It can be really hard to find a regime that works for perioral dermatitis, but will apple cider vinegar do the trick?
Perioral dermatitis, the condition somewhere between acne, rosacea and dermatitis which leaves the area around the mouth inflamed, spotty and sore, can be really difficult to manage. That might be due to difficulties in diagnosing it, given how similar it can look to other skin problems, but it’s also down to how differently it’s triggered in different people. Some sufferers find a breakout is caused by exposure to the sunlight, others by a course of topical steroid cream. Others still find their flares are associated with an overgrowth of candida yeast on their skin.
It might be the last group who really benefit from diluted apple cider vinegar as a treatment for perioral dermatitis. This raw, unfiltered and unpasteurised vinegar is full of nutrients and good bacteria. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, so it can get to work on any yeasts and bacteria that are aggravating skin that's prone to perioral dermatitis.
It is also possible that apple cider vinegar will balance out the acidity of the skin; eczema sufferers tend to have more alkaline skin than usual, which affects the healthy functioning of their skin barrier. An acid like natural vinegar may help restore balance.
However, in people whose perioral dermatitis is triggered by steroids, stress or sunshine, apple cider vinegar may have much less of an affect. And in some, the acidity may cause irritation rather than having a calming effect on their inflamed skin.
If you want to try apple cider vinegar on your perioral dermatitis, dilute it one to one with lukewarm water and dab it on after cleansing, as if it were a skin toner.
Remember to use skincare that will not aggravate the condition; stick to unperfumed, sulphate-free, nourishing products.
For further information about what you can do holistically to manage flare-ups, see our blog on How To Treat Perioral Dermatitis.
Recommended products:
Balmonds Scalp Oil with tea tree, rosemary & borage (f14.99 for 50ml)
Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream with hemp & shea (from £13.99 for 100ml)
Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil with rosehip & calendula (£18.99 for 50ml)
Balmonds Natural Shampoo & Body Wash with nettle and chamomile (£19 for 200ml)
