If you are dealing with seborrheic dermatitis, avoid using products that contain oils rich in oleic acid, harsh scrubs, alcohol-based toners, fragranced skincare, and essential oils.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, redness, dry flaky skin, and buildup of dead skin cells. It is associated with Malassezia (a fungus that is part of the normal flora of our skin), excessive oiliness, and skin barrier dysfunction.
Its connection to excessive oiliness often results in the use of harsh products leading to dry skin and skin barrier damage. This adds to the existing underlying skin barrier defect.
So, it’s important to be gentle with your skin to avoid further exacerbation of this skin condition.
Below is the list of products to avoid if you have seborrheic dermatitis.
1. Oleic acid-rich oils
Malassezia can utilize our sebum or skin oils and results in the formation of free fatty acids like oleic acid. Oleic acid can penetrate our skin barrier leading to inflammation and hyperproliferation of skin cells. This leads to the build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.
In some people, the use of oleic acid-rich oils like olive oil, avocado oil, etc. can worsen seborrheic dermatitis. So, it makes sense to avoid them.
Do you need to avoid every oil and just use oil-free products? I don’t believe so.
Promiseb which is a prescription moisturizer is based on shea butter to repair the skin barrier. It also has several anti-inflammatory ingredients along with piroctone olamine (antifungal) to help manage seborrheic dermatitis.
Malassezia loves oils and moisture. But does that mean we should avoid water in our moisturizer? Doesn’t make sense right?
Oils in our skincare can help in replenishing skin barrier lipids. However, moderation is the key.
Avoid applying plain oils directly on your face and avoid products that have oleic acid-rich oils high in the ingredient list.
Note: Mineral oil and squalane are safer alternatives.
2. Essential oils
In comparison to carrier oils like sunflower or safflower oil, essential oils are very potent and contain many compounds.
Some essential oils have antimicrobial or antifungal properties which can be beneficial for seborrheic dermatitis but at the same time, they can be extremely irritating and can lead to contact dermatitis.
So, it’s better to skip them in your skincare.
If you do plan to use essential oil, make sure to dilute it with carrier oil to avoid side effects.
3. Alcohol-based toners
Do you even need a toner? A few years back, many cleansers had a high pH and toners helped to bring that pH back to normal. Today’s pH-balanced cleansers respect our skin’s acid mantle. So, we don’t really need a reset from a toner.
Many toners have alcohol high in the ingredient list to give a mattifying effect. But over time this can dry out the skin and make seborrheic dermatitis worse.
4. Scrubs
Dry flaky skin with seborrheic dermatitis – exfoliation comes straight to our minds. However, scrubs with abrasives are not a good option and can further damage the skin barrier.
Even if you scrub away some layers of dead skin, they will build up in a matter of hours. It is because we need to address the underlying inflammation that is leading to hyperproliferation of skin cells.
In addition, harsh scrubs can lead to broken capillaries or telangiectasia which cannot be treated topically.
Note: Opt for gentle chemical exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells
5. SLS-based cleansers
SLS refers to sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium dodecyl sulfate). This surfactant is commonly found in cleansing agents like face washes, shampoo, toothpaste, and household cleaning supplies.
Sodium lauryl sulfate can lead to skin irritation and skin barrier damage. So it’s best to avoid it in your cleansing products.
Some people use their shampoo on the face to benefit from anti-dandruff ingredients. However, many shampoos have sodium lauryl sulfate which can be too harsh for facial skin.
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) on the other hand is a much gentler surfactant. It is not the same as SLS. So, don’t be alarmed if you see it on the ingredient list.
Some people are not able to tolerate any sulfates. In that case, go for a sulfate-free cleanser.
6. Skincare with fragrance
Fragrance either synthetic or natural can lead to irritation and skin barrier damage. This can be multifold in someone who is already dealing with seborrheic dermatitis flare.
So, it’s best to look for fragrance-free options.
Some product labels will straight away list “fragrance” as an ingredient while others will have ingredients like limonene, linalool, and geraniol which are actually fragrances.
So, make sure your product specifically says it’s free of fragrance – natural and synthetic.
7. Cosmetics with synthetic colors or dyes
Some people are able to tolerate dyes fine but some, especially ones dealing with inflammatory skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, can react or get irritation from colorants or dyes.
8. Harsh hair styling products
What you use on your hair usually ends up on your face, neck, and upper back. The chances increase even more if loose hairstyles are your favorite thing.
Many hair styling products contain harsh chemicals which can irritate the skin and lead to seborrheic dermatitis flare.
So, it’s best to avoid hair styling gels and sprays with known irritants.
9. Certain preservatives
Some preservatives like methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea can lead to skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
Parabens are used less and less in today’s skincare but if you think they are causing any symptoms avoid them.
Avene makes several products that are free of preservatives. These are packaged in their unique packaging. There are several other products too which are marketed as free of preservatives.
However, be careful when choosing such products. Skin products without proper storage or preservatives can result in the growth of microbes. It’s best to choose products from brands you trust.
Summary
Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that leads to redness, dryness, and scaliness. Skin barrier dysfunction is often associated with seborrheic dermatitis.
The management of this skin condition involves skin barrier repair and avoiding further damage.
So, it is best to avoid products that can slowly cause more damage to the skin and can exacerbate seborrheic dermatitis.
Read more:
- Seborrheic Dermatitis on Face: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms
- The 10 Best Face Washes For Seborrheic Dermatitis
- The 12 Best Seborrheic Dermatitis Moisturizers and Creams
- Skin Care Routine for Seborrheic Dermatitis
References
- Goh CL, Chia SE. Skin irritability to sodium lauryl sulphate–as measured by skin water vapour loss-by sex and race. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1988 Jan;13(1):16-9. PMID: 3208435.
- Leoty-Okombi S, Gillaizeau F, Leuillet S, Douillard B, Le Fresne-Languille S, Carton T, De Martino A, Moussou P, Bonnaud-Rosaye C, André V. Effect of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Applied as a Patch on Human Skin Physiology and Its Microbiota. Cosmetics. 2021; 8(1):6.
- Siegfried E, Glenn E. Use of olive oil for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2012 Oct;166(10):967. doi: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2012.765. PMID: 22893193.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.