Before we dive into my blog, do you know what is Fungal Acne or Pityrosporum Folliculitis?
Fungal acne, also known as Pityrosporum Folliculitis, is a skin condition characterized by pimple-like bumps, typically on the face, chest, and back. They appear to be small pimples grouped together and are often the same size as hair follicles. This happens when hair follicles have an overgrowth of yeast, aka a yeast called Malassezia. Our skin/body already has a certain amount of yeast which is generally found in our digestive system. Fungal acne can be the cause of consuming too much yeast in our diet, skincare especially expired products, and lifestyle, such as being athletic.
It can look similar to traditional acne but is treated differently. Unlike acne, fungal acne is not caused by bacteria; you will need to use salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and pair it with antifungal medications and products used to clear the yeast overgrowth and manage the symptoms. There is also a list of ingredients to avoid because Malassezia can feed off of these and worsen. Check out the deep dive into ingredients here.
Fungal acne is new in the skincare world, and there is no way to get rid of it but to change your lifestyle and habits. This is the only way; I have been fungal acne-free for two years. The most important thing is to turn and read your skincare labels and take note of the ingredients of products that have caused a flare-up. Keep track of your skincare and makeup expiration dates and create a routine to finish up products before you open new ones. I always label my skincare with the expiration date based on its shelf life. A label maker and a skincare fridge were game changers for me. Let’s not forget these fabulous ingredient analysis websites, skinsort, sezia, folliculitisscout and skincarisma. These will be useful on your fungal acne journey. Please take a look at some of my top 10 fungal-safe products to start with. Your skin will thank you!