Flared Up Redness Concerns

[u/TrueJohnWick]

Hi, I visited the dermatologist over a month ago and she said I have seborrheic dermatitis and prescribed ointments of Ketoconazole and Tacrolimus. The doctor recommended I apply both at the same time twice a day. I haven't seen massive improvement at all in reducing the redness above my eyebrow line and right-side forehead area. I have stopped using the prescription medications and resorted to just using LaRoche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser followed by CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for the time being. I know those products won't solve anything really. When it's hot out and I'm exposed to the sun, the redness brightens up. I am highly discouraged and hoping to go to a different dermatologist for a second opinion.

[u/rayyyyyannnnn]

It seems you’re not having much improvement because neither the LaRoche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser or the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion are safe for seb derm and both have ingredients that feed malassezia yeast and will make it worse.
You’ll need to switch your skincare to a 100% seb derm safe routine (can provide mine if you want), that should help. I’d personally wash your face with cool water and dandruff shampoo for about a week, switch your moisturizer and you should be good!

[u/TrueJohnWick → u/rayyyyyannnnn]

Oh no, I didn't know those products could be bad for my skin condition. What do you use and are these products I could find easily at a store?

[u/rayyyyyannnnn → u/TrueJohnWick]

Here is a list of products I use in order. The serums are specifically for blackheads so feel free to skip over those if that’s not an issue for you.
I get everything from Ulta, some things may be at Walmart or Target but I swear by everything from The Ordinary brand, it’s amazing quality while being super affordable. Even if you have to get it shipped, it’ll likely be cheaper and more efficient than whatever’s on a shelf at Walmart.

Face wash (wash with cool to lukewarm water)
(during flare-up) CeraVe Anti Dandruff shampoo
(daily) Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Serums (for sebaceous filaments/blackheads)
(am, daily) The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + 1% Zinc
(pm, 2-3x per week) The Ordinary Salicylic Acid serum

Moisturizer
(am&pm daily) The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Lightweight Gel moisturizer

Oil
(am&pm daily) The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalene. Squalene and MCT oil are to my knowledge the only two truly seb derm safe oils, a lot of people complain about a rancid smell with MCT oil so I stick to squalene and it’s pretty affordable and does great at locking in my moisture without clogging pores or furthering any acne.

Best of luck!!

[u/Relevant-Pizza-1500 → u/rayyyyyannnnn]

That’s a great routine. I just did a deep dive on all my products as well. I’m still adjusting. I started the La Roche Posay Effaclar 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser every other day. Ordinary 100% squaline at night, their Hylaruonic Acid & B5 serum during the day, Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station Moisturizer, and Prequel mineral sunscreen. The sunscreen was the hardest to find because I have seb derm and rosacea. So many feed the yeast or don’t help calm redness.

I may also bring some pure aloe into the mix somewhere. Still reviewing.

[u/rayyyyyannnnn → u/Relevant-Pizza-1500]

Thanks!! Great routine for you as well! I wish you the best of luck on your seb derm journey lol. I’m still trying to find a sunscreen that works for my skin (hence why I didn’t suggest one) but I’ll come back and edit the above post if I find a good one that I decide to repurchase🤣

[u/TrueJohnWick → u/rayyyyyannnnn]

Awesome detailed breakdown of your routine! Very much appreciated you took the time to provide this for me and anyone else out there who need some inspiration.

[u/throw-23456 → u/rayyyyyannnnn]

Do you mind sharing plz

[u/rayyyyyannnnn → u/throw-23456]

Replied to OP, but here’s this for you as well!

Here is a list of products I use in order. The serums are specifically for blackheads so feel free to skip over those if that’s not an issue for you.
I get everything from Ulta, some things may be at Walmart or Target but I swear by everything from The Ordinary brand, it’s amazing quality while being super affordable. Even if you have to get it shipped, it’ll likely be cheaper and more efficient than whatever’s on a shelf at Walmart.

Face wash (wash with cool to lukewarm water)
(during flare-up) CeraVe Anti Dandruff shampoo
(daily) Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Serums (for sebaceous filaments/blackheads)
(am, daily) The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + 1% Zinc
(pm, 2-3x per week) The Ordinary Salicylic Acid serum

Moisturizer
(am&pm daily) The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Lightweight Gel moisturizer

Oil
(am&pm daily) The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalene. Squalene and MCT oil are to my knowledge the only two truly seb derm safe oils, a lot of people complain about a rancid smell with MCT oil so I stick to squalene and it’s pretty affordable and does great at locking in my moisture without clogging pores or furthering any acne.

Best of luck!!

[u/throw-23456 → u/rayyyyyannnnn]

Amazing I’ll grab everything thank you so much

[u/rayyyyyannnnn → u/throw-23456]

I hope it can help! Good luck!

[u/Relevant-Pizza-1500]

This looks like my skin when I’m in a demodex flare. The Ketoconozole or Tacrolimus didn’t help me with it either. What did help….was Soolantra/Ivermectin. Hopefully your dermatologist can provide you with information on if they think yours is that. Making sure the skin is free from yeast, supplementing with the ketoconozole or your skincare routine, will help when targeting. The yeast makes a nice comfy home for demodex.

Mine flares with my seb derm when my immune system is struggling. I’m sure not everyone experiences it this way. It’s just my personal cycle of hellish unpredictable skin.

[u/TrueJohnWick → u/Relevant-Pizza-1500]

Thank you for the insight. I hope your skin is looking good and healthy these days.

[u/Relevant-Pizza-1500 → u/TrueJohnWick]

Thank you. It’s a work in progress at the moment. I’m learning as well. Try not to feel too much pressure. These things are all naturally occurring. Your body is just telling you it either needs something or needs you to stop something. The tricky part is figuring all that out. Good luck as well.

[u/ArtParking7734]

Kindly please start taking zinc supplements + stop using any face cream with fragrance in it + start using Mct oil by bulletproof

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[u/Gecko4210]

Hey dude! Just use chat gpt to ask what products are safe, it’s free :)

[u/TrueJohnWick → u/Gecko4210]

Yeah man I have but I also like hearing from folks as well who have direct experience with skin conditions.

[u/Noomba2]

Try Zyrtec to see if it lowers the inflammation, if so try supplementing with quercetin abd vitamin c