
Flaky skin, redness, itchiness—seborrheic dermatitis can be relentless. If you’ve tried everything and still experience frustrating flare-ups, the culprit might be closer than you think. Everyday products like shampoos, moisturizers, and even makeup could be secretly aggravating your skin.
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this guide, you’ll discover the ingredients and products to avoid and simple swaps that can help keep your skin calm and flare-free.
Summary: What to Avoid for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Protect your skin by steering clear of these triggers in your personal care products:
- Shampoo Ingredients: Avoid harsh detergents (like sulfates), fragrances, and preservatives such as parabens and methylisothiazolinone (MI).
- Drying Alcohols: Skip products with alcohols like denatured, isopropyl, or methanol, which can irritate sensitive skin.
- Oils: Avoid oils high in oleic acid, including coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil.
- Makeup & Styling Products: Watch out for products containing alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or irritating dyes.
- Chemical Sunscreens: Choose mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) over chemical ones.
- Harsh Skincare Actives: Strong exfoliants and retinol can irritate; prioritize calming and hydrating products.
Learn more about these ingredients and how to find better alternatives in the full guide below.
What Triggers Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic dermatitis might seem mysterious, but experts have identified key triggers that worsen flare-ups. These triggers fall into two main categories: natural factors and chemical irritants.
Natural Triggers
- Overgrowth of Malassezia Yeast: This naturally occurring yeast lives on everyone’s skin, but in seborrheic dermatitis, it can grow out of control. When Malassezia thrives, it may cause inflammation, flakes, and greasy or dry patches—especially on the scalp.
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones can impact oil production, making skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis more likely to flare.
- Stress and Illness: High stress levels and certain medical conditions can throw your skin’s oil production off balance, creating a perfect storm for flare-ups.
Chemical Triggers
Many personal care products contain harsh ingredients that irritate sensitive skin. Common culprits include:
- Detergents: Found in shampoos and soaps, ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate can strip your skin of natural oils.
- Fragrances and Dyes: These often contain allergens that provoke redness and itching.
- Preservatives: Certain chemicals, like methylisothiazolinone, can disrupt the skin’s microbiome and worsen irritation.
Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Seborrheic Dermatitis
Choosing the right products is crucial for managing seborrheic dermatitis. Unfortunately, many common ingredients in hair and skincare products, particularly shampoos, can irritate your skin and worsen flare-ups. Here’s a breakdown of what to avoid—and why:
1. Sulfates
Sulfates are harsh cleaning agents that create a foamy lather in shampoos, body washes, and cleansers. But for sensitive skin, they can strip away natural oils and cause dryness, itching, and irritation.
Common Sulfates to Avoid:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Why Avoid Them? Sulfates can weaken your skin’s natural barrier, making it more prone to flare-ups.
Watch Out For: Shampoos labeled as “clarifying” or “deep-cleaning” often contain sulfates. Instead, opt for sulfate-free shampoos that use gentler cleansers like cocamidopropyl betaine.

2. Drying Alcohols
Some alcohols are added to products to make them dry faster or feel lighter. Unfortunately, these alcohols can dry out your skin and scalp, leading to irritation.
Alcohols to Steer Clear Of:
- Denatured Alcohol
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Ethyl Alcohol
- Methanol
- Benzyl Alcohol
Why Avoid Them?
Certain types of alcohol are extremely drying and can strip your skin of essential moisture. This weakens the skin barrier, making it more prone to inflammation, redness, and irritation. Seborrheic dermatitis-prone skin is particularly sensitive to these effects, leading to more frequent and severe flare-ups.
Pro Tip: Look for alcohol-free shampoos and styling products, or choose formulas that use fatty alcohols (e.g., cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol) as these are non-drying.
3. Parabens
Parabens are preservatives found in shampoos, conditioners, and skincare products. While they help products last longer, they can upset your skin’s natural balance and worsen irritation.
Examples of Parabens to Avoid:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isoparaben
Why Avoid Them? Seborrheic dermatitis-prone skin often has an imbalance of natural oils (lipids):
- Too Little of Protective Lipids: Essential lipids like squalane and fatty acids that maintain a strong barrier are reduced.
- Too Much of Certain Lipids: Triglycerides and cholesterol feed Malassezia yeast, making flare-ups worse.
This imbalance weakens your skin, making it more sensitive to parabens. These preservatives can disrupt the microbiome further, increasing irritation and inflammation.
Pro Tip: Check labels for “paraben-free” products to avoid triggering flare-ups and maintain a healthier skin barrier.
4. Preservatives (e.g., Methylisothiazolinone)
Preservatives are essential in shampoos and other personal care products to keep them safe and free from harmful bacteria. However, some preservatives can irritate sensitive skin and worsen seborrheic dermatitis.
Preservatives to Avoid:
- Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Why Avoid Them? These preservatives are known to cause allergic reactions and skin sensitization, particularly in people with sensitive skin or existing conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.
What to Look For: Choose shampoos that use gentler preservatives, such as:
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- Phenoxyethanol
These options are generally less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
5. Fragrances
Fragrances are one of the most common triggers for skin irritation, especially for people with seborrheic dermatitis. While not all fragrances are harmful, many are made with synthetic or natural compounds that can lead to allergic reactions, redness, and flare-ups.
Why Be Careful with Fragrances?
Fragrances are a broad category, and their impact can vary:
- Natural Fragrances: Even plant-based scents can cause problems because of naturally occurring compounds.
- Synthetic Fragrances: These are often made with allergens that irritate sensitive skin.
According to the American National Eczema Association, fragrances are responsible for 30–40% of skin reactions caused by cosmetic products, making them a top concern for people with seborrheic dermatitis.
Fragrance Ingredients to Avoid
Certain fragrance components are more likely to cause irritation. Watch out for these on product labels:
- Linalool
- Citronella
- Limonene
- Geraniol
- Coumarin
- Eugenol
- Cinnamyl Alcohol
- Hydroxycitronellol
These ingredients are often found in both synthetic and natural fragrances, so even products labeled “natural” can be irritating.
What to Use Instead
When managing seborrheic dermatitis, choosing fragrance-free products is the safest option. However, it’s important to know the difference between:
- Unscented: May not have a noticeable smell but could still include masking agents that irritate sensitive skin.
- Fragrance-Free: Contains no added scents.
Pro Tip: Look for products labeled “fragrance-free” and “suitable for sensitive skin.” Avoid products that list “parfum” or “fragrance” on the ingredient label, even if they claim to be natural.
Shampoos: A Common Problem
Shampoos often combine several problematic ingredients—like sulfates, parabens, and fragrances—making them a frequent cause of seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups.
Pro Tip: Always check the label. Use shampoos that are gentle, sulfate-free, and fragrance-free, with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile.

6. Dyes
Hair dyes and colorants are loaded with chemical ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin, leading to inflammation, redness, and rashes.
Why Avoid Them? These chemicals are highly allergenic and can worsen the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, especially on the scalp.
The Worst Oils for Seborrheic Dermatitis (and Better Choices!)
If you have seborrheic dermatitis, the oils you use can either help or hurt your skin. Some oils can calm irritation, but others can feed the problem and cause flare-ups. This happens because seborrheic-prone skin has a unique imbalance in its natural oils, which makes it extra sensitive.
Why Do Certain Oils Cause Problems?
Seborrheic dermatitis throws off the balance of natural oils in your skin:
- Good Fats Are Depleted: Your skin has less of the healthy fats, like linoleic acid, that help keep your skin strong and protected.
- Bad Fats Increase: Your skin produces more oleic acid, a type of fat that Malassezia (a fungus that thrives on oil) loves to feed on. This can lead to more irritation and flare-ups.
When the balance tips this way, using the wrong oils can make things worse.
Oils to Steer Clear Of
Avoid oils that are high in oleic acid, as they can fuel fungal growth and irritate your skin further. Problematic oils include:
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Shea Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Moringa Oil
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Sea Buckthorn Oil
- Tamanu Oil
- Neem Oil
What to Use Instead
Not all oils are bad! Certain oils can help rebuild your skin’s natural barrier and reduce irritation. The key is choosing oils that don’t feed the Malassezia yeast, which can worsen seborrheic dermatitis.
Here are some skin-friendly options:
- Hemp Seed Oil: Rich in linoleic acid, it helps restore the skin’s natural barrier and keeps it hydrated.
- Sunflower Oil: Another linoleic acid-rich oil, it’s lightweight, soothing, and safe for sensitive skin.
- Safflower Oil: Helps reduce dryness and irritation without promoting fungal growth.
- MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides): Derived from coconut or palm oil, MCT oil is an exception among oils. When choosing MCT oil, ensure it is free of lauric acid, as lauric acid can feed Malassezia. Pure MCT oil with caprylic and capric acids is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and helps soothe and hydrate seborrheic dermatitis-prone skin.

Why These Oils Work: Oils high in linoleic acid and medium-chain triglycerides (without lauric acid) are gentle on sensitive skin and less likely to fuel fungal growth, making them excellent choices for managing seborrheic dermatitis.
Products to Avoid If You Have Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis-prone skin is highly sensitive, meaning the wrong products can trigger flare-ups or worsen symptoms like redness, itching, and flaking. Choosing gentle, soothing alternatives is key to keeping your skin and scalp calm. Here are some products to avoid and why they might be problematic:
1. Styling Products
Hair sprays, gels, and other styling products often contain high levels of alcohol, which can dry out and irritate the scalp.
Why Avoid Them? Alcohol strips away moisture, leaving the scalp more prone to redness and irritation. This can weaken the skin barrier, worsening flare-ups.
Tip: If you need styling products, look for alcohol-free options or those labeled as “sensitive scalp-friendly.”
2. Makeup
Makeup can sometimes aggravate seborrheic dermatitis due to its ingredients. Many products contain alcohol, micas, and synthetic fragrances, all of which can irritate sensitive skin.
Why Avoid Them? These ingredients can clog pores, disrupt the skin barrier, and trigger inflammation.
Tip: Opt for makeup labeled as non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin. Mineral-based makeup with calming ingredients like zinc oxide is a safer choice.
3. Dry Shampoos
Dry shampoos are convenient, but they’re not ideal for seborrheic dermatitis. These products typically contain starch and alcohol to absorb oil, which can lead to scalp irritation over time.
- Why Avoid Them? Long-term use can cause build-up on the scalp, clog hair follicles, and trigger itching, dryness, or redness.
- Alternatives: If you must use dry shampoo, choose one with soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, or zinc, which is also antifungal.
4. Strong Skincare Actives
Harsh skincare actives, such as chemical exfoliants (glycolic acid, salicylic acid), retinol, or vitamin C, can overwhelm sensitive skin.
Why Avoid Them? Seborrheic-prone skin has a weakened barrier that isn’t strong enough to handle these powerful ingredients, leading to irritation and redness.
What to Do Instead:
- Switch to a soothing skincare routine.
- Prioritize products that focus on repairing the skin barrier, such as hydrating toners, calming serums, and soothing face masks.
5. Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens use UV filters that can easily penetrate the skin, often irritating sensitive or impaired skin barriers.
Why Avoid Them? These filters can cause inflammation and flare-ups in seborrheic dermatitis-prone skin.
Better Option: Stick to mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sit on top of the skin, forming a protective layer without absorbing into it, making them much gentler.
The Bottom Line
By avoiding these common irritants and opting for gentle, soothing alternatives, you can better protect your sensitive skin and scalp from flare-ups. Always check labels carefully and choose products designed for sensitive or eczema-prone skin to keep seborrheic dermatitis under control.
Your Next Steps
Managing seborrheic dermatitis doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Start by swapping out harsh products for gentle, soothing ones. Focus on calming your skin, protecting its natural barrier, and avoiding triggers. With the right care, you can minimize flare-ups and feel more confident in your skin.
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Petra Nakashian (previously Kravos) is a dedicated natural health and beauty blogger, driven by the loss of her parents to cancer, which led her to meticulously research beauty product ingredients. With over 10 years of experience, her in-depth knowledge has made her a trusted expert in the field. Founder of Be Healthy Now and Green Beauty Talk, Petra recently expanded her expertise with Beauty Insights Hub, exploring a wider range of beauty treatments. Committed to transparency and honesty, her work is a vital resource for navigating the complex world of beauty.