Fungal acne: what it is and how to get rid of it
Fungal acne — properly Malassezia folliculitis — looks like acne but isn't. It's an overgrowth of a yeast that lives on everyone's skin, and it's fed by specific skincare ingredients. Here's how to recognise it and clear it.
Paste any product's ingredients to see if it feeds Malassezia.
Open the fungal-acne safe checker →What does fungal acne look like?
Fungal acne shows up as clusters of small, uniform bumps — usually the same size — that are often itchy. Common spots are the forehead and hairline, chest, shoulders and upper back. Unlike regular (bacterial) acne, you won't see a mix of large cysts, varied whiteheads and blackheads; the bumps look repetitive and even.
Fungal acne vs regular acne
Regular acne (acne vulgaris) is driven by clogged pores, oil and C. acnes bacteria, and responds to things like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Fungal acne is driven by Malassezia yeast and responds to antifungals — and, crucially, to removing the ingredients that feed the yeast. Many people fight "acne" for months because they're treating the wrong type. If your bumps are itchy, uniform and not improving on normal acne care, suspect fungal acne.
What causes fungal acne?
The yeast overgrows in warm, humid, sweaty, occluded conditions — and it feeds on fatty acids (roughly C11–C24), many esters, polysorbates, lecithin and fermented ingredients. Heavy oils, butters, and "nourishing" plant-oil products are common culprits, as are some hair products that drip onto the forehead and back. Antibiotics can also tip the balance toward yeast.
How to get rid of fungal acne
- Use an antifungal. Over-the-counter options include ketoconazole 2% (e.g. Nizoral) or zinc pyrithione washes, used as a short mask on affected areas a few times a week.
- Switch to a Malassezia-safe routine. Remove products that feed the yeast. Run each product through our fungal-acne safe checker and keep only the ones with no triggers.
- Reduce the environment it loves. Shower soon after sweating, change pillowcases and towels often, and avoid heavy occlusive layers in hot weather.
- Be patient and consistent. It often takes a few weeks. If it doesn't clear, a dermatologist can prescribe oral antifungals.
Fungal-acne-safe ingredients
Generally safe choices include squalane, mineral oil, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, BHA (salicylic acid) and most silicones. Browse the full ingredient database — each ingredient page now tells you whether it's a Malassezia trigger.