Anethole is best approached with caution on skin affected by seborrheic dermatitis. It adds a sweet anise-like scent or flavour and is not a treatment for Malassezia or a flare.

A published case shows that contact allergy to Anethole is possible, but one case cannot tell us how often this happens or label every formula unsafe. No direct human seb derm evidence was found. During an active flare, a simpler fragrance-free product is easier to assess, especially if fragranced products have caused burning or redness before.