Hailey Bieber said her nighttime flare step for perioral dermatitis is prescription azelaic acid cream. She filmed makeup-free close-ups during a pretty bad flare-up to show how it calms inflammation around her mouth and nose.
Perioral dermatitis causes red bumps, rash, burning or stinging around the mouth and nose, and it is often mistaken for acne or rosacea. Byrdie reported that Bieber has had it since age 19-20 and shared that flare routine on TikTok in March 2024 Byrdie's March 2024 report. NewBeauty reported that she uses the azelaic acid cream at night because it really helps with inflammation NewBeauty's March 27, 2024 report.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What is her nighttime azelaic acid step?
- What does she use during the day?
- What triggers her flare-ups?
- Why do you need a dermatologist first?
What is her nighttime azelaic acid step?
She applies prescription azelaic acid cream at night only during flares, not as daily maintenance. The target area is the irritated skin around the mouth and nose.
She described the benefit in simple terms: less inflammation. That matters because flare-ups can look bumpy and feel hot, tight, or stingy. Viewers should not read this as a product recommendation.
What does she use during the day?
Sportskeeda reported that her daytime flare step is prescription topical clindamycin from a dermatologist. She uses it to limit bacterial growth on irritated skin.
The day-night split is deliberate. Azelaic acid handles nighttime inflammation care, while clindamycin addresses daytime bacterial load. Both steps are prescription-only and dermatologist-directed.
What triggers her flare-ups?
In a July 2025 Instagram Story selfie covered by iHeart, Bieber linked flares to travel, poor sleep, hormones, sun protection, new products, and stress iHeart's July 18, 2025 report. Her listed triggers were: During a flare she strips her routine back to rinsing with water plus prescribed treatments and basic milk and SPF. That pause helps avoid further irritation while treatment works.
- heavy travel and sleep deprivation
- hormonal shifts and stress
- wrong SPF or a new product
Why do you need a dermatologist first?
The FDA Finacea label states that azelaic acid 15% is indicated for inflammatory papules and pustules of mild-to-moderate rosacea and is prescription-only the FDA Finacea label. Bieber's perioral-dermatitis use is therefore dermatologist-directed, not self-prescribing guidance.
A clinician can confirm whether bumps are perioral dermatitis, acne, or rosacea. Bring notes on recent travel, sleep, cycle changes, SPF switches, and new products to that visit.