15 Home Remedies for Perioral Dermatitis You Should Try

pink lips mouth plus caption home remedies perioral dermatitis

There is nothing more devastating than having a bright red, scaly rash centered around the most noticeable part of your face suddenly appear. Getting rid of what is referred to as perioral dermatitis becomes essential the moment it appears. The problem is that many creams and lotions contain compounds, especially steroids, which only worsen the problem. Don’t worry, because there are plenty of home remedies for perioral dermatitis which you will love to try and which work.

Be aware that these remedies are not all inclusive cures and that more serious conditions with similar symptoms might require treatment by a health care professional.

15 Home Remedies for Perioral Dermatitis for Quick Relief

1. Honey

Honey has potent antibacterial and antiseptic qualities which make it one of the best home remedies for perioral dermatitis. Besides fighting the cause of the rash, honey also helps to reduce the symptoms of itching and inflammation.

What to do:

  • Simply apply locally produced, organic honey to the affected ara.
  • Allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse is off with warm water.
  • Repeat twice a day.

honey on a wooden board vintage photo

2. Calendula Essential Oil

Also among the best home remedies for perioral dermatitis is another antibacterial, antifungal treatment known as calendula. Calendula has been a popular burn remedy for centuries because it soothes burning, itching, and inflammation, which are also common with perioral dermatitis.

What to do:

  • Add 3 to 5 drops of calendula essential oil to 1 Tbsp of coconut oil
  • Mix well and apply the mixture to the affected areas 2 to 3 times a day.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is another impressive ingredient which tops our list of home remedies for perioral dermatitis. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help to reduce itching and inflammation and its antiseptic properties will help to clear up the source of the condition as well.

What to do:

  • Mix 1 tsp of turmeric powder with local honey and several drops of water to create a paste.
  • Apply the paste to the affected areas and allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
  • Repeat 2 to 3 times daily.

4. Yogurt

You can also create another of the best home remedies for perioral dermatitis using plain yogurt with no sugar or sweeteners. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt help to eliminate the bad bacteria which are a potential cause of the condition. Additionally, yogurt cools, soothes and calms the irritation.

What to do:

  • Apply a layer of Greek yogurt on the affected area.
  • Allow the yogurt to dry completely.
  • Rinse off with cool water.
  • Repeat this a couple of times a day.
  • You can give this remedy an extra boost by mixing it with honey.

5. Aloe Vera

It is probably no surprise that aloe vera is also among our home remedies for perioral dermatitis. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera are well known and quite effective. It also tends to have a cooling and soothing effect on the rash as well.

What to do:

  • Extract the gel from an aloe vera plant and apply it to the affected area a couple of times a day.
  • You can also mix 4 Tbsp of the gel with 5 or 6 drops of lavender or tea tree oil to give it an added boost.

aloe vera gel and leaves with spoon on board

6. Oatmeal

Powerful in its effects on skin conditions and blemishes, oatmeal is also among the most potent home remedies for perioral dermatitis. The combination of minerals and vitamins in oatmeal are effective at supporting healthy skin tissue and oatmeal also gets rid of the itching and burning of the rash.

What to do:

  • Cook ½ cup of thick oatmeal according to package directions.
  • Allow it to cool to room temperature.
  • Apply the oatmeal to the affected areas and allow it to set for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with cool water and repeat a couple times per day.
  • If you need to thicken the oatmeal a bit, add some honey or yogurt.

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract

The oil extract from grapefruit seeds is also among the effective home remedies for perioral dermatitis. Anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic are all properties of grapefruit seed extract, consequently, it reduces itching and inflammation as well as getting rid of the source of the problem.

What to do:

  • Mix 5 to 6 drops of grapefruit see extract in 1 Tbsp of coconut, olive or castor oil.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to the affected area.
  • Allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water.
  • You can repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times daily.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

It should also come as no surprise that apple cider vinegar is also on our list of home remedies for perioral dermatitis. Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective treatments against bacteria, fungi, and viruses you can find among the items in your pantry.

What to do:

  • Dilute apple cider vinegar with equal parts of mineral water.
  • Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
  • Apply the mixture to the affected area and let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
  • You can help the healing from the inside out by adding 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar to 8 oz. of warm water and drinking it twice daily.

9. Green Tea

Matcha or powdered, green tea has plenty of healing compounds to make it one of the most powerful and effective home remedies for perioral dermatitis. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), found in abundance in powdered green tea, helps reduce inflammation and is an antioxidant which will eliminate the source of the problem.

What to do:

  • Mix 1 tsp of matcha green tea powder with ½ tsp of raw honey to create a paste.
  • Spread the paste over the affected area, allow it to sit for 15 minutes and then remove with a warm, wet cloth.

10. Coconut Oil

Not only is coconut oil an excellent carrier oil to be used with other essential oils, by itself, but it is also one of the most effective home remedies for perioral dermatitis. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which will help heal and soothe the irritation, and it makes an excellent moisturizer.

What to do:

  • Dab coconut oil onto the affected areas with a cotton ball and go.
  • You can repeat this several times a day.
  • You can also add the essential oils mentioned in this list to boost its potency.

pieces of coconut with milk and oil

11. Oregano Essential Oil

Also among the effective home remedies for perioral dermatitis is oregano essential oil. The oil of this common herb has powerful antifungal and antiseptic qualities which can help soothe the symptoms and eliminate the cause of your condition.

What to do:

  • Place 2 oz. of pure shea butter in a double boiler.
  • Remove from heat when it is soft and add 3 to 5 drops of oregano essential oil.
  • Whip the mixture until it is fluffy.
  • Store in a small jar and use it 2 to 3 times a day.

12. Evening Primrose Essential Oil

Evening primrose essential oil is also included on our list of home remedies for perioral dermatitis because it has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties come from the omega 6 fatty acids and gamma linoleic acids found in evening primrose.

What to do:

  • Add 10 drops of evening primrose essential oil to ½ cup of jojoba or coconut oil.
  • Massage this oil into the affected area after cleansing your skin to help moisturize as well as heal.

13. Vitamin E

Also among the most effective home remedies for perioral dermatitis is vitamin E. Vitamin E not only adds to the health of skin cells, but it can also relieve itchiness and inflammation while it promotes healing to the damage caused by the condition.

What to do:

  • Clip or puncture the end of a vitamin E capsule and squeeze the gel onto a cotton swab or cotton ball.
  • Apply the gel to the affected area several times a day until the condition improves.

14. Gluten Free Diet

One of the possible contributors of perioral dermatitis is gluten, thus, following a gluten free diet might be the most successful home remedies for perioral dermatitis. This condition has been linked to a low tolerance or complete intolerance of gluten.

What to do:

  • Follow a Seven Day Gluten Free Diet Plan without utilizing any of the other remedies on this list. https://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/resources/get-started-meal-plan/
  • If the condition does not clear up, then gluten is not the issue.
  • If the condition does clear up, then you know that you need to continue a gluten free or low gluten lifestyle.

15. Improve Thyroid Health

Improving thyroid health might also be the most effective among home remedies for perioral dermatitis. The problem can be related to low calcium regulation, which results in less protection for your skin. The thyroid helps regulate calcium, but a calcium supplement won’t do the trick.

What to do:

doctor inspecting thyroid

Conclusion

Because the effects of that glowing red rash are centered around your nose and mouth, finding home remedies for perioral dermatitis is pretty urgent whenever it hits. Try one or several of these remedies so that you can get relief from this embarrassing condition today. Let us know how these and other home remedies work for perioral dermatitis in the comments section below.

Images from depositphotos.com.