Skin Care Routine for Seborrheic Dermatitis

At some point in my life, I had persistent flares of rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis which never wanted to go away. I felt really down at that time and neglected my skin even more.

But over the years I have seen that having a consistent simple skincare routine can help a lot in dealing with some of the barrier dysfunction which can then eventually decrease the flares of seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea. So, if you are in the same boat, stick to a simple skin routine and you will be surprised.

This is gonna be a rather small post. Make sure to check my detailed post on seborrheic dermatitis to get more information about this skin condition.

So let’s take a look at how to plan a skincare routine with the best treatments for seborrheic dermatitis on the face.

Morning (AM)

Below are the steps of the morning skincare routine for seborrheic dermatitis.

Step 1: Cleansing

Washing the face in the morning is not mandatory. A lot depends on your skin type. If your skin is very dry, you can skip this step. If you feel a layer of oil on your face and it interferes with your skincare application, you can wash either with water or a very gentle face wash. 

It might also be easier to use a zinc pyrithione/ salicylic acid / sulfur-based cleanser (or another cleanser that can help to manage seborrheic dermatitis) a few times a week in the mornings. You can leave the foam on your skin for a couple of minutes for maximum benefits. 

Step 2: Optional – Serum with anti-inflammatory and barrier repair ingredients

Chronic inflammation and barrier dysfunction are often seen in seborrheic dermatitis. So, including ingredients that decrease inflammation and aid in barrier repair can be beneficial in the long run.

At the same time, make sure the formulation is mild enough for your skin to handle. Some ingredients to look for are licorice, centella, niacinamide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, panthenol and urea. Some of these ingredients also have antioxidant properties and can prevent daily oxidative stress. 

You don’t necessarily need a separate serum to include these ingredients in your routine. Many moisturizers also have these ingredients and can serve the same function. 

Note: I find salicylic acid leave-on products drying for my skin so I use them a couple of times a week as a short contact treatment – more like a face mask. Many people can safely use them without side effects or dryness, however, keep a check on how your skin reacts to them.

Step 3: Moisturizer

Now this step is optional as well depending on the climate and your sunscreen. If you live in hot and humid weather or your sunscreen is very moisturizing, you can skip a moisturizer. 

Step 4: Sunscreen

Sun protection is an important aspect of a routine. Most people think if they have sensitive skin they should only use mineral sunscreen. Though most people tolerate mineral sunscreens better, for some they can be very drying.

So, give a chemical or hybrid sunscreen a go if mineral sunscreen is drying out your skin. Remember – the best sunscreen is the one you will use every day. 

Evening or Night (PM)

Below are the steps of the evening or night skincare routine for seborrheic dermatitis.

Step 1: Cleansing

Cleansing your face in the evening is a very important step to get rid of all the layers of sunscreen, makeup, and dust. But at the same time keeping it gentle is important to prevent barrier disruption.

Most gentle yet effective cleansers can get rid of the sunscreen layers very efficiently. However, if you use extra-resistant sunscreen or water-resistant makeup, you might need a little more. 

You can use one of the following:

• Micellar water: Gentle fragrance-free micellar water can help to break up the makeup. 
• Oil cleanser: These can work more effortlessly, and you won’t need to rub your skin with cotton rounds. However, some people find oil cleansers drying or leading to breakouts.  

I have a couple that I like and use but only maybe once a week, when I need to (I find oil cleansers drying for my skin).

Step 2: Optional – Serum with anti-inflammatory and barrier repair ingredients

Just like morning, serums with anti-inflammatory ingredients can be a great addition to the routine to help tone down the inflammation. Niacinamide, licorice extract, and azelaic acid are some ingredients to look into that can help with it.

Step 3: Moisturizer

Seborrheic dermatitis skin already has some level of barrier dysfunction which makes moisturizer an important part of the routine. You don’t need a fancy one, just a basic moisturizer with humectants, emollients, and occlusives is what is needed.

A lot of moisturizers these days have additional anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide so that can be very beneficial. In addition, a moisturizer with urea can be a great addition to the routine. 

If you are dealing with rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, patch test a product with urea because it can sometimes irritate rosacea-prone skin.

Optional: Weekly mask

Sulfur masks 

Sulfur can decrease flakiness by its keratolytic properties. It can also decrease the burden of Malassezia. So, sulfur masks can be very beneficial for managing seborrheic dermatitis.

However, make sure that you don’t leave the mask on the skin for too long or do masking too frequently. It can be drying to the skin. Follow with a good moisturizer after using the sulfur mask.

The one that is easily available and affordable is the De La Cruz sulfur mask.

• De La Cruz 10% Sulfur Ointment Acne Treatment [Amazon]

Raw honey masks

I have done raw honey masking from time to time and some people swear by this. Personally, I did not have a lot of success with these other than hydrating benefits. I have used manuka honey as well but didn’t have any additional benefit.

I usually like to mix honey with a little warm water and then use it. This way it becomes easier to spread. 

Summary

So, this is it, nothing complex. A simple and consistent skincare routine can help our skin immensely. You can easily get a lot of good skincare products in your local stores to start your skincare routine. Don’t wait, give your skin some love!

Read more:

• Seborrheic Dermatitis on Face: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms
• Products to Avoid with Seborrheic Dermatitis
• The 14 Best Moisturizers for Rosacea and Seborrheic Dermatitis

Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

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