How I Finally Cleared My Perioral Dermatitis – My Honest Journey & Tips

Hi everyone, it’s Lisa! Today, I wanted to chat about perioral dermatitis (PD). I know it’s not something everyone deals with, but I’ve had many messages asking me to talk about it and share how I managed to get my skin clear again, on most days, at least haha!

My Skin Journey

I feel like I should start by sharing my skin journey so you can understand things better. I had pretty clear skin throughout my teenage years, but around high school and university, I started getting acne, mainly big, stubborn breakouts on my cheeks. Anyone who’s had acne (or is dealing with it now) knows how much it can affect your confidence and even your mood, especially when it feels like it’s never going away.

I tried so many different products, but eventually, I decided to see a dermatologist and started Accutane. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a pretty intense acne treatment that works, but it comes with a lot of side effects, one of the biggest being extremely dry skin (trust me, it’s no joke). But after a few months of pushing through, my skin finally cleared up, and with that, my confidence came back too!

For a few years, my skin was completely fine, and I was so happy about it!

The Skincare Mistakes That Led to My Perioral Dermatitis

Like I said, my skin was clear for a few years, but I’ve always loved looking at skincare advice on social media. At the time, everyone was raving about at-home chemical exfoliants and how they give you that glowy, soft skin. So, whenever I got a pimple or a pimple scar, I’d slap on a chemical peel or a salicylic acid patch, thinking I was doing the right thing. But looking back, I was way overdoing it, using too many harsh products too often, all in the name of “glowy skin.” Little did I know, I was actually setting myself up for the complete opposite.

Lesson learned: Your skin doesn’t need a million products : less is more! Instead of jumping on every trend, it’s always best to seek professional advice to understand what your skin actually needs. And be careful with harsh products like chemical peels, just because they’re easy to get doesn’t mean they’re right for you!

After using all those products, I started noticing small red bumps popping up around my chin, nose, and under my eyes. I thought they were just new pimples, so guess what I did? I doubled down on the harsh acne products, more salicylic acid, more treatments. Big mistake. Within a few days, things got so much worse : I was completely covered in these tiny red bumps!

I remember feeling so desperate and honestly so embarrassed about my skin that I didn’t even want to go outside. At that point, I had red bumps and a few pimples, the perfect combo, right? A few pics of the situation here :

Lessons learned: When your skin starts reacting differently, just stop everything you’re using and book an appointment with a dermatologist! Trust me, it’s the best move.

I managed to get an emergency appointment with a dermatologist, and the diagnosis was: perioral dermatitis. He explained everything to me in full detail.

What Is Perioral Dermatitis & What Causes It?

Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition that causes redness, small bumps, and mild peeling around the mouth. It can sometimes spread to the nose and eyes. The rash may be itchy, burning, or feel tight.

Causes & Triggers:

• Overuse of topical steroids (creams, nasal sprays, inhalers)

• Heavy skincare products

• Hormonal changes (common in women)

• Toothpaste with fluoride

• Bacterial or fungal infections

• Stress & diet (spicy foods, alcohol, etc.)

How I Treated My Perioral Dermatitis

• Short term :

At that dermatologist appointment, he put me on oral antibiotics for about 3 months (if I remember correctly) and also prescribed a topical treatment called Rozex. Let’s be real about my thoughts on the oral treatment: it definitely helped soothe the perioral dermatitis, but it didn’t make it go away completely. And guess what happened when I stopped the treatment? It came right back!

So, my real lifesaver was that topical cream. Seriously, if you’re dealing with PD right now, get your hands on that cream, it’ll be your quick fix. Every time I’d apply it at night, by morning, my PD was so much better, almost gone!

Not-so-fun fact: Remember when I mentioned having PD and a few pimples? Well, the pimples came back. And since I was modeling at the time, my skin was super important to me, I couldn’t deal with pimples all the time. It was honestly stressing me out, waking up every morning and immediately checking my face to see what had popped up overnight.

So, I decided to go back on a very small dose of Accutane, nothing compared to the first time I took it. And for the second time, my skin cleared up, as did my PD. But, of course, when I stopped the treatment, guess what happened?my PD came right back.

At that point, I was so happy with my skin, no more pimples, and just a little bit of PD that Rozex cream could handle easily. My nighttime routine was super simple: I’d clean my face and then apply the cream, and that was it. My skin was so sensitive, I didn’t want to add anything else.

Lesson learned: When you have perioral dermatitis, the less you use, the better. Your skin is so sensitive, so if you want to try a new product, always go in slowly to see if it triggers anything.

• Long term :

My skin confidence was finally back! But the downside? I was completely dependent on that topical cream. That’s when I started researching, determined to find a long-term solution for my PD. After a deep dive, I came across an article written by a girl who swore by light therapy. I figured, I have nothing to lose, so I decided to give it a shot.

I booked an appointment with dermatologist Valérie Leduc, and she recommended a 10-session Miltaderm treatment, twice a week. I won’t lie, the price was pretty steep. But since I was modeling at the time, my skin was a huge part of my job, so I saw it as an investment.

What is Miltaderm?

Miltaderm is an advanced aesthetic treatment that combines fractional cold lasers and LEDs to boost cellular regeneration and improve skin quality. It enhances collagen production and helps with skin repair.

Main Benefits:

✨ Skin Rejuvenation – Improves texture, reduces fine lines & pigmentation.
✨ Healing Acceleration – Speeds up tissue repair.
✨ Inflammation Reduction – Helps calm redness & irritation.

I did my Miltaderm treatments at Maison Epigenetic in Paris, which is right above Dr. Valérie Leduc’s office. She works closely with them, and the place is stunning, they offer all kinds of skin treatments.

So, I started my Miltaderm cure, and they set up a light therapy program tailored for acne and PD. I slowly stop my topical cream until I didn’t need it anymore. And guess what? It worked! My skin was clear, and I was finally free from relying on that cream.

It worked so well that I switched to just maintenance sessions : once a month at first, then every two months.

Fun fact : My dermatologist told me that some brides start Miltaderm months before their wedding to ensure perfect skin on their big day! So I kind of made it my modeling secret, a little light therapy here and there to keep my skin in check.

That worked for me long-term, but I still get mini flare-ups from time to time, usually when I introduce a product my skin doesn’t like. The difference now is that I’ve learned to listen to my skin, I know she’s extra sensitive and doesn’t need much to stay happy!

My Favorite Skincare Products That Soothed My PD

My skincare routine is super simple, I barely use any products. For the longest time, I literally only used these two (aside from my makeup remover):

• Face Cleanser: Finding a good cleanser was a struggle because everything I tried was triggering my skin. Most of them were way too harsh. Then, I finally gave the La Roche-Posay cleanser a try, it’s so gentle that it’s even safe for babies, and that’s when things changed for me. I’ve been using it for over five years now, and I swear by it. (shop here)

  

• SPF: Before starting Miltaderm treatments, I was barely using anything on my skin. But when I went on vacation, I needed a sunscreen, so I picked up the Supergoop! Everyday Lotion. I’d wake up with mini flare-ups, but after applying the SPF, my PD would calm down within minutes, almost disappearing. I honestly don’t know if this product just works magic on my skin specifically, but if you’re struggling with PD, it might be worth a try! I still use it every single morning to this day. (shop here)

  

I really hope this article helps if you’re dealing with perioral dermatitis. Trust me, I know how frustrating and hopeless it can feel, I was desperate at one point. But let’s remember one thing: our skin has its own journey, and healing takes time. Be patient, listen to what your skin needs (and doesn’t need), and know that it does get better. Look at me today, I’m so happy with how my skin looks, and you’ll get there too! 💛

Bisous, Bisous

Lisa