Top 10 Fungal Acne Safe Essences

Essences are one of my favorite skincare products to use for fungal acne. The reason is that brands formulate most essences with 1 or 2 ingredients. Essences focus more on hydration or skin concerns, with one major component that makes up most of the formulation. Still, serums target various skin concerns and have a thicker consistency. We can primarily describe an essence as a “Toner-Serum Hybrid” because of its dense texture. Let’s get right into my recommendations!

Mugwort Essence by I’m From

I used this essence before I ended up with fungal acne. It amazed me it is not only fungal acne-safe but also contains 100% artemisia vulgaris extract, aka mugwort! It is vegan and cruelty-free, free of alcohol, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones, or sulfates. This watery essence is excellent for fungal acne-safe routines because it contains one ingredient. I use this product in the morning and night after cleansing my face or applying toner. Mugwort has become a trendy ingredient in Korean skincare over the last couple of years. But for a good reason, it helps soothe and treat sensitive and acne-prone skin. Mugwort contains vitamins A, B, C, E, and other antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that nourish and protect the skin barrier. Other antioxidants and antimicrobials like polyphenols. There have been studies that show mugwort’s abilities to fight bacteria and fungi. I’m From is cruelty-free but not 100% vegan, meaning some products contain animal-derived ingredients.

Most of Time Revolution Essences by Missha!

Time Revolution Artemisa Calming Essence by Missha

Time Revolution Artemisia Treatment Essence by Missha

Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Rx by Missha

Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Rx Intensive Moist by Missha

Time Revolution The First Essence 5x by Missha

Missha has two Mugwort/ Artemisa Essences, and I am excited that both are fungal acne safe. Most of Missha’s Time Revolution essences are fungal acne safe. This brand is not vegan or cruelty-free; they may offer vegan products and products that are free of alcohol, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones, or sulfates. Please continue to read my review of Missha’s The First Essence 5x:

This is an essence that has anti-aging or well-aging ingredients. One of my favorites is bifida fermate lystate, niacinamide, lactic acid and ceramide. Bifida ferment lysate hydrates dry skin and is excellent for anti-aging and dehydrated skin. The lysate isn’t a living bacterium, so it’s not like putting probiotics on your skin. Therefore, it is easier for your skin microbiome since it will not affect it. Niacinamide minimizes redness and pores and regulates oils. It also protects the skin from sun damage, treats hyperpigmentation, and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Lactic acid increases cell turnover, which means shedding dead skin cells. This results in smooth skin and fewer fine lines and wrinkles. Ceramide is an ingredient in my routine because it is excellent for the skin barrier. It helps improve skin cells and creates a barrier to the skin that prevents TEWL or trans-epidermal water loss. Ceramide also prevents dryness and irritation, which is why it’s one of my favorite ingredients. This essence doesn’t leave the skin oily or leaves residue on the skin.

Quad Active Boosting Essence by Wishtrend

This is also one of my favorites from Wishtrend, and it works better combined with their Polyphenols Propolis 15% Ampoule. The watery essence is very hydrating, and it doesn’t contain alcohol, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones, and sulfates. It is a cruelty-free essence that contains AHA and black tea ferment. This essence is also soothing for irritated skin, but I’m not sure about the claims of this essence. The boosting part of the essence in the name means it has properties to “boost” your skincare. Maybe it is supposed to make your other products work faster or absorb faster into the skin. But, I didn’t notice any differences in my routine. I didn’t feel like it enhanced the other skincare products in my routine. However, the ingredients in the essence are supposed to help with different skin concerns, such as hydrating skin, calming/soothing irritated skin, combat breakouts, removing dead skin cells, and improving skin texture. By Wishtrend is cruelty-free but not 100% vegan, meaning some products contain animal-derived ingredients.

Hyaluron Skin Essence by Hanskin

This essence is pretty thick. It’s probably the only one with more body on this list. I found it hard to finish because of its thicker, viscous texture. I ended up honestly using other essences that were more watery. Eventually, one day I pulled it out and used it and got a fungal acne breakout and knew that it was now expired. The story’s moral is to keep track of the products you are using or in your stash, especially with this product. Also, take your time to get through your skincare, and if you know you don’t prefer thicker toners or essences, don’t waste your money. Having fungal acne and using expired products will make you have one of the worst fungal acne. This essence is vegan and cruelty-free with AHA, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and hydrolyzed collagen. It is free of alcohol, oils, parabens, silicones, and sulfates.

Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence by Dr. Ceuracle

I currently use this in my routine, which is very hydrating and moisturizing. It is also soothing and nourishing for my dry, sensitive, and sometimes irritated skin. It reminds me of the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer. But it’s not greasy and easy to layer more than Cream Skin. Dr. Ceuracle is not 100% vegan or cruelty-free. But some of their products are Vegan and free of alcohol, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones, and sulfates. The main ingredients are kombucha tea extract, schisandra chinensis fruit extract, camellia sinensis leaf water, and sunflower seed oil. This essence is a certified vegan, cruelty-free product in eco-friendly packaging.

All of ONE THING Toners

I feel like the ONE THING Toners should advertise as essences because all contain 1 or 3 ingredients and always have a high concentration of 1 ingredient, which is common in most essences. ONE THING has the following toners:

Artemisia Capillaris Extract

Houttuynia Cordata Extract

Bifida Ferment Lysate

and many more!

You can also create a mask by using cotton sheet pads and leaving them on for 10-15 minutes. Most of their products are vegan but not cruelty-free but are free of alcohol, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones, and sulfates. I am using the Bifida Ferment Lysate Toner in my routine, and it feels like I am using an essence. It is very nourishing and hydrating, and my skin feels relieved when I use it. My skin is irritated, with red areas around my dry patches, and I can tell that this is helping to improve the state of my skin. I also like that these toners are affordable, simple, and easy to purchase.