Periorificial Dermatitis Cheat Sheet

Your skin barrier is your face’s bodyguard. When it’s happy, skin looks calm, hydrated, glowy. When it’s damaged you may see redness, irritation, breakouts, and sometimes, skin conditions like Periorificial Dermatitis AKA Perioral Dermatitis,  Periocular Dermatitis or Perinasal Dermatitis

• periorificial dermatitis dermatitis often shows up as:
• Redness around the mouth, nose and eyes
• Small bumps that look like acne
• Burning or stinging
• Skin that just won’t calm

Common Triggers of Periorificial Dermatitis:

Things that damage skin barrier:
• Over-exfoliating
• Too many actives
• Harsh products (preservatives and foaming agents)

Things that clog pores:
• Petrochemical derived emollients in moisturisers (mineral oil)
• Coconut oil

Things that cause reactions:
• Steroids
• Sodium lauryl sulphate (in skincare, shampoo or toothpaste)
• Fragrance (especially synthetic)
• Fluoride toothpaste
• Cinnamon
• Mint

Holistic:
• Stress
• Microbiome imbalance (skin or gut)
• Poor gut health
• Hormonal imbalance
• Nutritional deficiencies (especially zinc, B2, B3, B6, B7, and B12)

Tips for Resolving Periorificial Dermatitis

Changing topical skincare products may only treat symptoms of periorificial dermatitis (unless a reactive topical product was the cause) However, repairing the skin barrier and removing reactive skin care ingredients can minimise flare-ups and will sometimes solve the problem.

• Simplify your routine
• Gentle cleanser only (oil cleanse) with Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm (we recommend the unfragranced version, as Periorificial Dermatitis can make skin sensitive to essential oils)
• Moisturise (preservative, emulsifier coconut and mineral oil free)
• Use natural anti-inflammatories (like Calendula and Zinc Oxide)
• Pause strong actives and face masks
• Be patient — skin heals slowly.

Don't mistake initial improvement as a signal that your barrier is healed. That instant improvement may just be a reduction in inflammation, Your barrier will take weeks to heal properly. So, don't reach for harsh cleansers or actives too soon, in fact consider doing your skin a favour and ditch them all together.