Overview of Seborrheic Dermatitis Face Treatments

Dear Michael.
great site. Clear writing. Awesome person (you are).
6 years since SD is a part of my life - and as we all know - a big big part unfortunately…
I tried it all. some stuff didn’t work, some stuff made things worse… I used to pill off the flakes and rub my face daily with my Baird hands - and it gave me more reasons to be worried - dark spots… Fustrating toke control in many points during this six years… What I got left is hope - and your site gives hope. Now a days, my SD is not that bad. I simply wash it with a gentle face cleanser. No muistriser at all. Sun block in the morning (are u using any son block? What kind? - it’s seems to help a bit soprisingly, but some times cameos with burning sensation…). that’s it basically.
The truble is, that its not enough off course. After few days the flake and redness build up and take over… When they does, I use head n shoulders, but it’s make my face dry and stiff. As you see, things are quite fragile… but it’s the best I can do.
Now, I want to buy the restodarm you suggested. I’ll give it a try. Really, got nothing to lose… I have to order it cos I couldn’t find it here ( they only sale the regular one in Israel - and its not good for me). I’ll let you know how it goes… By the way, have you heard of Serna lotion? It’s sounds like the same ‘family’ of restodarm lotion. Maybe you saw the YouTube film white the guy who hade a good result with it…
Sorry fore the long post - I have so much on my chest : ) thanks again (and again…)
Kaye.

Hello, your journey sounds so much like mine. I have tried so many things and I have spent so much money trying to find a cure for my seborrheic dermatitis. I have been taking the l-glutamine for six days now and also using the Dead Sea salt for six days. I’m not seeing much improvement. How long does it take to start seeing results from the l-glutamine and the Dead Sea salt? I have looked for the cetaphil restoraderm but can’t find the one that you are using. I bought some at cvs but it’s the skin restoring moisturizer for eczema. I’ve tried other cetaphil products in the past and they seem to be harsh for my very sensitive skin. My rash or dermatitis is on my forehead, between my eyes and on my nose. I am not getting any of the flakes or scales but in seeing two different dermatologist they said I had seborrheic dermatitis. I’m tired of spending so much money on this lotion, pills and the steroids and everything else to only see no results. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated as I am sick and tired looking online for something that will take this rash or dermatitis as I have been told off of my face. Thank you.

Hi Nikki,
Thanks for checking in here as well. I’m going to try to write a new post on the whole mental aspect of this thing soon.
All the best.

Hi Kaye,
Thanks for checking in. Glad to hear that things are somewhat under control for you now.

I’m personally not using sun screen at the moment. However, I’ve noticed it does help. This is likely due to the zinc present in most sun screens. The zinc seems to be responsible for helping control any bacteria that might be present.

A really big aspect of seborrheic dermatitis seems to also be a psychological one. After reading so much negative information on the internet, it is really easy for the mind to get stuck in a negative feedback loop. If you believe something you eat or do might trigger your seborrheic dermatitis, the negative thought process that occurs seems to be strong enough to trigger inflammation alone. This further enhances your belief. For example think about a person who turns red from blushing when they are nervous. Hopefully, I can put together a post looking at this phenomenon in more detail. The above comments relate to this as well.

As for the cleanser you inquired about (Serna), I was only able to find one called Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion. However, I have not tried this one, so I can’t comment on its effectiveness. Looking at the ingredients page it is definitely different from the Restoraderm, as it contains things like Menthol and Camphor. Haven’t seen the video either. Quick search pulled up this one, but it’s a women who touches upon it.

Yeah, I would definitely give Restoraderm a try. Several others have reported that it helped them as well. Let me know how it goes for you. Hopefully it helps.

Best of Luck.

Hi David,
It seems like the journey of many seborrheic dermatitis sufferers is quite similar. Personally I believe this is actually part of the problem. The amount of personal testing and daily analysis most people with seborrheic dermatitis go through is quite intense.

The dead sea salt was almost instant for me. However, it didn’t last for too long (2-3 weeks). Also I actually found that regular sea salt from Trader Joes was actually more effective for me than the expensive dead sea salt I bought on Amazon. When it stopped working it actually seemed to make things worse when I attempted it.

I think the skin restoring moisturizer might be the same. Several people here have pointed out that it goes by several names (particularly in the states). Here are the exact ingredients from mine:

aqua (purifed water/eau purifée), butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), sodium trideceth sulfate, glycerin, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, sodium chloride, sodium lauramphoacetate, cocamide MEA, citric acid, niacinamide, sodium PCA (filaggrin BP), tocopheryl acetate, 1,2-Hexanediol and caprylyl glycol, disodium EDTA, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, allantoin, potassium sorbate, arginine (filaggrin BP), methylisothiazolinone

Let me know if it’s the same one.

Also I believe a big part of it is psychological. It’s as if people get stuck in a negative feedback loop. Hopefully can put together a post on this subject in the next few weeks. Check the comments above for some more discussion in this area.

Keep in touch and let me know if you need any other information.
Take care and thanks again for checking in.

Hello I have read your above posts and the Cetaphil I have is not the same ingredients. It seems like they don’t carry this specific kind in the United States. I have looked at the pictures of the bottles you have shown and i am not seeing this specific brand of restoraderm in any of the stores that I am going to. Just the restoraderm for eczema, the kind I bought but have not used because it is not the same kind that you are using. I am having a lot of itching going on with my forehead but I’m not sure what to use on it. I am very sensitive to so many things I have tried on my face and it gets frustrating trying to figure out what do to next. I am still taking the L-glutamine and probiotics and using the Dead Sea salt but I haven’t cleared up very much. I have redness and I wish I could find a way to get rid of the redness and the itching.

Hi David,
Sorry to hear that. Strange why they would sell a different formulation in the states.
If you like, I’m going down to Bellingham (US) and can try to mail you a sample pack (need to see if that paediatrician still has any available). Just contact me using the “Get in Touch” and we exchange details.

As far as the dead sea salt washes, if your not seeing too much results maybe it’s not the right thing for your skin. For me it only worked initially and started actually causing more inflammation later on.

Just out of curiosity, what pro-biotics are you taking?

Hey Michael, just found your website the other day due to a recent flare up that seems to be the worst one I’ve ever had. Been dealing with this for roughly 12 years (I’m 27 years old), and for the last 3 or 4 years I’ve been prescribed Desonate gel by my dermatologist, and for awhile before that I was prescribed Elidel and something else. I’ve been using mostly Head & Shoulders and sometimes Selsun Blue (just finished a bottle yesterday) and today I even tried my roommate’s Axe Dandruff Shampoo that does seem to work for his scalp dandruff (whereas mine is scalp, face, and sometimes behind my ears).
Earlier today, I ran to my local Walmart and picked up some Cetaphil Restoraderm “Eczema Calming” Body Wash as well as the Cetaphil Restoraderm “Skin Restoring” Moisturizer “Formulated For Eczema” after running across this website and seeing your recommendations. It’s been roughly 3 hours since I put it on and so far so good! I live in Auburn, Alabama, so obviously I would have the USA formula (if there is a confirmed difference).

For the sake of keeping up with how comprehensive you are, which I GREATLY appreciate, here’s the ingredients list on the back of my Cetaphil Body Wash:
-Water
-Butryrosepermum ParkII (Shea Butter)
-Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
-Glycerin
-Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
-Sodium Chloride
-Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
-Cocamide Mea
-Niacinamide
-Tocopheryl Acetate
-Allantoin
-Arginine
-Citric Acid
-Methylisothiazolinone
-Sodium PCA
-1,2-Hexanediol
-Caprylyl Glycol
-Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
-Potassium Sorbate
-Disodium EDTA

I also picked up a bottle of Denorex “Dandruff Control” shampoo, which I had never seen before but figured maybe it was better than the other shampoos I’ve tried. Fingers crossed that this Cetaphil stuff returns the same great results for me that it has for you! I’ll be sure to report back after awhile. Thanks again man!

Hello, my Cetaphil restoraderm has different ingrediants in it from the kind you are using. Where can you find the kind that you have in the United States. I have looked on Amazon but I’m just seeing the same kind that I have. On the bottle is says skin restoring moisturizer formulated for eczema. I would like to try it but I’m afraid it will make things worse like so many other products have done in the past. Thank you.

Hi David,

Got your email/details and have sent you a response directly.

If it works out for you I think I’ve seen the correct one listed on US Amazon as well. For example this listing appears to list ingredients identical to mine in the Q&A section. However, it’s probably best to contact the seller and double check that.

All the best and stay in touch.

Hey Casey,

Sorry to hear that you’ve been fighting this thing for so long. Can’t imagine how draining that must be. However, I’m using using the anti-fungals has controlled it for the most part.

If they have a similar affect on you as they did on me, I’m guessing the texture/tone of the skin suffers though. Or was your experience different?

Happy to hear that the Restoraderm feels nice. I’m guessing 3 hours in it was a little early to see the final outcome. How are things now?

Thanks for providing the ingredients list. Mine is identical to that one.

Excited to hear what happens with the Restoraderm. Are you using any of the typical supplements that most people try along the way?

Best of luck and really hope it works out for you. Look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Michael, long time no see.

I finally bought restoraderm body wash and moisturizer and guess what , this is day 34 seborrheic dermatitis free. I started using these two products twice per day morning and night (before bed) applying minimum possible moisturizer and at noon i wash my face with water( when i am at home) . I also bought some gentle cloths for the face for each day of the week. I still have flaking on my sculp but i control it with ACV , but i still use sls shampoo as the no sls shampoo didnt work well for me. I also didnt use any supplement.
Finally i would like to add that my dermatitis usually occurs around 14 days of the application of fungoral cream ( ketoconazole cream 2% ) but this time it hasnt yet appeared, i hope it continues this way. Also it is nearly summer here so the weather is good.

How is your condition going?? how much time have you been seborrheic dermatitis free??

HopeDiesLast

Hello,

Great to hear it! I’m glad to finally decided to try it. I saw some of your posts on the other forum and noticed you were skeptical. It’s crazy how well it works though, right?

ACV is really good for the scalp. Especially since the main objective is flake and scale free. The pinkness doesn’t matter as much and the scalp doesn’t have too much pigment anyway.

For me, my scalp went away without anything too special. Perhaps the l-glutamine supplementation was responsible for this. Perhaps it was something else. Not sure. Sometimes I see a few flakes appear, but they die down rather quickly.

My face has been clear since about last June-August. So almost a year now. My scalpe has been mainly clear (see comment above) since then as well. I haven’t done anything special to the scalp and have just been using the restoraderm on a regular basis. Like I mentioned previously I use a very minimal ammount.

Additionally, I recently started supplementing with glutamine a bit again. Still have a huge tub of it left and thought it would be good for sports recovery (it’s most common use).

Hope that answers all your questions. And glad to hear it worked out so well for you as well. Also thanks for spreading the word on the other forum, I haven’t found the time to reach out anywhere else yet.

Take care and perhaps consider joining the community :slight_smile:

Hi Michael,
Ive been to see 2 dermatologists and they both said hands down I have Seborrheic Dermatitis. The thing is I don’t get dry skin around my nose and ears or suffer from yellow scaly patches on my eyebrows or suffer from bad flaky dandruff like I’ve read some people do. If i use Head and Shoulders daily, my dry scalp is under control. What I do have is redness on my face, my two cheeks and my nose which bothers me a lot , I don’t have it on my forehead or ears or anywhere else. Ive been prescribed anti-fungal creams and even protopic gel ointment, none which have worked in any way. Ive heard all about yeast and fungus and my facial skin producing too much oil which is causing the redness etc. If yo ask me the Dermatologists haven’t a clue. Have you any routine or formula to combat the redness caused from SD?

Thanks, Padraig.

Hey Micheal,
I just found out your website today. It feels so good to know there are many people struggling with the same problem and finding solutions. Thanks for sharing this information with us, it’s really helpful. Trust me, my skin problems have ruined my life and it sometimes make me think why am I even alive. I have been suffering from SD and acne from my teenage (I’m 23 atm) on the cheeks. I also did got scalp itching and hair loss last year but it’s under control now and recovered thinning hairs as well. Dermatologist’s are the worst kind of doctors, they have always prescribed me with steroid creams (advantan). This ugly thing has caused premature aging, wrinkles, discoloration, post inflammatory hyper pigmentation, acne bumps and scars. 2 weeks ago dermatologist gave me retrieve cream(form of retin-a) for scaring,wrinkles and pigmentation ( and I was finally happy) but it rebounded my dermatitis. All hopes lost again. Even if I cure my dermatitis I still have to go through alot of pain in recovering my cheeks to normal.
Things that helped my condition:
Diary and diet:
When I was consuming milk and coffee/tea, my dermatitis was rebounding all the time. It caused me burning, itching, redness, rashes and bumps. I was continuously using steroid creams. From last 2 months I had stop consuming milk products and stopped drinking coffee and tea. This was the first time my dermatitis didn’t rebounded for almost like a month. My skin used to be extremely oily but not anymore. I am also not getting any whiteheads. But if I consume some junk food, milk product, very spicy food or random foods they trigger my dermatitis and pimples. I am still confused about my allergies. It’s like eating random stuff cause redness and rashes. Definitely I have a gut problem and I will immediately start with l-glutamine. I am consuming vegetables and fruits on daily basis.
Even if i am dermatitis free, my cheeks are never clear. They still have redness, red spots, tiny bumps, post-inflammation and pigmentation. I still have no idea how can I get clear cheeks. This looks like an impossible job for me. If you have any guide for these issues I would be very thankful to you :slight_smile:
Products:
ATM i am washing my face with cetaphil face wash with salicylic acid and sulphur cream 2%. It does helps with itchy bumps and rashes. If I get very bad rashes I use hydrozole cream (it’s a weak steroid). I don’t know of any other cream to calm them down, any suggestions?. I am currently in australia and restoradem here is called Skin Restoring Body Wash and they have the same ingredients. I will also start with this product and update you if this is helping me. I am not using any sunscreens, the one suggested by the doctors leaves a white cast on my face and tiny white particales on my beard. Do you have any suggestion for good sunscreen?
It’s a terrible journey for everyone. Again, thank you for helping people out.

Hi Padraig,

The Restoraderm has worked quite well for people who gave it a try. I’m still not 100% sure why it works so well, but I’ve recently been researching deeper into the area. Currently I’m under the impression that the Arginine in the moisturizer helps my normalize blood flow on the top layer of skin. However, with the tiny amount that I use I’m still left wondering how this could be so.

I’m currently trying to write a thorough analysis of what latest research has to say. For the most part the medical community has kind of agreed the best treatment option is an anti-fungal one. However, even with anti-fungals being the recommended treatment, they still say the cause remains unknown and widely disputed.

Will update as soon as the post is ready.
Hope that helps and feel free to join the community.

Hi Sultan,

Thanks for checking in and the kind comments.
Yeah, it’s mind blowing how many people suffer from this condition. Statistically in the USA alone is close to 5% of the population. I’m surprised there is not more information about it.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been hammering through all the medical research papers available. Most of the medical community is focused on the topical fungal aspect of the condition. However, most of the studies that try to pin-point the exact reason have been inconslusive. However, the biggest success overall is obtained through anti-fungal treatments (hence why head and shoulders is so popular in stores).

In terms of diet, there are defiently links and I noticed them myself. However, a year later without SD I can say that everything that I thought caused it was wrong.

There are still products that I typically stay away from though. These are mainly low quality meat, most dairy, and tomatoe paste. When I eat these I can still at times feel hot flahes in the areas where my SD used to be. However, I do consume a bit of them here and there. My focus is not too completly avoid, but to minimize overall. This seems to have worked well.

In terms of redness, I think the Restoraderm helps really well. Lot’s of people have had good results with as well. The regular cetaphil products were good, but never really made my SD go away.

I’ve been reallly digging through research papers lately. I’m determined to build a comprehensive review simple for regular people to understand. The parts current research that have intersted me the most are connections to the immune system. Here is an old article, but it’s often cited by more recent ones. It seems that for some of us our immune system is just out of whack. Research has shown that healthy subjects with the same mallazia yeast can have no signs of SD (1, 2).

Will update you once the post is ready. I’m determined find a more conlusive answer as to why I had seborrheic dermatitis.

Hope that helps. Feel free to join the community, if you feel like it.

I have the same problem as you. Certain food cause hot flashes in my effected areas. Like spicy food will cause redness and sometimes I will get some tingling and itching as well. Another weird thing happens to me is certain food will sometime cause flashes/irritation and sometimes nothing will happen (like apple). 2 days ago I eat apple in the evening and after 30 minutes I noticed reduction in my redness. But Today I eat an apple and my cheeks got slightly red and minor tingling, bloody confusing! Clearly their is something wrong from inside maybe that’s why doctors haven’t found the root cause of SD because of too many variables involved. Next week I am getting some allergy tests done, hope it will help.
I will be eagerly waiting for you update and will love to join this community.

And how long did glutamine took for you to notice that big meals weren’t affecting your skin?

Hi Sultan,

The whole food part of it is extremely confusing. Reading medical research papers on the subject, even more so.
There just seems to be so much conflicting information out there.

So far everything I’ve read has been pointing in the direction of a complex hormonal (part of this could be directly related to our own thoughts), immune, and digestive interaction. There are still many aspects that remain unclear. Will update as I have a more concrete hypothesis.

As far as the apple okay today and not okay another day.
This may have been any of the following:

  • food combination was not appropriate (eating fruit after a slow digesting meal increases chance of fermentation in the digestive tract)
  • the flare could have been a result of something else (the apple may be simple reasoning your mind used to explain what occurred)

Not much of an answer, but the issues is so complex that having a clear cut answer is very difficult.
Consider sharing a bit about your own story in the community section. The more information that can be accumulated, the more value it may potentially hold.

All the best.