Have you tried EVERYTHING to get rid of your acne but nothing works?
You may not have acne at all.
Not the traditional kind of acne caused by bacteria, anyway. A fungi is more likely to blame here.
And you know what happens when you treat fungal acne the same way as bacterial acne? Your acne gets worse, that’s what.
Unfortunately, the two conditions are so similar, even doctors sometimes mistake the two! I know… 🙄
If you think you may be dealing with fungal acne, this quick guide will tell you how to recognise it, treat it and keep it from coming back (plus, what skincare products are safe and not safe to use when you’re dealing with fungal acne):
What Is Fungal Acne?
The scientific name is Pityrosporum Folliculitis. The nickname Malassezia Folliculitis. Friends and enemies call it fungal acne. But I like to call it a “pain in the ass”. That’s what it really is, isn’t it?
Fungal acne is an itchy acne-like breakout that looks like small red bumps of close comedones. It usually appears on the areas that produce a truckload of sebum, like the t-zone and back.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Sebum
What Causes Fungal Acne?
Malassezia. It’s a type of fungi that lives on everyone’s skin (it’s part of your healthy skin’s micro biome) and feeds on sebum. This is normal.
The problems start when Malassezia eats so much sebum, it grows out of control. Here’s what puts you at risk of that happening:
- Certain diseases (diabetes, Hodgkin’s disease, nutritional disorders, transplant recipients and immunologic defiencies)
- Hot and humid weather
- Oil-rich skincare products
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged use of antibiotics (usually, the stuff they give you to treat bacterial acne!)
- Stress
- Sweat
Related: What Skincare Ingredients Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
How To Tell If You Have Fungal Acne
So, how can you tell if you have fungal acne instead of bacterial acne? Here are three warning signs to look out for:
- You’re an adult: Anyone can get fungal acne, but it’s more common in people in their ’20s and ’30s.
- Nothing works: You’ve tried all the classic anti-acne medications, but those stubborn pimples won’t budge!
- Everything breaks you out: Even lightweight toners and gentle moisturisers. You’ve come to a point you’re scared of even trying a new skincare product because you know it’ll give you more pimples.
- Papules and pustules: That’s what fungal acne looks like. The pus inside looks white/yellow.
If you suspect you’re dealing with fungal acne, go to your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor to extract a pustule with a comedones extract and examine the crap inside it.
This is super important. Most doctors just do a biopsy on the surface of the skin. If malassezia is hiding in the pore, this superficial biopsy won’t detect it and your doctor will likely treat you for bacterial acne!
What To Avoid When You Have Fungal Acne
When it comes to fungal acne, what you DON’T use is as important (if not more) of what you do use. That nasty bugger seems to flare up and give you a breakout no matter what you put on your skin.
The first step is to get rid of any skincare products that make fungal acne worse. That means anything with (be warned – it’s a loooooong list!):
- Amino acids (only when paired with fatty acids)
- Benzoyl peroxide (can dry out skin, helping Malassezia spread)
- Esters (they’re a combo of fatty acid + alcohol; end in -ATE; for ex, isopropyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate etc)
- Fatty acids (lauric, linoleic, linolenic, myristic, oleic, palmitic, stearic)
- Galactomyces
- Hydrogenated oils (they contain fatty acids)
- Oils (they contain fatty acids – there are only 3 exceptions to this rule, listed below)
- Polysorbates (you guessed it, they have fatty acids)
Basically, if it has fatty acids – you know, the good stuff that helps dry skin recover – it’s out of the question for you. And that rules out 90% of skincare products on the market. Fatty acids are so good at moisturising, they’re everywhere!
Related: Benzoyl Peroxide: Friend Or Foe For Your Skin?
What You Can Use When You Have Fungal Acne
Fret not. There’s still a lot of stuff you can use. The irony is that a lot of it is synthetic. Yep, the “nasty” stuff the natural brigade loves to complain about is a skin saver for you. Go figure! Here’s what you can use:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (includes MTC oil – coconut oil is a no-no)
- Cholesterol
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic, mandelic, salicylic)
- Fatty alcohols (cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol… who said alcohol was bad?!)
- Lactic acid-producing bacteria (bifidobacterium, lactobacillus, lactococcus…)
- Petroleum-based ingredients (think vaseline and mineral oil – no fatty acids there!)
- Propolis
- Silicones
- Squalane oil
That’s better, isn’t it?
Related: Is Mineral Oil Really Bad For Skin?
What Are The Best Skincare Products For Fungal Acne?
Wait, you didn’t really think I was gonna let you scour the skincare aisles for fungal acne-safe products alone, did you? Here are my picks in every category:
CLEANSERS:
- Avene Eau Thermal Cleansing Foam ($20.00): available at Dermstore
- Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion ($24.00): available at Dermstore
- Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water (£10.80): available at Dermstore and Feel Unique
EXFOLIANTS:
- Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (£22.00): available at iHerb, Ulta and Yes Style
- Stratia Soft Touch AHA (£14.00): available at Stratia
- Stridex Pads ($3.97): available at Amazon and iHerb
SERUMS:
- Bioderma Hydrabio Moisturizing Serum (£18.50): available at Dermstore and Feel Unique
- Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum (£28.00): available at iHerb and Ulta
- Replenix Serum CF ($85.00): available at Dermstore
- Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($166.00): available at Blue Mercury and Dermstore
MOISTURIZERS:
- Avene Tolerance Extreme Emulsion (£10.12): available at Dermstore
- Dr Jart+ Water Drop Hydrating Moisturiser ($36.00): available at Sephora
- Eucerin Original Healing Rich Creme (£12.46): available at iHerb and Walmart
OILS:
- Africare 100% Mineral Oil ($14.21): available at Walmart
- Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil (£30.00): available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore and Nordstrom
- The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalane (£5.50): available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique
SUNSCREENS:
- Bioré UV Perfect Milk SPF 50+ PA++++ (£7.09): available at Amazon
- Cotz Face Natural Tint SPF 40 ($23.99): available at Ulta
- EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 ($33.00): available at Dermstore and Walmart
If you’re looking for sample skincare routines that are safe and effective for fungal acne, check out this post at Simple Skincare Science.
Looking for even more products suitable for fungal acne? Click on the image below to subscribe to my newsletter and receive the “Best Products For Fungal Acne List:
How To Treat Fungal Acne
A good skincare routine is key to prevent those breakouts from getting worse and, once you’ve killed the fungus, keep it from coming back. But, there’s only so much skincare alone can do.
If you have a yeast that’s misbehaving, you need an anti-fungal to kill it. You have a few options here but I’m not gonna go into them.
Why not? Because even though some of these anti-fungal meds are available OTC, I do think it’s best to see a doctor and have it prescribed by them. A doctor will be able to prescribe the right anti-fungal treatment for you and tell you how to use it properly. Plus, a lot of anti-fungals are full of fatty acids, polysorbates, and other stuff that makes fungal acne worse. 🙁
There are natural solutions for fungal acne too, but these are tricky. Most products don’t contain enough of these natural extracts and making your own isn’t always ideal. The problem with natural ingredients is that their composition (and the amounts of goodies that can kill fungal acne) varies depending on where they’re grown, climate, soil conditions, etc.
Related: 5 Natural Treatments That Really Work To Heal Fungal Acne
The Bottom Line
Fungal acne looks similar to bacterial acne, but it’s way trickier to treat. The key is to avoid anything with fatty acids in your skincare routine (they just feed the monster!) and add an anti-fungal to get rid of it.
Yes ! I need a natural solutions. Please post asap.
Sakshi, is there a reason why you need a natural solution instead of these? In any case, until I finish that post, honey works well. 🙂
After the killing the yeast can I use my old skincare routine that has these fatty acids and all?
Gladys, you may try to reintroduce them slowly but I don’t recommend it. The yeast may come back.
I think I have this.. the esthetician who does my brows said that lots of people in the Pacific Northwest of the USA where I live have fungal acne, much more than she has seen in California. I live PNW now and used to live in CA, where I did not have this problem. If I complete all the recommendations to treat the fungus, do I need to continue to use products that do no feed the fungus forever, or should I be able to resume the use of products with ingredients that feed the fungus once the fungus is gone?
As a side note, I learned recently I have major candida issue in my gastrointestinal system as well, which is apparently clouding my brain. So if you have funky acne and anxiety/ADHD, you may want to research candida, not just in your lady parts. Can be detected by certain labs, most often ordered by integrative medical providers (not so much the standard MD).
Megan. I’d say as long as you liv in the PNW, you want to err on the side of caution and stay away from anything that feeds the fungus. If that gets too frustrating for you, once the fungus is gone, you can introduce a product with a small amount of fungi-feeding ingredients and see how it reacts. No one can tell you for sure if it’s safe to go back as everyone is different. You’ll just have to experiment.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip, I will try to be strict about eliminating products. Sadly, I have a ton of product from the Ordinary. Most of them have an ingredient on the no-no list for fungal acne. There is one ingredient that I have found in most of their products, Propanediol. Is this safe? As far as I can tell it is but I’m not 100% sure.
What are your thoughts on these The Ordinary products regarding fungal acne: Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%; Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%; and Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%? As far as I can tell there are not ingredients that should feed the fungus but I’m not totally sure.
Any other thoughts? Thanks!
Megan, anything you listed is fine for fungal acne. 🙂
what about The Ordinary’s serum foundation?
hi
‘my skin problem since 3 years ago acne inflamation inside under the sun can see so clearly until now (more better than before )doctor last time said i have hives and took 2month medicine but more better and even until now still have just abit ,i change my skincare often now i using toner aha bha pha (someby mi) much better (less mth )i try the ordinary product just a month with niacinamide and alpa albutin and at night lactic acid 5 % ,i order alpha lipoic but not try yet ,,,my skin look dry outside and inside under the sun so much acne look inflamation but since using aha bha toner and reduce alot but still have small acne inside and milia below eyes …moisturizer i try centella blemish and sometimes snail 92 cream and corsx sunblock …which one i need to change or add ?first i realy need remove acne inside but outside i need hydrate and moisturizer ,because too much using acid is make skin more dry ..thanks
Stella, if your skin is so inflamed, you need to stop using so many skincare products and go back to basics. In the morning, cleanse, use hyaluronic acid serum and a moisturising sunscreen. In the evening, cleanser, toner, hyaluronic acid serum and moisturiser. Snail 92 cream is a good one for your skin type.
Hi! I’m a 13-year-old student who is currently suffering from fungal acne. I have researched a lot and finally found out that it wasn’t just a normal acne. You may think that I’m still young and my skin will still clear up but I have this small bumps that are all over my t zone area and I really want to clear it up. If you can give me some advice it will really mean the world to me because I have spent a lot of money buying products that usually worsen my skin. Thanks!
Hi Nicole, please follow the steps in this post to deal with fungal acne. The first step is to get rid of any skincare products you have with the offending ingredients above. Then, pick products from my picks to build a skincare routine. Just be sure to introduce only one of them at a time into your skincare routine so if something bothers you, you’ll know what it is.
can you recommend make-up that do not irritate fungal acne?
Tyra, a few good foundations for fungal acne are:
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
Hope this helps
Do you know of any cruelty free ones? Thanks
Heather, I believe Fenty is cruelty free.
Hi, I have had this fungal acne for about 2/3 years now and I never knew what it was until today! I am just wondering if you could help me out with the right cleanser, toner and moisturiser as my skin is oily and combination. I know you’ve listed a few but I don’t know which one would be the most suitable for my skin. Also, I do not have any pimples or any other problems with my face so I was wondering if you know approximately how long it will take to disappear?
Kai, try the Avene cleanser and moisturiser. You don’t need a toner. I can’t give you a precise timeline, but you should start seeing an improvement in a few days once you remove the culprits from your routine.
Hi! I’ve been suffering with fungal acne for about 3 years now, I’m 14 and had this ever since year 7. In 2017, I went to the doctor about my skin and I didn’t exactly know that I had fungal acne then and my doctor gave me a treatment called Duac, which really cleared up my skin until I stopped using it and they’ve all came back, I have very oily skin, particularly In the t-zone, my nose and my cheeks by my nose. I’m not too sure what I should use to cleanse my face as my skin’s very sensitive and oily and I tend to breakout a lot. Also, I’ve been on some medication called Lymecline, also prescribed by the doctor, I’ve been on this for like 5-6 weeks now and i haven’t seen a difference at all because my doctor seems to think my acne is caused by bacteria. Any advice on how I could clear my skin up a bit more? as I’m not sure what cleansers and moisturizers I should use. Thank you 🙂
Keira, sorry you’re suffering with fungal acne. Did you tell your doctor the old medicine worked better? Unfortunately, fungal and bacterial acne look very similar so even doctors can get confused. 🙁
I’ve shared some great cleansers and moisturisers for people with fungal acne in this post. The cleansers are all very gentle and the moisturisers suitable for sensitive skin. Try one of the cleansers and, if it helps, move onto the moisturiser. Try one product at a time and see how it works for you. Hope this helps.
Thank You so very much for this amazing article! Is Lumene Nordic Nude Northern Lights Bronzer (in Finnish we say Aurinkopuuteri- like a sun powder, since it is SPF 15) okay to use on seborrheic dermatitis?
Linda, do you have the ingredients list? I couldn’t find it online.
Hi, I was wondering , don’t the Stridex pads have ingredients that can promote fungal acne? Thank you.
Cindy, no they don’t.
Hi, I came across this article because I’ve been doing so much research regarding fungal acne. I’ve had clear skin my whole life until now when I started experiencing fa. This article has helped me soo much in addition to other blogs.
So, I’m looking for a sunscreen that is safe for fungal acne. Since you provided it in this post, idk which ones to use. I’m in between the biore or cotz sunscreen. The Biore one has no glycerin (which is good, right?) but it has alcohol. The Cotz sunscreen doesn’t have any alcohol from what I’ve seen in the ingredients but I think it contains silicone? I’m totally confused now actually. Does alcohol in sunscreen negatively effect fungal acne? Suggestions of which I should pick? Thank you in advance 🙂
Gia, I’m so glad to hear this article is helping you. Alcohol has long had a bad rep but the latest research shows that it’s not as drying and irritating as we once thought. It just depends on what else is in the formula. Glycerin, for example, can counteract the dryness. In sunscreens, it’s used to make the texture thinner and easier to spread. If you like lightweight sunscreens, this one is for you.
Silicones aren’t as bad as people think either. I’ve written about them here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/are-silicones-bad-for-skin/
In the end, it all comes down to what kind of texture you prefer. If you can’t stand the feeling of silicones on your skin, go with Biore. If you like how velvety soft silicones make your skin, go with Cotz.
How often do you recommend using the Stridex pads? And when?
Kelsea, you can use them every night after cleansing. If you find they irritate your skin (they can, if it’s sensitive), rinse them after 20 minutes and then apply the rest of your skincare routine.
Hi Gio,
Would you say that this is a good choice of lotion for fungal acne?
https://www.amazon.com/NIVEA-Men-Sensitive-Protective-Lotion/dp/B00Q2MYPBK
Larsc, unfortunately it’s not. It has esters that could aggravate your acne.
Thank you so much for your article. I strongly suspect I have fungal acne as my skin has tiny pustules that are incredibly itchy on my face and chest. I took notice of this when I started to work out regularly and it has not gone away even when I fall off the excise wagon. I’ve always had sensitive skin and was diagnosed with contact dermatitis many years ago so I’m careful about things with fragrance.
The skin on my face these days is really red and angry (got a facial was disastrous results earlier this week) so I have desperately been looking for things to calm it down. Out of pure luck I bought the Avene moisturizer you listed above and I’m very happy to see it is not aggravating my skin nor making my very oily skin worse. I will definitely be trying the other products you listed, I may even one day be able to tolerate sunscreen on my face!
Danielle, sorry to hear your skin is so sensitive and inflamed right now. Unfortunately, fungal acne is one of those conditions that’s very hard to diagnose even for dermatologists. Yes, do try the products I recommend here and see if that makes a difference. Malassezia fungus eats pretty much everything so you have to be very careful about the ingredients you use. I recommend you start with an exfoliant. BHA can exfoliate pores and soothe inflammation so it should help you a lot right now.
Loved your article! Do you think bare minerals makeup is suitable for someone with fungal acne? Thanks again for such a helpful article!
Muriel, it depends on the product. Bare Minerals Original Foundation, for example, is good for people with fungal acne too.
Hi Gio, is the Mandelic acid by Wishtrend as well as Klairs black sugar face polish good for fungal acne? I just bought this and I’m hoping it will work. 🙁
Vida, Mandelic Acid by Wishtrend is ok but Klairs black sugar face polish has esters and polysorbates that can aggravate fungal acne. 🙁
Thank you so much for responding. I’ll let Klairs rest for now then. 🙁
Vida, my pleasure.
Thank you for your post on this! I’ll be looking at my ingredients list much closer. One of my biggest issues is the itching (omg, the itching). I know scratching at your face can make things worse. Any suggestions on how to combat this short of removing my hands (which seems a bit aggressive as a treatment lol). Thank you!
Shannon, I hear ya, the itching is the worse! Willpower doesn’t help, does it? You can try ice or a cold compress on your face. Depending on where the acne, you can take a bath in colloidal oatmeal. Check out Aveeno for it. When all else fails, use a ketoconazole cream.
FA is definitely a pain in the ass and face, too, let’s be honest 😉
Not sure if my comment earlier went through but I’d asked if you had any suggestions for the incessant itching side effect of FA.
Also, wondering if the Belif Problem Solution Toner & Lotion and the Paul Thomas Ross Acne treatment line are bad for FA. Hard to determine what’s a good ‘ATE’ from your list compared to the ingredients list on some stuff. It’s really amazing/disturbing how many chemicals there are. O.o
Shannon, do you have the ingredient lists for these products? I can’t find them online. But as a rule, if it contains an ATE, I’d steer clear. Better be safe than sorry.
I just recently bought klairs midnight blue cream, vit c serum and their unscented toner thinking that they can calm my fungal acne. I actually had a smooth and acne free face but out of the blue these bumps appeared and it is so disgusting that my forehead looks like so dry because of fa. I really don’t know which of which korean skincare brands can help me with this fa. Is there any korean skincare products that you can recommend for me? Korean skincare because they’re so easy to find hehe. Help me.
Grace, Soon Jung relief toner, Cosrx Snail Mucin and Benton Aloe Propolis Gel are all good choices for you.
Heather, I’m replying here because we’ve run out of space above. Sadly, that’s not suitable.
I’m not sure if my acne is fungal or not but I recently purchased some zinc pyrithione soap (for a rash I get on my back) and started to use it on my face as well and it seems to help. It’s an ingredient I’ve never used before and I’ve never heard it recommended for acne until recently. Gio, are you familiar with the use of this ingredient for acne?
Geo, if you have Pityrosporum Folliculitis, then yes zinc pyrithione soap can help. Check out this post for more info: https://www.drbaileyskincare.com/info/blog/common-reasons-why-your-acne-treatment-might-not-be-working-new-ideas-to-tr/
Hi! I’m having trouble with my fungal acne.. I’m living in a very humid climate (Canary Islands) and also workout every day (so a lot sweating haha). At the moment using Avene tolerance extreme emulsion as a moisturizer and using Head and shoulders Schampoo as a anti-fungal product and cleanser (can’t find any ketokonazol product here that doesn’t feed my acne). My question is should I cleanse my face after every workout? I feel like the acne is getting a lot worse during sweating and the working out.. thanks for the help!
Hanna, yes, it’s best to gently cleanse and moisturise after every workout.
Hi! Can you please help me to find a good body lotion for the winter (it’s cold here, pure aloe isn’t enough for my skin) that’s safe? I’m a bit confused between all those ingredients that ends up with ATE.
Michelle, try CeraVe Moisturising Cream. You can use it all over your body and is safe for fungal acne.
What a great article! I have been dealing with acne since nearly twenty years and being a artisan skin care brand owner made it just so much worse. This summer I started to use pure vaseline as my night cream and my acne – probably fungal – cleared up in about a week! Also my heavily oily T-zone became more balanced. My guess would be that the petroleum jelly helps to prevent moisture loss and gives our skin a break …
Justine, sorry to hear about your struggle with acne. Vaseline definitely helps to prevent moisture loss. But also, there’s nothing there that feeds malassezia. A lot of good acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid are often formulated with polysorbates and other stuff that feeds Malassezia, so you’re helping the monster thrive!
Soooo pleased I found this… Ive suffered with hormonal acne on and off but recently my chin (problem area) came up with little bumbs sometimes itchy that just wouldnt go arlway with my normal tactics (BP) i had been taking anti biotics for my acne for a few months as no longer can take the pill (i had to have a hysterectomy due to serve endometriosis but left one ovary) that along with a very hot summer, sweatying face (gross) and spf which my skin never likes I would pretty much say its actually fungal acne.
So this post is EPIC…. I wondered if plant/natural oils lil grapeseed oil, grapefruit oil, rosehip oil etc are actually bad for fungal acne as I started using the new Disciple Skincare range and now am worried thats not been helping? https://discipleskincare.com/about/
One of their main ingredients is LINOLEIC ACID an omega 6 fatty acid am guessing this is a no no for fungal acne?!?!
Home, so glad you find this post useful. Sadly, yes, any natural oil with linoleic acid and other fatty acids are a no-no. They work well for bacterial acne but NOT fungal acne. And that leaves out all oils apart from squalane oil, MCT oil and mineral oil.
Oh sorry… I cant use anything with mineral oil in as it also breaks me out!
Home, if you want to use oils, try squalane. It’s very moisturising, suitable for fungal acne and not comedogenic.
Hello! Please help me. I live in the Philippines which is a very humid country. I bought a lot of korean skincare products that doesn’t contain any glycerin or any ingredients that aggravate FA but it doesn’t do anything on my skin even the cosrx BHA power liquid. I take supplement that kills acne but it has amino acid. Should i get rid of it? Please help me. I’ve been suffering for a long time already and also it keeps coming back if i wear foundation. Recommend foundations that doesn’t aggravate FA please. Thank you!
Lorraine, try following the routine outlined in this post, including the exact products I recommend. I have no idea what you’re using and if there’s anything in there that aggravates fungal acne, but the products mentioned here for sure don’t.
Bare Minerals Original Foundation is a good foundation for you.
I don’t think the supplement is a problem. You need amino acids in your diet anyway. But I’d talk to your doctor about it.
Can you include a follow up post in natural ways to tackle that type of fungal acne? I’ve had some luck with a potent lavender that I stumbled upon from sheer luck but now that product is unavailable. What oils could we use or products that tackle this fungus?
Tammy, you can find natural remedies for fungal acne here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/natural-ways-heal-fungal-acne/
As for oils, the only ones that work are the 3 mentioned here: mineral oil, MCT oil and squalene oil. All other oils, including rosehip and jojoba oils, make the problem worse.
Can you do the follow up post? The one where if we can’t find potent treatments that are natural then what wouldn’t we use.
Tammy, I’m not sure I understand your request. I’ve already done the follow up post about the best natural treatments for fungal acne: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/natural-ways-heal-fungal-acne/
The things you should NOT be using for fungal acne are already mentioned in this post.
Hi Gio,
Regarding https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/benzoyl-peroxide-effective-dangerous-acne-treatment/, I wonder why we should avoid Benzoyl peroxide if it can kill P.acne?
Oded, it depends on what kind of acne you have. If you have bacterial acne caused by P. Acnes, benzoyl peroxide will help as it can kill that bacteria. But if you have fungal acne that’s caused by a yeast, benzoyl peroxide won’t help. Its harshness may make things worse!
Hi there! I have a question for you about Elta MD UV Clear or Daily, they both contain Isopropyl Palmitate, yet you recommend them as being ok. I’ve used Elta sunscreens for a while, and never thought they could be the culprit. Just curious about your thoughts.
Jill, I only recommend Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 in the post above and it does not contain Isopropyl Palmitate: https://www.dermstore.com/product_UV+Clear+BroadSpectrum+SPF+46_20567.htm
Are you using a different version? Isopropyl Palmitate is a bit of a question mark. There’s no proof that it’s comedogenic yet it has that effect on some (not all) people. If I use a product with a high amount, I breakout. My sister uses the same products and not a spot. If it’s a trigger for you, avoid it.
Hi Gio,
Can you please clear this one up for me. I’ve got flesh colored tiny bumps on my face that is not itchy and had them for years..does fungal acne typically itch? I’d love to think it’s clogged pores (but it’s probably a combination coz I have a dormant tinea versicolor on my lower back). Your reply is kindly appreciated<3
Irish, only a derm can tell for sure after an examination, but I don’t think it’s fungal acne. FA is itchy and there’s some redness involved. May they just be milia? https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/how-to-prevent-and-treat-milia-seeds/
Hello! Can you list all the fatty acids? Also will Apieu Wonder Tension Pact Madecassoside Cushion not aggravate FA? I searched it on Skincarisma and it seems like to be okay but I just wanna make sure though!
Mary, you can find a list of fatty acids here: https://thenakedchemist.com/fatty-acids-alcohols-and-esthers/
Unfortunately, Apieu Wonder Tension Pact Madecassoside Cushion still has a few esters and oils. In small concentrations, but I wouldn’t risk it.
Hi! Love this post! Will definitely try some of your suggestions. Could you please recommend any concealers that won’t irritate fungal acne?? Thanks! xx
Bella, have you tried Clinique Airbrush Concealer?
Hi Gio. I suffer from both fungal acne and extremely reactive skin. I’ve tried products that you list in the past, and unfortunately I tend to react to anything with fragrance and propylene glycol and silicones, which leaves very few things I can try from the list. I’m especially lost on what to do about cleansers. I’m currently using Free & Clear Liquid Cleanser, but it definitely has ingredients ending with ‘ate in it. Can you advise on another cleanser other than what you have listed? Also, I’ve ordered a moisturizer called Eucerin Ultra Sensitive Soothing Care for Normal to Combination Skin. I don’t see any harmful ingredients, but could you please take a look and confirm it’s okay to use? Ingredients: Aqua, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Tapioca Starch, Arginine HCL, Cetearyl Alcohol, 4-t-Butylcyclohexanol (Trans-Isomer), Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Sodium Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol.
Hi Kim, sorry to hear the cleansers above won’t work for you. How about these:
Eucerin DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing
Simple Foaming Cleanser
Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel
And yes, the Eucerin cream should be safe to use.
Hello, how how vitamin A ? Can it be used as a treatment? Thank you.
Cindy, vitamin A is great for wrinkles, but it’s not a treatment for fungal acne.
My doctor ordered miconazole/fluocinolone ointment for fungal acne. Using two weeks with no relief. Will this product work.
Jackie, it’s proven to work against fungal skin infections but then again, everyone skin’s different so there’s always a chance it won’t work for you. It’s like any other medicine. Most people heal but there’s always a small group that doesn’t react to it. If it’s not working, consult your doctor for an alternative treatment.
hey can you check if the innisfree bija cica balm, toner, and cleanser can help cure fungal acne?
Isla, I’m afraid they aren’t suitable for fungal acne.
What are your thoughts on this routine?
AM: simple foaming cleanser, COSRX blackhead liquid, thermal water spray from avene, hyaluronic acid from the orindary and the bioderma hydrabio gel cream
PM: bioderma sensibo miceller water, simple foaming cleanser, the ordinary The Ordinary | Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution, thermal water spray avene, hyaluronic acid from the ordinary, and the bioderma hydrabio gel cream
Lauren, if none of the products contain any of the to-avoid ingredients above, it’s fine. 🙂
hej Gio
i have been suffering from dance so “i think and been told ” i have tried any/everything in my power to help my skin. I was put on medication like tetracykline, epiduo, and so on. But it never helped me. Know i found out i might have fungal acne and i just bought the nizoral shampoo and change my diet. I was hoping if u can help me , when it comes to make up. i love to wear foundation from MAC , can it cause my fungal acne i have done some reserch but can’t find anything on these brands. And other thing i go to chimecal peel for my hyper -pigmentation is that okay to do ?. i really hope u can help my with my journey to clear skin.
Muna, I don’t know what MAC foundation you’re using, so please check the ingredients on the list above to make sure it’s suitable.
Same for peels. Every aesthetician/derm will use different products so you need to discuss your concern with them. If possible visit the clinic BEFORE the peel to make sure they have products suitable for fungal acne so you don’t end up wasting money.
Is there any body lotions that are okay ? I have fungal acne on my back as well as my chest so it’s been hard to clear up .
Leticia, I’m sure there are but please understand I don’t have the resources to analyse every single product on the market. Try looking on fungal acne forums for recommendations.
Hi! Do you think fungal acne will come back once you’ve cleared it? I’m afraid that it will go back again once you cleared it up. Also i don’t know but when i use cosrx snail mucin power essence and the benton aloe propolis gel, it makes my skin really flakey and peeling under makeup. Do you know the reason? But this helps my fungal acne to fade but the only thing i don’t like is, it gets flakey under my foundation :((( and i changed already my skincare routine. Is the Innisfree Jeju Orchid Enriched Cream FA safe? Because i use it and i think it doesn’t aggravate my FA but i still want to know :)))
Clarisse, it seems to me you are experiencing pilling. Check out how to deal with it here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/avoid-skincare-product-pilling/
Yes, after you’ve cleared your fungal acne, it’s best to stay clear of products that contain anything that could feed the yeast, just in case.
The Innisfree cream looks safe to me.
can you list all the treatments for fungal acne? thank youuu!!
Kara, you need an anti-fungal like ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione. But these should be prescribed by your doctor, so please book an appointment with her for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Hi GIO,
Fist of thank you for this elaborative post on fungal acne.I am using alba botanica pineapple enzyme facial cleanser for PM and Wishtrend’s Acid-Duo Mild Gel cleanser for AM. Are they gd for fungal acne? And do extraction these stubborn bumbs help or make it worse? Thanks in advance 🙂
Laila, I’m afraid I’m not familiar with these products. That’s why I’ve shared all the ingredients to avoid above, so you can guys can check them out yourselves. 🙂
I’m not a fan of extractions, but if you want to go down this route, do consult a dermatologist.
I got here suspecting fungal acne due to pregnancy. Everyone says you get a glow up, I just got more acne than usual. Funnily enough I already had a cleanser, serum and moisturiser you recommend (bioderma, bioderma and avene respectively) yet I still have it – it’s nothing big, tiny bumps, but they still bother me since a, I don’t wear foundation and b, I am not used to breaking out on my forehead or neck! I do use jojoba oil from time to time so I’m eliminating that for a while, see how it goes. Thanks a bunch for the post, Gio.
LJ, I’m sure getting rid of jojoba oil will help. If you need an oil, use squalane. Let me know how it goes!
Hi there!
I am 23 and lately so many tiny little bumps appeared on my jawline and cheeks. I have visited dermatologist and was advised to take Doxycyclin for a month as she said it looks like acne. The situation didn’t get any better and she then told me to apply Benzoyl Peroxide at night time and Clindamycin Gel at day time for it now looks like cystic acne. Its kinda itchy and puses are being formed.
Please help
Rinchen, sorry to hear your acne is getting worse. If it looks cystic, you need to see a dermatologist – just a different one!
hi, can you mix AHA7 whitehead power liquid COSRX with skin ceuticals vitamin C?
Camila, I don’t recommend mixing them. But you can layer them.
Hi Gio, I’ve FA for more than 10 years. I am currently using everything you stated for FA treatment for 2 weeks. But in the same time I have acne prone skin, So is like FA + ACNE. So I am not use I need to use FA + Acne treatment or just use FA treatment. Is there any specific way to cure it. I am super duper frustrated. Please help me out.
Lindsay, I’d say stick to the FA routine now and consult a dermatologist. You have a serious case that needs medical attention.
I have purchased all my new FA safe products, but I’m not sure what order to use them. Would you mind giving me a sample routine? Ex. Cleanse, toner, aha/bha, serum, moisturizer…etc.
Andrea, you nailed it. You just mentioned everything in the correct order. 🙂
The stress and tiny bumps/pimples thing explained a lot because that’s when I break out and I’ve always had little bumps sometimes bigger that are just there and annoying to look at along with blackheads/big pores. Anyway would using the Stridex in the blue box with the lower level of salicylic acid because the red box dries my skin out to much and the green box with out won’t work because of a aloe sensitivity. Also do you have a post or suggests for maybe easier to find products like a Target or Walmart I live in the middle of nowhere.
Christine, you can definitely try the green box. It will probably take longer to work but you should see results.
I’ve lived in a small town most of my life so I totally get how frustrating it is to have access to so few products. But if you have fungal acne, it’s worth it to order online. There are so few products at the drugstore that are suitable for fungal acne. 🙁
Gio,
Thank you for all of the info and research that you have provided in this link. I believe that I have FA and reading all of the info you’ve provided confirms my through’s. I’m currently using proactive, it worked well in my teenage years but now, at age 34 I am battling adult hormonal acne or so I thought until stumbling upon this web site. I just want to know what kinds of makeup are good for FA. I’m a cosmetologist and LOVE makeup. I really like to use BB cream as foundation. Currently I’m using Hey Honey Trick and Treat CC cream with Honey and Propolis. At first it made my skin look absolutely beautiful. But now with some flare ups I’m wondering if this might not be the best to be using. Thank you in advance Gia! Your a life saver!!!
Sarah, my pleasure. So glad you find it useful. I’ve checked that CC Cream and it has a couple of esters that could give you fungal acne. For a list of makeup products you can safely use, check out this thread on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/comments/avp68z/fungal_acne_safe_makeup/
AFter spending lots of time searching through google and Pinterest, this is definitely the most informative and easy to read post I’ve come across! Thanks for all your research – it’s making me rethink my products. I started a curology account, and in my prescription there is azelaic acid, niaciamide, and clindamycin. Clindamycin is a new name for me and after more research I found out it wasn’t an anti fungal! In that moment all of my struggles made sense! I was thinking of switching to a propolis heavy routine anyway, and I’m glad it made your list. Thanks again for all the tips!
Nicole, you’re welcome. I’m so glad this post is helping you. I hope with these tips you can finally get your skin back on track.
Hi! Are citrus essential oils and lactic acid safe for fungal acne? I wanna try the apieu madecassoside cream though but it contains esswntial oils would that be fine? Is it fa safe
Jambie, no, essential oils are NOT safe for fungal acne.