What is the Seb Derm Checker?

Seborrheic dermatitis (seb derm) is a common skin condition characterized by redness, flaking, scaling, and itchiness, particularly in oil-rich areas such as the scalp and face.

To help simplify the process of identifying potential triggers, SkinSort created the Seborrheic Dermatitis Ingredient Checker.

What Is the Seborrheic Dermatitis Ingredient Checker?

SkinSort's Seb Derm Ingredient Checker analyzes ingredient lists and identifies ingredients that may potentially trigger or worsen seborrheic dermatitis.

The checker is designed to help users quickly evaluate products based on currently available research regarding seborrheic dermatitis and Malassezia yeast.

How to Access and Use the Seborrheic Dermatitis Ingredient Checker

1. Visit the SkinSort website and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
2. Under Tools, click Seb Derm Checker.
3. Paste the product's ingredient list on the checker.
4. Click Check for seb derm triggers.
5. Alternatively, you can also upload a photo of the ingredient list.

Understanding Your Results

After the ingredient list is analyzed, the checker will display whether the product contains ingredients that may potentially trigger seborrheic dermatitis.

You will also see:
1. The number of potential seborrheic dermatitis triggers detected
2. The names of flagged ingredients
3. A matched product result, if the product already exists in the SkinSort database
4. You can also review a detailed ingredient breakdown for additional information about each ingredient.

Why Are Certain Ingredients Flagged?

Seborrheic dermatitis is associated with the overgrowth of Malassezia yeast. Research suggests that certain ingredient types may contribute to an environment where the yeast can thrive.

For this reason, the checker flags ingredients commonly associated with seborrheic dermatitis concerns, including:

• Fatty acid-derived ingredients
• Certain esters
• Squalene and related ingredients
• Other ingredients identified as potential Malassezia food sources

The presence of a flagged ingredient does not automatically mean a product will trigger a flare-up. The checker is designed to identify potential concerns so users can make more informed decisions.

Strengths and Limitations

While SkinSort's Seborrheic Dermatitis Ingredient Checker is based on current research and ingredient analysis, it is important to understand its limitations.

Seborrheic dermatitis research is still evolving, and formulations are highly complex. Products contain many ingredients that interact with one another, making it impossible to predict with complete certainty how a product will perform for every individual.

The checker is intentionally designed to identify all potential triggers. As a result, some ingredients may be flagged even though they do not cause issues for every person with seborrheic dermatitis.

We continuously review and improve our methodology as new research becomes available. However, we recommend using the checker as a starting point and conducting additional research when evaluating products for seborrheic dermatitis.

If you believe an ingredient or product should be reviewed, please contact us at [email protected].

Is this the same as the Fungal Acne Checker?

Not exactly. Seborrheic dermatitis and fungal acne are both associated with Malassezia yeast, which means they often share similar trigger ingredients. However, they are distinct skin conditions with different symptoms and treatment approaches.

Because of this overlap, you may notice that products flagged by the Fungal Acne Checker are also flagged by the Seborrheic Dermatitis Ingredient Checker.