Over the counter treatment for Perioral Dermatitis

How to identify perioral dermatitis | First step to manage perioral dermatitis at home | Recommended over the counter treatment options | Natural Remedies | Over the counter medications to avoid | When to See a Dermatologist | FAQ

If you wake up one day to notice a red rash around your mouth that would not fade away, you are not alone. Perioral dermatitis is one of those annoying skin conditions with red itchy bumps that are often mistaken for acne or allergic reactions.

Perioral dermatitis on the chin characterized by red, inflamed bumps, commonly treated with over-the-counter solutions.

On the bright side, you do not necessarily need prescription medicine to get rid of perioral dermatitis. Simple over the counter medication from your local pharmacy, or even natural treatments you can find at home can help you calm the irritation and regain skin confidence. Keep reading to explore practical and accessible treatment options you can try on your own.

How to identify perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis, presenting as a red, itchy rash and scaly bumps around the mouth.

Correct identification is the key to successful treatment. The appearance of perioral dermatitis is often small red bumps, pus-filled spots, or pink, scaly patches around the mouth. However, it can also appear around the eyes or the nose, earning the name ‘peri orofacial dermatitis’.^[1] Even though the exact cause is unknown, several triggers including steroid creams, steroid inhalers, fluorinated toothpaste and certain cosmetic products (eg: combined use of moisturizers and foundation) are known to cause worsening of perioral dermatitis.^[1],[2]

First step to manage perioral dermatitis at home

1. Discontinue irritants

One of the biggest culprits behind perioral dermatitis is overdoing skincare—especially heavy creams, oily products, or even certain medicated treatments like topical steroids are common causes.^[3] While these may seem helpful at first, they can actually make things worse. Especially, with topical steroid applications, initially the rash subsides a bit, but as soon as you stop the steroid, the red bumps appear even angrier than before. If you keep applying the steroid in hope of keeping the dermatitis in control, your skin becomes dependent on the steroid. This increases the risk of perioral dermatitis turning into an even more severe and nastier version, the granulomatous subtype.^[1]

Therefore, the very first step towards healing is stopping the use of topical steroids. If you are asthmatic and using steroid inhalers, make sure you thoroughly wash in and around your mouth after each use of the inhaler. Even some acne treatment can contain harsh ingredients and you may benefit from stopping the use of them. Also, check for irritant ingredients in the products you use, for example fluoride in toothpaste and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in shampoos. Try to swap them for non-irritant products that soothes your skin.

2. Refine your skin care routine

Scale back on your cosmetic use and swap harsh facial products like scrubs and exfoliants to gentler skin care products. Avoid rich creams and give your skin the chance to reset with a simpler, gentler routine. Adopt a minimal skin care routine with fragrance-free, non-foamy cleansers and lightweight non-comedogenic moisturizers to clear out the dermatitis around the mouth.

Recommended over the counter treatment options

It is recommended to wait for 5 weeks to see if the rash naturally subsides.^[4] If the rash does not fade away within this period even with the above preventive measures, there are several medications you can try without any prescription.

Topical Sulfur or Sulfacetamide Preparations are over the counter options that remedy perioral dermatitis.^[1] These are found in products like De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment or Sulfur 8 Medicated Shampoo that are available without a prescription. Topical adapalene (a synthetic form of retinoid that increases your cell renewal) is now available as an over-the-counter option in 0.1% gel form.^[1],[5] Both these are mainly used in acne treatment, but can help perioral dermatitis as well, by reducing inflammation and promoting healthy skin growth. It is important to keep in mind that these topical methods can take up to 3 months of daily use to show results.^[1]

Alzeic acid gel is used by many as a treatment option, but recent research show that it may not be as effective as previously thought. Research conducted by the Lithuanian University of health sciences clearly showed that 15% alzeic acid was ineffective as a cure for perioral dermatitis.^[4] Other options include zinc based topical creams that help reduce the inflammation. However, there is no strong research evidence to confirm the effectiveness of these over-the-counter treatments. Pimecrolimus cream, praziquantel ointment, benzoyl peroxide, and antibiotics like clindamycin, tetracycline and erythromycin are prescription drugs with proven efficacy.^[4]

Natural Remedies for Perioral Dermatitis

You can use aloe vera to sooth your skin with its cooling effect, and to reduce inflammation and redness. Coconut oil and shea butter help to lock in the moisture and prevent dryness and limit the irritation. Coconut oil has the added benefit of mild antibacterial property, which helps in healing. However, always be mindful about cleanliness when applying these ointments to avoid introducing bacteria to erupted skin from your fingers. Furthermore, avoid harsh natural home remedies like tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar as these may worsen the irritation.

Over the counter medications to avoid

Steroids should be avoided at all costs. Even though steroids may temporarily reduce the redness and blisters, it does not cure the rash around your mouth. Overuse of steroids can lead to disastrous consequences including skin thinning, wrinkling, burning sensation, and also give rise to conditions like rosacea, perioral dermatitis, acne, and purpura.^[6] Antifungal creams and acne treatment should also be avoided as these show no signs of helping perioral dermatitis.

When to See a Dermatologist

If the rash does not fade away by 4 to 6 weeks of self-treatment, or if the rash grows to involve other areas of your face including the forehead, nose or eyes, you definitely need to see a healthcare provider. And also, if the dermatitis around the mouth becomes bothersome for you for any reason, like itching, burning, or discomfort, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. Timely visit to the healthcare provider can help you establish proper diagnosis, get stronger prescription medication to achieve faster recovery, and avoid social and mental challenges related to your appearance.

Not sure if your rash is perioral dermatitis or another form of eczema? Our eczema overview explains the key differences.

When over-the-counter care is usually enough

For many people, perioral dermatitis improves with simple at-home care. The key is to stop using topical steroids, heavy creams, and irritating products that triggered the rash in the first place.
Switch to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer. This allows your skin barrier to reset naturally.
Mild redness or bumps often start improving within a few weeks of this simplified routine.

How long to wait before seeking professional help

If your rash hasn’t improved within four to six weeks, or if it begins to spread to other areas like the nose, eyes, or forehead, it’s a sign you may need more than OTC options.
Likewise, increasing redness, pain, burning, or new pus-filled bumps mean self-care might not be enough.
At this point, a dermatologist can assess whether it’s truly perioral dermatitis or another condition that looks similar.

What a dermatologist can do differently?

A dermatologist can prescribe topical or oral antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams that aren’t available over the counter.
These treatments target the inflammation more directly, shorten recovery time, and help prevent future recurrences.
They can also confirm the correct diagnosis — ruling out conditions like rosacea, allergic contact dermatitis, or fungal infections that need entirely different treatments.

Why professional review matters?

Getting timely advice helps you avoid unnecessary irritation, scarring, and frustration from using the wrong products.
Even an online dermatologist consultation can help you understand whether prescription therapy is needed, or if your current self-care is on the right track.
This extra clarity lets you make confident, safe choices for your skin without delay.

The bottom line

If your perioral dermatitis is mild, consistent gentle care and avoidance of irritants often do the trick.
But if symptoms persist, worsen, or spread — don’t wait.
A dermatologist’s guidance can make all the difference in achieving lasting relief and protecting your skin’s health.