Perioral Dermatitis: An Update, Plus Tips & Tricks!

Since I wrote my original post about perioral dermatitis treatment, I've received hundreds of comments, emails and messages from all over the world about how the solution I found--Clotrimazole 1% topical cream--has helped other people, too. A lot of other people.

(I've always dreamed of using my writing to help people. I never thought this would be the way it ended up happening, but hey...I'll take it!)

I decided to write this follow-up post to Perioral Dermatitis Treatment: My Story and provide everyone with an update on my condition, plus some tips and tricks for clear, healthy skin I've picked up along the way.

Did it come back? 

I do have occasional flare-ups of perioral dermatitis. Any number of factors can trigger them: stress, hormones, diet, lack of sleep. I've learned that the better care I take of myself, the less likely I am to have a flare. But hey, life can get crazy, and that's not always possible!

When I get a flare, it's about 5% as bad as the original case of perioral dermatits was for me--mostly just some redness and a few bumps under one side of my nose. The same treatment I discovered originally, my (absolutely lifesaving) Clotrimazole 1% still clears it right up within two to three days. I also sometimes use a small amount both morning and evening as a preventative.

But in addition to that, because I hate perioral dermatitis (even at 5%!) so, so much, I continue to actively seek solutions to help keep my skin in check and reduce the flare-ups as much as I can. Here's what's been working:

Moisturize & Cleanse

In my quest to find natural treatment options for both my perioral dermatitis and my combination skin in general, I no longer use conventional moisturizers. It was definitely a leap of faith to use straight oil on my face after a lifetime of being told never to do that, but I'm so glad I finally gave it a try. My skin has never looked better, and I'm pretty sure I'm never going back! In the mornings, I use organic, cold-pressed jojoba oil mixed with aloe vera gel in after I wash my face. In the evening, I use a blend of equal parts jojoba, hemp seed and rose hip oil (mixed myself from the products listed below.)

Teddie Organics Rosehip Oil
Leven Rose Organic Jojoba Oil
Renewalize 100% Hemp Seed Oil
Earth's Daughter Aloe Vera Gel

In addition, I've started washing my face with a sulfur soap and using sulfur ointment as needed. Before the invention of corticosteroids, sulfur was the go-to treatment for perioral dermatitis. It dropped out of fashion in the '70s, but some doctors are returning to this treatment plan. It didn't work by itself when I originally used it for my PO, but for daily maintenance, I find that it keeps my skin clear and bright, and makes a noticeable difference in the lingering redness around my nose that my PO seems to have left behind. My pores appear noticeably smaller when I'm using the sulfur soap regularly. I use the sulfur ointment as a spot treatment for flare-ups (use as directed and remember, a little goes a long way!)

Branfells Labs Sulfur Soap
Branfells Labs Sulfur Ointment

Vitamins & Supplements

After a terrible, seemingly endless round of chronic ideopathic urticaria last year (I know, I know, I'm a medical disaster sometimes...but that's a whole different post) I started experimenting with supplements for my skin and overall health. I currently take a multivitamin, evening primrose oil capsules, a probiotic, and vitamin D and omega-3 supplements. I've seen measurable improvements in skin since I've started taking these: fewer breakouts and smoother overall skin tone. My favorites:

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Barlean's Organic Evening Primrose Oil
Naturewise Vitamin D3
Align Probiotic

Diet & Exercise

When I eat better, my skin looks better. I still love Oreos and ramen noodles and pizza (and and and) but after successfully completely my first Whole 30 earlier this year, I'm committed to healthier eating 80% of the time and I can feel a difference in my whole body inside and out, skin included. I highly recommend giving it a try at some point! I'm also a (fifteen years strong!) devotee to hot yoga, which has dramatically changed my physical, mental and emotional health :)

For more information on Whole 30 living, check out:

The Whole 30: 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom

Makeup

Since I've yet to find a 100% guarantee that this nasty condition will ever go away for good, finding makeup that gives me my confidence back has been a lifesaver. This product has been an absolute lifesaver!

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream
(applied with the It Cosmetics Pointed Precision Brush, which is also awesome)

(AND, as a PSA, because I'm finishing a novel and getting up at 4:00AM every day to do it so really know my concealers at this point, the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is also pretty much a miracle product)

So that's my update! Thank you to everyone who has written to say my original post helped them. It means so much to me, and I hope people struggling with the frustrating reality of perioral dermatitis continue to find helpful answers here and elsewhere on the internet. Cheers!

Disclaimer: The links that appear here are affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you place an order through Amazon for the products I mention (at no cost to you.) Thanks for your understanding and support!