Oily skin, high stress levels, dietary triggers, or other common risk factors can leave your skin vulnerable to more than one skin problem — and that may include acne along with seborrheic dermatitis.

Seborrheic dermatitis doesn’t directly cause acne, but some people end up with both issues at the same time. Here’s what you should know about the characteristics of seborrheic dermatitis and acne that make them similar but different.

What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, uncomfortable form of eczema. This itchy rash typically shows up in oilier areas of the body, such as around the nose, upper back, and scalp (where it causes dandruff-like flakes or cradle cap in babies). Seborrheic dermatitis can happen to people of any age, sex, or race. According to the National Eczema Association, adult males between ages 30 and 60 are the most likely to develop it, as are infants of either sex.

Symptoms can include a discolored or ring-shaped rash, flaking, and scaly skin. In severe cases, seborrheic dermatitis can crust over and produce pus-filled pimples. If not treated properly, these lesions can develop infections. In addition, constant scratching may lead to hair loss over time.

What Is Acne?

Like seborrheic dermatitis, acne is a skin condition that can affect anyone. However, it happens more during the teenage and young adult years. Skin inflammation causes acne. There are many different types of acne, all of which lead to some kind of tender bump. Acne breakouts may include:

• Blackheads
• Cystic acne
• Nodules
• Papules
• Pustules
• Whiteheads

The face, chest, back, and shoulders are most prone to acne. Although teenage acne is more common in males, women are more likely to deal with acne that continues throughout adulthood.

Understanding the Similarities and Differences

Both acne and seborrheic dermatitis are fairly common skin conditions. While they share some similar risk factors, they’re usually caused by different issues. Both conditions can develop when the body produces too much sebum, a natural oil meant to moisturize and protect the skin.

Seborrheic dermatitis is also linked to an overgrowth of yeast that normally lives on the skin’s surface. Too much yeast causes skin inflammation, which, combined with too much oil around the oil glands, can trigger seborrheic dermatitis.

The risk of seborrheic dermatitis is higher with:

• Certain medical conditions or medications
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Switching soaps or detergents
• Weather changes

Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and the human immunodeficiency virus greatly increase the risk of seborrheic dermatitis. However, seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious and is not caused by dirty or unwashed skin.

Acne isn’t caused by yeast and oils. It’s caused by blocked or clogged hair follicles. Hair follicles can get clogged by dead skin cells mixed with sebum. This type of clog promotes bacteria to grow in the pores, leading to a pimple. Like seborrheic dermatitis, acne has known risk factors, including:

• Age (teenagers have a higher risk)
• Certain medications
• Dietary habits
• Family history
• Hormonal changes
• Environmental irritants (like pollution)
• Stress

Although seborrheic dermatitis and acne may look and feel similar, their underlying cause isn’t quite the same. Seborrheic dermatitis involves yeast, but acne is a deeper inflammation with bacterial growth. These two conditions also share some risk factors (like stress) but are more likely in different groups of people and for different reasons.

Members of MySebDermTeam have noticed a relationship between the two conditions. “My acne is terrible, and I only mention it because my doctor said it’s related to seborrheic dermatitis,” one member shared. “I notice a difference that correlates with my sugar intake. I lost a lot of hair at one point, but some of it has since grown back (less sugar). I am concentrating on watching what I eat, and so far, have seen some results.”

One of the main differences between the two conditions is when they happen. Although both can happen to anyone, acne is most likely in teens and young adults facing hormonal changes. Seborrheic dermatitis is most common in babies, but when adults develop it, they’re more likely to have flare-ups that come back periodically.

In the last decade, more men have been treated for hypogonadism, which is when the body doesn’t make enough sex hormones. This condition can start between the ages of 35 and 45, causing symptoms like low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, brain fog, and difficulty losing weight. The usual treatment is testosterone replacement therapy to bring testosterone levels back to normal. In the first few months of this treatment, men often get acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

Common Questions and Concerns

Some members of MySebDermTeam have described a lifetime of skin issues. “I began to have acne when I was nine,” said one member. “Fortunately, I got treatment to avoid the deep pitting from scarring. I had very deep cystic acne all through high school and college. I am now 74, and finally, it has subsided to a great degree. But I have rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis along with seborrheic dermatitis, which still plagues me. I still see a dermatologist on a regular basis, like the dentist.”

If you have acne or seborrheic dermatitis, the thought of dealing with another skin condition may seem overwhelming. Here are some answers to a couple of questions you may be concerned about.

Will I Get Seborrheic Dermatitis if I Have Acne?

Acne itself doesn’t raise the risk of seborrheic dermatitis or vice versa. Even though both conditions involve blocked pores and an overproduction of oil, they’re still separate issues.

Although one of these skin conditions doesn’t cause the other, studies show that there’s a good chance they can happen at the same time. This may be because they share the common feature of too much sebum caused by hormonal changes or other contributing factors.

Does Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment Cause Acne?

Most treatments for seborrheic dermatitis don’t cause acne. For mild seborrheic dermatitis, dermatologist-recommended medicated shampoos or soaps are usually the first treatment option, along with reducing stress and other triggers. However, more severe cases may require a prescription topical cream or oral medication. Prescription steroids may lead to temporary “steroid acne,” but this side effect should clear up when you finish the course of treatment.

Acne and seborrheic dermatitis are both inflammatory skin conditions caused by too much oil. They have some similar risks, such as changing weather and hormones. However, they are also very different. One does not cause the other, but they can happen at the same time. If you think that you have severe acne or seborrheic dermatitis, get in touch with a dermatologist. After some testing and treatment, they should be able to help you improve your skin health and comfort.

Find Your Team

MySebDermTeam is the social network for people with seborrheic dermatitis and their loved ones. On MySebDermTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand what it’s like living with seborrheic dermatitis.

Do you have acne from oily skin at the same time as seborrheic dermatitis? If so, what type of cleansers, moisturizers, and skin care regimen do you follow to manage both conditions? Share your tips in the comments below or directly on your Activities page.