Fungal Acne: Safe Products
Let's start with a quick reminder about fungal acne:
Fungal acne is often mistaken for 'normal' acne. The problem: both skin conditions look similar (red, sometimes itchy blemishes in oilier skin areas like the forehead). This can be annoying since many ingredients worsen fungal acne, which means that most acne medications can't work properly.
If fungal acne is one of your skin concerns, you should avoid skincare products with the following ingredient groups:
- ➭ Fatty acids (number of carbon atoms C12 - C24) and fatty acid esters
- ➭ Vegetable oils, waxes, butter, and lecithin
- ➭ Polysorbates
- ➭ Amino acids (potential triggers)
- ➭ Ceramides and cholesterol (potential triggers)
- ➭ Fermented ingredients.
Remember that even the smallest amounts of these ingredients are likely enough to trigger fungal acne. So avoid them or, at least, patch test the products.
Also remember, that once you have had fungal acne, you are very likely prone to it in the future (😏 ).
Btw, our Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker can help you find out if a product is safe for fungal acne (more about this later).
Ok. Now it's time to talk about safe cleansers, serums, moisturizers, exfoliants, and masks for fungal acne.
Fungal Acne: Safe Cleansers
A cleanser gets rid of dirt, oil, make-up, sunscreen. A thoroughly cleansed skin lets other skincare products penetrate deeper and prevents skin issues like clogged pores and blemishes.
A gentle but effective cleansing method is the so-called DOUBLE CLEANSING:
- ➭ Wash your face with an oil-based cleanser (gets rid of oil-based dirt)
- ➭ Follow with a water-based cleanser (gets rid of the remaining dirt).
Make also sure to:
- ➭ Use gentle products (there shouldn't be any redness or stinging)
- ➭ Follow this method only in the evenings (your skin doesn't get extremly dirty overnight)
- ➭ Use water or your water-based cleanser in the morning.
Here's a great selection of cleansers that are safe for fungal acne:
Fungal Acne: Safe Serums
Serums are packed with high concentrations of active ingredients.
The main goal of serums is to fight specific skin concerns, such as pimples, wrinkles, or pigmentation. It's essential to determine your skin type and skin concerns to find effective products.
The concentration of active ingredients in serums is higher than in cleansers, toners, or moisturizers. And that's why they are so important in your skincare routine.
Usually, it's a good idea to spend most of your skincare budget for a good serum since it will probably give you the most significant improvements.
Here are some serums that are safe for fungal acne:
Fungal Acne: Safe Moisturizers
The main goal of a moisturizer is to protect your skin. Compared to serums, they don't need to be packed with highly concentrated active ingredients. Especially if you're using a potent serum.
Generally, there are three types of moisturizing ingredients:
Occlusives
Occlusives are heavy ingredients that prevent your skin from losing water (transepidermal water loss - TEWL). Examples of occlusives are cocoa butter, shea butter, or beeswax.
Emollients
There're lightweight and heavy emollients. Many emollients are at the same time occlusives. Examples are: Squalane, plant oils, or ceramides, and cholesterol.
Humectants
Humectants are lightweight and watery. Examples are: Hyaluronic acid, urea, or AHAs.
Your moisturizer can feel lightweight or heavy. This depends on the ingredients mentioned above.
When it comes to fungal acne, urea is an excellent humectant and skin-identical ingredient that can be incorporated into the routine.
Here're some great moisturizers that are safe for fungal acne:
Fungal Acne: Safe Exfoliants and Masks
Exfoliants can improve the skin drastically! They're also excellent as regular treatments for fungal acne and should be used at least once a week to keep your fungal acne at bay. Exfoliants containing salicylic acid (BHA) are safe and effective treatments.
Other treatments that can be incorporated into a weekly skincare routine are masks. For fungal acne, keep an eye on exfoliating masks and masks containing sulfur. Sulfur is another safe and effective ingredient that can keep fungal acne at bay.
Here are some exfoliants and masks that are safe for fungal acne:
A Fungal Acne Checker Helps You Find Safe Products
Checking all your products for ingredients that can trigger fungal acne without any help is almost impossible. That's why we've created a tool for you: our Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker.
Copy-paste the ingredients of your products in a box and let it analyze in seconds. Quick and easy. A great little helper when it comes to keeping fungal acne at bay 🙂
Check it out here.
Now you're ready to fight fungal acne 🎉 🎉 🎉
