While the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, several factors such as genetics, stress, and diet have been linked to its development and severity. One particular dietary factor that has been the subject of much debate is the consumption of eggs. Some people with seborrheic dermatitis have reported a direct link between their symptoms …
Hi, If you’ve been around Seb Derm reddit threads, you would have heard sea water and sea salt enthusiasts swear that salt water healed their seb derm. Seawater is a complex mixture of dissolved minerals, salts, and organic materials (like urine and poop), and its composition can vary depending on factors such as location (Alaska …
Hi, I did a deep dive on essential oils this week. I’m always trying to figure out how I can eliminate chemicals from my daily life and from my skincare routine. This week, I’m proud to say I’ve added 2 essential oils to my seb derm toolbox. The first is thyme oil. I love the …
Hi, We brought my beautiful 5 year old daughter to our first school interview this week. I went to the interview filled with hope and left with my heart broken. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. The kids wrecked the principal’s room – crawling under furniture and rearranging them. My daughter cowered behind …
My eureka moment: Put your own mask on first (26/03/2023) Read More »
I don’t have to tell you how challenging it can be to manage the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. This common scalp condition can cause red, itchy patches and flaky scales, commongly known as dandruff. While medicated shampoos are often recommended as the primary treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (or dandruff), all these shampoos cause you to …
The 6 Best Conditioners for Seborrheic Dermatitis Read More »
Cedarwood oil is one of less popular essential oils that may be a natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis. This oil is extracted from the bark of the cedar tree and has a warm, woody scent. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions like eczema …
Is cedarwood oil good for seborrheic dermatitis? Read More »
Sea water is often thought to have healing properties for various skin conditions, but for those with seborrheic dermatitis, it may actually worsen the problem. One reason sea water may be harmful to seborrheic dermatitis is that it can potentially disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance. Skin typically has a pH level between 4.1 and …
The Dangers of using Sea Water to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis Read More »
As long-time readers of this blog know, I often seek out effective natural remedies to help manage the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. One less common compound that caught my attention is frankincense oil, an essential oil derived from the resin of the Boswellia tree. There is some evidence to suggest that frankincense oil in an …
Is Frankincense Oil good for Seborrheic Dermatitis? Read More »
Thyme is a wonderful herb that has been used for centuries for its medicinal and culinary properties. It’s a truly remarkable herb that adds depth and complexity to any dish and is a must-have herb in any kitchen. But what about thyme essential oil? Is it a must-have in your seb derm treatment toolkit? Studies …
I know you. You’re like me. You seek natural remedies to help alleviate your symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. You’re hoping clove oil will help. Indeed, research has shown that clove oil may be effective in combatting the growth of our dreaded dandruff-causing fungus, Malassezia. Yes, you heard me right – that same spice you use …
Hi, In recent months I’ve been playing around with essential oils – making my own perfume blend, adding them to creams, and even into my shampoo! More on that later. I’m trying to move towards more natural products with less chemicals in them. It’s a hard slog. Our world is filled with synthetics, even in …
Use essential oils in your shampoo to fight dandruff (17/03/2023) Read More »
Hi, I’ve just spent the last week trying to get over a cold that just won’t go away. In fact, I got worse as the week went by because I didn’t take time off to rest. Between my new work responsibilities and my demanding kids, I was run ragged. I didn’t feel that I could …
What’s the one thing you can do to improve your skin health? (10/03/2023) Read More »
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 …
The 19 best essential oils for seborrheic dermatitis Read More »
I hate sunscreens. They make my face and body feel sticky and heavy. They go on with a white cast. They have that characteristic sunscreen smell. Which I hate. Worst of all, sometimes they clog my pores and give me outbreaks. Unfortunately, sunscreen is also super important when it comes to protecting your skin barrier, …
Hi, Remember how I said I took on new responsibilities at work and will be focusing on that for a while? Well, the last 2 weeks have been crazy to say the least. In fact, I was so stressed I couldn’t sleep half the night thinking of all the new skills I needed to hone …
Ylang ylang essential oil, the fragrance equivalent of a tropical vacation in a bottle! Known for its rich, floral aroma, this oil is like a bouquet of sunshine that’ll transport you straight to a sandy beach with a piña colada in hand (well, in your mind at least). Ylang ylang is also renowned for its …
Marula oil has been around for centuries. Zulu women used marula oil as a beauty treatment and it’s still widely used in South Africa and Mozambique. This ‘magical oil’ largely flew under the radar until Drunk Elephant and other luxury brands marketed the crap out of it. Marula oil first came to my attention in …
Hi, I’ve taken on a significantly bigger role at work and will be prioritizing that for a few weeks (or months) until I get my head around this new position. I’ll still be writing weekly but will probably pull back on content creation a bit. I could try to ‘do everything’ and being a Type …
Thermal Spring Water is Nature’s Tech (26/02/2023) Read More »
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 …
The 8 Best Face Moisturizers For Seborrheic Dermatitis Read More »
Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp (or it’s mild form, dandruff) is a common scalp problem that can be challenging to treat. Hair oils don’t actually treat seb derm as they are not applied to the scalp. If you’re looking for a scalp oil to treat seb derm, then check out the 8 best scalp oils …
Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are often aggravated by oils so applying an oil to your scalp may seem counterintuitive. And you’re right. 9 out of 10 scalp and hair oils on the market would probably make your scalp feel greasy and cause more itchy flakes to form. However, if you choose the right oil, it …
The 7 best scalp oils for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff Read More »
Hi, Retinol is this wonder drug for clearing pores and acne, anti-aging, skin brightening, and possibly everything under the sun. But, boy is it irritating! Throughout my life, everytime I started using retinol, even the mildest, gentlest ones, my skin would burn and start flaking. When I started getting seb derm flares, my retinols went …
Bakuchiol: A non-irritative natural alternative to retinol (15/02/2023) Read More »
Hi, This week was an eventful one. I accidentally found a raised dark lesion on my 2-year-old’s finger that had popped up of nowhere. He never had any moles and one day, this 1cm black-brown thing was just there on his small little finger! Living in sunny Queensland and working with cancer patients on a …
Hi, I’m not sure which makes me feel more self-conscious: A scaly red rash on my face or dandruff flakes on my dark top? Unfortunately, I suffer from both as do most of you. I’m always on the lookout for something that will help my dandruff. OVer the years I’ve tried almost every anti-dandruff shampoo …
The Double Wash Technique for Dandruff (05/02/2023) Read More »
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 …
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a popular treatment for acne and is a common ingredient in many anti-aging skincare products. However, seborrheic dermatitis sufferers have sensitive skin and need to be more careful when choosing what to put on their skin. Retinol (and its derivatives) can be harsh on the skin and can …
Hi, Last weekend was a busy one for me. We celebrated the lunar new year. For the first time in years I cooked a meal for the extended family. It was tough! Give me a blog post to write any day. While planning what to cook for our lunch, I prioritized taste and popular demand …
Does the food you eat trigger seb derm? (29/01/2023) Read More »
Hi, While we’re talking about a healthy skin barrier and how your skin is sensitive to so many skincare products, I wanted to bring up moisturizers. Lots of people get tripped up on this because there are so many moisturizers on the market with all sorts of active ingredients, every single one claiming to be …
Hi, I’ve recently taken a deep interest in my skin health. Did you know that sensitive skin is actually code for ‘damaged skin barrier’? Almost everyone I know with seb derm (myself included) say they can’t use this or that product because they have sensitive skin. To top it off, some researchers even go so …
Repairing your Skin Barrier could cure Seb Derm (13/01/2023) Read More »
Hi, 2023 is the year you take control of your life and get rid of seb derm once and for all. Enough with excuses about how it’s too hard to do or that you don’t have time. There is always time to take care of yourself. Food is a very important aspect of life. I …
2023 is the year you get rid of Seb Derm (07/01/2023) Read More »
Hi, I hope you had a good Christmas, filled with joy and happiness 😊 As we say good bye to 2022, I’d like to take this time to reflect on the year. Time passes so fast and yet, when you look back on just this one year, so much had happened. There would have been ups …
Hi, I can’t believe how quickly the last one week flew by! First my 4 year old started waking up from storms in the night, then my 2 year old got sick and we ended up in the children’s hospital one night. He’s all better now but man, what a week! Needless to say, I …
It’s OK to Take a Break from Healthy (11/12/2022) Read More »
Hi, It’s one week to Christmas! We bought presents, we’re listening to Christmas jingles and watching netflix reruns of Christmas movies… But the one big thing about Christmas is all the ‘bad food’ around. There’s chocolates and cookies, eggnog, fruit cakes and way too much alcohol floating around. I don’t know about you but I …
One week to Christmas! And I’m already eating junk (18/12/2022) Read More »
Hi, It’s December again! I can’t believe how quickly the year flew by. December can feel really rushed with Christmas and school holidays fast approaching but the end of the year is also a time when I get a lot more nostalgic and reflective. This time last year, I had a painful rash covering literally …
Kefir is a probiotic drink that is chock-full of good gut bacteria. It contains three times more probiotics than yogurt and has a wider variety of microorganisms. Some people with seborrheic dermatitis have reported that consuming kefir or using it topically on the skin can help to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. However, more research …
There is nothing more soothing than a burning hot shower when you have an itch but you’ll always find that your rash looks and feels worse after. As much as you would like to convince yourself that something that feels so good cannot be bad for you, you know deep down that hot water worsens …
Fenugreek is a herb that is commonly used in traditional medicine and has a wide range of potential health benefits. Small lab studies show that fenugreek extract is effective against Malassezia at 25-30% concentration. Human studies are lacking. However, some poor New Zealand bunnies got slathered with fenugreek extract and survived to tell the tale. …
Don’t you love the luxurious feel and scent of cocoa butter on your skin? I reckon cocoa butter is skin caviar for the poor woman. It leaves your skin silky soft and smelling amazing after. Sadly, when I got seborrheic dermatitis, I found that cocoa butter may not be the best thing for my skin …
Bananas are one of my favorite fruits. We always have a comb of bananas sitting on our kitchen bench. In fact, bananas are omni-present in most households. It’s a healthy snack and can be used in lots of recipes. But the one thing I hate about ‘nanas is how quickly they turn black! Wouldn’t it …
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 …
Henna is not only used for decorative tattoos and to symbolize celebration. It has also been used for centuries to help treat seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm, athletes foot and other fungal infections. Even though Henna has not been proven effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis, there are anecdotal reports of henna helping to alleviate symptoms like itching …
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 …
When my seb derm rash first got so bad that I went looking for a diagnosis, no doctor could tell me what it was. Turns out there is no blood test or biopsy that will magically tell you what a skin rash is from. When it comes to rashes, the way to the root cause …
Confused about whether Aquaphor is good for seb derm? Or for your skin for that matter? Aquaphor is an established brand that is widely marketed as being an awesome moisturizer for dry skin, eczema and skin rash. But it’s not a good choice for seborrheic dermatitis. I’ll tell you why. Aquaphor is an ointment that …
Are you confused about antifungal shampoo and which one to buy? Have you tried different brands and found them lacking? Wanting to try Nizoral but not sure if you should fork out more money for something that might not work? Nizoral Anti-dandruff Shampoo 1% contains ketoconazole, which is an anti-fungal agent that is well proven …
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, …
Have you tried all sorts of creams and found that all they did was irritate your skin further and made your seb derm flare up even more? It’s not your fault for getting so confused. Now a days, every brand has a line for sensitive skin. People on Reddit and Quora are spruiking what worked …
A seborrheic dermatitis skincare routine that actually works Read More »
I know why you’ve resorted to baking soda. You’ve probably spent way too much on a dozen face washes with no effect. Your seb derm rash and fungal acne is still giving you grieve and embarassment. You hear people on Reddit and Quora gushing about baking soda and what an amazing home remedy it is …
There is so much confusion about seborrheic dermatitis. It exists in the realm between eczema (which is super well known), psoriasis, and rosacea. To make matters worse, there is an overlap between the conditions with some people suffering from more than one. Just to add to the confusion, seb derm is inextricably linked to Malassezia. …
Can seborrheic dermatitis spread? How do I stop it? Read More »
Seborrheic dermatitis is often worse in the cold winter months, when the skin is dry and you’re hiding inside. Some people find that the condition improves in the summer months, when the weather is warm and you’re out in the sun a lot. Does this mean that heat improves seborrheic dermatitis? Not quite. Heat in …
