Best products from r/SebDerm

hello everyone!! so here is my routine (i’ll admit it’s pretty simple and mostly stolen from others on this subreddit so don’t credit me for this stuff!! just passing it along)


-www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q6442Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_g0aEDb4CR75R3

-First of all, this shampoo brush has been a game changer. So my basic understanding is that you really want to get those flakes off your scalp when you shampoo, but you also don’t want to scrub so hard that you scratch your scalp with your sharp nails which is why this brush is perfect. It does a fantastic job of massaging the scalp and just feels amazing. Don’t scrub too hard with it either!!

INITIAL SHAMPOO TREATMENT (2-3 weeks)

Okay so pretty much i’m alternating between three different shampoos:

1. Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, 7 Fl. Oz
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AINMFAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pnaEDbGAET57X
   
   
   • Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
     
     
   • Right now I use this 3 times a week because it’s early on in my sebderm treatment. Pretty soon i’ll be reducing how much I use it once my sebderm is really more fully in control for a while. It’s pretty strong so you really shouldn’t use it daily which is why i’ll be switching up my routine soon. I’ll include what i’ll be changing my routine to at the bottom of this post.
     
     
2. Dr. Eddie's Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo for Children, Treats Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis, Clinically Tested, Fragrance Free, Stops Flakes and Redness on Sensitive Scalps and Skin, 8 oz
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07857W8MS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e9aEDbTA9R4M6
   
   
   • Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
     
     
   • This has really become my favorite shampoo by a long shot. It’s gentle because it’s generally for babies but as you can see in the comments, great for adults too. Doesn’t strip the oils in your hair so I also highly recommend this on days you don’t want frizzy hair but feel like you should wash your hair.
     
     
3. Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E96OWY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dWaEDbP3581SG
   
   
   • Thursdays
     
     
   • So while this has helped my scalp in the past a bit, I mostly still use it because I have a few bottles left over and it’s smart to switch up shampoos so you don’t become immune to one. Someone on this sub recommended the generic amazon brand of this shampoo which i’ll probably be trying soon once I run out of the name brand stuff.
     
     Okay so, although I really want to nuke the shit out of my scalp, I know it’s not smart in the long term so i’m going to translation into a new routine pretty soon. The only new product i’ll be adding to my routine is:
     
     

• Dr. Eddie's Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo & Body Wash for Children, Soothes Dry, Itchy, Irritated, Sensitive Skin, Dermatologist Tested, Fragrance Free, Dye Free, Sulfate Free, 8 oz
  
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C66WVDJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1-aEDb49FSARW
  
  
  • This is just a daily, not medicated version of the Dr. Eddie’s shampoo i’m using right now.
    
    
    I’ll update if it changes but as of right now my projected routine will be:
    
    -Monday: Nizoral
    -Tuesday: Dr. Eddie’s Daily Shampoo
    -Wednesday: Dr. Eddie’s Medicated Shampoo
    -Thursday: Dr. Eddie’s Daily Shampoo
    -Friday: Dr. Eddie’s Medicated Shampoo
    -Saturday; Dr. Eddie’s Daily Shampoo
    -Sunday: T-Gel
    
    I’m hoping even to only do this routine for just a bit if my sebderm is fully in control. My IDEAL routine will eventually be:
    
    -Monday: Nizoral/T-gel (Switching back and forth between these)
    -Tuesday: No Shampoo
    -Wednesday: Dr. Eddie’s Medicated shampoo
    -Thursday: Dr. Eddie’s Daily shampoo
    -Friday: No shampoo
    -Saturday: Dr. Eddie’s Daily shampoo
    -Sunday: Dr. Eddie’s Medicated shampoo
    
    Hope this helps! My sebderm and shedding isn’t completely gone yet, but it’s DRAMATICALLY improved. I honestly almost want to cry tears of joy when I run my hands through my hair without a BUNCH of hairs on my hands afterward. I’m also going to experimenting with tea tree oil on my scalp soon to retain moisture. DO NOT SLEEP ON THE SHAMPOO BRUSH!!! Let me know if ya have any questions!
    
    
    I also just want to mention that this has been after a long journey of seeing several doctors who didn’t have a clue how to help, dermatologists who claimed to know how to help, and hair transplant specialists that had to assure me I most likely did not have male pattern baldness when I was freaking out that I might. Don’t give up! Treat your scalp well and eat well! Also avoid hairloss subreddits lol even if your hairloss IS genetic lol

Hey, I was in the same place as you, I'm 27 at the moment and still have my hair though not as much as I used to have when I was 19 :D


Sometimes maybe it's not only affected by Seb maybe it's just a genetic baldness that you have, however, if it's from Seb, this is what helped me.

Small background: I'm 27 had seb on my scalp and slightly on my face and some dots on my body (not many 2-3 small ones) and I have it for over 15 years now, took me some time to understand how it works and how to control it. What works like a charm for me is diet, I used to eat meat 3 times a day, some years ago I realised that every time I'm eating meat (mostly processed meat or smoked fish) my scalp gets itchy and my hair gets more oily. So I started experiment with different types of foods to see which one is affecting my Sebo as I think it depends from person to person. So one week I decided to eat mostly processed meat and I saw that my seb was terrible, hair would fall off when I washed it and could easily peal out a bunch of hairs from my scalp (yuck).


So I cut the processed meat and also fat meat such as (pork), I'm still eating it but not 3 times a day and not even daily, I don't buy meat anymore and at the office as we have a Chef who cooks for us, I usually take half a portion, and have the ribs or processed meat only when there's nothing else or special occasions, and my hair doesn't get oily so much and my seb is soooo much better, it's almost inexistent anymore.


After I cut down meat, one time I realised that pistachios also affect it, if I eat ± 20 pistachos per day it's fine if more than it gets itchy again and red spots. And until now I found some other foods such as carbs that could affect it, I still eat these foods but with a limited amount.


I'm also doing sports, cycling to work, workout in gym and swimming for 2 days / week and if I don't do any sports for more than 2 weeks I also see that the Seb gets affected. So for me a healthy diet and sport is helping a lot, I was so lazy to try healthy diet in the beginning but now I feel so much more better, I'm more energetic, sleep better, and don't miss processed food at all, and of course the seb is better.


To maintain it good I'm using the Lucky Tiger ointment https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Tiger-Skin-Ointment-Ounce/dp/B00885O5TG . when the situation is too bad (the ointment works like a charm) and I wash my hair with Psoriane intensiv-Shampoo from Noreva twice a year for 3-4 weeks and in between this time just normal Head and Shoulders works totally fine for me.


But for me it's not the shampoo and ointment that makes it better, is the diet and sport, give it a shot :)

sterilize your clippers with disinfectant wash your bedding pillowcases and sheets / towels. Sun exposure isn't bad idea either sun can help clear it up. Lots of factors for me mainly diet & hygiene using https://www.headandshoulders.com/en-us/shop-products/dandruff-shampoo/clinical-strength-shampoo

active ingredient is Selenium Sulfide \^

Works for me but i think it's been drying my scalp out because i have OCD when it comes to shampooing il wash and rinse my hair 10 times during one shower. Try to eat more veggies fiber drink lots of water Herbal teas non caffeinated aren't a bad choice. avoid trigger foods dairy high carbohydrates sugar Oily fried foods/pastas. probiotics might help aswell they are a little expensive. If you don't mind a buzz-cut might help clear it up faster although your scalp will be more visible.

" Clean your shower head. Is there and black gunk around where the water sprays out. Even if there isn’t most people forget to clean their shower head and there is one strain of malassezia that can grow off shower heads and sink faucets: " this Anyone try getting a shower filter to reduce the chlorine in water?

https://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Therapy-Soap-Oz-Pack/dp/B00MWCF05E/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1525185744&sr=1-7&keywords=zinc+soap

used for facial sebderm worked pretty well dried my skin out though.

The best one I've found is the ACV bar from Wildlands. All natural, vegan product that soothes the scalp. It took me about two weeks to adjust to the shampoo, but my itchies are gone and my hair looks great too. I just love it. I get it on Amazon here. Good luck!

Ok buckle up cuz it's kind of intense haha! At night, I wash my face with Vanicream Gentle Cleanser and use a French Clay Konjac sponge to exfoliate. Sometimes after that I tone with Sensibio Micellar water (this is also a great makeup remover). While my face is still wet, I apply Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel. Then after that I apply Cerave PM as a moisturizer.

If I've just gotten out of the shower (I'm a morning shower-er) I apply Hada Labo Skin plumping Gel while my face is still wet, then moisturize with Avene Cicalfate Cream with a few drops of Timeless Squalane oil. I'm also working from home right now, so I'm able to do the 3 hour Manuka Honey face masks that everyone on here talks about. I think they work really well. I do that like every 3 days but you're only supposed to do it that frequently for 3 weeks. I get that this is not super convenient for everyone, so I think even if you can do it for an hour that's probably fine. I use this Manuka honey https://www.pharmaca.com/wedderspoon-raw-manuka-honey-kfactor-16-250g?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-8_v9qa93QIVzWV-Ch1wHwlrEAkYCCABEgIZNvD_BwE Kinda pricey but works!

Also, when my seb derm was real bad, I would use this soap on my face in the shower https://www.amazon.com/DermaHarmony-Pyrithione-Zinc-ZnP-Soap/dp/B00MWB0ZGE/ref=pd_sim_194_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00MWB0ZGE&pd_rd_r=bb9e0452-b8fa-11e8-940e-2fb2dccbe537&pd_rd_w=k2ums&pd_rd_wg=u331n&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=B1P2CXX7AVQRMAG5Q3D9&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&refRID=B1P2CXX7AVQRMAG5Q3D9&th=1 For me, zinc was really helping in getting rid of the flakes! I would leave it on for like maybe 20 seconds then wash it off. I don't really have to do this anymore now that it's toned down.

Its really important to look at the products you're using and make sure they have nothing in them that aggravate seb derm! Oils (except for a choice few) are not your friend. https://simpleskincarescience.com/fungal-acne-malassezia-pityrosporum-routines/ If you scroll to the bottom of this article, there is a list of products that don't mess with your skin. this helped me a lot!

Also y'know drink water get sleep etc etc

Best of luck!

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I use the Dr Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and it keeps my scalp 100% in check. It has 0.95% zinc pyrithione, which actively helps against SD and has 0 ingredients which could potentially make SD worse (unlike Head & Shoulders or Nizoral for example). SD is associated with funghi so it makes sense to use products from this list of products that are safe for "fungal acne", where I got the recommendation from. The author also mentions that he uses and loves the Happy Cappy Shampoo.

The simple skin care science recommended Happy cappy if you have a high sensitivity to products that exacerbate your seb derm. Many of the products on that list make my face itch so I can’t use them. But this stuff is amazing! I use it everyday on my face and all the flaking in my eyebrows has disappeared.

https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Cappy-Seborrheic-Dermatitis-Clinically/dp/B07857W8MS

Rohto SKIN AQUA Super Moisture Milk Sunscreen (Hada Labo) https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1540317544&sr=8-1&keywords=rohto+skin+aqua+super+moisture+milk

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and EltaMD UV Clear https://www.amazon.com/EltaMD-Clear-Facial-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1540317571&sr=8-1&keywords=eltamd+uv+clear+broad-spectrum+spf+46

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EltaMD is more expensive but it contains more "good for your skin" type ingredients, so it does double duty.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alphosyl-798627860168-2-in-1-Medicated-Shampoo/dp/B006EHYRK2


My seb derm is stubborn and a mofo to treat, especially in certain circumstances. If I were to be sweating, as you mention you exercise, it is absolutely worse. I appreciate your troubles. The link above is what I use, it's a higher strength Tgel and doesn't stink like Tgel. I found Tgel ineffective, it simply didn't do anything.

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Everyone is different, obviously, which makes treating seb derm tough. But, there are some general helpful 'rules' which you may already be doing or not be aware of. Wash your hair daily, while you're dealing with a flair up. Make sure your hair is throughly dried after washing your hair and use the medicated shampoo of your choice according to instructions. If you wear makeup, try removing makeup before working out and wash face after working out. Sweat will make seb derm worse, makeup can aggravate seb derm as can moisturisers, sunscreens. Be sure you're using products that won't aggravate but rather calm your condition, here's a https://simpleskincarescience.com/?s=Malassezia that has assisted me throughout my journey to talk the beast of seb derm.


Maybe try applying the fluocinonide to your scalp at night, on the areas affected. It is a steroid, so please be aware that there are side effects to using it.


I hope you're able to find a suitable solution, it's really tough to find something that works and works well consistently.

Yeah sure, everyones different. And if you haven't been to r/nopoo then wait to judge - its not about not shampooing. Its about alternatives to harsh detergent/sulfate type shampoos. Most people know you clean your hair somehow. lol Alternatives. To chemical based/crappy cheap shampoos. For instance I use this a couple times a week and it's somewhat natural and has antifungal properties. It doesnt strip my hair/scalp so I don't over produce oil on my scalp. Yes it's subjective. But no one's recommending not ever cleaning one's hair

I rub this on my face and leave it for like 5 minutes then rinse.

Dr. Eddie's Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo for Children, Treats Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis, Clinically Tested, Fragrance Free, Stops Flakes and Redness on Sensitive Scalps and Skin, 8 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07857W8MS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aSmYDbZENFTBJ

Try this. Why would you use the serum over this?

Denorex Extra Strength Dandruff Shampoo + Conditioner 10 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGB9IFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rtVUDb4T5JQTE

Does that serum keep your face completely clear?

I use two suggestions that were recommended by people on this sub: I do a vinegar rinse in the shower, sometimes letting it sit for a bit before rinsing it off. And the second part is the answer to your question: https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Tiger-Skin-Ointment-Ounce/dp/B00885O5TG
I use that after the shower and whenever I'm feeling dry. The petrolatum and paraffin help seal/protect the skin, and the sulfur is an anti-fungal. It's not perfect, but it works. I guess I'd appreciate it more if it didn't have coloring and had natural wax instead of petroleum, but the petroleum works...

I have a fantasy about making something similar with colloidal sulfur suspended in bees wax, salicylic acid, with a dash of oxyquinoline with maybe some olive and neem oil etc. I imagine it would smell awful, but the current ointment already had an awesome sulfur and eucalyptus smell already. I think one of the fragrances must be eucalyptus or some other camphoric thing.

The best I've found is Scalpmaster Shampoo Brush from amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I80XBMS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

The thing about applying the fluocinonide after you shower is that your hair will look greasy at your roots for the next day. I also like the idea of the meds working overnight. I received the same prescriptions when I was diagnosed with SD. The pimecrolimus cream helped me, although even with insurance it was $40. What does work for me as an alternative to both medications is MCT Oil with no lauric acid. I buy this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C7P8F5L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

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I also used to shower at night, but I ended up changing my entire routine for this disease. I saturate my scalp with MCT oil and apply it to other affected areas as well with an SD safe moisturizer. MCT oil in the evenings, workout in AM, then shower afterwards. Once your scalp starts to heal, you'll be able to blow dry again. Plain greek yogurt scalp mask for an hour also helped me a ton before I discovered this r/. That routine I was able to do at night before showering.

Getting rid of sulfates completely changed my scalp and hair. I was losing hair like crazy. All my life I never cared what i was putting on my head. Sometimes I'd get expensive salon shampoos and other times I'd be getting vo5 at CVS. Didnt make a difference to my dandruff. Once I realized I'd lost like 20% of my hair I decided I had to change things. I stopped coloring, stopped straightening and I stopped using sulfate based shampoos. (and conditioners with silicones) There was a short transition phase - where my scalp over produced oils for like a week. But then afterwards it was like I had a completely different head of hair. I can now go 3 days without shampooing, no oily scalp. The dandruff is mostly gone. I've heard of people taking months to get through the transition phase but for me it was a few days at most. But my case is somewhat light. I use this. But there are a bunch of sulfate free options. My hair is growing back now.

VERY VERY small amount like 1 drop. I ONLY use this oil as it does not feed the yeast and some skins in seb derm are deficient in it. https://www.amazon.ca/Squalane-100-Pure-60-mL/dp/B003MJG19K

Around my mouth and mustache area I am more liberal with the oil and prefer to use the oil in the areas only for the most part because it skins in the beard and mustache easier where as moisturizers don't.

Calms the itching and moisturises, was recommended to me by my GP. I'm from the UK and it's very commonly stocked in pharmacies and even on amazon; https://www.amazon.co.uk/E45-Dermatological-Itch-Relief-Cream/dp/B001PMM1LI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?keywords=e-45+anti+itch&qid=1571623495&sr=8-2-fkmr0

As mentioned in the post, I use the Kiss My Keto brand. Here's the amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-My-Keto-MCT-Oil/dp/B06W9M6KBM/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1543380289&sr=8-3&keywords=kiss+my+keto+mct+oil

Yes I apply it sometimes before water touches my skin, sometimes after. Both ways I've gotten the same results with 3 odorless recommended mct oils. The last one I used was: https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-My-Keto-MCT-Oil/dp/B06W9M6KBM/ref=sr_1_7?crid=192IGI939NTU4&keywords=kiss+my+keto&qid=1565220616&s=gateway&sprefix=kiss+my%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-7

This happened to me too, so i ended up diluting it quite a bit more and using it far less frequently (Once every 2 weeks.) I also switched every single lotion I use to this, applied after every shower:

https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Tiger-Skin-Ointment-Ounce/dp/B00885O5TG

I did this about 6 months ago after getting fed up with sebderm, and have been flake and redness free since.

Happy Cappy I’ve had some luck with this! Definitely gentler than everything else that I’ve used and decent price.

https://www.amazon.com/Denorex-Strength-Dandruff-Shampoo-Conditioner/dp/B00BGB9IFA

Is it this one?
And I'll give it a try, thanks!

[Try squalane oil](Squalane 100% Pure (2 oz (60 mL)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MJG19K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Uya6CbYYTS9MJ)Worked best for me and has no other ingredients that feed the Malassezia

No worries. No matter what you use, it's very important that you apply it properly, otherwise nothing will work. Do not "scrub". I suspect a lot of hair loss from SD comes from stress and from people being very agressive with their scalps trying loads of harsh shampoos and really scrubbing them in. I have SD, and I'm not losing hair from it even though I'm a long haired guy getting close to 30.

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Think about gently yet firmly massaging it into the skin of your scalp, being mindful of not being too rough on your hair roots. Feel it foam up. Don't be afraid to use a lot. Then, once your whole scalp is covered, let it sit there for five minutes. Only then can you wash it out. Also I think an important step that most people don't think about is shaking the bottle a lot before each use to distribute the medication into the shampoo evenly. Some brands like head and shoulders even have it written on the back of the bottle. I noticed that it applies to all anti dandruff shampoos I've used.

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I would recommend that you use this shampoo: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Cappy-Seborrheic-Dermatitis-Clinically/dp/B07857W8MS

It has no harsh detergents or anything like that, yet it has an anti fungal that should take care of the flare ups. Use it EVERY OTHER DAY in the exact way I described above. And please do return and let us know how it worked out.

This regimen is what works for me. And obviously steer clear of conditioners and other hair products etc. unless you know them to be 'safe' for your condition. You can find a list of safe products on www.simpleskincarescience.com

https://www.amazon.com/Wildland-Botanicals-ACV-Shampoo-Bar/dp/B0759ZNGJS/

DermaHarmony 2% Pyrithione Zinc (ZnP) Bar Soap 4 oz - Crafted for Those with Skin Conditions - Seborrheic Dermatitis, Dandruff, Psoriasis, Eczema, etc https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWB0ZGE?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

This is what I use: https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H?th=1

No ingredients that feed sebderm.

Female, have PCOS and scalp DM for over 10 years. Painful bumps, dandruff, gets 10X worse right before shark week. Right now the working combination is:

Low carb/refined sugar. The refined sugar definitely causes a major flare up.

Metformin 500mg ER daily

I alternate between a shampoo with pyrithione zinc (Dr. Eddie's) and one with salicylic acid.

I have also tried shampoos with tea tree oil and found them to be no different than ones with salicylic acid. The game changer for me was probably the Metformin.