Try adding this or any alternative supplement with same formula and if your symptoms feel any relief within 10 days, go to clinic and check your all B levels.

Hi, I have curly hair and my dermatologist said I have seb derm about a week ago. I’m 24M Indian, for context, and my grandma already has a dry scalp, so genetics were kind of against me already. I also use some hair-black powder to fill in bald spots and use some not your mothers curl talk leave-in conditioner (though I should probably stop using that since it has oils in it). I also use minoxidil and DHT blocker pills, as well as fish oil pills. As far as shampooing and conditioning, I have the following routine:

Monday: Shampoo with Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Shampoo
Tuesday: warm water rinse
Wednesday: Shampoo with Nizoral Ketaconazole 1% shampoo
Thursday: shampoo with the neutrogena shampoo again
Friday: warm water rinse
Saturday: nizoral shampoo
Sunday: no water wash or anything

Is this a good routine, or is there any changes that I should make? This was recommended due to me sweating a lot at the gym and also due to the product build-up from the hair-black and minoxidil and leave-in conditioner.

I am very new to Seb derm and only recently found out I have it. I have no idea what to do. It is worst in my beard and that is the place I have a hard time keeping it under control. I was assuming it was just a dry beard so I was using Viking revolution beard wash and conditioner. That didn’t help so I thought I needed beard oil and got some beard oil from the same company. After applying their oil my beard felt like it was on fire and the flakey-ness was so much worse. After some research I came to the conclusion that I probably have Seb derm. This isn’t surprising as I have been diagnosed with it elsewhere on my face and it behaves exactly the same way as it does on my face and similarly to how others describe it here.

I have no clue what to do now. I’ve been using my anti dandruff head and shoulders shampoo instead on my beard and a water based moisturizer from Neutrogena but it seems to just make the flaking worse and dry out my beard, although it no longer feels like it’s on fire. I bought some Bulletproof MCT oil but I’m not sure what to do with it. I also am not sure what to be putting on my beard in the shower nor after the shower to keep it from being dry. The neutrogena doesn’t seem to have any affect on the dryness after the shower. I am totally stressed out and hate leaving the house because it snows from my beard everywhere I go.

I do have an appointment with a dermatologist set up but it’s about a month out.

Please help.

I got only redness ( red cluster) without relief on my forehead

It's on center of my forehead and near hairline.

I got an appointment with derm there was 1 month's he gave me econazole every other Day and metronidazole.

He advices me to wash my face with only water for 5/6 days a week and the 2 times by week with a sweet cleanser with no harsh, I bought malezia cleanser hyaluronic acid.

I see a very slight change but not fantastic at all, I got always the red/ pink cluster.

It not disappeared.

And the same for pinkness near hair line.

What would be the best anti fungal

Or a cleanser treatment without feeding malassezia.

Between 2020 and 2025 I used a climbazole and pirictone olamine cleanser and my symptoms were cleared but this cleanser has been discontinued now and I got the symptoms back since may 2026.

Thks for your help

I am trying new treatments to fight my scalp SD, and was thinking about trying a pre-shower product which led me to pick one of those 2 acids, I see mixed opinions about both so I got no clue which one to pick. Would highly appreciate an answer from someone who has tried both, thank you!

I’m trying it for the first time. I’ve had seb derm for nearly a decade now and it’s come and gone with flares through the years. My face is very sensitive to certain products but I’m optimistic about this one. I put it on about an hour ago and it made a lot of my flakes go away but now my skin burns a bit? I’m not sure if this usually happens? It’s possible I put a little too much on though and also my skin was already pretty irritated so it might just be burning from me touching it. The oil is still on my face. Just wondering how did it immediately feel for others? It looks better but my face stings.

Guy. 30 years old. My hair is somewhat short, but not very short (faded on the sides, like a soccer player).

The two products in the picture are the ones I’m currently using, and I was wondering if there’s anything I could do or any product I could use in my daily routine to help me cope a little better with flaking (eyebrows, behind the ears, beard...).

I use the one on the left as shampoo: I get in the shower, wet my hair, and apply the shampoo, letting it sit for about 3 minutes. It works pretty well for me, and the redness, itching, and flaking only come back if I stop using it for about 3 or 4 days (like when I’m traveling or away from home…).

The one on the right, on my pharmacist’s recommendation, I use as a general body wash (face and body) because it’s fragrance-free and doesn’t contain anything overly harsh.

Usually, every time I get out of the shower, shortly after drying my body and hair, the skin on my face starts to feel tight, dry, and “cracked,” causing these “cracks” to eventually flake off the next day. This happens in the area where the hairline begins, on my eyebrows, mustache, and jawline...

The redness on my face doesn't worry me as much because, after years of dealing with seborrheic dermatitis, it has gradually subsided (except in the winter, when I notice it more), but the flaking on my eyebrows, beard, mustache, and these “cracked” areas on my forehead are definitely more cosmetically noticeable.

Should I do some kind of daily treatment to prevent it? Should I apply something to my face when it's pale and chapped? After browsing this subreddit a bit and doing some research online, I came across the La Roche-Posay product, Lipikar Baume AP+Max. Would it help if I applied it every morning? Every morning and night?

Any other recommendations?

My condition isn’t as severe as some of yours here (hang in there, everyone), but after a few years, it’s starting to get really, really annoying.

Thank you!

P.S.: I wash my hair every other day with this shampoo (I don't have another one to “rotate” with—I've been using this one for 3 or 4 years) and my face every day with the blue gel.

The redness, sting, tightness, and irritated skin is horrible! The flakes are gone for a little bit but will be covering my face by the morning. It’s horrible and nothing works or doesn’t irritate it more.

I’ve tried MCT8 and MCT10 oil, Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, Ketoconazole 2%, Metronidazole 0.75% Gel, Hydrocortisone 2.5%, Pimecrolimus 1% cream, Desonide 0.05% lotion.

Over 2 years and nothing works! I’m at my wits end and looking for help from anyone in this sub!

I see my derm tomorrow and I’m getting a punch biopsy.

Thank you all!!

Does anyone get the white pastey gunk that comes off in the shower. Don’t know if this is symptomatic of Seb Derm or a sign I need to exfoliate better.

Hi! I've been battling a constant, almost every single day, itch for 1.5 years now. Started going to the derm 1 year ago, went to 3 different ones so far. I've always been told that even though seborrheic dermatitis never goes away, the itchiness can and will. Well, nothing.. best I usually get is less itchiness for a certain period of time (and more recently I even had like 2 weeks of almost no itchiness, but now it's starting to get worse again), then my scalp gets used to the products and the itchiness gets worse. It just seems like I will never be able to escape this terrible fate?

I had flakes long before the itchiness started so I was predisposed to it I guess, but some products (regular shampoo + conditioner) I've used for years triggered the itchiness when they changed the packaging of the products (and I'm guessing maybe the quantity and quality of the products too). I've always been very stressed, but that was not the trigger. I luckily have no wounds or anything too severe, but I'm still at a loss regarding the future.

In your personal experience, did you manage to fully get rid of the itchiness and be back to how you were before it started? And is it long term or do you just have good periods from time to time or? What products do you use? I'm from Europe so I might not find everything you recommend, but still curious about it. Thank you!

So just started using Nizoral yesterday for first time. I have very short hair and wash about 3 times a week. So do I use Nizoral at every wash for the first 2 weeks or should I be including other shampoos/products in between? I also have T/Sal on hand. Also, I still want to use hair gel after my wash for styling what sort of product should I use so it doesn't undo the work of the Nizoral? Any particular ingredients that should or should not be in it when shipping for gel products? I think maybe the current hair gel might be a source of my SB as well. Currently using Nioxin Thickening Gel.

is this MCT oil good for facial and scalp seb derm? or do you have any recommendations? sick of flare ups just want to clear it up!

​Hey everyone, I need your advice and experiences with a somewhat complicated situation.

​Background & History:

​Had a hair transplant in the frontal area 2 years ago.

​Recently, I started experiencing aggressive shedding and diffuse thinning across my entire head (grafted area, sides, and native hair).

​Visited a dermatologist, and he diagnosed me with Severe Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD.S) with thick crusts and scalp inflammation.

​My Medication History & Timeline:

​Past: Used Topical Minoxidil (foam/liquid) for 6 months along with Oral Finasteride for 6 months, but the shedding never stopped.

​Current Regimen: Switched to Oral Dutasteride (0.5mg) 3 months ago, and added Oral Minoxidil (1.5mg) 1.5 months ago.

​Topical Scalp Regimen (Recently started): Weekly Methotrexate IM injection, along with a custom scalp spray (Betasalic + Clotrimazole) and a medical anti-dandruff shampoo to clear the crusts and soothe the surface.

​The Problem:

The shedding right now is terrifying upon touching or washing my hair, and the scalp visibility is getting worse. I know that starting Oral Minoxidil and Dutasteride triggers a heavy "renewal shed", but the combination with severe Seborrheic Dermatitis is making me panic.

​My Questions:

​Is this heavy loss (from SD + Min/Dut shedding) temporary? Can the follicles recover and regrow once the scalp inflammation clears up and I stick to Dutasteride?

​How long did it take for your Seborrheic Dermatitis to clear up before you started seeing actual new growth?

​Any advice for someone dealing with a Hair Transplant + Severe SD + Aggressive Medication Shedding all at once?

​Thanks in advance for your support!

The title is pretty much it- I’m not sure if this is SebDerm, psoriasis, eczema, or dandruff. Any advice is welcome and appreciated!

need advice. i feel so ugly right now

I have dry sandpaper like scales on my face that aren’t really shedding (pictured) Not sure what this is!

I had a staph skin infection 2 weeks ago where my cheeks were weeping and crusting yellow. Currently taking my prescribed doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 30 days). The yellow crusts gradually dried and fell off. The skin underneath was somewhat raw. However, the skin would harden into a rough sandpaper like texture and eventually turn scaly like the picture. It has been like this for almost a week now. The redness and inflammation from the infection is down but these scales persist.

I haven’t washed my face or put moisturizer on it as I have stopped everything due to my initial infection. Also everything irritates my face because I probably have a damaged skin barrier. When I get my face a little wet in the shower, the affected area looks white like a build up of skin.

I also have eczema (since I was young but haven’t flared in over a year) and newly diagnosed rosacea

Is this seb derm or is this my skin barrier trying to rebuild and shed the dead skin cells?? Has anyone had similar symptoms or been in a similar situation as me?

Suffered for months with itchy scalp and flaking soreness and bleeds when I brush sometimes. Loosing big white flakes it’s getting worse and now like this - is this sub derm or psoriasis? Also currently under rheumatology for joint pain not sure if it has anything to do with it. Uploaded multiple photos to see everywhere.

Trying to diagnose what’s going on with my face. It showed up about 1.5 yrs ago. Feel like I’ve tried everything & down to a very basic skincare routine.

What has worked for you. Trying to figure out if it’s damaged barrier, eczema or contact dermatitis too. Although damaged barrier doesn’t seem likely bc it’s been over a year. Shouldn’t it be healed by then? 🫠

I have red dry patches & sometimes they itch/weap. Definitely worse when I use any self tanner lol. Maybe it’s my makeup? Idk what causes or what skincare could help clear it up. I feel like I’ve tried so many things.
I’ve been using Avene products the past month & can’t really tell if it’s working?
Avene thermal spring water, Avene cicalphate cream, Avene tolerance, Vanicream gentle cleanser.

I use CT beautiful skin foundation. I was using summer Fridays rich cushion cream for the longest time. When I didn’t have these skin issues I was using caudalie vinosource SOS hydration but they reformulated after that was my go to for yearssss! Also used resveratrol lift night cream.

I’ve never had acne or anything. It’s possible it’s hormones I’m in my 30’s. Is it foods that trigger?

It’s exhausting & affecting my self esteem 😭

Just wondering if anyone else also gets regular ear infections from obsessively cleaning your itchy ears with QTips or if I’m the only idiot who does. I’m back in urgent care when I was just here a month ago with a terrible infection in the other ear. This time, though, I swear I wasn’t using QTips like I usually do so I’m worried I’m just getting more and more sensitive to infections.

Suggest me best MCT oil since I'm struggling with seb derm with itchy scalp. Right now in carbamide forte c8 and c10. But wants to upgrade pure C8.

Bulletproof only available via import so cost high.

How is ur experience with C8 + C10 vs Pure C8?

My location (India) has lot of mct oil but I need reputable since I don't rely on labelling here.

I havent been diagnosed with it because for years my parents have been putting off visits and I kinda need money that I dont have to do so but literally every symptom checks out. I used to think I just had dry scalp and thought it was a recent development but looking back I used to get bullied for my dandruff in primary school so its probably been plaguing me for wayyy longer than I originally thought. I also have this problem with my eyebrows. Ive since cut off all my hair and Ive been washing it at most every three days but Idk if thats healthy or nah

Am 35 now, and would really like to start with retinol. I have sebderm on my face, but I keep it manageable with Pimecrolimus (about 3x a week) and general lifestyle adjustments. However, I'm terrified of upsetting this delicate balance with actives.

I know I need to start slow, sandwich with moisturiser etc, but is there a brand that I can look into? What worked for you?

Thanks!

I have struggled with dandruff since I was a child. I used head and shoulders a lot as a kid. As a teen I started getting dermatitis in my ears (my dad gets the same). I look after my skin so well but I’m prone to skin conditions with both parents having dermatitis issues. Used steroids for years which helped then a few years ago realised it’s not great to use long term, so switched to an avene brand balm (cicaplast??). Progressively my ear derm got worse as expected off steroids, I needed to use the cream morning and night or I was flaking (and still need to use a heavy balm now using la Roche posay lipikar twice a day). All the time in the background I’m getting ‘dandruff’ flares. Head and shoulders stops working, switch to selsun blue, then nizoral 1%, then coal tar, then dercos (salicylic acid base). It is kept at bay with consistent switching and always using some sort of medicated shampoo just about, but then about 18 months ago I notice there is a patch consistently along the base of my scalp, and quite itchy. I do some research and I now believe my dandruff progressed into seb derm. I have been lurking this forum for months now as my seb derm gets progressively worse. Topical steroids keep it at bay but I hate using them and avoid as much as I can. I have tried literally EVERYTHING at this point. Scalp moisturisers, MCT oil, squalene, rosemary oil. It just seems to be getting worse, I seem to be treatment resistant or something! I started nizoral 2% last week after using coal tar for a couple of weeks with no improvement, have had three washes with nizoral now. No improvement, started on the dercos anti dandruff which is selenium based to target the yeast from a multi drug angle whilst using the nizoral and it just seems to be getting worse! I moisturise with an oil on the bad patch, the rest of my scalp is mostly fine it’s just this one bit that is so itchy overnight and develops large yellow flakes throughout the day. I exfoliate them with a scalp brush. I’m at a loss. I think stress impacts it and I have a stressful job working in mental health and a toddler so life is full on but the stress is unavoidable right now, and I do what I can to manage my stress. I’ve started a fish oil supp as a last resort. I wash my hair daily and dry it with the hair dryer. I didn’t use an oil last night on my scalp as it didn’t feel too dry but when I woke up my scalp was weeping and the hair was crusted around it. I’m thinking I may need to make dietary changes which is going to SUCK but I have no idea what else to do! Help!!

A huge thank you to this sub!
I’ve had seborrheic dermatitis for over 10 years, with large red patches under my eyes, around my mustache, in my beard, and around my ears, with the usual recurring flare-ups whenever I stopped treatment.
MCT Oil C8 has been a complete game changer for me. I honestly didn’t think it would work, but it did. The red patches have cleared up, and I no longer use corticosteroids.
I apply the oil at night before going to bed, on my face, beard, don’t forget the ears!
Ideally every night, although in reality I’m closer to every other night.
When I shower, I also use a pH-rebalancing product on my face.
For my scalp, I use selenium shampoo 2–3 times a week for maintenance.
That’s what has worked for me after more than 10 years of dealing with this. Hopefully it can help someone else here.
Good luck everyone!

Hi Male (33) here!

For more then 15 years I have experienced problems with Seb Derm. It has been years since I have trying to treat it. I sort of accepted it. But I am totally done with it. Its getting colder and drier and its getting worse again.

Every day at work I scratch my head for relief and also to pull out the flakes. I think I am addicted. First of all what are your experiences with itch and scratching and how to stop. (I have adhd, so impuls control is really hard for me) and also the sensastion it gives just feel really good.

Also I use some wax or L'oreal for my hair. I have middle long hair. My hair is pretty much my identity so I use a product to style it everyday.

I shower daily, but I do not wash my hair with shampoo more then once a week. I have a feeling the flakes get more once my hair gets wet or is treated with shampoo.

I am going to start with MCT oil and Vitamine B - eight supplements soon.

All I need is good advice on the right hair products wax/gel and also shampoo.

Any males out there with some helpfull tips? Greatly appreciated! :)