My Skin Diary

I am starting this blog to keep track of my efforts to get rid of the Perioral Dermatitis I've had off and on for over a decade. I have not been diagnosed by a doctor. I have been reading lots of medical websites and message boards this week. :)

My case seems to be milder than many that I have seen in pictures online. I don't have as many bumps and not as much redness. I hope that means it will clear quicker.

What had I been doing to my face the past year?

I had been using regular terrycloth washcloths to wash my face.
I exfoliated once or twice a day with Deep Sea Cosmetics Regenerating Facial Cleanser.
I used the makeup remover wipes from Walmart to remove makeup before bed.
I sometimes used the new Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover and did try their Purifying Pore Scrub, too.
I used Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Moisturizing Cream at night (used to use morning and night until I added tinted moisturizer to morning routine).
I also used Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn Moisturizing Cream for a few weeks at night.
I used jojoba oil on my face under my tinted moisturizer.
If my face was especially "dry" around my nose and chin I would apply Hydrocortisone cream 1% and/or triple antibiotic ointment.
I sometimes apply Tea Tree Oil neat to pimples, but have mostly stopped since it seems to be too harsh.
I started using Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in fair to light last spring because of the SPF 30.

Prior to the tinted moisturizer I used mineral makeup on my face. I used blush only sometimes. I always wear eyeliner and eyeshadow and have several different brands that I use.

Then there are all the lip products I use. I am a "don't leave home without it" kinda gal when it comes to lip balm. I have been trying different brands lately, some with SPF and some without. I have also started trying out lip stains and lipstick. I didn't even think about that as a source of my problem, but I saw it mentioned somewhere as a possible problem.

I read a lot of things that talked about a possible link to fluoride and anti-tartar toothpastes. I guess that means I am going to stop using my Crest Sensitivity toothpaste. I only started using it within about the past year or so.

This about covers it for products I've used on my face.

What condition is my face in? What are my symptoms?

My Perioral Dermatitis begins on the lower left side of my nose as a small bumpy red patch that becomes scaly. It is dry and itchy. I had my first episode around 13 years ago. At first, I thought it was dandruff.

The past couple years I have been having red, bumpy patches on the sides of my chin, as well. I didn't think the two symptoms were related until now. I thought it was acne. The patches would break out with small pimples or larger, painful, itchy bumps. The patches do get dry, but no scale.

The use of Hydrocortisone cream makes it better at first, but it either hangs around or comes back.

These are the only symptoms I have ever really noticed. For the most part it is an uncomfortable condition that makes your skin look and feel bad.