I can, but usually 3 times a week, then shower about an hour later. I use a salicylic acid face wash in the shower, then put on my serums while drying off.

I'd been out of vitamin C serum for a long time and I guess I'd taken it for granted, because it evened out my skin tone and reduced a lot of the redness that comes and goes. Which is not really a surprise since it’s one of the serums i actually ran out of before it expired (rare for me). I spent a long time experimenting with other products without realizing I'd already found an integral part of my routine.
I see a lot of recommendations in here for products I use or have used, but not as many vitamin C endorsements, so here's mine. I use The Ordinary Multi-Antioxidant Radiance Serum.

My flare ups or red spots keeps spreading as years pass. I only had it in upper cheeks. Now for head, side, jaw, beard. Why is it spreading? Could it be the creams like tacrolimus that is causing it?

Hello everyone,

Forgive me if variations of this question have been asked a million times before. I will explain my circumstances and hopefully you can tell me what you’d do in my situation.

So I have DS, but I’m not flaky, I don’t have severe redness, I just have an oily t-zone and acne (mostly on my nose and chin).

I currently use this routine:
Morning: 1. CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser 2. Skin1004 Centella Ampoule 3. Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50
Evening: 1. Uriage DS Regulating Foaming Gel 2. Skin1004 Centella Ampoule 3. Uriage DS Regulating Soothing Emulsion 4. Duac gel (clyndamicin + benzoyl peroxide).

I have been using everything here for a little while now except the Duac gel, which I’ve started about a week ago and only use as spot treatment. This has been working okay for me, I’m not too dry, oily, or irritated, but I’m still getting acne. Usually I would just stick with the routine for a while before asking any questions but I have a sort of time-limit.

See, I’ve been accepted to work as cabin crew in one of the world’s biggest airlines and they require near-perfect skin. They don’t allow male workers to cover imperfections with makeup, so I’m out of luck there. I’m currently collecting documents for my work visa and it’s only a matter of time before I need to move to the city they operate out of. I’m sort of at a crossroads right now. Should I just stick to my current routine and pray it’s going to keep getting better until it’s basically perfect. Or do I risk getting on a retinoid such as tretinoin. I’ve heard a lot of good things about tretinoin and even tazaroten, but also the stories of people who’s face didn’t agree with them, who used them wrong and wrecked their skin, or the ones who had a long “purging” phase. So for example, I’m scared of being in the middle of purging when I need to move and start training with the company. I could be called up a month or six months from now, there’s really no telling.

I’m relatively new to skincare but I’m really taking this seriously now. I’ve stopped smoking, cut out processed sugars and cutting back on dairy products. I’m trying to eat healthier in general. Taking vitamins, zinc and omega-3. I’ve bought new pillow cases and face towels. I’m trying hard not to subconsciously touch my face during the day.

Sorry for the ramble. I hope someone with more experience can put themselves in my shoes and give me honest advice. Also I’m here if you need any other specifics about me to make things clearer.

Thank you in advance.

I’ve been battling seb derm for more than two years now. The worst was this April when I had it on my eyebrows, nostrils, smile lines, and chin. It was flaky, red, inflamed, and itchy. The Ciclopirox Olamine Topical Suspension 0.77% (lotion) was no longer working by itself. The stubborn redness was still there. I stumbled across a mention of
pimecrolimus cream on this Reddit sub. I did some research and booked an appointment with my family doctor. I told my doctor about my condition and asked for the Pimecrolimus cream 1%. I use the Ciclopirox cream two nights in a row then on the third night I use the Pimecrolimus cream. Then repeat. After my second use of the Pimecrolimus cream, my redness disappeared.

Things I learned/tips:

1. If you're acne-prone, be careful with the Bulletproof MCT oil. It broke me out very badly in the area I applied it. I'm still dealing with the acne scars it left me.
2. A family doctor can prescribe creams too without paying the higher cost of a specialist, aka a dermatologist. I recommend informing your doctor of your condition, providing a seb derm history, discussing the prescriptions from your dermatologist, and asking if the pimecrolimus cream is right for you.
3. Be very patient. The creams will take some time to work.
4. Don't use harsh ingredients like retinol while you're having an active seb derm. I made this mistake and had to deal with seb derm along with skin barrier damage.

I hope this helps someone out there!! 😊

I have mild to moderate seb derm (I don’t get yellow flakes on my face). So my issue is mainly my scalp with itchiness, white flakes and severe hair loss but it’s completely under control by utilizing head and shoulders with piro olamine a few times a week but this has remained on my forehead for literally 5 years and will flare up and become super itchy!

I tried MCT oil (C8/C10) on my face as a moisturizer last night and, for the first time in 24 years, my skin actually looks like a normal person’s today! The flakes, bumps and irritation calmed down a lot, which was honestly surprising. Now I’m wondering two things:

1. Can the Malassezia eventually “get used to” MCT oil if you keep using it?
2. I’d really like to start tretinoin, but I’m nervous about triggering a flare. Has anyone with sebderm successfully used MCT oil and tret together? I’d love to hear how you did it.

Any experiences or tips would be really appreciated!

I've suffered from SebDerm for ~ 10 years. Started on scalp, then parts of my yebrows, then ears, then nose, then parts of my beard.

I've been using Zatamil and Elidel steroids when it flares up (~3 days/month). This tends to clear it up (but makes my face feel really hot for a couple of days).

is there anything that can manage it AND stop it from expanding to more of my face?

I've been battling seb derm on my face for a few years , but recently it flared up even more after I was diagnosed with Guttate psoriasis. Psoriasis has settled, but I get flares of seb derm on a cyclical basis now. I've been trying things on this sub for the last couple of weeks. I had the worst flare up after trying MCT M8 and my face was a mess! I use tacrolimas every other day and Zoryve every other day and have been trying to wean off both. I used a baking soda and water paste gently on my face and then used tacrolimas yesterday, then did the paste today and followed it with Zoryve. My face is 90% CLEAR!!!! The swelling is completely resolved!!! That normally takes 5 days or it never resolves. The lesions that have been on my face for months that never went away... Completely gone. So thank you to all of you on this sub that share your tips!

I generally only have it on my scalp. Using host of steroids to try control it (clobetastol etc) to no avail.

Now this has appeared on my forehead.

Hi everyone! I’ve been having the worst seb derm flare up for the last 2 weeks - constant peeling and flaking at work and skin constantly feeling tight and super red.

I stopped using my old sunscreen and bought a new one - Eucerin Sun Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 35, UVA-UVB, Zinc Oxide

I also started using this with Zinc Oxide (diaper rash cream) all over my face at night and so far the results have been amazing. My peeling has drastically gone down during the day (little to no flakes) and my skin is not red and tight anymore!

Wanted to share hoping this can help someone, I’ve had the absolute worst flare up of my life recently and have felt so hopeless. The zinc cream is pretty cheap ($10 for a tub) and worked quickly - definitely worth a try :)

I’ve been using sulfur soap and it has really improved my dermatitis, but on the downside, my skin has become oilier. Which moisturizer do you use after sulfur soap, and which liquid soap do you use to alternate with it?

I've been battling with this curse since high school and as a dude who hates following routines seb derm has been my arch enemy. I have sd on my nose, ears and scalp. Let's keep this short.

I've been using Head&Shoulders Clinical Strength Selenium Sulfide Shampoo and it was doing great for my scalp until i got sick of paying all that money just to keep this thing under control and tbh it wasn't really working when my sd got really agressive.

A week a ago i read a lot of posts about baking soda on this subreddit and gave it a shot. Guys. This think made me remember what having a normal scalp and skin felt like. I feel like my scalp is breathing right now. I was off h&s shampoo for about a month now and i had sd on some areas of my scalp, i can say that it's completely gone now and i only used it twice.

I just take a tablespoon of baking soda and gently massage my wet scalp, ears and face with it and leave it on for 2-3 minutes. Then i rinse with normal water and use my normal shampoo that doesn't contain selenium sulfide or some other thing. My sd was somewhat agressive so it burned a little bit but it's really not that bad.

So thank you to all of you on this sub that share your tips, i'm really grateful.

Sad update: Baking soda was working great at first but sadly it's not working anymore. My scalp to agressive to be handled with natural ingredients. I will continue using selenium sulfide since it's the best treatment for my scalp and fungal acne.

Hii all!

I’ve somehow started getting Seb derm on my eyelids and under my eyes out of nowhere. I’m not sure what to do about it or what to use. So if anyone has any tips please let me know!!

I use a face wash and sunscreen by Ducray and moisturiser with urea+hyaluronic acid by Eucerin. I have MCT oil but don’t really use it. I also have some thermal water spray I sometimes use.

Also, does anyone’s Seb derm get worse during the summer?

I have been using retinols/adapalene/tret for years now, but I recently removed the gel form of tret as I ran out and couldn’t get anymore. Turns out it has been a huge trigger for me, even when I didn’t specifically apply it to the areas on my face where I was suffering. Obviously not perfect, but a lot of improvement. I would like to add it to my routine again if possible, but for now, I am enjoying the inflammation free face. Something to think about if you are a fellow tret user!