If you’ve ever struggled with red, bumpy, irritated skin around your mouth, nose, or eyes, you might be dealing with perioral dermatitis—a frustrating and sometimes persistent skin condition. While there’s no single cause, one major trigger is an ingredient commonly found in personal care products: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

If you’ve never thought about how SLS could be affecting your skin, now’s the time to take a closer look. In this post, we’re diving deep into what perioral dermatitis is, how SLS contributes to skin irritation, and how you can adjust your skincare routine to keep your skin calm, clear, and happy!

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What is Perioral Dermatitis?

Perioral dermatitis is a facial rash that usually appears around the mouth, nose, and sometimes the eyes. It can look like:

✅ Redness or a rash-like irritation
✅ Tiny, inflamed bumps (that may resemble acne or rosacea)
✅ Flaky, dry, or itchy skin
✅ A burning or stinging sensation

This condition is often mistaken for acne, rosacea, or eczema, but it has its own unique set of triggers and requires different treatment. It’s more common in women between 20-45 years old but can happen at all ages!

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What Causes Perioral Dermatitis?

There isn’t a single cause of perioral dermatitis, but it’s often linked to irritants in skincare and personal care products. Common triggers include:

🚩 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – A harsh foaming agent found in face wash, toothpaste, shampoo, and even some lotions.
🚩 Fluoride Toothpaste – Another common irritant that can worsen perioral dermatitis.
🚩 Topical Steroids – Overuse of corticosteroid creams (like hydrocortisone) can trigger or worsen symptoms.
🚩 Heavy Skincare Products – Thick creams and occlusive ingredients (like petroleum-based products) can trap bacteria and worsen irritation.
🚩 Hormonal Changes & Stress – Fluctuations in hormones and increased stress levels can make symptoms flare up.

Since SLS is one of the biggest culprits, let’s talk about why this ingredient is best avoided if you do have perioral dermatitis.

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What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent and detergent that helps products like shampoo, face wash, toothpaste, and body wash create that rich, bubbly lather.

It’s cheap, effective at removing oil and dirt, and widely used in the beauty and cleaning industries. However, while SLS might make your products foam up nicely, it can be extremely harsh on the skin—especially for those prone to perioral dermatitis.

How SLS Affects the Skin

🚨 Strips the Skin Barrier – SLS is a known irritant that disrupts the skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity.

🚨 Increases Skin Inflammation – Because SLS is so aggressive at removing oils, it can trigger an inflammatory response, making conditions like perioral dermatitis worse.

🚨 Alters the Skin’s Microbiome – Your skin has a natural balance of good bacteria that help keep inflammation in check. SLS can throw this balance off, leading to flare-ups.

🚨 Worsens Sensitivity Over Time – Even if your skin doesn’t react immediately, long-term exposure to SLS can make your skin more prone to irritation and redness.

Since perioral dermatitis thrives in an environment where the skin barrier is weak, eliminating SLS from your routine is one of the best steps you can take to heal your skin.

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How to Avoid SLS in Your Skincare Routine

The good news? SLS-free skincare and personal care products are easier to find than ever! Here’s how to make the switch:

1. Check Your Ingredient Labels

When shopping for skincare, look out for these SLS-related ingredients and avoid them:
❌ Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
❌ Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) (a slightly milder version, but still irritating)
❌ Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
❌ Sodium Coco-Sulfate (often marketed as a “natural” alternative, but still harsh)

Many “natural” or “clean” products still use milder sulfates, so always read the ingredient list carefully!

2. Swap Out Your Face Wash & Body Wash

Foaming cleansers and body washes are common sources of SLS exposure. Instead, opt for:
✅ Gentle, sulfate-free cleansers with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile.
✅ Oil cleansers that break down dirt without stripping the skin barrier.

✨ Try This: Our Foaming Face Wash is SLS-free and made with plant-based cleansing agents that won’t disrupt your skin.

3. Use SLS-Free Toothpaste

Since perioral dermatitis often affects the area around the mouth, switching to an SLS-free and fluoride-free toothpaste can make a huge difference.

✨ Look for natural toothpaste brands that use baking soda, coconut oil, or herbal extracts instead of sulfates. We recommend going to your local health food store, they tend to always have clean options. Our favorite brand is Himalaya (SHOP HERE) – They sell it almost everywhere!

4. Be Mindful of Haircare Products

Shampoo and conditioner rinse down your face and body in the shower, exposing your skin to SLS. Switch to:
✅ Sulfate-free shampoos that use gentle, plant-based surfactants.
✅ Fragrance-free or essential oil-based conditioners to avoid unnecessary irritation.

✨ Tip: If you can’t switch your shampoo right away, tilt your head back in the shower to keep product runoff from touching your face!

5. Simplify Your Skincare Routine

If you have perioral dermatitis, less is more. Stick to minimal, skin-barrier-supporting products that calm inflammation rather than overload your skin.

✅ Use fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers
✅ Add a barrier-repairing serum with ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid
✅ Always patch-test new products to see how your skin reacts

✨ Try This: Our Barrier Defense Serum is specifically formulated to strengthen the skin barrier while keeping inflammation at bay!

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How Long Does It Take to See Improvement?

Once you remove SLS and other irritants from your routine, you may start seeing improvement in a few weeks—but full healing can take 1-3 months, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. So be patient with your skin!

🚨 During the detox period: Your skin may go through an adjustment phase where it feels dry or slightly flaky. This is normal! Stick with gentle hydration, and your skin will rebalance over time.

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Final Thoughts: Healing Perioral Dermatitis by Avoiding SLS

If you’re struggling with perioral dermatitis, chronic redness, or irritation, eliminating SLS from your skincare, toothpaste, and haircare products is one of the best things you can do for your skin.

By switching to gentle, sulfate-free alternatives and prioritizing barrier repair, you’ll help your skin calm down, heal, and stay balanced in the long run.

Need Help Finding SLS-Free Skincare?

At Simple Body, we believe in clean, non-irritating formulas that actually work. Our SLS-free cleansers, toners, and serums are designed to support healthy, balanced skin—without harsh ingredients.

💚 Shop our Perioral Dermatitis-Friendly Skincare Here → www.simplebodyproducts.com