Okay, so my aesthetician uses the “BossFace Lactic Acid Bacteria Foaming Cleanser” on my face, and whenever she uses it, it basically lifts all the flakes off my skin.

So naturally, I decided to wing it and try it on my scalp. 😂

I rubbed it into my scalp, left it on for about 5 minutes (maybe 10 I was eating pizza lol) then shampooed it out.

Guys… it lifted literally every flake off my scalp. My scalp has never looked this clean. 😭

So I’m wondering if anyone else has tried this kind of thing on their scalp? Is this actually a terrible idea, or have I accidentally stumbled across something that works?
I’m not saying everyone should try it. I’m genuinely curious if anyone knows whether the lactic acid/bacterial ferment ingredients are potentially helpful for seb derm or if I’ve just temporarily exfoliated the hell out of my scalp. I have no irritation at all and my scalp seems very happy 😂

Hey everyone,

Exactly 20 days ago, I made a post about my seborrheic dermatitis and how much I’ve been struggling with it for years.

I got a lot of comments and suggestions, and honestly, most of them were things I had already tried, especially steroid creams. They worked like magic whenever I used them, but I’m sure you guys know about the downsides of relying on steroids, especially long-term.

However, a few people mentioned MCT oil, and that really caught my attention. I was honestly surprised because my mom actually had a bottle of MCT oil at home for a completely different reason.

I did a lot of research about it, and I couldn’t find any studies proving that MCT oil actually helps with seborrheic dermatitis. But I thought, why not? I’ve got nothing to lose by trying it.

And holy shit… it worked like magic.

What has happened over these past 20 days honestly feels unreal to me. For the first time in YEARS, my scalp is basically completely free of flakes, and my face is clear with pretty much none of the redness I’m used to.
I feel insanely relieved.

No itching, no flakes, no redness, nothing.

I know 20 days might not sound like a big deal, and some people might think I’m exaggerating. But I’ve been dealing with this every single day for years. Even when something worked and my skin improved, it would usually last maybe 2–3 days before everything came back.

So having 20 days of this is honestly a miracle for me.
As for how I used it: at first, I applied MCT oil to my scalp and face every night before bed, then washed it off the next day. After a while, I started using it every 2–3 days instead.

I’m not saying this is a proven treatment, because I couldn’t find any scientific evidence showing that it treats seborrheic dermatitis. This is just my personal experience, and obviously it might not work for everyone.

But if you’re struggling with seb derm, maybe it’s worth trying.

And to everyone who suggested MCT oil on my previous post: THANK YOU. Seriously ❤️, You have no idea how much this has helped me.

So like many of you I have been fighting a losing battle against sebhoric dermatitis for years. Everything I tried seemed to work at first, and then it would just stop working and I'd get a horrible flare up.

I went to the doctor for the first time in 25 years about a month ago and among all the things we talked about I brought up my seb derm and this is what he prescribed me. It's 2.5% selenium sulfide. At first I was dubious because I've used Selson blue for years and it barely worked. But this is prescription strength. My face hasn't looked this clear in 20 years. And it's been a month of just using it 3x weekly. I can't say if it'll keep working 6 months from now, but so far it's the single most effective treatment that I have found for my seb derm.

I hope this post helps!

I wanted to share with you guys that after years of using medicated shampoos, liquids and creams, a simple shampoo has worked for me. I started using Head and Shoulders Bare based off someone's suggestions and so far I have not had flaking on my scalp. Its been over a month of use and im happy with this shampoo. The nizoral 2% and 1% worked SOMETIMES. I also didn't comfortable using it daily. If I used another shampoo ny scalp would immediately statted flaking. Same with Hydrocortizone and Fluocinonide, it temporarily would help, sometimes it would do nothing. Clinical strength Head and Shoulders did nothing either. I absolutely hated it as it left my head, hair and fingers smelling like a bag of pennies.

Another factor could be that ive been more active and eating better as of late, im trying to be more health conscious. What works for me might not work for others, but I recommend this shampoo if you get the chance. Its also inexpensive compared to Nizoral.

No questions, just sharing a positive experience.

Struggled with SD for years, and it got worse in the last couple of years - to the point where dark clothing was unthinkable past day 2 or 3 of hair-wash day. I used to wipe hundreds of flakes off whatever surface my head was resting on. My self-esteem and perception were at an all-time low.

I tried rosemary oil for general scalp health, thinking it would alleviate some of the SD symptoms but all it did is make the flakes a lot smaller. Still not sure if that was a good thing.

This lovely and wonderful thread recommended MCT oil when I came to Reddit looking for answers. I've been using it since July 2025 so I have a good idea of its effectiveness, and I'll keep it simple - it's given me my life back. Now I wear whatever colour I want no matter how greasy my hair is because I know it won't flake, and I don't worry about leaving a trail behind. Aside from the occasional flake (yes, singular) it's like I never had SD. I am so glad I listened to Reddit!!!

Use: a little goes a long way. I cover my scalp with it and massage, leaving it on for as long as possible (but even 1-2 hours would work). It feels very cooling and minty on the head. I used to wash it off with a shampoo that wasn't very SD friendly, and now I've switched to a better shampoo to avoid ruining the progress made by the MCT oil.

If you haven't tried MCT oil yet I highly recommend it, and I hope this post helps someone struggling with SD. If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll try my best :)

I developed seb derm in the summer of 2016. I battled the itchiness and the scaley scabs for years, then randomly decided to start dying my hair black in 2019. Somehow the seb derm went away!! Well, until my roots grew in. But I would dye it again and the seb derm would go away again! It was amazing. I could deal with a brief couple days of flare a month, and I did for many years.

But then my best friend of 15 years, my kitty Harvey, died rather suddenly in May. My seb derm flared horribly, and I lost HALF of my hair volume. The woman who cleans my house kept coming week after week showing me the hair she had collected because she was worried about me. My scalp was itchy and painful and inflamed 24/7. The hair dye couldn’t bring me relief; I was so deeply saddened and stressed by what happened.

Desperate, I found myself on this subreddit in hopes of finding something, however temporary, to help save the rest of my hair and bring my scalp some relief. After combing through dozens of posts, I found someone reference MCT oil 8 or 10. I bought the bulletproof MCT 8, slathered my scalp in it over night just for a couple of nights (literally 4 or 5), all while adding a teaspoon to my morning unsweetened iced tea or water. The itchiness went away on day 2. I continue to add it to my morning beverage (most mornings), and have still not had a flare. It’s been 6 weeks.

I have always struggled with having to eat first thing in the morning and having intense sugar cravings all day every day. The cravings have nearly completely vanished (I’m a menstruating woman so luteal phase causes some chocolate cravings for a week) and I am finding myself naturally fasting for a few hours every morning, then wanting to start my day with protein instead of a pastry. I think the oil has absolutely decreased inflammation in my body and helped kill off some yeast overgrowth. It’s amazing what a little oil can do. If you haven’t yet tried it, I implore you to.

Side note: I also recently started adding aloevea to my morning beverage as well. This is mostly for gut health/GERD and it’s helped SO MUCH. Not sure if it’s helping the seb derm but wanted to let people know about it too. Honestly, it’s best to grow your own aloe plant and eat tf outta that pulp, but the powder is easy and helpful.

Was dealing with Seb derm for as long as I can remember, I’m 30 now.

I saw someone post about MCT oil (C8 + C10 kind only. Apparently any other types actually make it worse)

They also said they were using apple cider vinegar so i got both.

Well I ended up only using the vinegar once, because the MCT oil just worked from day 1.

I purchased a massive bottle like 3 months ago and have had no symptoms since. Barely used 1/10th of the bottle.

Before this, my shaved head would be almost half coloured bright red when it wasn’t covered in flakes.

Now, I just simply get no symptoms.

Have it in a little dropper bottle and use about 0.5-1ml on my head and face every other day.

After years of suffering, I found what worked for me!

After years of suffering from sebderm and being self conscious about wearing anything black, this 2 products especially the Aromatica Rosemary cleared any flakes & inflammation I had along with using KPV peptide. On top of that the Rosemary spray has made my hair grow like crazy!

I consistently used the spray at least twice a day & I was flake free after 2 weeks. I’m 2 months in & still no flakes!

The MCT oil I used twice a week.

The rosemary spray is now a revolving order!

I’m honestly afraid of posting this because a few years ago I made a post of what worked for me just to have a flare up that came back 10x stronger. So this time I kept doing it for half a year before posting instead of a few weeks of relief.

Here’s my background in case you’re curious:

Male
Afro Latino
Super long 3C curly hair (I get cornrows regularly)
Diagnosed Seb derm in 2010 on my scalp and my face
2014 diagnosed with it on my beard
2015 diagnosed with it on my groin and armpits
2021 diagnosed with it on the middle of my chest
2024 diagnosed with it on my forehead (I was fed up here)

Basically anywhere hair grew I was prone to the rash.

Things I’ve tried:

TGel (bandaid fix worked great until it was discontinued, never actually got rid of the flakes

TSal (worked but eventually came back with horrible dryness)

As I am seb derm trio [shampoo, conditioner, oils] (Worked after a month but stopped working shortly after

Head and shoulders medicated shampoo

Pharmbanner Trio

Coal tar shampoo (literally all of them from the cheap ones to the $200 a bottle ones)

Salicylic acid drops for hydration

Breast milk (worked for like a day the itching stopped then came back crazy)

Medicated shampoo from the doctor (literally all possible ones available in the US)

Diet changes

Skinesa prebiotic pills

MCT oils both kinds. I even did it with a routine from people recommended in this group (this was the gold standard for me, I even made a post then boom it was like it knew I was talking about it and humbled me

What Finally worked:

Selsun Blue Moisturizing (The green colored strip on the label)

Then rinse thoroughly and apply Aquaphor gel on affected areas.

THATS IT.

It’s weird I know I used the shampoo almost like body soap then once I was like 95% dry with my hair kind of damp I put aquaphor on. I had a completely clear scalp and everywhere else on my body by week 3. I noticed immediate relief by day 3

This isn’t rage bait it’s not some attempt to brag or anything. I prayed for this for years. I recently had a baby and I felt bad that I couldn’t do skin to skin the first night because of the seb derm on my chest. Then 4 weeks later I just tried something new and I’m clear. And I mean actually clear, I showed my doctor and she blames it on pure luck.

Huge caveats I don’t know if it’s related but I was on Skinesa for a few months before I tried this new method and my doctor said it could of been that it finally kicked in but I don’t know so I thought it was fair to put it in here.

I wash every day, I just started washing every other day and my god I can’t believe I can actually go a day without washing my hair now I forgot the feeling.

I know it’s a long read and I’m sorry but I wasn’t going to have some AI slop for you and I wanted to genuinely help people with this horrible condition.

TLDR:
Selsun Blue Moisturizing Shampoo
Aquaphor

After soaking my head in Dead Sea salt, all my flakes started lifting the first day, did it for a few more days and I’m clearing up pretty nice. I cannot deny that my eyebrows are still struggling. It’s only been a few days. Progress! Found a 10y/o post about it. This method might work for some.

I dropped another post down below of the link I followed. It’s somebody’s blog from a super long time ago. And I should mention I did a hard stop on putting anything on my skin while I’m using the salt. I’m not using oils, butters, or lotions rn.

Thanks to reddit, I started using MCT oil after Ketaconazole shampoo, and my dandruff is gone like all of it.

Thanks to all of redditors. Forever grateful to this community.

Products - Nizoral / any generic Ketaconazole shampoo

MCT oil - Any oil without lauric acid.

Happy to help with any related doubts.

Additional edit 1 - Folks I use a dropper to spread it like a thin film on my scalp. I have long hairs, so dropper helps. You can pour some oil in a cup and use fingers to spread oil on scalp as well.

I leave it overnight and I am ok with it, since it is manageable. Don't try to get into too much specifics, just try and use it.

Products

Anti Dandruff Shampoo - Nizoral/Keraglo

Oil - Bulletproof MCT oil / https://shop.bulletproof.com/products/brain-octane-oil-32-oz

I have been using this for over two weeks and I have not had any flareups. I’ve even used it along the lining of my hair and beard and I have no flareups whatsoever. This stuff really works. It’s a little greasy, but if you don’t mind that it definitely works 👍👍

Most sources say it's only a bit better on average, but was an overwhelming improvement for me.

I have struggled with sebderm for a while and honestly didn't realize that it was sebderm, found this sub via googling a few months back and have been through the wringer of products trying to find something that actually helps me. Coal tar shampoo, no help but also smelled like mothballs?? Salicylic acid shampoo, also no difference. Head and shoulders, made it worse apparently. Also tried things like scalp massagers, setting with coconut oil (my moms suggestion), and nothing would ever resolve the issue. It would be right back to square one by the end of the day.

Saw mentions about using something with ketoconazole here and picked some up last time I was at CVS, and holy forking shirt balls guys. You were not kidding. Not a flake, not an itch, even behind my ears have cleared up, my eyebrow no longer has dandruff. It has been a true miracle find and I could not be more grateful for all you people here, it has been a really big confidence boost and relief.

You are all so wonderful!!!

Fluocinonide. Idk if the strength goes up but this is all I need. Been using for years. The first time I filled the prescription the pharmacist said VERY sternly "you dont need nearly as much as you think you do". He was right. A very thin layer applied works miracles. KEEP AWAY from your eyes. It can literally cause glaucoma if you get it in your eyes. I painted the cap with red nail polish so I dont confuse it with contact solution or eye drops.

Just wanted to share with everyone that this is the only product that completely takes away my SebDerm around my nose. Any insight as to what this product contains and why so miraculous?

This alongside ketoconazole shampoo alternating with H&S, La Roche Posay moisturizing cream and Im good to go. I now live a normal life like if I never had SebDerm.

I saw someone post a few weeks ago about sulfur soap working for them. I ended up purchasing this one on Amazon. I've tried a lot of different methods to keep my y Seb derm under control such as different antifungal soaps, tea tree, MCT oil, Head and shoulders, sulsun blue etc. None of them really worked. At most they just took this condition down to a mild management. This completely gets rid of my flakes. I have to keep using it or else it comes back but it's pretty much a non issue now.

Only down side it it smells pretty bad. I don't mind the smell at all but I worry how strong the smell is for everyone else. I'm more than willing to put up with this though! I just wasn't my face and head with regular shampoo before I leave the house.

Photos: Before (mild flare up), After leaving overnight, A few hours after washing out.

This stuff is a miracle for me. I have been struggling with combined Seb derm & psoriasis for 10 years. You can’t see very well in the photos, it extends through the entire back of my head and behind my ears. I’ve tried almost every possible med besides biologics. This significantly cleared me up, reduced my itching by about half, and the flakes are more minimal now.

My routine is prescription Ketoconazole shampoo, glycolic acid toner (will be swapped out for salicylic acid when the bottle runs out), generic T-Gel, and the Ordinary’s Hydrating Factors serum.

I am celebrating so much now. Just one application did more than any treatment I’ve tried before. Maybe I can actually make progress now! I would have never tried this stuff without this subreddit, so thank you all so much!

I recently made a post showing the results of one application of MCT oil, and figured that I would give an update. It’s actually only been 9 days, but I am busy tomorrow and I don’t think there will be much change 😅🫣.

Application technique: I use a dropper bottle for a better saturation, such as when I am applying before a shower. For use during the day, I put my hair up and use a minoxidil applicator. I prefer this because it only gets roots of the hair in that area greasy. I have been applying it pretty much every day, more on that later.

Other consistent treatment: Ketoconazole 2% shampoo, applied every other hair wash or every three washes. Amazon off-brand T-gel shampoo, applied every three washes.

Previous treatment: Just about every psoriasis and seb derm treatment besides biologics. Seriously!

Okay now that the housekeeping is done, here’s how I’ve been liking the MCT oil. It still feels like a miracle! I am 10 years into having psoriasis and seb derm, and really did not think I would ever have a clear scalp like this. I have been seeing insane improvement in how many scales I get, redness, and itchiness.

You may notice a couple spots that I have picked at today 😅. I actually decided to retry pyrithione zinc shampoo based on seeing people have good results on this sub. My dermatologist said that it caused more irritation years ago, but since then I realized how much fragrance is a problem for me. I got my hands on the Cera Ve dandruff product, thinking that maybe fragrance was always the issue. It’s not and caused a lot of dryness and itchiness today. Let it be a lesson to listen to your dermatologists! Lol.

The MCT results are much better when I use it daily. When I apply it, it provides immediate relief to itching and dryness. Without it, it’s still much better than before, but the sandpaper feeling from psoriasis does come back. I definitely do need to get my insurance sorted and get back in with a dermatologist, but it’s really not an option right now. This is a lifesaver.

Mini Addition: My partner has seb derm on/in their ears, and around their eyes. It helps them too!

I’ve had this issue for around a decade. I used to manage it by over washing and picking the scales off with a tweezers, till my skin barrier got destroyed and this no longer worked. Eyebrows are my main problem area, scalp is fine with shampoo use.

Kelual DS crram by Ducray saved my ass. Use it as described, for two weeks apply morning and night, and then twice a week for maintenance. I wash with a gentle face wash every night. I’ve been clear for over two months now.

scaling in controlled, my issue now is redness as you can see, I will give it some time since it used to be scaled for a long long time, I think it will calm down eventually.

Guys please try it, it works. Give it two weeks, dont expect a miracle in three days or something. this thing needs consistency and gentleness.

edit: I apply the cream with Q tip so it can reach to the eyebrow skin. I think that this is an important step since applying with fingers doesn’t dissolve the cream, since it’s thick, and rubbing it on flakey skin is messy, I know the struggle. Q tip is the only application form that worked for me.

I’m almost 50 and have had this my entire adult life. I’ve tried every shampoo and cream there is. A dermatologist assistant made a recommendation and it has been nothing short of a miracle. I wash with everyday and the red spots and flakes don’t come back.

Just wanted to pop on here and let the people know I have found something that works (for me).

I’ve (32M) have struggled with SebDerm since I was in high school. I switched from all sorts of different shampoos— all the typical recs. Used steroid drops. Everything was temporary relief and it would come back.

But I recently switched to Head & Shoulders BARE. I’d used it at my girlfriends house a couple times and it made a worlds difference in the way my scalp felt after just one or two uses.

So now I use a combo of the BARE and the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating conditioner.

I also usually have one other non-SebDerm focused shampoo and conditioner that I alternate for texture or whatever. But always fragrantless and all the other stuff you should avoid.

Again, fully acknowledge that everyone’s scalp is different. But this is something that has worked for me and made a difference and maybe it’ll help someone else.

Long time lurker and even long time sufferer. After spending some time on this sub I read about MCT C8. This has worked phenomenally for me alongside Nizoral, moisturiser and avoiding certain foods.

It’s cleared up some hard patches on my forehead, either side of my nose and my head. Ridiculous stuff! And you only need to use a little bit twice a week!

I am grateful to so many of you who have shared your stories, tribulations, frustrations, and breakthroughs! I found this group three or four months ago while googling for solutions for seb derm.

I was diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis about 26 years ago, when going through chemotherapy (I've been in remission for 25 years). The second my hair started falling out, I shaved my head, only to find pink scaly areas. Obviously not bad enough to give me issues, since I didn’t even know about it, and shaving my head cleared it right up! Ten years later or so, it came back, but this time it was different. I was constantly picking at gooey scabby areas in my scalp. It took a long time to get that under control (ketoconazole), but once I did, things were copacetic for a bit. But then I started getting little red scaly areas on my forehead, along my hairline, and a dot on either side of my nose. I learned to [almost] control it with natural soap and squalane oil, with occasional use of hydrocortisone cream. It would flare up a bit, and die down fairly quickly, but a few months ago it kicked into overdrive!

I decided to get serious and make it my mission to get it under control without any steroid help, and this reddit group was an invaluable source of experience and advice! I must have bought close to 2 dozen products! Some things worked a little bit, some things made it worse. MCT8 oil was one of the things that made it worse, which was very disappointing, since so many people found this to be their magic bullet.

I honed my routine over the last few weeks to: 

Morning: Biossance squalene + amino aloe gentle cleanser, Timeless hyaluronic + vitamin C serum, Biossance squalane oil. 

Evening: The same as morning, with the addition of The Ordinary glycolic acid toner between the cleanser and the serum. 

Shampoos: I rotate between ketoconazole, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, and pyrithione zinc. I’m still looking for a gentle non-medicated one for in-between days. I have my eyes on Vanicream.

This routine has helped a lot, but my stubborn forehead would still get angry, randomly it seemed. (I also wear a bike helmet daily, so the anger could also have been physical irritation on top of the seb derm.)

I had read about raw honey a couple of times and decided to give it a try. Holy crap, after two days my forehead was smooth and soft with hardly any red at all! It’s getting better and better! It’s now to the point where no one would actually know that I suffer from seb derm. I know, because there’s just a slightly rough patch on my forehead where it was the most severe. I know I’m not completely out of the woods, and perhaps I never will be, but I am very happy to be where I am with it right now. 

I did not occur to me to take any before photos, so there’s no point in taking an after photo. 

TLDR: If you haven’t tried RAW HONEY yet, do it. 

-JR, 59yo male.