SKDX
ingredientsguidestrackerbuild routine
// fungal acne

Fungal acne is not acne — treating it like acne is why it won't go away

5 min read

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fungal acne (officially Malassezia folliculitis) looks like regular acne but is caused by yeast, not bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and antibiotics do nothing to yeast. This is why your acne products aren't working.

How to tell if it's fungal acne

  • Bumps are very uniform in size
  • They're itchy — regular acne usually isn't
  • They cluster on the forehead, chest, or back
  • Skincare products seem to make it worse
  • It got worse after antibiotics or in humid weather
  • Acne treatments have done nothing after months

What feeds Malassezia

Malassezia feeds on fatty acids found in most moisturizers, serums, and oils:

  • Most plant oils (coconut, argan, rosehip, jojoba)
  • Esters (ingredients ending in "-ate")
  • Most conventional moisturizers and sunscreens

What actually treats it

Zinc pyrithione (Head and Shoulders)

Use as a face/body wash, leave on 5 minutes, rinse. Antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Many people clear fungal acne in 2-4 weeks with this alone.

Selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue)

More potent for stubborn cases. Use 2-3x per week as a wash. Can be drying with daily use.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

The most targeted antifungal. Available OTC at 1% as Nizoral shampoo. If dandruff shampoos aren't working after 4 weeks, this is the next step.

Fungal acne-safe products

// bottom line

Start with Head and Shoulders as a wash. Swap to Malassezia-safe products. Most fungal acne clears completely within 4-6 weeks with the right treatment.

// get your routine

build my routine →