Hailey Bieber says she has perioral dermatitis, not acne. She disclosed the condition herself on Instagram Stories in December 2020. Perioral dermatitis means a red rash circling the mouth. The rash can look like acne and often gets mistaken for it.
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
- When did she first talk about it?
- Where do her flare-ups appear?
- What triggers her flares?
- How does she treat flare-ups?
- How is this different from acne?
When did she first talk about it?
BuzzFeed reported in its December 2020 account of her Stories that Bieber said she had it for a few years. She said she wanted to be transparent about her skin.
She later gave a longer timeline. NewBeauty reported that Bieber said she has had perioral dermatitis since about age 19-20. She first experienced it as a teenager, with recurring flare-ups into adulthood.
Where do her flare-ups appear?
Her breakouts usually appear on her cheeks and around her mouth. They sometimes appear around and under her eyes. OK! Magazine and iHeart/Y102.5 noted a July 2025 photo with redness on the chin and lower cheek.
On July 17, 2025, the 28-year-old Rhode founder posted a bare-faced close-up. iHeart/Y102.5 reported that she labeled it a perioral dermatitis flare. The image showed bumps near the mouth and chin area.
What triggers her flares?
Bieber named her own triggers across 2020 and 2025 interviews. MyTalk 107.1 and BuzzFeed covered remarks about stress, products, environment, and health factors.
Readers can use that list as a tracking starting point. Note which category changed before a flare starts. Bring that pattern to a dermatologist visit.
- new or harsh products, certain SPF, and masks
- weather shifts, heavy travel, and sleep deprivation
- hormones, stress, and anxiety
How does she treat flare-ups?
In a March 2024 TikTok captioned Perioral Dermatitis! Lets talk about it, Bieber described flare care. TVNZ via Bang Premier reported in its March 2024 flare-up account that she uses prescription azelaic acid at night. She uses prescription clindamycin in the daytime during flare-ups.
Her account comes from her own posts. Flare severity and triggers reflect her self-report. Grazia Daily and NewBeauty report that she keeps routines minimal and seeks dermatologist-prescribed treatment during flares.
How is this different from acne?
Cleveland Clinic defines perioral dermatitis in its perioral dermatitis overview as a red rash circling the mouth. The rash can look like acne and is often mistaken for it. It sometimes itches or burns and spreads to the nose and eyes.
Location offers the clearest clue for readers. Bumps clustered around the mouth and chin, plus itch or burn, point away from typical acne. Ask a dermatologist for diagnosis before swapping acne products.
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