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Fungal acne safe moisturizer can be difficult to find if you’re dealing with fungal acne (also known as Malassezia folliculitis). But don’t worry, I have done all the hard work for you and picked the best product recommendations for dry, sensitive and oily skin that can be used as best fungal acne safe moisturizers.
In this article, we will talk about which ingredients to look for and which to avoid in your moisturizer if you are dealing with Malassezia folliculitis. And which moisturizer is best for your skin type.
Jump to
- What is fungal acne and how to identify it
- Which ingredients to avoid in a moisturizer
- Which ingredients to look for in a moisturizer
- Fungal acne safe moisturizer for dry skin
- Fungal acne safe moisturizer for oily skin
- Fungal acne safe moisturizer for sensitive skin
- Best fungal acne safe moisturizer
- FAQ
First things first, we need to understand what fungal acne is and what causes it.
What is fungal acne and how to identify it
Fungal acne is caused by a microorganism called yeast (aka Malassezia folliculitis). This microorganism is normally present on our skin as part of our skin’s natural microbiome and causes fungal acne when it grows more than it needs to be. Understanding the root cause of your acne is crucial.
Fungal acne looks more like small uniform bumps in similar size that can be itchy but not necessarily, and tends to appear more in areas like forehead, back and chest. Moisturizer is a must in any skincare routine, you just cannot skip it. But its a tough job choosing the right one if we are dealing with fungal acne. The thing with fungal acne is that this type of acne tends to grow more in a humid environment, and when we apply moisturizers, it creates a favorable environment for yeast to grow.
Which ingredients to avoid in a moisturizer
Following are the ingredients to avoid in a moisturizer if you are dealing with fungal acne as these ingredients tend to trap moisture and worsen fungal acne.
- Oils (such as olive oil, coconut oil , fatty acid)
- Avoid occlusive (including vaseline)
- Heavy loaded moisturizers and creams
Tip : It is best practice to keep your skin dry and clean. Maintain a good hygiene. Do wash away sweat right after exercising
Which ingredients to look for in a moisturizer
In order for our skin to get hydrated we still need to use a moisturizer. If you’re dealing with fungal acne, I suggest using a fungal acne safe moisturizer, one that hydrates your skin without feeding Malassezia yeast. A moisturizer that does not contain heavy oils and emollients but instead includes glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or squalane is our go-to.
Moisturizers that contain these ingredients are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and oil-free. The key is to stay away from occlusive and use humectants to moisturize the skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air and into the skin without creating thick barriers like occlusive.
Fungal acne safe moisturizer for dry skin
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel
Cetaphil deep hydration skin restoring water gel contains polyglutamic acid and hyaluronic acid. For those of you who don’t know, polyglutamic acid has some impressive hydrating properties which is good for dry skin, it locks in moisture 4 to 5 times more than hyaluronic acid. The texture of the cream is very lightweight gel type, almost comparable to elf SuperHydrate Gel, and it is fragrance-free.
One thing I didn’t like about this one is its packaging. I am a bit of a hygienist, and I just didn’t like the idea of taking my moisturizer out of the jar with my finger. Halfway through, you would feel like you’ve contaminated the jar enough. Even though that’s not the case in reality as these formulas are mostly bacteria resistant. I highly recommend this for dry skin.
Eucerin original healing cream
Eucerin original healing cream is formulated for those with extremely dry and compromised skin, this one definitely takes the spotlight. It contains piroctone olamine which is antifungal and antibacterial. It will moisturize your skin as well give you fungal acne fighting benefits. Personally, not a very big fan of the tub packaging.
I highly recommend this for extremely dry and compromised skin.
Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream
Oat-based products are gentle, natural plant-based hydrators known for their ability to sooth and hydrate irritated skin. Purito oat-in claiming gel is a lightweight gel-cream formulated with Avena Sativa (Oat) Seed water (77%) and two strong humectants —beta-glucan and panthenol (provitamin B5).
This natural, safe-to-use moisturizer is suitable for those dealing with fungal acne. It has both antioxidant and hydrating properties. It has a slight thickness to it that absorbs right into the skin on application without feeling heavy.
Fungal acne safe moisturizer for oily skin
The Body Shop Mattifying Lotion Tea Tree
Before you judge me, probably because I have mentioned an oil-based moisturizer. Let me tell you something, tea tree has strong antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it my organic ingredient of choice to fight fungal acne breakouts. Tea tree regulates oil production, and with any type of acne, it is best practice to keep skin oils in check.
It is a lightweight daytime moisturizer. It feels a bit strong upon application due to the organic tea tree oil in the formula. And of course, as with all Body Shop products, it has a tree scent to it. The scent might be a problem for a few. Personally, I find it aromatic.
Although it contains humectants and glycerin for moisturizing purposes, pure tea tree oil in the formula can be a little drying for a few. So I would not recommend this for anyone with extremely dry skin. I highly recommend this for sensitive and oily skin.
e.l.f. SuperHydrate Gel Moisturizer
Gel moisturizers are usually lightweight and have a hydrating base that quickly absorbs into the skin. e.l.f. SuperHydrate gel moisturizer contains glycerin, which makes it a good gel moisturizer that can be safely used in fungal acne.
Other than it’s moisturizing properties, two star ingredient ingredients in this moisturizer are niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and centella asiatica extract. While niacinamide is a good friend to an acne-prone skin by keeping sebum production in check, centella asiatica in this product help sooth irritation often seen in acne.
If you are looking for a light texture gel moisturizer with some additional acne fighting benefits, this is the product for you. I highly recommend this for those with oily skin as it contains niacinamide.
Fungal acne safe moisturizer for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
Okay, let me tell you firsthand, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide is on the pricier side, but it’s all worth it. It has a minimal ingredient list, which I personally like the most. Glycerin and thermal spring water are the two main ingredients in this one.
For those of you who do not know, thermal spring water contains selenium, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. I personally found it helpful in calming the redness associated with my acne. The entire formula is simple, no fuss. It comes in a dispenser bottle and goes on well.
I have very dry skin, and the only con I found with this one is that, although it helps, I need a little too much of it to fully feel moisturized. It’s a bit pricey for someone like me with dry skin who needs to apply a little more. But if the price is not an issue for you, I highly recommend this one for those with sensitive skin due to its minimal ingredient list.
Aveeno calm & restore oat gel
Aveeno calm and restore oat gel moisturizer is designed with sensitive skin in mind. The formula is completely safe. Moreover, it is loaded with ingredients known to soothe irritated skin, such as Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour Extract, along with glycerin and panthenol to hydrate the skin.
Krave beauty oat so simple water cream
Krave Beauty never ceases to amaze with their ‘less is more’ approach. Another oat-based product with the hydrating benefits of oats. Krave beauty oat so simple water cream is a basic moisturizer that contains fewer than 10 ingredients and leaves your skin feeling calm and plump.
If you love clean beauty, you’ll support that Oat So Simple is PETA-certified, meaning it’s vegan and free of any animal-derived ingredients. I personally like minimalist packaging and the clean white, light texture of the cream.
Best fungal acne safe moisturizer
Malezia 5% Urea Moisturizer
There is a reason that this one got to the list of the best fungal acne safe moisturizer. But hold your horses, not everything is sunshine and butterflies.
There are instances when this one makes my skin irritated probably cuz of the urea in it, on those days I would skip using this one and grab a light weight gel hydrator base formula. It contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid, 5% urea and is fungal acne safe.
5% urea gives hydrating benefits and a little keratolytic property. The irritation and burning often associated with this is probably because of this. So I would caution you against using it too much. I personally use it thrice a week. I would not be wrong to say that it gave me an amazing skin texture.
The texture is almost in between a lotion and gel consistency and spreads easily. I highly recommend this for all skin types and is the best fungal acne safe moisturizer.
FAQ
Is Cetaphil moisturizer fungal acne safe
While Cetaphil is a trusted brand for many skin types, some of its formulations (except the one mentioned in our list) may not be ideal for those dealing with fungal acne.
Ingredients like Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, and Macadamia oil are commonly used in their moisturizers for emollient properties. But these ingredients can potentially feed Malassezia and may worsen the fungal acne.
Its important to go for products that avoid fatty alcohols, esters, and plant oils that Malassezia thrives on. Instead, look for lightweight, fungal acne safe moisturizers with non-comedogenic ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or squalane.
Is salicylic acid safe for fungal acne
While salicylic acid is not antifungal, it tends to strip away oil from the skin, unclog pores, and keep the skin dry, which is good for reducing yeast growth. However, my advice is not to overuse it. You can use salicylic acid every third or fourth day or night in the form of a cleanser to get a squeaky-clean feel once in a while. It is good for keeping excess oil at bay while dealing with fungal acne.
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Maleeka is an orthodontic resident with a passion for skincare and beauty. She decodes beauty products, breaks down ingredients, and spills the tea on marketing hypes. When she’s not perfecting smiles or geeking out over the latest formulations and trends, you’ll find her binge-watching Netflix.
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