Dermatitis: Why We’re Seeing More Cases Than Ever in 2026

Over the past year, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in clients presenting with dermatitis — inflamed, reactive, and compromised skin that feels uncomfortable and often frustrating to manage.

If your skin has suddenly become red, itchy, tight, flaky, or burning — even when using products you’ve tolerated for years — you’re not alone. Dermatitis is becoming one of the most common skin concerns we’re treating in clinic right now.

Let’s talk about why.

Dermatitis: Why We’re Seeing More Cases Than Ever in 2026

Over the past year, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in clients presenting with dermatitis — inflamed, reactive, and compromised skin that feels uncomfortable and often frustrating to manage.

If your skin has suddenly become red, itchy, tight, flaky, or burning — even when using products you’ve tolerated for years — you’re not alone. Dermatitis is becoming one of the most common skin concerns we’re treating in clinic right now.

Let’s talk about why.

What Is Dermatitis?

Dermatitis is a general term for skin inflammation. It can show up as:

• Redness

• Itching

• Burning or stinging

• Dry, flaky patches

• Small bumps or rash-like texture

• Swelling

• Cracked or peeling skin

It often affects the face (especially around the eyes, mouth, and cheeks), neck, and hands — but it can appear anywhere on the body.

Common types of dermatitis include:

• Contact dermatitis (irritant or allergic reactions)

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

• Perioral dermatitis

• Seborrheic dermatitis

Why Are We Seeing More Dermatitis This Year?

In clinic, we are absolutely seeing more patients struggling with reactive, inflamed skin than in previous years. Several factors are contributing to this rise:

1. Overuse of Active Skincare Ingredients

With social media trends and access to strong at-home products, many people are layering:

• Retinol

• Tretinoin

• Vitamin C

• Exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA)

• Benzoyl peroxide

• Peels

When used improperly or combined incorrectly, these ingredients can compromise the skin barrier, leading to irritation and dermatitis.

2. Skin Barrier Damage

Your skin barrier is your first line of defense. When it’s disrupted, skin becomes:

• More sensitive

• Easily inflamed

• Prone to redness and dryness

• Reactive to products that were once tolerated

Barrier impairment is one of the biggest drivers of dermatitis we’re seeing right now.

3. Stress & Hormonal Changes

Chronic stress increases cortisol, which can:

• Trigger inflammatory skin conditions

• Weaken immune response

• Slow healing

Hormonal fluctuations also contribute to flare-ups of eczema, perioral dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

4. Environmental Factors

Cold weather, indoor heating, pollution, and seasonal transitions can all:

• Strip moisture from the skin

• Increase transepidermal water loss

• Trigger inflammation

Many patients notice flare-ups during seasonal shifts.

5. Post-Treatment Sensitivity

We’re also seeing dermatitis appear after:

• Laser treatments

• Chemical peels

• Aggressive exfoliation

• Microneedling without proper aftercare

When the skin isn’t properly supported during healing, inflammation can escalate.

Signs Your Skin Barrier May Be Compromised

If you’re experiencing:

• Burning when applying skincare

• Sudden sensitivity

• Persistent redness

• Tightness despite moisturizing

• Small rash-like bumps

You may be dealing with barrier dysfunction and early-stage dermatitis.

How We Treat Dermatitis in Clinic

The biggest mistake people make? Trying to treat inflamed skin with more active ingredients.

When managing dermatitis, we focus on:

1. Calming Inflammation

Reducing triggers and stopping irritating products immediately.

2. Repairing the Skin Barrier

Using gentle, restorative skincare that supports ceramides, lipids, and hydration.

3. Simplifying Your Routine

Often, less is more. A minimal, medical-grade routine can make a dramatic difference.

4. Supporting Internal Health

In some cases, dermatitis is connected to gut health, stress levels, or hormonal imbalance.

5. Gradual Reintroduction of Actives

Once the skin is stable, we carefully reintroduce corrective ingredients if needed.

Can Dermatitis Be Cured?

Dermatitis is typically a chronic, inflammatory skin condition, meaning it can flare and calm over time.

However, with proper diagnosis, treatment, and barrier support, it can absolutely be managed successfully.

Many clients see significant improvement within weeks once we remove triggers and rebuild the skin properly.

When to Seek Professional Help

You should book a consultation if:

• Redness or irritation persists longer than 1–2 weeks

• Over-the-counter products aren’t helping

• Your skin burns when applying moisturizer

• You suspect perioral dermatitis

• Flare-ups keep returning

The earlier we intervene, the easier it is to restore balance.

The Takeaway: Calm First, Correct Later

One of the biggest trends we’re seeing this year is over-corrected skin.

More exfoliation is not better.
Stronger actives are not always better.
More products do not equal better results.

Healthy skin starts with a strong, supported barrier.

If your skin feels inflamed, reactive, or out of control, it’s time to stop guessing and start healing.

Struggling With Dermatitis or Reactive Skin?

If you’ve noticed increased sensitivity, redness, or flare-ups this year, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate it on your own.

Book a skin consultation and let’s create a plan to calm inflammation, repair your barrier, and restore your skin’s natural balance.