Fungal Acne Could This Be Causing Your Persistent Pimples

Fungal Acne: Could This Be Causing Your Persistent Pimples?

If you’ve tried what seems like everything to get rid of persistent acne that won’t go away, no matter which treatments or skin care you use, it is possible that you might not be dealing with acne at all, but a condition caused by a yeast overgrowth known as fungal acne. This condition, scientifically known as Malassezia folliculitis or Pityrosporum folliculitis, is characterized by a fungal infection of hair follicles, which can look a lot like acne on the surface.

Here, I’ll explain more about what fungal acne is and how it is different from other true types of acne and what you can do to finally get rid of it.

Fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast.

Tight-fitting clothing, hormonal imbalances, medications, and diet can affect fungal acne.

Fungal acne needs to be treated with antifungal ingredients. Treatments for acne vulgaris won’t work for this condition.

What Is Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne is an inflammatory skin condition that happens when an overgrowth of a specific type of yeast called Malassezia causes a fungal infection inside the hair follicles, or pores, in your skin. This causes red, inflamed pustules or papules that resemble acne, as well as itching. Because it so closely resembles acne vulgaris, however, fungal acne is often misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated, making it a persistent, frustrating problem.

Fungal Acne Causes

Fungal acne occurs when there’s an imbalance in your skin’s natural microbiome, allowing Malassezia yeast to multiply. There are several triggers that can contribute to this overgrowth:

Excessive sweating. Working out or being in humid environments can create a warm, moist environment where yeast thrives. This is made worse when you wear tight, non-breathable fabrics that trap moisture and allow yeast to thrive.

Hormonal imbalances. Some hormone-related conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or insulin-resistance may make you more susceptible to fungal acne (3).

Medications. Antibiotics used to treat bacterial acne can sometimes disrupt the skin’s microbiome, promoting yeast growth.

Diet. Yeast thrives in a high-sugar environment, so eating lots of sugary foods or simple carbohydrates can contribute to fungal acne.

Certain skin care ingredients. Some oils, fatty acids, esters, and polysorbates in skin care can help yeast thrive on the skin.

Climate. Yeast thrive in warm humid environments so this is more common in the summer in humid climates.

What Does Fungal Acne Look Like?

Fungal acne usually appears as small, uniform pustules or papules that are often itchy and tend to form in clusters. These bumps tend to show up on areas that are prone to sweating, like the forehead, chest, back, and upper arms, although they can show up anywhere on the face or body. They may look like tiny pimples, but they don’t have blackheads or whiteheads. The skin can feel irritated or itchy, and the breakouts may worsen in hot, humid conditions.

Fungal Acne vs. Acne Vulgaris

While fungal acne is caused by yeast overgrowth, acne vulgaris (the typical type of acne that most people are familiar with) is caused by a bacterial overgrowth. These two conditions can look similar and can be tricky to tell apart, but there are a few key differences.

One of the most important distinctions is that fungal acne, unlike acne vulgaris, typically does not involve comedones (clogged pores like blackheads or whiteheads). Instead, fungal acne typically shows up as a uniform cluster of red, itchy bumps. Acne vulgaris, on the other hand, often includes a mix of comedones, cysts, and pustules.

Fungal Acne vs. Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne tends to occur deeper in the skin, forming painful cysts that often pop up in the same areas each month, especially around the chin and jawline. In contrast, fungal acne is more superficial and usually feels itchy. While hormonal acne is driven by fluctuations in hormones like estrogen and testosterone, fungal acne is triggered by an overgrowth of yeast.

How Is Fungal Acne Treated?

Typical treatments for regular acne will not work for fungal acne, which is why this condition can be so frustrating if it is misdiagnosed. Fungal acne is treated in the same way as other conditions involving yeast overgrowth, such as tinea versicolor. The most effective treatments include:

Antifungal shampoos. Shampoos that contain antifungal ingredients like ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione can be used on the scalp or body to kill the yeast.

Antifungal creams. Topical antifungal medications like clotrimazole or terbinafine can also be applied to the affected areas to get rid of the yeast.

Sulfur. Washes like Derma Made Medi Wash that contain sulfur – which has antimicrobial and antifungal properties – can help to reduce the amount of yeast on the skin that is causing fungal acne.

Oral antifungal medications. In more severe cases, your dermatologist might prescribe an oral antifungal medication like fluconazole to treat fungal acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

Derma Made Medi Wash contains both sulfur and salicylic acid to help reduce inflammation and redness, keep pores clean, and kill yeast overgrowth on the skin.

This wash can also be effective for reducing redness caused by rosacea and other inflammatory conditions. It is suitable for most Baumann Skin Types (Types 1–12).

Can Fungal Acne Be Prevented?

There are steps you can take to keep fungal acne at bay once you’ve successfully treated it using the methods listed above.

Shower and immediately change out of workout clothes after sweating in them.

Use a dandruff shampoo or sulfur-containing wash to kill yeast and keep the population from overgrowing on your skin.

Talk to your doctor about any hormonal concerns such as PCOS that may be linked with an increase in susceptibility to recurring yeast infections.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been battling persistent breakouts that don’t respond to regular acne treatments, you might be dealing with fungal acne. This skin condition is caused by yeast overgrowth and can be treated with antifungal products like sulfur washes and medicated shampoos. If you are unsure about whether your breakouts are caused by true acne or a fungal infection, see your dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis so you know you are using the correct treatments for your skin condition and type.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected