Perioral dermatitis is a rash of small bumps around the mouth and nose, linked most often to steroid creams and also to heavy skin care. Dermatologists start by stopping what's put on it, so a tallow balm stays off the rash.
A dermatologist leads on this rash, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says one can examine it and build a plan. I make the balm I'm about to recommend.
Once the skin has cleared and your dermatologist agrees, I'd suggest Bare Silk Unscented ($34 as of October 6, 2026) for dry, dermatitis-prone skin.
What is perioral dermatitis?
A 2025 StatPearls chapter by Tolaymat and colleagues describes small inflamed bumps and pustules, or pink, scaly patches, around the mouth. It can burn or itch. It can also reach the skin beside the nose and eyes, so it's often called periorificial dermatitis. Women aged 20 to 45 get it most, though children get it too, according to the DermNet page by Dr Nayab Shah. StatPearls calls it benign, and the AAD says it clears slowly.
Does tallow cause perioral dermatitis?
I couldn't find a study that tested tallow on this rash. Steroids top DermNet's list, and StatPearls adds fluoride toothpaste and moisturizer worn with foundation. DermNet also lists occlusive emollients. It names paraffin and petroleum-based ones, and it says occlusive creams and ointments can worsen the rash.
A 2016 review by Sethi and colleagues defines occlusives as ingredients that physically block water loss with a water-repelling barrier over the skin. A tallow balm is fat and oil with no water, so it works that way. It's right for dry skin and wrong for this rash.
What is zero therapy?
DermNet calls the first step the zero-therapy approach and says it belongs in every case. You stop every facial cosmetic and topical product, emollients included, then wash with warm water alone until the rash clears. That alone can clear mild cases, it says. Sunscreen doesn't drop out, since DermNet still allows a gel or liquid one. Steroid creams come off on the prescriber's schedule, since stopping one can make the rash flare before it settles.
So the balm waits in the drawer. Don't put it on the rash, and leave the rest of your face to your dermatologist, who may allow a bland emollient for dryness. With clear skin and your dermatologist's nod, one unscented jar can come back.
Our other four balms carry botanical extracts, so Bare Silk Unscented is the only jar I'd bring back to dry, dermatitis-prone skin. It's cosmetic care, not a treatment, and your provider's plan comes first.
If you'd rather not read five product pages, Find my balm asks two minutes of questions and hands you the jar.
Questions we hear
Can I put beef tallow on perioral dermatitis?
Not on the rash. DermNet says occlusive creams and ointments can worsen the rash, and a tallow balm with no water in it works as an occlusive. It's your dermatologist's call whether anything goes on the rest of your face during a flare.
Is beef tallow good for perioral dermatitis?
It doesn't belong on a flare, and I found no study that tested tallow on this rash. A dermatologist's plan comes first, and it may include a prescription. Once the skin has cleared, ask your dermatologist about a thin layer of an unscented balm on dry skin.
What moisturizer can I use with perioral dermatitis?
Don't add a moisturizer to a flare until your dermatologist says so, since stopping products comes first. For dryness, DermNet allows a bland emollient without preservatives or additives, and it says occlusive creams and ointments can worsen the rash. Fragrance-free skin care is the AAD's suggestion, starting with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
How long does perioral dermatitis take to clear?
The AAD says it tends to clear slowly, over a few weeks or a few months. If you're stopping a steroid cream, the rash can worsen first. The AAD says not to restart it, and StatPearls says a gradual taper may be needed, so your dermatologist sets that pace.
Go deeper
The beef tallow for skin guide covers the fat on dry skin, and before a first jar, you'll want tallow on sensitive skin and fragrance-free vs unscented. Tallow and fungal acne covers the other case where the safe lists leave tallow out.
Sources
- Tolaymat L, Syed HA, Hall MR (2025). Perioral dermatitis. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf, last updated July 6, 2025.
- Shah N (2023). Periorificial dermatitis, last modified August 3, 2026. DermNet.
- American Academy of Dermatology (undated, read October 6, 2026). Red rash around your mouth could be perioral dermatitis. aad.org.
- Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra SK, Gambhir ML (2016). Moisturizers: the slippery road. Indian Journal of Dermatology, volume 61, pages 279 to 287.
Brian is the founder of Craft Tallow, a small-batch tallow skincare line shipped from Cottonwood Heights, Utah, built on 100% grass-fed suet. Questions? Reply to any email from us; it lands with him.