What Exactly Is Perioral Dermatitis?

A deep dive into the mysterious skin condition that's driving everyone mad - and the do's and don'ts of treating it

Search “perioral dermatitis” on social media or Google, and you’ll be hit with a literal avalanche of information, along with images and video of what looks like acne or a rash around the mouth.

It’s a somewhat mysterious condition that seems to be everywhere right now. While it can affect anyone, it’s most common in women. Unfortunately, it’s also a real hanger-on: especially when mistreated, which happens all too often.

I see it in clinic at least once a week, usually after clients have thrown everything at it except the proverbial kitchen sink. It’s incredibly frustrating to manage, and can be quite distressing, especially when the severity ramps up.

So, if you or someone you know is dealing with perioral dermatitis - or if you’re not sure what it is - and want to know the do’s and don’ts of treating it, let’s dive in.