Background: Facial dermatitis can result from various conditions, some of which are of a chronic and relapsing nature. The use of topical corticosteroid therapy may lead to additional adverse effects.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of moisturizer containing 4‐t‐butylcyclohexanol, which acts as a sensitivity regulator, and licochalcone A, an anti‐inflammatory agent from the licorice plant Glycyrrhiza inflata, with that of 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of facial dermatitis.

Methods: This was a randomized, prospective, investigator‐blinded study. Eighty participants with mild to moderate facial dermatitis were randomly treated with either the test facial moisturizer or 0.02% TA twice daily for the first 2 weeks. For the subsequent 2 weeks, all patients used only the test moisturizer. Clinical assessment by investigators, bioengineering measurements, patients' subjective evaluation, and clinical photography were performed at baseline, week 2, and week 4.

Results: Both treatments showed a statistically significant improvement with regard to physician clinical assessment, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and patient‐assessed visual analog scale after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment compared with baseline. The test facial moisturizer produced better skin hydration than TCS. The improvement in TEWL after 4 weeks of using the test moisturizer was comparable with 2‐week treatment with 0.02% TA cream. However, subjective evaluation by patients indicated that TA more rapidly improved sensation sensitivity.

Conclusion: The test facial moisturizer was slower than 0.02% TA in improving facial dermatitis, but showed greater benefit in erythema control and skin hydration.