Ranked by 102 mentions across Reddit · Updated October 2026
For perioral dermatitis, Redditors most often reach for sulfur ointment, especially De La Cruz's 10% formula, for its rapid clearing effects. Azelaic acid suspension also sees mention but with less frequency.
The why
A 10% sulfur ointment you use short-contact as a mask or spot treatment. Redditors reach for it on acne, fungal acne, and rosacea flares, and the study backs acne improvement. Dryness and irritation are the catch.
One minus
Dries skin out fast
Good forSensitive Skin, Oily Skin
Azelaic acid 10% for redness, acne, and dark marks; pills hard.
The OrdinaryTreatment6 mentions
For perioral dermatitis, Redditors most often reach for Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream and zinc-based creams due to their soothing and barrier-repairing properties. These moisturizers are praised for calming flare-ups and supporting skin recovery.
Oily skin: gel or gel-cream. Dry skin: cream.
The why
A thick zinc-and-mineral-oil barrier cream for raw, irritated skin, especially tret wreckage, rosacea flares, and perioral dermatitis. People with oily or acne-prone skin often bail because it can feel heavy, dry, or cloggy.
One minus
Heavy, greasy, and slow to absorb
Good forSensitive Skin, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin
Panthenol-heavy repair balm for tret-wrecked, angry skin; very occlusive.
La Roche-PosayMoisturizer18 mentions
Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
Barrier-repair cream that calms rosacea flare-ups; not always moisturizing enough.
AveneMoisturizer3 mentions
Zinc-and-copper barrier cream that rescues irritated, tret-wrecked skin; cloggy for some.
UriageMoisturizer3 mentions
Want something richer? Uriage Bariéderm-CICA Cream Cu-Zn
The why
A pure petrolatum jelly that sits on top and locks in whatever moisture you already have. It’s the r/tretinoin and eczema-sub favorite for dry, angry skin and lips. Acne-prone, hot, or rosacea skin can hate it.
One minus
Too heavy for some faces; can trigger breakouts
Good forDry Skin, Sensitive Skin, Oily Skin
Petrolatum-heavy ointment for sealing in moisture and calming barrier damage; greasy.
Aquaphor4 mentions
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
Niacinamide-plus-ceramide creamy cleanser for dry, reactive skin; weak on heavy makeup.
La Roche-Posay3 mentions
Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by a rash around the mouth, often causing redness and irritation. The Reddit community finds that treatments such as doxycycline, metronidazole gel, and protective creams like Cicalfate+ can help manage symptoms. People often address associated redness and skin barrier issues and find relief with topical and oral medications.
“plain Vaseline on my lips before bed has done wonders for me.”
Mentioned
“Rinse (unless slugging the night before then cleanse)”
Positive
“• Clay mask, derma mask, and slugging on non Taza nights”
Positive
“For the first week, always always always keep it covered with a thin layer of aquaphor”
Positive
“you do not want to see any scabbing! Scabbing will increase severity of scarring. This is why you always keep it covered with aquaphor.”
Positive
“using Aquaphor healing ointment”
Positive
“Well I’ve be using tretinoin for the last month, but I’ve now been adding hyaluaric acid to wet skin and then slugging with cicaplast b5”
Positive
“Seal everything w Vaseline”
Positive
“Dude! I thought only me seal their whole face with vaseline overnight lol.”
Positive
“i’m amazes you can seal your whole face with vaseline and not break out!”
Positive
“Infrequent use of their Azelaic Acid”
Positive
“I also have some redness in my cheeks that Azelaic Acid seems to help with”
Positive
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