Face wash for seborrheic dermatitis

What should your face wash actually do?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema affecting oily areas, including the face and scalp. On the face, common sites include the eyebrows, folds beside the nose and ears. Redness, flaking and itch are typical features. Malassezia, a yeast present on normal skin, contributes to the irritation associated with the condition.23

Cleansing removes excess oil, sunscreen, makeup and dirt, so the bottle already has a job without being promoted to an entire skincare department. Gentle washing can also help reduce scale. Controlling an active rash can require separate treatment: antifungal medicines and topical steroids are commonly used together, with the choice depending on the affected area.134

Which kind of cleanser should you choose?

Traditional soap is alkaline and can irritate sensitive skin. Synthetic detergent cleansers, sometimes called syndets, can be formulated closer to the skin's normal acidity and cause less dryness. Expensive and inexpensive cleansers can have similar ingredients, which leaves the price tag with surprisingly little expertise.4

Is Bioderma Sensibio DS+ Gel an option?

Bioderma Sensibio DS+ Gel is intended for adults and teenagers with sensitive skin prone to redness and scales. It has a soap free, unfragranced cleansing base and is designed for daily use on the face or body. Bioderma directs you to apply the gel to wet skin, lather, rinse thoroughly and dry gently, morning and/or evening. The brand then directs you to use Sensibio DS+ Cream.5

The gel is intended to cleanse gently and soothe irritated skin. Check the ingredient list on the packaging you buy, because the formula reaching shops can differ from the latest formula listed online. Choose it for its cleansing role rather than replacing prescribed treatment with the gel.35

How should you wash your face with seborrheic dermatitis?

1. 1Wet your face thoroughly with warm water. Avoid hot water, which can dry the skin and trigger a flare.
2. 2Apply your chosen cleanser with your hands and massage gently. Avoid harsh scrubs.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly so no cleanser remains on your skin.
4. 4Pat your face dry gently rather than rubbing.
5. 5Apply a fragrance free moisturizer after washing.

Aim for morning and evening washing. Sweat can trigger flares, and gentle washing after exercise is also useful. Do not respond to flaking by repeatedly washing the same area: excessive cleansing removes the surface oil film, increases moisture loss and can leave skin excessively dry.14

What should you avoid in a face wash?

Skip fragranced cleansers, deodorant soaps and strong soaps. Choose alcohol free skincare products. Be cautious with acne cleansers when you also use acne treatments that stay on the skin, because the combination can cause excessive dryness and irritation. Sodium lauryl sulphate is more irritating than sodium laureth sulphate; the similar names do not mean they have identical effects.14

Stop using a cleanser that causes new stinging, redness, itching or swelling, and have a persistent reaction assessed. Cleansers can cause irritation or an allergic reaction to ingredients such as fragrance, preservatives or botanicals. A sensitive skin label does not make every ingredient suitable for every person.4

Can you use dandruff shampoo as a face wash?

For seborrheic dermatitis beneath a beard or mustache, washing those areas with a shampoo containing 1% ketoconazole is an option, as is a product your dermatologist recommends. That is a specific use for hair covered facial skin, not a reason to apply any dandruff shampoo across your whole face.1

Scalp treatments have different jobs: ketoconazole shampoos target the fungus associated with dandruff, while salicylic acid shampoos help lift scale. Tar and selenium sulphide shampoos can discolor hair, and tar shampoos can increase scalp sensitivity to sunlight. Keep scalp shampoo choices separate from your everyday facial cleanser.2

When is changing face wash not enough?

If the diagnosis is uncertain or the rash remains difficult to control, seek medical assessment rather than continuing to rotate cleansers. A clinician can select antifungal treatment and, where appropriate, a steroid suitable for the face. Follow an existing flare treatment plan promptly instead of waiting for the rash to worsen.13

Small bumps concentrated around the mouth, nose or eyes can be periorificial dermatitis, a different facial rash. Its washing advice differs: water alone is usually preferred until the rash clears, with a soap substitute considered afterward. Facial steroid use is strongly associated with that condition. If you use a prescribed facial steroid and develop this pattern, have the diagnosis and treatment reviewed; abruptly stopping a potent steroid can cause a rebound flare.67