Seborrheic Dermatitis
Natural Remedies

Seborrheic Dermatitis - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Jun 15, 2025
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Vitamin D3

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes red, itchy, flaky patches—most often on the scalp, eyebrows, nose, ears, and other oily areas. While medicated shampoos and steroid creams are often prescribed, many prefer natural treatments that work with the body to restore skin health without side effects. Below, you'll discover the most effective natural remedies for Seborrheic Dermatitis, including vitamin D3, apple cider vinegar, and anti-inflammatory diet tips.

What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

This chronic condition involves inflammation in areas rich in sebaceous glands. Flare-ups can be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, weather shifts, or yeast overgrowth, particularly from Malassezia.

Key Symptoms

  • Flaky or greasy scales: Often mistaken for dandruff.
  • Red or irritated skin: Common around the nose, eyebrows, and scalp.
  • Persistent itching: Especially during flare-ups.
  • Symptom cycles: Many experience periods of remission followed by recurrences.

Top Natural Remedies for Seborrheic Dermatitis

1. Vitamin D3 – Immune and Skin Support

Why it helps: Vitamin D3 helps regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation. Deficiency has been linked to various chronic skin conditions, including Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Dosage: 3,000–5,000 IU daily, or as recommended by a healthcare provider. Sun exposure (15 minutes/day) can also help boost levels naturally.

Reader Story: One Earth Clinic user reported dramatic improvement within one day of using 3–5 drops of Vitamin D3 (1,000 IU per drop) serum for a 40-year case of facial seborrheic dermatitis. The symptoms disappeared and did not return.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – Antifungal & pH Balancer

Why it helps: ACV restores natural skin pH and has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects that help calm flare-ups.

How to use: Dilute 1 part raw ACV with 2 parts water. Apply to affected areas with a cotton ball or use as a scalp rinse after shampooing. Use once daily until symptoms improve.

3. Tea Tree Oil – Antifungal Power

Why it helps: Contains terpinen-4-ol, which combats Malassezia yeast overgrowth and reduces inflammation.

How to use: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and apply to affected areas 1–2 times daily.

4. Coconut Oil – Moisturizing and Antifungal

Why it helps: Rich in lauric acid and caprylic acid, coconut oil moisturizes the skin and helps fight yeast overgrowth.

How to use: Apply virgin coconut oil directly to affected areas after washing. Leave on overnight or rinse after 30 minutes if desired.

5. Aloe Vera – Soothing and Hydrating

Why it helps: Aloe vera calms itching and inflammation while hydrating dry, irritated skin.

How to use: Apply pure aloe vera gel (from plant or organic store-bought) twice daily.

6. Dietary Changes – Reduce Inflammation from Within

Many people with seborrheic dermatitis report symptom relief after eliminating certain foods. A clean, anti-inflammatory diet supports skin healing from the inside out.

Foods to Avoid:

  • Dairy: Can trigger inflammation and yeast overgrowth in some individuals.
  • Refined sugars: Feed fungal overgrowth and worsen skin issues.
  • Processed foods: Contain artificial ingredients that may exacerbate flare-ups.

Foods to Include:

  • Leafy greens, berries, and fatty fish (salmon, sardines)
  • Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir for probiotics
  • Turmeric, ginger, and garlic for their natural anti-inflammatory properties

7. Herbal Remedies

Calendula and Chamomile: Both herbs offer gentle anti-inflammatory effects. You can use them as teas or apply cooled tea compresses to the skin.

8. Probiotics

Why it helps: A healthy gut microbiome supports immune function and reduces systemic inflammation.

Dosage: Choose a probiotic supplement with at least 10 billion CFUs or consume fermented foods daily.

Tips for Long-Term Management

  • Reduce stress: Practice deep breathing, meditation, or light exercise to manage flare-ups.
  • Wash affected areas gently: Use fragrance-free cleansers and avoid hot water.
  • Don’t over-wash the scalp: Stripping natural oils can worsen dryness and irritation.
  • Choose non-comedogenic moisturizers: Oils like jojoba or squalane are good options.

Conclusion

With its frustrating cycles of flare-ups, seborrheic dermatitis can feel difficult to manage. But by using natural remedies like vitamin D3, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and dietary changes, many people find long-term relief. These holistic approaches not only target symptoms but support skin health from the inside out.

Scroll down to read real user feedback from Earth Clinic readers who’ve managed or even reversed their seborrheic dermatitis naturally—and don’t forget to share your own success story!

Related Links:

Cradle Cap Remedies for Children
Natural Cures for Dandruff


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Borax

Posted by caliguy (los angeles) on 02/16/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I dealt with seborrheic dermatitis for about 10 years. It began with flaky scalp and led to a more flushed face, dry skin around nose, larger pores, and red skin or flakes in facial hair and chest hair. I kept symptoms at bay by trying tea tree oil, hydrocortisone cream, head and shoulders, and lately ACV.

The real cure came recently and made a drastic improvement. I boiled 2 cups of water, 4tspn Borax, 2 tspn baking soda, and 1tspn honey. I let it come to room temp and poured in an empty shampoo bottle. Take a shower, give the bottle a good shake, pour some of the watery solution on your hair, and massage scalp with your fingers. I wash the rest of my body while it soaks for around 10min, also cleaning my face, neck, and chest with it. It won't sud up in your hair, but might feel a bit slimy while wet. Finally, rinse it out. I choose to use ACV afterwards as a conditioner.

It leaves my scalp feeling totally refreshed. No signs of flakes, skin has returned to normal color, and pores are shrinking. I end by using a face moisturizer (I like Aveda for sensitive skin).

That's it! I hope this helps anyone else who might have symptoms like I used to.


D3

Posted by Megs (Cambridge) on 05/30/2019
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I previously wrote EC about D3 for seb derm around my nose and in the creases of my mouth.

I wanted to update that YES, it is in fact a cure and not just a temporary fix! As a test I stopped taking the D3 after two steady weeks on it and nothing has reappeared on my face. I was taking between 2,000-6,000 drops of d3 serum a day. Very exciting.

I have had the condition for most of my life! So I guess it took me two weeks to get my vitamin d levels restored and now that I have done that, my body just needs a bit here and there. Hope this helps someone else suffering from this condition.


D3
Posted by Megs (Cambridge) on 05/21/2019
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have had seb dermatitis (aka dandruff) near my nose for over 40 years. Looks like I have a cold all the time because of the redness around my nose! Have tried many supplements and topical treatments over the years from docs and herbalists, but none have helped.

Without meaning to, I finally cleared it up using Vitamin D3 serum drops. I bought D3 because I wasn't getting enough sun and started taking about 3-5 drops a day. Each drop is 1,000 iu. Within a day, my skin cleared up. This is not a cure. If I stop taking the drops, I start to get those small bumps and redness again after about 48 hours. But it doesn't take much D3 to keep it under control.

So much better than the steroid prescription cream.


Lime and Himalayan Salt

Posted by Ej (Laguna Beach, Ca) on 08/06/2018
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Lime + Himalayan Salt for Seborrheic Dermatitis

Drink a glass of water with a whole (or half) lime + teaspoon of Himalayan salt every morning on an empty stomach.

Background:

I had severe SD on my face and chest. I was very discouraged when ACV didn't work for me as it has worked for so many others. I was able to combat my SD originally through an incredibly strict diet (no wheat, sugar, dairy etc.). Over time I relaxed my diet and started to notice the symptoms returning. At the recommendation of a friend I started doing lime + Himalayan salt mixed in the mornings and it's been a game changer. I'm no longer on a restrictive diet but am symptom free with the addition of lime+salt.

Hope this can help someone out there - good luck!


Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cw (Southwest Missouri) on 06/30/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Amazing results.

I found this website on June 23, just 1 week ago. The same day I started regiment of 2 tablespoons of organic ACV with "The Mother", 1 teaspoon of raw un filtered honey and 8-10 oz of water 3 times a day and once a day rubbing straight ACV right on my problem areas, mostly on my face and in my ears. The results are increarable, in just 3 days my SD that I have been dealing with for 8 years is completely gone!

If anyone is sitting on the fence, please do not wait any longer, start using this today and get your life back.

Thank you all very much!


Lugol's Iodine

Posted by Sarah (Chicago, Il) on 02/15/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had seb derm on my face for years and it finally was cured after I started lugol's iodine applied topically. Another poster on Earth Clinic wrote about it curing his eczema and so I tried it after I read his post. After 2 days, it started to clear!

At first I diluted 3% lugol's iodine 50/50 with water and applied it with a q-tip. I held the q-tip on the spot for 60 seconds. It burned like the dickens, but it was worth it! After the second day, I held undiluted lugol's to the spots with a q-tip. After 7 days it was gone and I applied it every few days, thinking it would come back if I didn't. It never did and I stopped the lugol's application altogether.

Dairy and especially cheese is a huge trigger for my seb derm.

Please try lugol's if you have sebhorreic dermatitis. It has been a miracle cure for this impossible condition!


Baking Soda and Water

Posted by Sharon (Houston, Tx) on 02/20/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have had a severe case of Seborrheic Dermatitis for which I have been given steroid shots and topical steroid lotions. I have tried everything from Tea Tree Oil to ACV and everything in between. I would get some relief and then wham it was right back. After doing tons of reading I began to feel like this could be caused by the ph of body being to acidic. I drink a lot of diet coke and have a high carb diet. So I decided to try one of Teds alkalizing remedies. Baking soda and water and YUP you guessed it. IT'S GONE! After 3 days my scalp is almost back to normal and the itching is gone. I know that it is not posted as a remedy for SD but all I can say is it worked for me.



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