What cream should I use to combat seborrheic dermatitis?

Before applying a cream to seborrheic dermatitis of the face, it's important to identify the factors that encourage outbreaks and avoid them as much as possible, as well as implementing appropriate hygiene measures. The skin of patients suffering from seborrheic dermatitis is weakened. It is therefore important to use a gentle, non-aggressive skincare product that is specific to this type of condition.

Treating symptoms

There are many treatments available to combat the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. They will help to achieve remission during relapses, but unfortunately whatever treatment your doctor puts in place will never be curative, and relapses will always occur. It's a chronic condition, and you can't get rid of it for good.
 

In practice, your doctor will choose the most appropriate treatment for symptoms depending on the discomfort experienced and the lesions. To treat seborrheic dermatitis on the face, choose a cream.

Medication: recommended creams for seborrheic dermatitis

There are several types of medicines available in cream form for seborrheic dermatitis of the face. Local antifungals are the most commonly used. 

Ciclopiroxolamine ⁽¹⁾

This compound is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis of the face. 
It is applied as an initial treatment during relapses twice a day for two to four weeks, then as a maintenance treatment to limit the risk of relapse once a day for a month.
Thanks to its antifungal action, it will reduce the concentration of Malassezia yeasts in the lesions.

Dermocorticoids ⁽¹⁾

These are prescribed for seborrheic dermatitis of the face alone or in combination during the inflammatory phase of the condition. They are used for their anti-inflammatory properties and are applied in a thin layer with a gentle massage to help them penetrate the skin.

Lithium gluconate ⁽¹⁾

It can also be prescribed in cases of seborrheic dermatitis of the face for its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal action, depending on its concentration. Apply a thin layer over the entire face twice a day for an average of two months. 

Dermo-cosmetic creams recommended for seborrheic dermatitis

There are also a number of dermo-cosmetic products in cream form that can be recommended by your doctor. They can be used on their own in mild forms or in conjunction with medicated treatments.
These creams for seborrheic dermatitis are easily recognised by their DS designation. They may be composed of several ingredients, each of which acts on different disease mechanisms:

• Antifungal action to reduce the proliferation of Malassezia yeasts.
• Keratolytic action to combat flaky skin.
• A reduction in excess sebum on the skin's surface.

For the most part, these Seborrheic Dermatitis or DS creams are applied as an initial treatment to clean skin once or twice a day for a fortnight, then twice a week as a maintenance treatment to ensure that flare-ups are spaced out over time. They differ in texture, method of application and concentration of active ingredients. The more concentrated they are, the more effective they will be. 

General skincare advice for seborrheic dermatitis

As well as applying cream regularly to facial seborrheic dermatitis, here are 3 general tips to follow for effective treatment:

1. Gently cleanse your skin with a cleanser, such as a foaming gel, specifically indicated for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. If the scalp is affected, choose shampoos for seborrheic dermatitis, which can be identified by the DS mentioned on the packaging (for Dermite Séborrhéique, or Seborrheic Dermatitis).
2. Moisturise your skin daily.
3. Avoid triggers known to aggravate seborrheic dermatitis, such as stress, alcohol, smoking, etc.