Sharon Giumelli

I am a doctor, mom of two, and a coffee addict. I spend my free time thinking about how to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

The 19 best essential oils for seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is partly caused by an overproduction of sebum, a natural oil that protects the skin from bacteria and fungus. People with seborrheic dermatitis often have oily skin that’s prone to breakout. Is introducing even more oil to our skin a good idea? Facial oils, ironically, may help to regulate sebum production. Some essential …

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The 8 Best Face Moisturizers For Seborrheic Dermatitis

There are so many moisturizers on the market with all sorts of active ingredients, everyone of them claiming to be amazing. There is actually no one best moisturizer for seborrheic dermatitis. It all depends on your skin type and sensitivity profile. In fact, you may even need to use different moisturizers during the various phases …

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Is Avene good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Avene is a french skincare brand with products that are available in a variety of formulations, including creams, lotions, and ointments. It works by relieving the itch and redness associated with seborrheic dermatitis. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, Avene is a great choice of skincare product. Avene’s formulations are moisturizing and anti-inflammatory, which can help …

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Is squalane oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Squalane oil is a natural oil that is effective in helping to treat seborrheic dermatitis. Topical application can help improve inflammation, redness, and scaling. Squalane oil is a hydrocarbon without fatty acids so it won’t feed Malassezia yeast. Plus, squalane resembles our natural sebum and may help with oil control.  (you may also be interested …

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Best carrier oils for seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is caused by an overproduction of sebum, overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, and an abnormal immune response to Malassezia. Natural topical treatment with essential oils may help combat SD. However, essential oils need to be diluted in carrier oils to prevent skin irritation. Carrier oils play a very important role. They help to …

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Seborrheic dermatitis: common oils to avoid

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that can be caused by the overproduction of sebum, overgrowth of Malassezia and a hyperactive immune response to it all. Most plant-based oils are double-edged swords and need to be used with caution. Natural oils have many skin benefits but may also worsen seborrheic dermatitis by clogging pores, …

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Is coffee good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Caffeine is a known stimulant and it can be found in coffee, tea, and chocolate. It’s also used in some over-the-counter medications. Caffeine can have benefits, such as improved alertness, but it can also have drawbacks.  There is no definitive evidence that caffeine aggravates seborrheic dermatitis. However, there is some anecdotal evidence that suggests it …

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Is sesame oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Sesame oil has traditionally been used as a natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis, specifically cradle cap. The oil is thought to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties that may help reduce the symptoms of the condition. However, sesame oil is rich in long-chain fatty acids that can aggravate seborrheic dermatitis.  Let’s take a deep dive: …

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The 6 best natural alternatives to petroleum jelly (and DIY options)

Petroleum jelly is a by-product of the oil refining process. It’s used in a variety of products, from lip balms to moisturizers, because it’s dirt cheap and has a long shelf life. There are a number of natural alternatives to petroleum jelly that can be just as effective. Each of these substitutes can provide the …

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Does collagen help seborrheic dermatitis?

There is no clinical evidence that using collagen creams or taking a collagen supplement can improve seborrheic dermatitis. However, a study showed that women eating a diet rich in fruit had better seborrheic dermatitis (SD) control than those on a Western diet. Anecdotally, many SD sufferers found their symptoms improved and their skin looked healthier …

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Is aloe vera good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Aloe vera has minimal antifungal activity against Malassezia. However, aloe has a multitude of other skin benefits including anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties. In human studies, topical aloe has been shown to help reduce symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis over weeks. The icing on the cake? Aloe vera also stimulates local collagen production, helping repair the skin …

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Is Neutrogena T/gel good for seborrheic dermatitis?

You’ve tried Head & Shoulders, Selsun, Nizoral and other anti-dandruff shampoos. You may even have used tea tree oil or gone the no-poo way. And now there’s another shampoo on the market. It’s afffordable, it sounds cool and you recognize the brand Neutrogena. Should you try it? Neutrogena  T/Gel Shampoo is an anti-dandruff shampoo that …

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Is zinc pyrithione good for seborrheic dermatitis? Is it safe?

Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) is an effective and clinically proven topical treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and dandruff. Products that contain ZPT are available over-the-counter and doesn’t require a prescription. However, since March 2022, ZPT is banned in the European Union for being toxic to the reproductive system. Let’s take a deep dive: What is zinc …

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Is seborrheic dermatitis itchy? Yes, and this is how I treat it.

Regardless of what some ‘experts’ say, seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a skin condition that can be itchy, although not everyone who has SD will experience itchiness. The condition is more likely to be itchy if it is on the scalp, face, or chest. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you know how itchy and uncomfortable it …

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Is salicylic acid good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid that is derived from willow bark and works as a keratolytic agent. In addition to being an effective treatment for acne, salicylic acid can also be used to treat other skin conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff. Salicylic acid does not have any effect …

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Seborrheic dermatitis around the mouth: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Seborrheic dermatitis around the mouth, also called perioral seborrheic dermatitis, can be embarassing and even painful, especially when it causes fissures around your lips. However, there are things you can do to relief the symptoms and heal your skin.  Let’s take a deep dive: Does seborrheic dermatitis affect the lips? Theoretically, seborrheic dermatitis can affect …

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Seborrheic dermatitis around the eyes: Causes, symptoms and treatments

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a skin condition that can cause red, itchy, scaly patches on the skin. It’s common in people with oily skin or who have dandruff but no one really knows why it affects some but not others. SD is often found on the face, scalp, chest, and back but condition can also …

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Seborrheic dermatitis of the nose: Causes, symptoms and treatments

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes a red, scaly rash. It often affects the scalp, face, and chest. No one can explain why it affects certain areas in some people but not in others. While the nose and the area surrounding it is not the most commonly affected part of the face, …

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Dr Lewinn’s Ultra R4 Collagen Surge Plumping Gel Review

Dr Lewinn’s Ultra R4 Collagen Surge Plumping Gel is daily moisturizer that uses Neodermyl® (a collagen filler) and hyaluronic acid to improve the appearance of wrinkles and incraese skin elasticity. Dr Lewinn’s claims that 84% of users notice plumper skin after 1 hour (which is believable) and 92% continue to have plumper skin after 4 weeks …

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Dr. Lewinn’s Ultra R4 Collagen Surge Overnight Sleep Mask review

Dr Lewinn’s Ultra R4 Collagen Surge Overnight Sleep Mask is an advanced unnecessarily complicated product that contains high-tech sounding compounds like Dawnergy™, Synchrolife™ and DreamScentz™ to do miraculous things to your skin while you sleep.  But does it work? Let’s take a deep dive: First impression The bottle is made of heavy glass and felt …

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Can I use witch hazel for seborrheic dermatitis?

Witch hazel is a flowering plant with clusters of rich yellow to orange-red flowers. The plant has been used by Native Americans for centuries to treat a variety of medical issues. Witch hazel is a natural astringent. The plant is often used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and sunburn. Unlike many products …

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Is clotrimazole effective against seborrheic dermatitis?

Clotrimazole is a medication that is used to treat fungal infections. It comes in a variety of formulations, including in the form of cream, ointment or pessary tablet. This broad-spectrum antifungal drug can be used to treat a variety of fungal infections, including vaginal yeast infections, ringworm, and athlete’s foot. Clotrimazole is also one of …

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Can I use Lotrimin for seborrheic dermatitis?

Lotrimin is a popular over-the-counter brand of medication used to treat fungal infections of the skin, such as athlete’s foot. It contains antifungal agents like clotrimazole and betenafine, which helps to kill the fungus that causes the infection. Lotrimin is available in cream, powder and spray form. Even though Lotrimin is not marketed as a …

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Is tamanu oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Tamanu oil is recommended for all sorts of skin ailments due its antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Even though tamanu oil is recommended by some experts as a natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis, there is no evidence it helps the condition. In fact, tamanu oil may clog pores, cause greasy skin, encourage Malassezia growth and …

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Is manuka oil good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Manuka essential oil is derived from the flowers of the Manuka tree. It has been used for centuries by the indigenous populations of New Zealand and Australia to heal skin diseases. However, manuka oil is also anti-inflammatory and has antifungal activity against Malassezia, making it a good natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.  Let’s …

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Can apple cider vinegar treat seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff?

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of the most common home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Some people believe that ACV can help to reduce inflammation and redness, and to help promote healing. A lab study showed ACV can inhibit Malassezia. However, there are no human studies and there is limited evidence that it …

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Can white vinegar treat seborrheic dermatitis?

White vinegar is a natural astringent and has a multitude of medicinal properties. However, there is no evidence that it has antifungal activity against Malassezia and it is not recommended as a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff. Applying white vinegar to the skin may cause burning and worsen irritation.   Let’s take a deep dive: …

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Rose water for seborrheic dermatitis: Good or bad?

Rose water is a natural astringent that has been used for centuries to treat various skin conditions. Although rose water has no antifungal activity against Malassezia, many people have found it helpful as a natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis. Rose water can help to hydrate the skin, balance pH, reduce inflammation, and improve symptoms such …

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Is Dermarest Shampoo and Conditioner good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Dermarest Shampoo is a treatment that is often recommended to people with seborrheic dermatitis or severe dandruff of the scalp. It’s a medicated shampoo containing salicylic acid 3% and zinc PCA. Both these compounds are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and can reduce itch, redness and scaling. Unfortunately, Dermarest may also dry out your scalp and hair, causing …

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Malassezia and seborrheic dermatitis: Getting to know the yeast

You can’t talk about seborrheic dermatitis without also mentioning Malassezia. The two are so intertwined that some people mistakenly believe that seborrheic dermatitis is a fungal infection. SD is a lot more complicated than that but one thing is for sure, Malassezia yeast plays a crucial role in seborrheic dermatitis and treatments aimed at eradicating …

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Impaired skin barrier in seborrheic dermatitis

One theory why seborrheic dermatitis occurs is that Malassezia yeast penetrates the outermost layer of our skin, the stratum corneum. This leads to inflammation, leading to more damage to the skin barrier, enabling Malassezia to burrow deeper in. You can picture the vicious cycle of inflammation and skin damage that ensues. Repairing and maintaining a …

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Why do I have seborrheic dermatitis (and not them)?

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is an inflammatory skin condition that affects some people but not others, even though they may have similar risk factors. We don’t know why this happens but there are some pretty good explanations out there. Seborrheic dermatitis is not life-threatening, but it can still be distressing, often aggravating depression and stress. There …

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Can iron deficiency cause seborrheic dermatitis?

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. It can lead to a wide variety of health problems, including impaired cognitive function, fatigue, and an increased risk for infection. Iron deficiency can cause brittle hair and nails, hair loss, dry skin and itch. While seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff is not triggered …

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Role of vitamin A in seborrheic dermatitis

Serious vitamin A deficiencies are rare in developed countries. However, even mild Vitamin A deficiency may aggravate seborrheic dermatitis. A deficiency can cause scaly skin, itching and dryness. Fortunately, Vitmain A deficiency is easily corrected. Let’s take a deep dive: What is vitamin A? Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for humans …

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Is vitamin B good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that can be aggravated by a myriad of factors, including vitamin and mineral deficiency. B vitamins are as important for our skin as fertilizer is to the soil. The skin benefits of these vitamins include everything from improving wrinkles and skin tone to treating seborrheic dermatitis. Let’s …

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What vitamin deficiency causes seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition characterized by red, itchy, scaly patches that can develop on the face, scalp, neck, and chest. The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, but it is likely caused by a combination of internal and external factors. There is a great deal of debate surrounding the role that various …

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What probiotics are good for seborrheic dermatitis?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be beneficial to the human gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics have been shown to be beneficial for a number of conditions and may reduce inflammation in the body. There are no studies showing …

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Is seborrheic dermatitis an autoimmune disease?

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that most often affects the face, scalp, and neck. The cause is unknown, but some researchers think it to be an autoimmune disease because it primarily involves an abnormal response by the immune system towards Malassezia byproducts. Seborrheic dermatitis also tends to occur in people who have a …

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