It can be frustrating to deal with a rash around your mouth, especially when it doesn't go away on its own. There are a surprising amount of potential causes of your perioral dermatitis that you might not even realise.

One of the biggest culprits that is often missed is the humble toothpaste! That’s right, the toothpaste you use twice a day could be causing your PD, but the good news is it’s easy to swap if you know what to look for.

Toothpaste ingredients to avoid if you have perioral dermatitis

Fluoride

Fluoride is found in most toothpaste as it helps to remineralize the enamel, but if you suffer from perioral dermatitis this can be a significant aggravator to your skin. Opt for a Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste (a bio-available calcium mineral that is clinically proven to be as effective as fluoride without the side effects) to strengthen your enamel without irritating your skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate are found in a lot of personal care products especially toothpaste as it helps the product to foam. Studies have found that SLS irritates the skin and can even penetrate the skin barrier.

Researchers from Germany tested 1,600 patients for SLS irritancy and found 42% of the patients tested had an irritant reaction.

Another study, conducted over a three-and-a-half-month period found regular contact with SLS caused irritation which subsided once the skin was no longer exposed to it.

In fact, SLS is so known to cause irritation, it’s used as a positive control in dermatological testing. That is, new products being tested to see how irritating they might be to human skin are compared to SLS - something we know definitely to be irritating.

Choosing a Toothpaste That Is Safe For Perioral Dermatitis

There are a lot of natural toothpaste to choose from however just because they are "natural" doesn't mean they are always sulphate-free. Be sure to check the label and opt for toothpaste that avoids ingredients that will irritate your skin.

Dream Clean Antioxidant Toothpaste with Hydroxyapatite 

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