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Hi, Can you use retinol if you have Seb Derm? Never say never. It’s possible to use retinol formulations when you have seborrheic dermatitis. Retinol has been shown to help with skin redness. However, it doesn’t contain any active ingredients that directly reduce Malassezia load on your skin. Nor does it have any anti-inflammatory properties …
Hi, Our skin is the outermost layer of our body and is responsible for protecting us from the environment. It’s also our first line of defense against infection. The health of our skin depends on a number of factors, including diet, sun exposure, age, and genetics. One important factor in maintaining healthy skin is getting …
Is Vitamin Deficiency Aggravating Your Seb Derm? (18/02/2024) Read More »
Hi, Before I start about MCT oil, I have a favor to ask. I’ve just started Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts and have ZERO followers, which is pretty sad, but I didn’t want to get friends and family who have no interest in Seb Derm to boost the numbers. If you’re active on any of those platforms and want to …
Is There Any Evidence That MCT Oil Is Good For Seb Derm? (04/02/2024) Read More »
Hi, Sometimes Seb Derm is triggered by oily skin. Sometimes Seb Derm is triggered by dry skin causing sebum overproduction which causes oily skin. Same thing? Not quite. With oily skin, you want to use a gentle light-weight moisturizer, just enough to keep your skin hydrated. With dry skin, you may want to consider face …
Hi, As we say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024, I want to wish you all the very best in the new year. 2023 brought many challenges but also moments of joy, growth, and appreciation. I’m filled with optimism and hope for what 2024 will bring. For those still struggling with Seb Derm flares, …
Hi, As the holiday season approaches, I want to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope that this special time of the year brings you joy, peace, and love as you celebrate with your loved ones. I also want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude …
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (24/12/2023) Read More »
Dear {{Name}}, It’s important to have the right skin care routine to help control facial seborrheic dermatitis. This includes using gentle, non-irritating products and avoiding harsh scrubs and astringents. This applies to facials too. There are actually quite a few facials that can help control the symptoms of Seb Derm. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments …
Hi, Here is sunny Queensland, we are heading into a humid summer – not my favorite time of the year. My Seb Derm control often gets a bit dicey in summer. Sweating, humidity and generally producing more oil all contributes to happy Malassezia yeasts. As the cold and dry days start spacing out, I put …
What Is The Best Moisturizer For Seb Derm? (22/10/2023) Read More »
Hi, If you’re a long time reader, you would have heard me wax lyrical about antifungal creams multiple times. If I had to choose between an antifungal cream or any other Seb Derm treatment in the world, I would choose my trusty over-the-counter buy any day. There are plenty of antifungal creams to choose from …
Is Clotimazole The Best Anti-fungal Cream For Seb Derm? (08/10/2023) Read More »
Dear {{Name}}, Of all the products that you can use for Seb Derm, I found applying an antifungal cream twice a day when my rash flares reduces the itch and helps my skin recover faster. There are a few topical antifungal fomulations around. Even though most of them are not marketed specifically for seborrheic dermatitis, …
What Is The Best Anti-fungal Cream For Seb Derm? (24/09/2023) Read More »
Hi, Seb derm is thought to be caused by a few major factors, one of which is oily skin. There are only 2 ways you can get oily skin: 1. overproduction of sebum – this is when your body produces too much oil. This can happen due to a multitude of factors including hormones, stress, …
Hi, A balanced skin microbiome is essential for maintaining overall skin health. Your skin hosts a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which together form the human skin microbiota. These microbes play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of your skin and protecting it against harmful pathogens. When the balance of …
The Link Between Your Skin Microbiome and Seb Derm (27/08/2023) Read More »
Hi, People with Seb Derm often have impaired skin barrier function. This means that our skin is not able to protect us from the environment as well as it should be. As a result, our skin can become inflamed and irritated more easily. The tactful way of saying this is: “We have sensitive skin.” It’s code …
How Does Your Skin Barrier Affect Seb Derm? (20/08/2023) Read More »
Hi, The cause of seb derm 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. Seb derm also tends to occur in people who have a weaknened immune system and may be improved by treatment targeted at the …
Is Seb Derm an Auto-Immune Disease? (13/08/2023) Read More »
Hi, Ever wondered why you have Seb Derm but not your sister/ brother/ friend/ colleague/ random stranger? Do you feel helpless trying to control your Seb Derm rash and don’t even know where to start? There is so much we don’t know about Seb derm. The interplay of factors leading up to it is complex. …
Why Do You Have Seb Derm (But Not Them)? (06/08/2023) Read More »
Hi, A skin contagious disease can be caught by touching someone who has the condition or a piece of infected clothing. Skin disorders like scabies, herpes, ringworm (a type of fungal infection) and Candida yeast infections can all be transmitted this way. Even though seb derm is primarily related to an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, …
Hi, As any well-respected bearded man with Seb Derm knows, the search for a beard balm that won’t potentially aggravate seborrheic dermatitis is frustrating and time-consuming. Most beard balms, regardless of price or brand, contain similar ingredients. Unfortunately, these comprise of popular natural oils like argan oil, shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, and every …
Does A Safe Beard Balm For Seb Derm Exist? (16/07/2023) Read More »
Hi, Many people mistakenly believe that seb derm is always mild and non-painful. However, in severe cases, seb derm can be very painful. The local inflammation that occurs on your skin causes pain, swelling and redness. Sometimes your skin might even feel warm. As your skin cells shed and new ones grow, the ‘new skin’ …
Hi, When you read about Seb Derm, itch is often not mentioned. It’s odd because itch is most definitely part of a seborrheic dermatitis rash. In fact, when my face and neck starts itching, it’s a herald symptom that a red rash will be forming soon if I don’t nip the flare in the bud. …
Is Seb Derm Itchy? Plus A Bit About Beards (09/07/2023) Read More »
Hi, 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 …
Hi, I bet you’ve tried Head & Shoulders for your dandruff (and maybe even your face). Thanks to extensive marketing, the moment you think anti-dandruff shampoo, Head & Shoulders comes to mind. The main active ingredient in Head & Shoulders Shampoo (and other popular anti-seb Derm products) is Zinc pyrithione (or pyrithione zinc – it’s the …
Hi, This week I did a major revamp on the madamewell.com site. As the seb derm hub expanded, I found that it got harder for you to find the information you want. And who has time to scroll through article after article that doesn’t interest you? That’s why I made a ‘Seborrheic Dermatitis’ page. It’s divided into multiple …
It’s Now Easier Than Ever To Figure Out Seb Derm (18/06/2023) Read More »
Hi, As a mom with 2 small kids under the age of 5, I am well-acquainted with sleep deprivation. Over the years, I’ve found lack of sleep triggers a cascade of events that culminates in a seborrheic dermatitis flare. Have you ever had a bad night, woke up grumpy, decided to have a donut instead …
Hi, Seb derm occurs when Malassezia breaks through our weakened skin barrier and causes inflammation. This leads to even more damage to our skin defences, allowing Malassezia to burrow in even deeper, causing a vicious cycle of inflammation and skin damage. Repairing and maintaining a healthy skin barrier may be one of the best ways …
Repair Your Skin Barrier To ‘Cure’ Seb Derm (02/06/2023) Read More »
Hi, Have you ever wondered: Is this safe for seb derm? I have. Plenty of times. Then I squint at the ingredient list and do a dozen google searches, misspelling half the names as I go along. Half an hour later, I sometimes have my answer. Sometimes I don’t. But what a pain it is …
Hi, Stress if probably one of the biggest triggers for seb derm. I say this from personal experience. There are plenty of ways you can use to get on top of chronic stress. Today, my focus is on the use of ashwagandha. Incorporating this herb into your daily routine may improve your stress levels and …
Ashwagandha for Stress and Seb Derm? (18/05/2023) Read More »
Hi, It’s coming into ‘winter’ here in sunny Queensland. I know for many of you the weather is getting warmer instead. With the colder weather, my tummy turned to warmer food and hot drinks. My current favorite is a turmeric golden latte. Yum. For many seb derm sufferers, winter worsens the condition. There are many …
Hi, Well-meaning people would say seb derm is not caused by poor hygiene, but it is. More accurately, seb derm and dandruff can be triggered by wrong hygiene practices in susceptible individuals. What do I mean by this? Well. If you are not susceptible to seborrheic dermatitis, no matter how dirty your face or scalp …
Is seb derm caused by poor hygiene? Yes it is. (07/05/2023) Read More »
Hi, Collagen is a protein that is found throughout the body, including in the skin. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and elasticity of the skin. One of the reasons seb derm occurs is an impaired skin barrier. And when you get a flare, the inflammation damages your skin barrier further. One …
Do Collagen Supplements Work for Seb Derm? (30/04/2023) Read More »
Dear {{Name}}, It’s widely accepted that you can’t cure seborrheic dermatiits and I’m not saying that’s wrong. However, there is a huge misconception that seborrheic dermatitis is a diagnosis rather than a symptom and treatment is entirely focused on topical skincare to combat this disease. I’m saying there’s a lot more to it. I believe …
This Is How You Really Prevent Seb Derm (23/04/2023) Read More »
Hi! While seb derm is not life-threatening or contagious, it can cause discomfort and negatively impact your quality of life. Unfortunately, seborrheic dermatitis is often diagnosed late. As seb derm sufferers, we tend to seek medical help late, often leaving it for years. Plus, many doctors don’t have the knowledge or experience to diagnose and …
What Happens When You Leave Seb Derm Untreated (16/04/2023) Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 …
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 »
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 »
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 …