Fast answer
Facial seborrheic dermatitis treatment often combines appropriate medical treatment with gentle everyday skincare. Antifungal medicines may be recommended to help control the yeast associated with the condition, while short courses of anti inflammatory treatment may sometimes be advised for more inflamed skin. Alongside this, gentle cleansing, appropriate moisturising and avoiding irritating skincare can help keep the facial skin more comfortable.
Seborrheic dermatitis commonly returns, so successful management is often about controlling flare ups rather than finding a permanent one time cure.
Facial seborrheic dermatitis can be particularly frustrating because it appears in areas that are difficult to hide. Flaking around the nose, redness between the eyebrows, irritated skin around the hairline or persistent patches within the beard can make people very conscious of their skin.
If you are trying to understand treatment more generally before focusing specifically on the face, our seborrheic dermatitis treatment guide explains how the condition is commonly managed across the scalp and skin.
What makes treatment on the face slightly different is that facial skin can be more sensitive than the scalp. Products that are suitable for the scalp may not necessarily be appropriate around the nose, eyebrows, beard or eyes.
What is facial seborrheic dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects areas where the skin naturally produces more oil. On the face this frequently includes the sides of the nose, eyebrows, forehead, hairline, ears and beard area.
Typical symptoms can include:
- Red or inflamed looking skin
- White or yellowish flakes
- Dry looking or greasy looking patches
- Itching
- Burning or sensitivity
- Recurring patches around the same areas
If you are not yet certain whether your symptoms fit this condition, our complete seborrheic dermatitis guide explains the symptoms, causes, common locations and recurring nature of seborrheic dermatitis in more detail.
Why does facial seborrheic dermatitis keep coming back?
Seborrheic dermatitis is usually a recurring condition. This means that treatment can settle a flare without necessarily preventing the condition from returning at another time.
The condition is associated with inflammation and with a yeast called Malassezia that naturally lives on human skin. Malassezia is present on most people's skin without causing problems, but people with seborrheic dermatitis appear to respond differently to it.
This helps explain why simply moisturising dry looking patches does not always resolve the problem. Facial seborrheic dermatitis is not simply dry skin.
An important distinction: skincare can help support comfort, hydration and the skin barrier, but persistent facial seborrheic dermatitis may require medical treatment aimed at the inflammation or yeast associated with the condition.
What medical treatments can help?
Treatment depends on the severity and location of your symptoms. A pharmacist, GP or dermatologist can advise which treatment is appropriate for facial skin.
Antifungal treatment
Antifungal creams are commonly used for facial seborrheic dermatitis because Malassezia yeast plays an important role in the condition.
Ketoconazole is one example of an antifungal medicine used for seborrheic dermatitis. Other antifungal treatments may also be recommended depending on the individual and the area involved.
Use medicines according to the instructions supplied or the advice of your healthcare professional. Facial skin, particularly skin close to the eyes, should not simply be treated with medicated scalp products unless they are specifically suitable for that area.
Anti inflammatory treatment
If the skin is particularly inflamed, a healthcare professional may occasionally recommend a short course of a mild topical corticosteroid or another anti inflammatory treatment.
Steroid creams need particular care when used on facial skin. Do not repeatedly use a steroid cream on your face without appropriate medical advice simply because it helped during a previous flare.
Medical treatment and everyday skincare therefore have different jobs. Medication may be used to control the condition itself, while skincare can help reduce unnecessary irritation and support comfortable skin between and during flare ups.
Gentle cleansing can make a significant difference
When facial skin is flaky, the temptation is often to wash harder or exfoliate until the flakes disappear.
This can backfire.
Scrubs, cleansing brushes, very hot water and aggressive rubbing may leave already sensitive skin feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
A simple approach is usually better:
- Use lukewarm rather than very hot water
- Cleanse with your fingertips rather than scrubbing
- Choose a mild cleanser
- Rinse thoroughly
- Pat rather than rub the skin dry
Choosing the right cleanser deserves more detail, which is why we have created a separate guide to the best face wash for seborrheic dermatitis.
A gentler facial routine
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Scrubbing visible flakes | Gentle fingertip cleansing |
| Very hot water | Lukewarm water |
| Changing products constantly | A simple consistent routine |
| Using several strong actives together | Introducing products individually |
| Picking or scratching | Allowing loosened flakes to come away naturally |
Should you moisturise facial seborrheic dermatitis?
Although seborrheic dermatitis often occurs in oilier areas of the face, affected skin can still feel tight, dry, flaky or sensitive.
A suitable moisturiser may help support the skin barrier and reduce that uncomfortable tight feeling. The important point is that moisturiser is supportive skincare rather than a substitute for antifungal or other medical treatment when this is needed.
Heavy products do not automatically mean better moisturising. Some people prefer lighter formulations on facial areas that naturally produce more oil.
If you are unsure what type of product to choose, our guide to the best cream and moisturiser for facial seborrheic dermatitis explains what to look for and what to avoid.
Keep your routine simple during a flare
One of the easiest mistakes to make is responding to a flare by adding more and more products.
You notice flakes, so you exfoliate. The skin then feels dry, so you add a rich cream. Redness appears, so another active ingredient is introduced.
Before long it becomes almost impossible to know which product is helping and which may be adding irritation.
When the skin is unsettled, simplicity often makes it easier to understand what your skin actually tolerates.
A straightforward routine might consist of gentle cleansing, any medical treatment you have been advised to use and an appropriate moisturiser.
Our complete skincare routine for facial seborrheic dermatitis explains how to build this routine step by step.
Natural approaches and facial seborrheic dermatitis
People searching for help with recurring facial irritation understandably often look for natural alternatives.
There is an important distinction between something that supports sensitive skin and something that has been clinically shown to treat seborrheic dermatitis.
Gentle skincare, avoiding known irritants, reducing unnecessary friction and keeping the skin comfortably moisturised may all form useful parts of your routine. However, natural skincare should not automatically be assumed to control the yeast and inflammation involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
If you prefer a gentler skincare led approach alongside any treatment you have been advised to use, read our guide to natural treatment for facial seborrheic dermatitis.
What about seborrheic dermatitis underneath a beard?
A beard can make facial seborrheic dermatitis slightly more difficult to manage because flakes, oil and skincare products can collect amongst the hair.
The skin underneath the beard still needs to be cleansed, but vigorous rubbing and scratching can increase irritation.
Make sure products reach the skin rather than simply sitting on the beard hair, and rinse cleansers thoroughly.
If your main problem is concentrated beneath facial hair, our guide to seborrheic dermatitis in the beard looks specifically at treatment, washing and everyday beard care.
Supporting sensitive facial skin
Once the face has been gently cleansed, some people find that a simple moisturising product helps reduce the feeling of tightness or discomfort.
Bragan Skincare's Atopic Cream is a moisturising skincare product developed for dry, sensitive and irritation prone skin. It is not an antifungal medicine and it is not a steroid.
Its role in a routine is to moisturise and support the skin barrier rather than to replace treatment recommended for seborrheic dermatitis.
Because everyone's skin reacts differently, introduce any new facial product carefully and patch test first.
You can learn more about Bragan Skincare Atopic Cream if you are looking for a moisturising product for sensitive facial skin.
Sam's experience with facial seborrheic dermatitis
Sam came across Bragan Skincare after struggling with seborrheic dermatitis around her nose. The redness was particularly noticeable and made her feel as though she constantly looked like she had a cold.
After Bragan Skincare was recommended to her, Sam began using the Atopic Cream as part of her skincare routine. In her own account, she describes how her skin became less itchy and sore and how the redness faded.
This is Sam's personal experience with Bragan Skincare. Everyone's skin is different and individual results can vary. Atopic Cream is supportive moisturising skincare and is not a medicine or a replacement for treatment recommended by a healthcare professional.
We're very grateful to Sam for allowing us to share her experience. Like our other customer stories, Sam's testimonial was recorded in her own words rather than scripted by Bragan Skincare.
What about cleansing sensitive facial skin?
Removing excess oil, skincare, makeup and everyday impurities is useful, but facial cleansing should not leave the skin feeling stripped or painfully tight.
Bragan Skincare's Gentle Cleanser is designed to cleanse while helping maintain the skin's natural moisture balance.
As with the Atopic Cream, it is skincare rather than a medicated treatment for seborrheic dermatitis.
If you are building a simple routine, cleanse gently first, use any medicine according to the instructions you have been given and apply your moisturiser at the appropriate stage.
Common mistakes when treating facial seborrheic dermatitis
Scrubbing away every flake
Removing flakes aggressively may temporarily make the skin look smoother, but rubbing and scratching can increase irritation.
Treating it as ordinary dry skin
Moisture can improve comfort, but seborrheic dermatitis involves more than dryness alone.
Using scalp products automatically on the face
The fact that something is suitable for seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp does not automatically make it suitable for delicate facial areas.
Stopping everything as soon as the skin looks better
Seborrheic dermatitis has a tendency to return. Follow the instructions for prescribed or pharmacy treatments, including any maintenance advice you have been given.
Trying several new products simultaneously
If irritation gets worse, you may have no idea which product caused the problem.
How long does facial seborrheic dermatitis take to improve?
There is no single timescale because severity, treatment and individual skin response vary.
Medical treatments such as topical antifungals are commonly used over a period of weeks rather than being expected to work after one application. Follow the directions supplied with the medicine or instructions given by your pharmacist or doctor.
Skincare should also be judged realistically. A moisturiser may make dry or tight skin feel more comfortable, but it should not be expected to perform the same role as a medicine.
When should you seek medical advice?
Speak to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist if:
- You are unsure whether the rash is seborrheic dermatitis
- Your symptoms are severe or worsening
- The skin becomes very painful, swollen or begins to weep
- The rash involves the eyelids or skin very close to the eyes
- Treatment that previously worked is no longer helping
- Your facial rash persists despite appropriate treatment
Several conditions can produce facial redness, flaking or irritation, so persistent symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be seborrheic dermatitis.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for facial seborrheic dermatitis?
Treatment commonly involves an antifungal medicine to help control the yeast associated with seborrheic dermatitis. Anti inflammatory treatment may sometimes also be advised. Gentle skincare can support the skin alongside medical treatment.
Can moisturiser help facial seborrheic dermatitis?
A suitable moisturiser can help reduce dryness and support the skin barrier, but moisturiser does not perform the same role as antifungal or anti inflammatory medicine.
Should I exfoliate seborrheic dermatitis on my face?
Aggressive exfoliation can irritate affected facial skin. Gentle cleansing is generally a better approach than repeatedly scrubbing visible flakes away.
Can seborrheic dermatitis affect my eyebrows?
Yes. The eyebrows are one of the common facial areas affected, along with the sides of the nose, hairline, ears and beard area.
Can facial seborrheic dermatitis go away permanently?
Seborrheic dermatitis is usually recurring. Treatment can successfully control symptoms, but some people experience future flare ups and need ongoing management.
Can I use steroid cream on facial seborrheic dermatitis?
A healthcare professional may sometimes recommend a short course of an appropriate mild topical steroid for facial inflammation. Steroid creams should not be repeatedly used on facial skin without appropriate advice.
Does facial seborrheic dermatitis mean my skin is dirty?
No. Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition and is not caused simply by poor hygiene.
Is facial seborrheic dermatitis contagious?
No. You cannot catch seborrheic dermatitis from another person.
Finding a routine that your skin can live with
Facial seborrheic dermatitis rarely responds well to panic and constant product changing.
Medical treatment may be necessary to control yeast and inflammation. Alongside that treatment, a straightforward skincare routine can help minimise unnecessary irritation and support the skin barrier.
Cleanse gently. Avoid scrubbing. Introduce products carefully. Moisturise appropriately. Follow medical treatment instructions and pay attention to the products or habits that appear to make your skin worse.
Most importantly, remember that recurring symptoms do not necessarily mean you have done something wrong. Seborrheic dermatitis naturally has periods when it improves and periods when it becomes more noticeable.
For the broader treatment picture, return to our complete seborrheic dermatitis treatment guide.
