My Healing Seborrhoeic Dermatitis Facial Treatment in 2023

At first, I thought I had dandruff.

Then I started noticing embarrassing flakes and dreaded shoulder snow.

But the plight of my tricky condition didn’t end there.

It began to spread, moving from my scalp to my hairline, then to my nose and eyebrows.

My skin became excessively oily, inflamed and itchy.

It also became more than a physiological condition, affecting my mental health.

Hi, my name is Heather, and I suffer from seborrhoeic dermatitis.

You have come to the right place if you are looking for answers.

This is my healing seborrhoeic dermatitis facial treatment journey.

I’m living proof that it’s possible to get this condition under control.

I sincerely hope this article will give you some insights. But first, some background:

What is Seborrhoeic Dermatitis?

Seborrhoeic dermatitis, is also spelt as seborrheic dermatitis.

It is often referred to as “Sebo”, “adult cradle cap”, or “seborrhoeic eczema (1).

Malassezia species is a type of yeast which inhabits the skin of around 90% of adults without causing any harm, as this study (2) discusses.

However, in some people, it can suppress their immune response, creating this condition.

Seborrheic dermatitis treatment for the face requires a topical and internal approach to keep your flare-ups at bay,

In this article, my top 5 treatment hacks, I discuss what I believe to be the biggest needle movers that brought my condition under control.

What Does it Look Like?

• red pimples on your hairline
• inflamed, irritated scalp with yellow flakes
• flaky eyebrows and possible thinning of brows
• a rash around the lower part of your face
• flaking or a rash in or around your ears
• scaly plaques in the skin fold around your nose
• red eyelids, which is a condition known as blepharitis
• inflamed armpits, breasts, groin creases and buttocks

As you can see, it’s so much more than just dandruff; the flakes are thicker and sometimes yellow.

What was typical for me was a pattern of flaring and clearing.

My condition also spread to the folds of my nose, upper lip, eyebrows, and chest.

My well-being and mood were affected, and I became very depressed, which I had trouble overcoming until my condition was under control.

Does Oily Skin Trigger this Condition?

Malassezia is naturally found on your skin’s surface, as this research discusses (2), but several predisposing factors, such as oily skin and a poor immune system, are triggers.

The biggest culprits are candida overgrowth and poor gut health.

A hormone imbalance can also be the culprit if you have oily skin.

My naturopath explained that when cortisol, the stress hormone, rises, inflammation is triggered, leading to an overproduction of oil, which creates a breeding ground for yeast.

The sebaceous glands that produce oil are attached to your hair follicles and are absorbed into the scalp; they become sticky and flaky and bind to your skin.

Another main driver behind seborrhoeic dermatitis is stress. I was going through a difficult time when I had this condition which caused constant flare-ups.

So as you can see, a lot is going on, which is why a multidimensional approach to treatment is critical.

Don’t Get Confused With Other Skin Conditions

Seborrhoeic dermatitis on the face can sometimes get misdiagnosed.

Psoriasis: This condition is evident by silvery-white scales and red patches on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp. 

Eczema is a complicated skin condition that becomes red and itchy when inflamed.