Struggling with Fungal Acne? Discover top treatments for fungal acne breakouts here.
Fungal acne is a sneaky little infection that sneaks its way into your skin's hair follicles, causing a world of frustration. It's like having regular ol' acne, but it's stuck in a game of hide and seek, not responding to conventional treatments, hence the name "funagonaloo."
Worst part? It leaves your skin as red as a tomato, inflamed, and itchy, making your skin care routine scream in despair. But don't worry, we've got your back. We've talked to some skin gurus and rounded up the best ways to kick fungal acne to the curb. Here's the scoop and some options that could bring sweet relief.
Top fungal acne treatments that work
- Best OTC: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo
- Best prescription pill: Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Best prescription topical: Ketoconazole Cream
- Best moisturizer: TULA Skincare Breakout Star Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer, Melé Plump It Up Nourishing Cream
- Best wipes: Cetaphil Face and Body Wipes, Clearasil Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment Pads
- Best natural: Maple Holistics Tea Tree Essential Oil
So, what is this fungal acne thing?
Let's get real science-y for a second: fungal acne is also known as Malassezia folliculitis or Pityrosporum folliculitis (sound fancy, right?). It happens when your hair follicles get all inflamed and pissed. A dermatologist in London named Dr. Daniel Glass explains that this inflammation is caused by Malassezia yeasts — a type of yeast that's actually living on our skin. Overall, most people can keep it under control, but for some, it gets all out of hand, causing inflammation around the hair follicles, leading to the same itchy, red, and discolored acne-like bumps you see on your chest, back, and upper arms (or even your face if you're unlucky).
Let's talk about the causes
Fungal acne usually happens in moist areas, especially if you're active or engaging in sweaty activities. Dr. Emily Wood, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, says that this is because it's more common in people who sweat a lot. Glass also points out some other risk factors, such as oily skin with high sebum levels and blockages caused by greasy moisturizers and sunscreens. Using antibiotics and steroids, living in hot and humid environments, and creating a breeding ground with heavy oil-based makeup and hair products are also factors that can lead to fungal acne.
Symptoms to keep an eye on
If you're experiencing fungal acne, you'll likely notice red or discolored itchy bumps on your chest, back, and upper arms. Wood mentions that fungal acne can also occur on your face, but only a dermatologist can give you the real deal on what you're dealing with, as there can be similarities between fungal and regular acne. Harth says that unlike regular acne, fungal acne usually only presents with one type of pimple: red, itchy bumps. Also, unlike regular acne, blackheads aren't seen in fungal acne.
If it looks like fungal acne, treat it like fungal acne
Regular acne treatments just aren't going to cut it for fungal acne. In fact, throwing traditional acne treatments at fungal acne might even make it angrier, causing more irritation. We're talking screams in the name of skin care.
So, what can you do? We've got options! Just remember, only your dermatologist can give you an actual diagnosis, and they suggest seeking one if you can.
The best treatments for fungal acne
Topical treatments
Topical treatments with ketoconazole or selenium sulfide have been shown to be effective for treating fungal acne. These ingredients can be found in shampoos, body washes, and creams. You can get lower-strength versions over-the-counter, but for anything stronger, you'll need a prescription.
Oral medications
If OTC stuff doesn't seem to be helping, talk to your dermatologist about stronger topical or oral medications. "Oral medication with antifungals such as fluconazole and itraconazole have been successful in treating fungal acne as well," Glass adds. Keep in mind that you'll need a prescription for these.
GTFO, fungus: Our top picks for treating fungal acne
Best OTC treatment for fungal acne
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Ingredients: Ketoconazole
- Size: 7-ounce bottle
- Pros: Affordable, available over-the-counter, uses a proven fungus-fighting ingredient
- Cons: Contains fragrance, may not be strong enough for severe cases
You might be wondering how an anti-dandruff shampoo can help with fungal acne, but trust us: it's a popular OTC option for a reason. The key ingredient, ketoconazole, is a potent antifungal known for its ability to zonk out fungi.
Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo
- Ingredients: Selenium sulfide
- Size: 13.5-ounce bottle (double pack)
- Pros: Big bottle, good value, uses an alternative proven fungus-fighting ingredient
- Cons: Contains fragrance
If you can't find Nizoral or want a slightly different option, this selenium sulfide shampoo is another great choice. Selenium sulfide is also effective in fighting skin-dwelling yeast, making it a worthy contender.
Best prescription oral pill for fungal acne
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Ingredients: Fluconazole
- Price: Varies with insurance
- Pros: May work well for severe cases, prescription only
- Cons: Potential side effects, requires a prescription
Best prescription topical for fungal acne
Ketoconazole Topical Cream
- Ingredients: Ketoconazole
- Price: Varies with insurance
- Pros: May work well for severe cases, prescription only, fewer side effects than oral medications
- Cons: Requires a prescription
Best moisturizers for fungal acne
TULA Skincare Breakout Star Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer
- Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide
- Size: 1.7-ounce bottle
- Pros: Oil-free, lightweight, uses effective acne-fighting ingredients
- Cons: Cost
Melé Plump It Up Nourishing Cream
- Ingredients: Niacinamide
- Size: 1.5-ounce bottle
- Pros: Created for melanin-rich skin, lightweight, oil-free
- Cons: Contains fragrance
Best wipes for helping prevent fungal acne
Cetaphil Face and Body Wipes
- Ingredients: Zinc gluconate
- Size: 50 wipes (double pack)
- Pros: On-the-go, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, removes excess oil
- Cons: Not eco-friendly
Clearasil Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment Pads
- Ingredients: Salicylic acid
- Size: 90 wipes
- Pros: Budget-friendly, contains effective acne-fighting ingredients
- Cons: Not eco-friendly
Best natural treatment for fungal acne (with a word of caution)
Maple Holistics Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Ingredients: Tea tree oil
- Size: 1-ounce bottle
- Pros: Natural approach, budget-friendly
- Cons: Not recommended by dermatologists
Despite it being a popular natural remedy for fungal acne, tea tree oil isn't something your derm recommends. It needs to be diluted with a carrier oil and applied with caution. Keep in mind that it's essential to patch test any new product before using it on a large area of the skin to avoid potential allergic reactions.
Choosing the right treatment for you
To pick the best treatment for your skin type, consider the following factors:
- Skin Type: Fungal acne is more common in people with oily skin. Those with sensitive skin may find some treatments too irritating.
- Acne Severity: Only a dermatologist can determine your acne severity and help you decide on the appropriate treatment.
How to use fungal acne treatments
- Wash your face (toner optional).
- Apply your chosen topical treatment.
- Apply a gentle, oil-free moisturizer.
When in doubt, talk to your dermatologist! They can help you find the best treatment option for your situation and skin type.
- To combat fungal acne, consider using Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo or Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo, both containing ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, respectively, as these ingredients have been shown effective in treating fungal acne.
- For a prescription oral pill, consult your dermatologist about fluconazole (Diflucan), an antifungal medication that could help with severe fungal acne cases.
- Ketoconazole Topical Cream, available by prescription, is another potent treatment for fungal acne, known for its fewer side effects compared to oral medications.
- TULA Skincare Breakout Star Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer and Melé Plump It Up Nourishing Cream, containing salicylic acid and niacinamide, can help alleviate fungal acne symptoms while keeping skin moisturized and oil-free.
- Cetaphil Face and Body Wipes and Clearasil Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment Pads are handy on-the-go options for removing excess oil and preventing fungal acne, thanks to their zinc gluconate or salicylic acid ingredients.
- Maple Holistics Tea Tree Essential Oil might offer relief for fungal acne, although dermatologists don't typically recommend it due to the need for careful application and potential allergic reactions.
- To choose the right fungal acne treatment for your skin type, consider factors such as skin type (oily skin is more prone to fungal acne) and acne severity, as only a dermatologist can accurately assess your condition and suggest appropriate treatments.
