Perioral Dermatitis
What It Is, Why It Happens & How to Heal It
If you’ve ever noticed mysterious little bumps, redness, or irritation popping up around your mouth, nose, or even your eyes and no matter what you try, they just won’t go away, you might have stumbled into the frustrating world of perioral dermatitis.
It’s one of those conditions that can make you feel self-conscious and stuck, because it’s often mistaken for acne, eczema, or even rosacea. The creams you reach for might not work in fact, they can make things worse.
The good news? You’re not alone, it’s more common than you think, and with the right care, perioral dermatitis is completely manageable. Let’s dive deep into what it is, why it happens, and how we can help you restore your skin back to balance and confidence.
Perioral dermatitis (often shortened to POD) is an inflammatory skin condition that shows up as a rash or clusters of small red or skin-coloured bumps. These usually appear around the mouth, but can also extend to the nose and eyes (sometimes called periorificial dermatitis when it spreads further).
It can be itchy, tender, or burning or sometimes just look irritatingly obvious without causing much physical discomfort. The tricky part is, it mimics other skin concerns, so it often gets misdiagnosed at first.
Signs and Symptoms
Redness and rash-like patches around the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Small bumps that may look like pimples but don’t behave like typical acne.
Flakiness, dryness, or irritation.
A burning or stinging sensation, especially if the skin barrier is compromised.
Worsening with heavy creams, topical steroids, or certain skincare products.
What Causes It?
Perioral dermatitis isn’t caused by a single thing it’s more like a perfect storm of triggers. Some of the most common include:
Topical steroids
This is the biggest culprit. Using steroid creams (even mild ones) around the mouth or nose can trigger POD or make it flare.
Skincare products
Heavy moisturisers, thick ointments, fluoridated toothpaste, and harsh cleansers can disrupt the skin barrier and set off POD.
Hormonal shifts
Many women notice flares connected to their cycle, pregnancy, or changes in contraception.
Gut health & stress
More research is connecting POD with internal inflammation and stress. An unhappy gut or frazzled nervous system can play a huge role.
Environmental factors
Weather changes, heat, humidity, or mask-wearing (something many of us got familiar with recently) can all aggravate symptoms.
Perioral dermatitis can technically affect anyone, but it’s most common in women between the ages of 20 - 45. That said, men and even children can experience it too.
This is where things get confusing: perioral dermatitis often looks like acne, but it’s not the same thing.
Acne usually comes with blackheads, pustules, and oiliness across the face.
POD is more rash-like, clustered, and often focused around the mouth and nose.
Why does this matter? Because acne-fighting products (think harsh scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, or drying treatments) can actually make POD worse. Treating it like acne is one of the biggest mistakes we see people make before they come to us.
There’s no quick fix, but there is a proven path forward. Healing POD usually requires a mix of skincare changes, lifestyle support, and sometimes medical treatment.
Step 1: Simplify Your Routine
The first step is always to strip things back. That means pausing on heavy creams, oils, and actives. Your skin needs space to reset.
Step 2: Support Your Barrier
The focus shifts to gentle cleansing and barrier-repairing products. This means lightweight, soothing formulas that calm inflammation instead of smothering the skin.
Step 3: Address Triggers
This may involve switching toothpaste, reducing steroid use, or looking at diet and stress.
Step 4: Seek Professional Guidance
In stubborn cases, a GP or dermatologist may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics. But in many cases, a carefully curated skin routine plus professional treatments can keep flares under control.
In-Salon Support
This is where we come in. At the salon, we can help by:
Creating a personalised skincare plan: Choosing products that calm, not irritate, and support barrier recovery.
Offering gentle treatments: Think LED therapy for inflammation, deeply nourishing facials, or calming barrier facials.
Educating you: Helping you understand what’s happening with your skin so you feel empowered, not overwhelmed.
Every case of POD is different, which is why cookie-cutter solutions don’t work. The key is a tailored approach that adapts to your skin’s needs as it heals. We can’t ignore the role of the gut and nervous system in skin health. For many people, POD flares during times of stress, poor sleep, or digestive imbalance.
Some supportive steps include:
Eating whole, unprocessed foods where possible.
Supporting gut health with probiotic-rich foods.
Reducing excess sugar and alcohol.
Practicing stress management (breathwork, yoga, nature time, whatever works for you).
Healing the skin is always a partnership between what you put on it and how you support it from within.
Over the years, I know just how distressing perioral dermatitis can feel as I have suffered with it myself at times. Clients often arrive frustrated, having tried everything from acne kits to eczema creams with no luck. But with the right plan, things can turn around surprisingly quickly.
The biggest lesson? Patience is everything. POD doesn’t disappear overnight, but with consistent care, you absolutely can reclaim calm, clear, confident skin.
When to Seek Medical Help
Sometimes POD needs a little more than skincare and lifestyle tweaks. If your flare is severe, painful, or not improving, it’s important to check in with a GP or dermatologist. Short courses of antibiotics or prescription creams can sometimes be part of the healing journey.
Perioral dermatitis can feel like a tricky, relentless condition but it doesn’t have to define your skin. With the right guidance, gentle but effective products, and supportive treatments, you can calm the flare, restore your barrier, and glow again with confidence.
At the salon, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Whether you’re dealing with your first flare or an ongoing battle, we can help you choose the right products and treatments to support your journey back to balance.
If this sounds like you, let’s chat. Book a consultation today and let’s create a plan tailored to your skin.