As someone who has suffered a bout of fungal acne in my 20s, I really feel for those who are still going through it. There’s still some residual PTSD from my fungal acne journey and I wanna help those whose self-esteem have taken a hit from this skin condition. In my desperation for clear skin, I have tried everything under the sun: from traditional acne treatments to antifungal medication, even putting harsh alcohols on my entire face in a stupid attempt to literally annihilate everything living on it, hoping it will birth a new, fresh layer of skin and everything will be back to normal. It did NOT go well, trust me.
As they always say, we do skincare but our skin DOES NOT care (most of the time).
However, I learned so much about fungal acne treatments in the process and educated myself on the best products and active ingredients critical to combating different types of acne.
The first thing we gotta do is know the main causes. I’ve gathered some information that will be useful in understanding the main causes, common ingredients in fungal acne-safe products and simple skincare science to help restore clear, healthier-looking skin.
What Causes Fungal Acne Flare-Ups?
Fungal acne, or malassezia folliculitis, is a skin condition caused by the overgrowth of yeast on the skin. Unlike traditional acne (acne vulgaris), this condition is triggered by a yeast called malassezia, which leads to the development of small, itchy bumps. Identifying the right products, particularly moisturizers, is essential for managing this skin condition effectively. Those with very oily skin or dry skin types may battle fungal acne more often. Excess sebum and a damaged moisture barrier both create an environment for yeast like malassezia to thrive.
Additional factors include:
- Humid, hot weather causing sweating
- Hormonal changes
- Use of coconut oil and greasy skincare products
- Antibiotics killing off good skin bacteria
- Skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis
Traditional Acne Spot Treatments Make It Worse
Unlike regular acne caused by bacteria, benzoyl peroxide and harsh ingredients damage skin further and can significantly aggravate this fungal infection. Tea tree oil is a better natural option with antifungal properties. Always check the ingredient list to ensure all components are fungal acne-safe.
Healing Fungal Acne While Restoring Your Skin Barrier
The best way forward is using gentle skincare products with antifungal ingredients to clear the infection and ingredients to reinforce your skin’s barrier function. This reduces excessive oil production and restores moisture levels.
Finding Your Perfect Fungal Acne-Safe Moisturizer
Coping with this skin condition is challenging enough without struggling to find gentle, hydrating moisturizers that won’t exacerbate breakouts. Fortunately, today there exists a handful of products expressly formulated without fungal acne culprit ingredients like oils and fatty acids.
Discover what to look for in a FA-safe moisturizer and explore the top options that offer solutions for common issues like irritation, redness, and dehydration without feeding Malassezia yeast overgrowth.
- Non-Comedogenic Formula: No matter your specific skin type, the moisturizer base should be rated non-comedogenic to prevent new whiteheads and blackheads. Silicone-based moisturizers typically fall into this category.
- Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients: Simple formulas free from botanical oils and fatty acids keep yeast in check. Additional soothing agents like green tea, aloe, oats, or niacinamide calm existing irritation and inflammation.
- Hyaluronic Acid Boost: This powerhouse humectant ingredient attracts and binds moisture for instantly plumper, dewier skin sans greasy residue. Opt for fillers like squalane with under 3% linoleic acid.
- Fragrance/Essential Oil Free: Artificial fragrances and potent botanical oils often sneakily promote FA breakouts. Stick to gentle, minimal ingredient products.
The best fungal acne-safe moisturizers will contain at least one of these non-comedogenic ingredients:
- Squalane oil: Derived from olives, squalane oil is an excellent choice for fungal acne-prone skin. It provides an extra boost of hydration without clogging pores.
- Capric triglyceride: This fatty acid derived from coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties. It’s a suitable option for individuals seeking natural solutions for their fungal acne.
- Shea butter: With its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter is an excellent option for maintaining a healthy skin barrier function.
- Sodium hyaluronate: As a form of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate is a lightweight moisturizer that helps retain skin moisture.
- Tea Tree Oil: Renowned for its antifungal properties, tea tree oil can be a great addition to spot treatments for the affected areas.
- Niacinamide: Helps regulate oil and sebum production which prevents fungal growth. Also boosts ceramide production to reinforce skin barrier.
- Ceramides: These lipids make up 50% of skin’s composition. Supplementing them repairs the protective moisture barrier compromised in fungal acne.
- Glycerin: A humectant that draws water into skin’s upper layers. Helps normalize moisture levels and soothe irritation without feeding malassezia yeast.
Products containing common allergens, such as oils without anti-fungal properties (e.g. coconut oil), fatty alcohols/acids (e.g. cocoa butter) or fermented ingredients should be avoided as they may feed malassezia. Stick to gel moisturizers with simple formulations.
Now let’s explore the top fungal acne moisturizers available that keep these criteria in mind while addressing key skin concerns:
Here are some of the best moisturizers on the market for fungal acne:
- 5% Urea Moisturizer by Malezia: This moisturizer is effective and won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or heavy. It contains 5% urea, which helps to hydrate the skin without clogging pores.
- Cerave Moisturizing Cream: Contains Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride to combat fungal infections.
- Almond Clear 2-In-1 Hydrating Gel: This hydrating gel is designed to provide long-lasting hydration without clogging pores. It contains mandelic acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin and prevent breakouts.
- La Roche Posay – Toleriane Sensitive Fluide Protective Moisturizer: This moisturizer is specifically formulated for sensitive skin and is free from fragrance and other potential irritants. It provides long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
- Vichy – Normaderm Phytoaction Acne Control Daily Moisturizer: This moisturizer is designed to control acne and provide long-lasting hydration. It contains salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin and prevent breakouts.
- e.l.f. – SuperHydrate Gel Moisturizer: This gel moisturizer is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. It provides long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
- Curél – Intensive Moisture Facial Cream: This facial cream is designed to provide intense hydration for dry and sensitive skin. It contains ceramides, which help to restore the skin’s natural barrier and prevent moisture loss.
- Innisfree – Dewy Glow Jelly Cream with Jeju Cherry Blossom: This jelly cream is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. It provides long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
- Avène Tolérance Hydra-10 Moisturizing Fluid: This moisturizing fluid is designed to provide intense hydration for sensitive and reactive skin. It is free from fragrance and other potential irritants.
- Summers Laboratories Moisture-All – Daily Moisturizing Lotion: This daily moisturizing lotion is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. It provides long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
- CLn – Nourishing Facial Moisturizer: This facial moisturizer is designed to provide intense hydration for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It contains niacinamide, which helps to calm and soothe the skin.
These moisturizers are safe for fungal acne-prone skin and provide long-lasting hydration without clogging pores. They are designed to be gentle on the skin and free from potential irritants, making them ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Fungal Acne Moisturizers sorted By key ingredients:
Betaine Salicylate:
- Purito BHA Dead Skin Moisture Gel
Niacinamide:
- A’pieu Madecassoside Cream
- Elizavecca Aqua Hyaluronic Acid Water Drop Cream
- Dr. G RED Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
- Sebamed Clear Face Mattifying Cream
- Innisfree Jeju Cherry Blossom Jelly Cream
- Innisfree Truecare Cica Oil-free Balm
- QV Oil-Free Moisturizer
- Sidmool Vitamin C Energy Waterfull Gel
- St. Ives Watermelon Glowing Oil-Free Daily Face Moisturizer
Urea:
- Hamilton Skin Active Urederm Cream (10% urea)
- Fuyunhon Super Efficacy 10% Urea Cream (10% urea)
- Malezia 5% Urea Moisturizer (5% urea)
- Hada Labo Perfect Gel
- Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
- Uremol 20 Intense Relief Moisturizing Therapeutic Cream (contains 20% urea)
Salicylic Acid:
- Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer (0.5%)
- Olay Age Defying Classic Daily Renewal Cream
Hyaluronic Acid:
- Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Jelly
- La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Crème
Snail Mucin Extract:
- CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Honey:
- 23.5N Red Pearl Barley Whitening Gel Mask
- Papa Recipe Bombee Moist Honey Cream
- Sidmool Honeycomb Cream
- The Yeon Canola Honey Water Balm Cream
- The Yeon Canola Honey Wrapping Multi Cream
Propolis Extract:
- Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
- Sidmool Real Propolis Ultra Essential
- Tosowoong Propolis Honey Sleeping Pack
MSM:
- Kala MSM Gel (15% MSM)
- Sunfood Soothing MSM Aloe Gel (12% MSM)
Aloe Vera:
- Amara Beauty Aloe Vera Gel
- Aromatica 95% Natural Aloe Aqua Cream
- Aromatica 95% Organic Aloe Vera
- Helosan Aloe Vera Gel
- It’s Skin Aloe Relaxing Cream
- Mountain Rose Herbs Aloe Vera Gel
- Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel
- Vidi Aloe Vera Gel
Fragrance-Free:
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
- Malezia 5% Urea Moisturizer
- Sebamed Clear Face Gel
To round things off, here are some FAQs to clarify any doubts you have still have about incorporating the products above into your fungal acne skincare routine:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I apply a fungal acne moisturizer?
A: Apply moisturizer twice daily – once in the morning and once at night. This provides consistent hydration and support for skin barrier function.
Q: Should I use a moisturizer if my skin is still oily from fungal acne?
A: Yes! Fungal infections disrupt skin’s moisture balance, so oiliness doesn’t always mean skin is properly hydrated. Gentle moisturizers hydrate without promoting more oil.
Q: Can I apply moisturizer right after I wash my face?
A: It’s best to pat skin semi-dry then immediately apply moisturizer onto damp skin. This helps seal in existing water on skin’s surface.
Q: Is it okay if my fungal acne moisturizer contains silicone or dimethicone?
A: Yes—dimethicone provides an extra boost of hydration with an occlusive barrier while being fungal acne-safe for most.
Q: Do I need to apply moisturizer all over my face or just on affected areas?
A: Hydrate and protect your entire face even if breakouts are localized. This maintains an evenly balanced canvas less prone to repeat infections.
Q: My fungal acne keeps returning – what am I doing wrong?
A: Check that ALL products touching your face are FA-safe – cleanser, serum, SPF etc. Also change pillowcases frequently to prevent reinfection.
Q. Should I avoid traditional acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide for fungal acne?
A: Yes, traditional acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide may not be effective against fungal acne and can potentially worsen the condition. Opt for antifungal medications or ingredients like tea tree oil instead.
Q: Can I use antifungal medications along with fungal acne-safe moisturizers?
A: Yes, incorporating antifungal medications as prescribed by a dermatologist, along with fungal acne-safe moisturizers, can provide a comprehensive approach to managing fungal acne.
Remember, everyone’s skin responsiveness differs. While these products avoid fungal acne triggers, introduce additions slowly while closely assessing for potential reactions. Employ a consistent, basic 4-step routine for a month before incorporating new products.
Be diligent checking ingredient lists for red flag oils and fatty acids. Seek lightweight hydrating serums that absorb fully without leaving residue. When comparing fungal safe brands, ensure options fit your unique skin needs and sensitivity levels.
Lastly – have patience! Healing fungal acne requires consistency and dedication. Stay positive and disciplined – I promise you’ll get there. Good luck! 🙂
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a board-certified dermatologist and/or healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.