Perioral Dermatitis: What It Is & How to Treat It

“Perioral” means “around the mouth,” so perioral dermatitis refers to dermatitis, or a rash around the mouth. This condition is commonly characterized by small, red bumps around the mouth and nose and can be caused by mint flavorings in gum, mints and toothpaste, among other factors. If you think you might have perioral dermatitis, take a look at this guide to learn more about common signs and symptoms, treatment options, and other conditions that closely resemble it.

Perioral dermatitis is a rash that forms around the mouth and nose, though it can also affect other areas of the face, such as the skin near your eyes. While this inflammatory condition is most commonly seen in women between the ages of 25 to 45, it can also affect men and women of various ages. The exact causes of perioral dermatitis remain unknown, but it is frequently linked with mint or cinnamon flavorings or an overuse of topical steroids.

The most common symptoms of perioral dermatitis include:

• Redness and inflammation around the mouth.

• Small red bumps or pustules.

• Dry, scaly, or flaky skin.

• Itching or burning.

Not everyone with perioral dermatitis will experience all of these symptoms, so it is still possible to have this condition even if you have only one or two symptoms. Similarly, these same symptoms can be very similar to those of other skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea .

Current research suggests that multiple factors may contribute to the development of perioral dermatitis. However, flavorings and the overuse or misuse of topical steroids is by far the most prevalent (3). Below is a breakdown of some of the possible causes of perioral dermatitis and how they might contribute to this inflammatory skin condition:

• Flavorings- Peppermint and cinnamon gum, mints and toothpaste are common causes of a an allergic rash around the mouth.
• Topical steroids-  Corticosteroids  are often used to treat conditions like eczema, psoriasis or other skin rashes. However, if used long-term, these ingredients can thin the skin, change the balance of the skin microbiome, and trigger rebound inflammation when you stop using them, causing the small, red, acne-like bumps seen in perioral dermatitis (4).
• Certain cosmetic products- Some skin care ingredients, such as isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and many fragrances, can be irritating to the delicate skin around the mouth and may also clog pores. This combination of side effects may result in symptoms of perioral dermatitis. Studies also show that high-SPF sunscreens can cause perioral dermatitis in children (5). Over exfoliation is also a cause of this perioral rash.
• Fluoridated toothpaste- Some research suggests that fluoride may trigger perioral dermatitis in some people. While this connection is still debated, there is some clinical evidence that for some, perioral dermatitis symptoms appear to improve after switching to fluoride-free toothpaste (6, 7). Teeth lightening toothpastes can also cause this rash.
• Hormonal changes- Hormones can directly affect sebaceous (oil) glands and skin hydration. Shifts in hormone levels – such as during puberty, menstruation, menopause, or while taking birth control medications – may increase susceptibility to skin irritation, contributing to conditions like perioral dermatitis (8).
• Changes to the skin microbiome- The  skin microbiome  refers to the complex community of microbes that live on your skin. If the ratio between beneficial and harmful microbes living on your skin becomes imbalanced, this can result in a variety of skin problems, including inflammatory conditions like rosacea and perioral dermatitis (9). 
• Environmental factors- Factors like sun exposure, very hot or cold weather, and air pollution can strip the skin of its natural moisture and lead to irritation and conditions like perioral dermatitis.

The key to getting rid of perioral dermatitis quickly is to get to the root cause or causes. This can take some time, but it is typically best to start eliminating items from your skin care routine first and see if your skin starts to clear up. If this still doesn’t work, your dermatologist might recommend using a topical medication or cream to help clear your symptoms.

What to eliminate

• Topical steroids

• Flavored gum or mints, or candy- especially peppermint or cinnamon flavors

• Fluoride toothpaste

• High-SPF sunscreens

• New cosmetic products

What to use to treat perioral dermatitis

• Topical antibiotics like erythromycin, clindamycin, or metronidazole

• Azelaic acid ,which has anti-inflammatory properties (10)

• Sulfur, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties

• Isotretinoin, which can help to reduce inflammation and sebum production

In addition to any prescription creams or ointments that your dermatologist might prescribe for perioral dermatitis, it is best to streamline your skin care routine and avoid using any harsh or potentially irritating ingredients.

Some gentle skin care products to consider using while treating rashes like perioral dermatitis include:

One challenge when trying to treat perioral dermatitis yourself is that it can often closely resemble other skin conditions – so it is important to first get an accurate diagnosis. Some of the conditions that perioral dermatitis can look like include:

• Acne vulgaris- Both conditions can present with red bumps, but acne often also includes blackheads and whiteheads.
• Fungal acne- Fungal acne  is caused by an overgrowth of yeast and forms clusters of itchy, red bumps. However, fungal acne can occur on the face or body, while perioral dermatitis is characterized by a rash on the face.
• Rosacea- This inflammatory skin condition can also cause red pustules to form on the face, along with red flushing of the skin and sometimes broken blood vessels.
• Contact dermatitis- Contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction to a specific allergen trigger and should go away on its own as soon as the trigger is removed.

Perioral dermatitis is a fairly common skin condition that can cause small red pustules and sometimes itching or a burning sensation around the mouth. In many cases, it is caused by using topical steroids too long, so stopping steroid use may help to clear the rash. In other cases, topical or oral medications may be needed to treat recurring or severe perioral dermatitis. Additionally, make sure you are using a simplified skin care routine that’s right for your skin type and free of harsh or irritating ingredients.

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9. Mochizuki, A., Osaka, T., Fukuya, Y., Yanagisawa, N., & Ishiguro, N. (2025). Comparative Analysis of the Skin Microbiota of Rosacea, Steroid‐Induced Rosacea and Perioral Dermatitis. Experimental Dermatology, 34(3), e70084.
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