Perioral Dermatitis Ingredient Database

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

One of the most common PD triggers. Highly irritating surfactant found in many cleansers and toothpastes.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Milder than SLS but still a known PD irritant. Commonly found in shampoos and cleansers.

Sodium Fluoride

Fluoride in toothpaste is a top PD trigger, especially for perioral breakouts around the mouth and chin.

Petrolatum

Heavy occlusive that can trap bacteria and feed PD. A common zero therapy recommendation is to avoid all heavy occlusives.

Mineral Oil

Heavy occlusive similar to petrolatum. Can worsen PD by preventing skin from breathing.

Lanolin

Common PD trigger and allergen. Found in many lip balms and heavy moisturizers.

Isopropyl Myristate

Highly comedogenic and can feed the Malassezia yeast associated with PD. A common trigger.

Isopropyl Palmitate

Same family as isopropyl myristate. Comedogenic and a likely PD trigger.

Fragrance

Fragrance ingredients are well-documented PD irritants. The wiki explicitly says to stop using all fragranced products.

Menthol

Mint/menthol is a known PD irritant, especially from toothpaste. Many people see improvement after switching to mint-free toothpaste.

Corticosteroids

Topical steroids can initially suppress PD but cause significant rebound flares. The wiki specifically says to stop all steroid creams.

Coconut Oil

High comedogenic rating (4/5) and can feed Malassezia. Widely reported as a PD trigger.

Cocoa Butter

Heavy occlusive with a high comedogenic rating. Commonly triggers or worsens PD.

Oleic Acid

Disrupts skin barrier and feeds Malassezia. Found in oils like olive oil and argan oil.

Olive Oil

High in oleic acid which feeds Malassezia. Commonly worsens perioral dermatitis.

Beeswax

Heavy occlusive used in lip balms, salves, and thick creams. Traps bacteria and can worsen perioral flares, especially around the lips and mouth.

Propylene Glycol

A penetration enhancer and humectant that is a recognized skin sensitizer. Found in many cosmetics, cleansers, and some toothpastes. Can trigger contact dermatitis and worsen PD.

Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

Preservatives that release formaldehyde, a well-known skin sensitizer and irritant. Common in shampoos, conditioners, and some moisturizers. Can trigger contact dermatitis and worsen PD.

Sodium Coco Sulfate

A sulfate surfactant similar to SLS, often derived from coconut oil and marketed as 'natural'. Equally irritating to PD-prone skin due to the same sulfate chemistry.

Isopropyl Isostearate

Highly comedogenic fatty esters in the same family as isopropyl myristate. Can clog pores and feed Malassezia, worsening PD.

Methylisothiazolinone

A widely-used preservative and a top contact allergen. The EU banned it in leave-on cosmetics due to sensitization. A significant PD trigger.

Parabens

Preservatives that are known contact sensitizers. Butyl and propylparaben especially can disrupt skin barrier in PD-prone individuals. Widely reported as triggers by the PD community.

Argan Oil

High in oleic acid (~50%), which disrupts the skin barrier and feeds Malassezia. Despite its 'luxury' reputation, widely reported as a PD trigger.

Palm Oil

High in oleic and palmitic acid. Comedogenic with a high Malassezia-feeding risk. Found in many soaps, cleansers, and lip products.

Triethanolamine

pH adjuster and emulsifier that is a known skin sensitizer with prolonged use. Can break down to form nitrosamines. Common irritant for PD-prone skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate

A sulfate-adjacent anionic surfactant often found in 'SLS-free' toothpastes and cleansers. Can trigger PD similarly to SLS in sensitive individuals.

Wheat Germ Oil

Very high in oleic acid and can also trigger gluten sensitivity on skin. Comedogenic and a known PD trigger.

Avocado Oil

Very high in oleic acid (~70%), feeding Malassezia and disrupting the skin barrier. Commonly triggers PD flares.

Sunflower Oil

High in linoleic acid (good) but also oleic acid variants depending on grade. Refined high-oleic sunflower oil particularly can worsen PD.

Evening Primrose Oil

High in oleic acid and fatty acids that can feed Malassezia. Often marketed for sensitive skin but reported as a PD trigger.

Sweet Almond Oil

High in oleic acid and comedogenic. Frequently used in facial oils and cleansing balms — a common hidden PD trigger.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Found in some 'natural' toothpastes and cleansers. Highly alkaline (pH 8.3), disrupting the skin's acid mantle and worsening PD.

Shea Butter

Heavy for some PD sufferers. Some tolerate it fine; others report flares. Introduce carefully.

Silicones

Debated in the PD community. Occlusive for some but non-comedogenic. Monitor your skin's reaction.

Alcohol Denat

Can disrupt the skin barrier with regular use, potentially worsening PD. Use with caution.

Essential Oils

Many essential oils are irritants and can trigger PD. Some (like tea tree) have anecdotal benefits but are risky.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Effective for acne but can be too harsh for PD-prone skin and may worsen irritation.

Retinol

Can be irritating near the mouth area. Not the same as tretinoin treatment for PD. Use with caution.

Glycolic Acid

Strong exfoliant that can irritate compromised PD skin. Use only during remission.

Salicylic Acid

Can be too harsh on active PD. Some find it helpful after remission for maintenance.

Lactic Acid

A gentler AHA but still potentially irritating on active PD breakouts.

Witch Hazel

Astringent that may irritate PD-prone skin, especially formulas with high alcohol content.

Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C is beneficial for skin but can be irritating at high concentrations (10%+) on PD-prone skin. Lower concentrations and gentler derivatives are generally better tolerated.

Chemical UV Filters

Chemical sunscreen filters, especially cinnamate-based ones (octinoxate) and oxybenzone, can sensitize PD-prone skin. Prefer mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide).

Mandelic Acid

A gentler AHA than glycolic acid but can still irritate active PD skin. Better tolerated during remission. Avoid during active flares.

Phenoxyethanol

Common preservative that some PD sufferers react to. Generally considered safe at ≤1%, but worth noting if a product causes repeated flares.

Niacinamide (High Dose)

At concentrations above 10%, niacinamide can cause flushing and irritation. Standard concentrations (≤10%) are safe and beneficial for PD.

Polyethylene Glycol

PEGs are penetration enhancers that can carry other irritants deeper into skin. Can also be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. Not a direct PD trigger but worth monitoring.

Retinoic Acid

Prescription retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene) are sometimes prescribed for PD but can cause significant purging and irritation. Only use under medical supervision for PD.

Neem Oil

Has antimicrobial properties but is high in oleic acid and heavy. Mixed reports in the PD community — some benefit, many report flares.

Castor Oil

Very thick, occlusive oil with ricinoleic acid. Can be problematic around the mouth area. Use with caution on PD-prone skin.

Zinc Oxide

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Often found in mineral sunscreens. Generally well-tolerated by PD sufferers.

Azelaic Acid

Can actually help treat PD. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and non-irritating for most people.

Niacinamide

Supports skin barrier function and reduces inflammation. Well-tolerated at concentrations up to 10%.

Ceramides

Essential for skin barrier repair. A key ingredient to look for when rebuilding barrier function after PD.

Hyaluronic Acid

Lightweight humectant that hydrates without occlusion. Generally very well-tolerated by PD-prone skin.

Squalane

Lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that mimics skin's natural sebum. One of the safest oils for PD-prone skin.

Glycerin

Gentle humectant. Very unlikely to trigger PD and helps maintain skin hydration.

Hypochlorous Acid

The wiki recommends spraying hypochlorous acid multiple times a day. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and disrupts harmful biofilms.

Zinc Pyrithione

Antifungal and antibacterial. Often helpful for PD due to its antimicrobial properties.

Allantoin

Soothing and healing ingredient. Well-tolerated and can help calm PD irritation.

Panthenol

Moisturizing and soothing. Supports skin barrier and generally very well-tolerated.

Centella Asiatica

Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing. A good ingredient to look for during PD recovery.

Titanium Dioxide

Physical sunscreen ingredient. Generally non-irritating and safe for PD-prone skin.

Aloe Vera

Soothing and anti-inflammatory. Helps calm PD irritation and provides lightweight hydration. Well-tolerated and commonly recommended during recovery.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Anti-inflammatory and barrier-repairing. FDA-recognized skin protectant. Excellent for calming PD irritation without clogging pores.

Beta-Glucan

Powerful soothing and barrier-strengthening ingredient. Deeply hydrating without occlusion. An excellent choice for PD recovery.

Propanediol

A gentle plant-derived humectant and safer alternative to propylene glycol. Generally non-irritating and well-tolerated by PD-prone skin.

Polyglutamic Acid

A powerful humectant that holds more moisture than hyaluronic acid. Gentle and non-irritating, making it suitable for PD-prone skin.

Madecassoside

A pure active compound from Centella Asiatica. Strongly anti-inflammatory and promotes collagen synthesis. Excellent for PD recovery.

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory compound derived from chamomile. Calms irritated PD-prone skin without fragrance risk.

Xylitol

Used in fluoride-free toothpastes. Antibacterial against cavity-causing bacteria and non-irritating for perioral skin.

Resveratrol

Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Well-tolerated on PD-prone skin at typical cosmetic concentrations.

Tremella Mushroom

A natural humectant with hyaluronic acid-like properties. Soothing and non-irritating for PD-prone skin.

Sodium PCA

A component of skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Gentle humectant with no known PD associations.

Urea

At low concentrations (≤5%) urea is a gentle humectant and keratolytic that helps with dry, flaky PD skin. Well-tolerated.

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

A cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid that provides longer-lasting hydration. As gentle and safe as regular hyaluronic acid for PD-prone skin.

Peptides

Skin-signalling molecules that support collagen and barrier repair. Generally non-irritating and beneficial for PD recovery skin.

Green Tea Extract

Rich in antioxidants (EGCG) with proven anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Beneficial and well-tolerated for PD-prone skin.

Licorice Root Extract

Anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening. Particularly helpful for post-PD hyperpigmentation. Well-tolerated with no known PD associations.

Tranexamic Acid

Brightening agent that reduces post-inflammatory pigmentation from PD. Gentle and well-tolerated on sensitive skin.

Aqua

Water — the most common cosmetic ingredient. Completely inert and safe for PD-prone skin.

Carbomer

A thickening and gelling agent. Inert and non-irritating at typical cosmetic concentrations. No known PD associations.

Xanthan Gum

Natural polysaccharide thickener. Non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Considered safe for PD-prone skin.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

A highly refined, lightweight emollient made from coconut-derived C8/C10 fatty acids. Unlike coconut oil, it does not feed Malassezia and is well-tolerated by PD-prone skin.