Best Treatments for Perioral Dermatitis

Ranked by 30 mentions across Reddit · Updated September 2026

Top picks· 2

Reddit’s top pick

Sulfur Ointment

De La Cruz23 mentions

The why

Ten-minute mask sessions are the community’s go-to, with users rinsing it off after applying it to affected spots.

“I had it for 6 months around my mouth and this stuff made it go away in a week.”
— Reddit, r/tretinoin

One minus

Can cause cracking and peeling skin

Good forOily Skin

Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
The Ordinary7 mentions
Four-day fixes are reported, including one user who says azelaic acid cleared their flare.
“I ended up picking up azaleaic acid from the Ordinary after seeing someone on IG said it worked.”
— Reddit, r/40plusskincare
from $12

Community take

For perioral dermatitis, Redditors most often recommend sulfur ointment, especially De La Cruz, and many describe fast reductions in irritation or clearing. Results vary, with some people reporting worsening or discomfort.

What works

People report irritation and redness improving quickly.
Some say sulfur ointment cleared their dermatitis within days.
Several describe less pain and smoother-feeling skin.

Watch out for

Some report dryness and angrier-looking skin.
Itching can be intense for some users.
The sulfur smell is unpleasant to some.

Best Treatments for Perioral Dermatitis

Top picks· 2

Community take

What works

Watch out for

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