The Pimples Around the Mouth That Won't Go Away – and Why Another Cream Won't Always Help

Perioral Dermatitis – a Problem Very Easy to Confuse with Acne

Sometimes small red pimples appear around the mouth.

We try to dry them out, cleanse the area more often, apply anti-acne products, but instead of improving, the skin becomes more irritated.

One possible reason for this is a condition called Perioral Dermatitis.

What is perioral dermatitis?

It is an inflammatory condition that can cause small pimples, redness, dryness, flaking, and sometimes also a feeling of burning or stinging.

Despite the name, the inflammation does not have to appear only around the mouth. It can also appear near the nose and around the eyes.

One of its possible characteristics is that the skin immediately next to the lips stays relatively clear, while the pimples appear around it.

Why does it happen?

It's not always possible to identify one clear cause.

In some people there is a connection to the use of products containing steroids, especially steroid creams applied to the face.

Certain skincare products, heavy or irritating products, and sometimes toothpastes may also be linked to an outbreak in sensitive people.

It's important to know that not everyone who uses a rich cream or a certain toothpaste will develop the problem.

Why is it so easy to misdiagnose?

Because at first glance the pimples can look like acne.

But there is an important difference.

In acne we may see blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples of various types.

In perioral dermatitis, on the other hand, relatively small pimples, redness, and irritation are common, and often there are no comedones like in acne.

The accurate diagnosis is made by a dermatologist, because other conditions can look very similar.

What should we not do?

One mistake is to apply more and more products to the area in an attempt to make the pimples disappear.

Acids, peels, strong acne products, and frequent rubbing can worsen the irritation.

Another mistake is to use a steroid cream on the face without a medical diagnosis and guidance.

Steroids may cause a temporary improvement in redness, but in perioral dermatitis they can worsen the problem or cause it to return.

If using prescription steroids, we don't stop treatment on our own, especially if it's a prolonged treatment or a medication given for another disease.

What can we do in daily life?

Simplify the skincare routine.
Avoid temporarily cosmetic products that are not necessary and active ingredients that irritate the area.

Cleanse gently.
Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser if needed, without rubbing the skin.

Avoid unnecessary experiments.
Don't switch to a different product every day in the hope of finding a quick solution.

See a dermatologist if the problem persists.
In many cases medical treatment is required, and sometimes anti-inflammatory products or local or oral antibiotics are used, depending on the severity of the condition.

The improvement can take several weeks, and sometimes more.

And what about moisturizer?

We are used to thinking that the drier and more irritated the skin, the richer the cream we should apply to it.

But in perioral dermatitis, heavy and occlusive products can worsen the condition in some people.

Therefore it's not always advisable to add another layer of cream, even when the skin feels dry.

Sometimes precisely a minimal routine, together with appropriate treatment, is the right choice.

My daily recommendation

We are used to searching for a solution to every skin problem through another product.

Another serum, another cream, another active ingredient.

But sometimes the most important thing is to identify the problem correctly, before we try to solve it.

If pimples that return again and again appear around the mouth, especially when accompanied by redness and burning, it's not advisable to assume it's acne.

Our skin is complex, and not every problem requires the same treatment.

And the more we learn to understand it better, the better the decisions we can make about how we care for it.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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