Hailey Bieber had it, most of our team has had it and it's all over TikTok. Let’s talk about perioral dermatitis – something that can feel extremely frustrating, but is totally fixable. And of course, Common Clouds is here to help.
By Maria Ahlgren
What is perioral dermatitis?
If you’ve noticed redness, tiny bumps, or a dry rash around your mouth or nose, you might be dealing with perioral dermatitis. While it’s not dangerous, it can be uncomfortable and affect your confidence.
The good news? While it can be annoying, P.O is very treatable. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the causes of perioral dermatitis and how to heal it so your skin can get back to glowing.
How do I know if I have perioral dermatitis?
Perioral dermatitis is a facial rash that typically appears around the mouth (almost like a red ring), but it can also affect the nose and eyes. It can look similar to acne, but it’s not the same and should not be treated like acne.
Common signs of perioral dermatitis are:
- Redness are the mouth and nose
- Small red or pink bumps
- Flaky skin, or even a burning sensation.
Perioral dermatitis can also show up around the eyes (called “periorificial dermatitis”) and, in more severe cases, even spread to the cheeks.
What causes perioral dermatitis?
Perioral dermatitis can pop up for a bunch of reasons. Understanding the triggers can help you prevent future flare-ups.
Some of the most common causes are:
Overloading on active skincare
P.O is sometimes nicknamed "internet dermatitis" because of the connection between layering on too many viral skincare products and getting those pesky bumps.
Overdoing multi-step skincare routines and overloading on skincare products, especially ones with active, harsh ingredients or heavy oils, can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier. Ingredients like sulphates SLS or SLES (found in many lathering face cleansers and toothpaste) or heavy, pore-clogging moisturisers have been linked to perioral dermatitis.
Hormonal changes
Yes, here's the hormones, AGAIN! Hormones play a huge role in skin health, and any shift (whether due to menstruation, pregnancy, or birth control pills) can cause perioral dermatitis to flare up. Your body is sensitive to these changes, and sometimes your skin responds by breaking out in a rash. 90% of perioral dermatitis sufferers are young women – a group exposed to both hormonal changes , stress and lengthy multi-step beauty routines.
Gut issues
Skin health is often said to start in the gut, and inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema are linked to a an imbalanced microbiome and a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. There also seems to be a link between gut issues and P.D. If you've recently taken antibiotics or stressed a lot, it might have affected your microbiome, and that shows up in skin too.
Using topical steroids
One of the main culprits is the use of topical steroids. These are sometimes prescribed for other skin issues, like eczema, but over time, they can irritate your skin and lead to perioral dermatitis. The problem usually starts after you stop using steroids—your skin gets used to them, and then rebels when they’re taken away.
Humidity, heat or cold
Humidity, dry air and extreme hot or cold temperatures can all contribute to perioral dermatitis (ask us about P.D in the middle of Swedish winter!). The skin in the affected area is delicate, so environmental changes make it more vulnerable to inflammation.
Bacteria and yeast overgrowth
Sometimes, the tiny organisms that naturally live on your skin can go a little overboard, causing inflammation and irritation. This overgrowth can be triggered by the same factors we’ve mentioned above.
How to treat perioral dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis can be persistent, but with the right treatment and care, you’ll be on your way beck to a healthy, happy complexion.
Here’s a simple guide to things that works:
Simplify your skincare routine
Less is more when it comes to dealing with perioral dermatitis. Ditch complicated routines and active products that might irritate your skin, and streamline your routine with gentle, fragrance-free products.
Switch to a sulphate-free face wash
Sulphates, like SLS and SLES, can make your cleanser lather up nicely, but it can also dry out and irritate your skin. Instead, use a sulphate-free, gentle face wash, like Cloud Wash.
Avoid scrubbing
Peeling scrubs and harsh scrubbing while cleansing can irritate the rash.
Skip heavy oils
Heavy oils and mineral oils are common culprits when it comes to P.D. Look for hydrating but lightweight products that help soothe inflammation, and switch to an oil-free gel moisturiser, like Cloud Jelly.
Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are great ingredients to help calm the skin without clogging pores.
Try azelaic acid
While azelaic acid can't cure the root cause of P.D, it can help to soothe inflammation, balance the microflora in the skin and minimise redness. You'll find 10% azelaic acid in Common Clouds skin-hero Cloud Milk Redness-Relief Serum.
Stop using frothy toothpaste
Some people find that fluoride is a trigger for their perioral dermatitis, so try switching to fluoride-free toothpaste and see if things improve.
Slowly quit steroids
If you’re using any topical steroids, talk to your dermatologist about slowly tapering off them. Quitting cold turkey can actually make your skin freak out more, so easing off gradually will help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Talk to your doctor
If home remedies aren’t cutting it, a dermatologist might prescribe an oral antibiotic or a topical medication that can help reduce the inflammation and bacterial overgrowth that’s causing the rash.
Stay patient
Dealing with any skin condition on the face can test your patience. But here’s the thing: perioral dermatitis won't disappear overnight. It can take weeks or even months to fully heal, so stick to a gentle skincare routine, avoid your known triggers, and trust the process.
Perioral dermatitis or acne – how do I know?
It’s easy to mix these two skin conditions up, but it's important to know what you're dealing with to get the best treatment. The bumps on the chin are often mistaken for acne because they share a similar pattern, especially in women with adult acne.
The main difference is that with perioral dermatitis, there are no clogged pores or comedones, which sets it apart from acne. This condition is also much more common in women (especially women aged 25-45).
Are Common Clouds products good for perioral dermatitis?
Yes! Common Clouds soothing and gentle products can help you on your p:d skin journey. These are our favourites when skin plays up:
CLOUD WASH – Our everyday, sulphate-free gel cleanser is gentle enough to use every day, even on the most sensitive skin.
CLOUD MILK – Our soothing serum with 10% azelaic acid helps to minimise redness.
CLOUD JELLY – Our oil-free gel moisturiser hydrates and calms skin with centella, panthenol, niacinamide and hylauronic acid.
