What is Fungal Acne and How to Treat It?

Fungal acne often masquerades as regular acne but has an entirely different cause. It’s easy to mistake it for acne triggered by a reaction to a skincare product, bacterial acne caused by hormonal changes, clogged pores from skipping your double-cleanse on a tired night, or even closed comedones. However, that is not the case. Fungal acne differs from all of these with an entirely different underlying cause. In this article, we’ll explore what fungal acne looks like, what causes it, and how to treat it effectively with targeted and natural treatment.

What is fungal acne?

Fungal acne happens when there is an overgrowth of yeast. Yeast is part of our skin’s natural microbiome, but in the fungal acne case, this little fella gets out of control. Unlike bacterial acne, it loves to live in a humid, moist environment and appears on the skin as small uniform bumps. These bumps are most likely to be found on your face, forehead, back, chest, and jawline. P.S. fungal acne itches!

What causes fungal acne?

Fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia folliculitis, which is a type of yeast naturally present on our skin. But when there is yeast imbalance, our skin reacts – resulting in fungal acne. Definitely not what we want. So, why does yeast multiply? What disrupts the natural balance of our skin microbiome? Clearly, something’s out of sync, and we need to figure out how to set it right.

Yeast loves to thrive and multiply in moist environments, so if you are sweating a lot and you love sweaty workouts, live in a hot, humid climate, or layering on too many ‘moisture-trap’ ingredients like humectants (think hyaluronic acid and glycerin), you are most likely to be at a higher risk of developing fungal acne.

How to tell if yoau have fungal acne?

Fungal acne is often confused with other types of acne, because at first glance, they appear and feel similar making it hard to tell the difference, especially if you are not an expert on skin. It appears as small itchy bumps that cluster together. You are most likely to get this type of acne in areas that sweat like your forehead, back, and chest. Unlike traditional acne, fungal acne does not respond to treatments like benzoyl peroxide.

Pay attention to your skincare routine, if you use heavy occlusive products too often, you might be setting yourself up for fungal acne. This could be an indicator that what you’re dealing with is fungal acne rather than traditional acne.

Still not sure if it’s fungal acne or another type? Consult a dermatologist who will diagnose it for you through a simple scraping test.

Fungal acne vs closed comedones

While both can cause bumps on the skin, the difference lies in their root cause. Closed comedones occur due to build-up of excess oil and dead skin, which clogs your pores and leads to whiteheads. They’re often not red or inflamed. Fungal acne, on the other hand, is typically itchy and inflamed with pustules.

Fungal acne vs bacterial acne

Differentiating between these two is important because we don’t want you barking up the wrong tree and end up using benzoyl peroxide for acne that requires a completely different treatment.

Bacterial acne, on the other hand, is a cystic type of acne that’s inflamed, filled with pus, and often painful. It can appear anywhere on the face but more commonly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). When it goes, it’s most likely to leave behind acne scars and areas of hyperpigmentation.

Cause of bacterial acne:

It is mostly caused by clogged pores but can also result from hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual cycle) and will respond to treatments like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinol.

Fungal acne, on the other hand, will not respond to these treatments. One key difference is that fungal acne itches, which sets it apart from hormonal or bacterial acne. This itching is due to irritated skin barrier and inflammation.

How to treat fungal acne on face naturally

1. If you prefer clean beauty and are wondering how to treat fungal acne at home, tea tree oil is a great solution. It’s well-known for its antifungal properties.
2. Avoid using heavy, occlusive skincare products that trap moisture or use them sparingly.
3. It is also best practice to wash your skin with dandruff shampoos containing selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione for effective results.
4. For targeted treatment, use dedicated antifungal ingredients like ketoconazole, often found in shampoos.
5. Prescription-strength ketoconazole cream is another effective option for treating fungal acne.
6. Additionally, sulfur-based facemasks or cleansers are good to be used once a week. Sulfur is antifungal properties.

How long does fungal acne last?

When treated properly, fungal acne can clear up in as little as 2-3 weeks. However, recurrence is common if lifestyle modifications are not taken care of. Shower immediately after workouts, avoid skincare occlusive, and consider removing a few tight-fitting outfits from your wardrobe. Tight clothing traps moisture and creates a humid environment that fungi love.

Best products for fungal acne

Some of the best products for treating fungal acne on the face include antifungal creams, medicated shampoos, and, in some cases, oral medication. However, if you’re considering oral medication, it’s important to consult a dermatologist first.

If you’re looking for skincare products to help manage fungal acne or not make it worse at least, the best approach is to start with a dedicated fungal acne cream first.

Niacinamide is a also great option because it helps control excess oil, which is one of the contributing factors to fungal acne. If you have dry skin, squalane is another excellent choice since it provides hydration without feeding the fungal overgrowth.

It’s also important to avoid fragrances in your skincare routine, as they can further irritate the skin and worsen breakouts. When it comes to moisturizers, go for something lightweight and labeled as fungal acne-safe to avoid clogging pores or triggering flare-ups. Keeping your routine simple and using targeted treatments can make all the difference in managing fungal acne effectively and faster.