For years, I was convinced that I suffered from a severe case of whiteheads. No matter what acne treatment or AHA I used, the small bumps on my forehead wouldn’t budge. Every blog I read pointed to whiteheads, leaving me confused.
The bumps were flesh-colored, never growing into full whiteheads, and almost impossible to pop. I tried every remedy out there, but nothing worked. It wasn’t until I watched a video that everything clicked. The video wasn’t talking about whiteheads at all; it was about fungal acne.
The Misdiagnosis of Fungal Acne
Fungal acne often gets misdiagnosed as regular acne because they appear so similar. The bumps I thought were whiteheads were actually caused by fungal acne. These bumps feed on oil, which explained why they never went away despite my efforts.
What Triggers Fungal Acne?
Update: It’s not just oils that feed fungal acne. Many other skincare ingredients can make the condition worse. For a full list of ingredients to avoid and alternatives, I recommend visiting simpleskincarescience.com. You can also check if your skincare products are fungal acne-safe using sezia.co.
Signs You Might Have Fungal Acne
Itchy Skin?
Fungal acne is often itchy, but I never connected the dots because the itching was infrequent. If your skin feels itchy—even occasionally—you might want to switch to fungal acne-safe products.
Worsening After Using Face Oils
I always thought the whiteheads were a result of my oily skin, and like many, I believed face oils would help balance it. But after using oils, the bumps on my forehead worsened. It turned out that fungal acne thrives on oils, causing them to multiply.
Success with Salicylic Acid
Another clue was how salicylic acid helped reduce my “whiteheads.” Fungal acne can’t survive in an acidic environment, which is why salicylic acid proved effective.
What is Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne is an infection of the hair follicle caused by yeast, commonly found on 90% of people’s skin. Unlike traditional acne, fungal acne won’t respond to typical acne treatments like retinoids or antibiotics. These bumps are smaller, uniform in size, and can be itchy.
How to Treat Fungal Acne
1. Use Salicylic Acid
As mentioned earlier, fungal acne dislikes acidic environments. Here are some products that have worked for me:
- Vichy Normaderm Corrective Anti-Acne Treatment 24H Hydrating Lotion
- Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel
I love this combo, especially the cleansing gel, which doesn’t dry out my skin. The lotion is lightweight and makes a great overnight mask when applied generously.
2. Aloe Mask
Aloe vera has helped calm my acne, even though there’s no scientific explanation for its effect on fungal acne. I recommend The Saem Jeju Fresh Aloe Smoothing Gel for soothing the skin.
3. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
This product is effective and affordable, but it can be hard to find in stock. Be aware, though, that it contains an ingredient that may feed fungal acne. I switched to SAL3 soap, which contains sulfur and salicylic acid—both fungal acne enemies.
4. Nizoral Shampoo
This shampoo contains 2% ketoconazole and has been a game changer for me. I apply it to my face, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Although it’s drying, the improvement is worth it. After using Nizoral, make sure to hydrate your skin. I suggest layering Hadalabo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, which contains urea and prevents fungal acne growth.
What Didn’t Work for Me
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a common recommendation for fungal acne, but it worsened my condition after a few uses. It may have been the carrier oil or that the acne adapted to the treatment.
2. Dandruff Shampoo
While dandruff shampoos like Selsun Blue or Nizoral are often suggested, they made my skin dry and tight. Nizoral was especially drying, though it did work. I prefer using Vichy Purifying Cleansing Gel, but if you have a severe case of fungal acne, you might try Selsun Blue.
3. Yeast Products
Avoid products with yeast ferment, such as SK-II, as having too much yeast on your skin can worsen fungal acne. If you must use these products, avoid applying them to areas affected by fungal acne.
4. Oils
Oils were my go-to for acne, but fungal acne feeds on oil, making things worse. If you need an oil, opt for squalane from Timeless or The Ordinary. Squalane and mineral oil are both fungal acne-safe.
Affordable Fungal Acne-Safe Products
If you’re looking for fungal acne-safe skincare, here are some affordable recommendations:
Cleansers
- Vichy Purifying Gel Cleanser – Fungal acne-safe and effective.
Toners
- Hadalabo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion – Hydrating with urea, a fungal acne-preventing ingredient.
Moisturizers and Oils
- The Ordinary Squalane Oil – Simple and safe for fungal acne.
- Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel – A non-oily alternative for hydration.
Sunscreen
Finding a fungal acne-safe sunscreen is a challenge. Many recommend Biore Perfect Milk Sunscreen, but while I wait for it, I’m trying Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen. I’ll update you on how it works.
For more detailed information, visit simpleskincarescience.com and use sezia.co to check your products for fungal acne safety.
Conclusion
If you’ve been battling stubborn “whiteheads” that don’t respond to typical acne treatments, you might actually have fungal acne. The good news is that with the right products and adjustments, you can effectively treat it and get your skin back on track.
