Do you have those pesky little bumps that just doesn't seem to
go away no matter what acne medication you use? It's probably not acne.
Do you have very little bumps on your forehead or chin that when
you prick almost nothing comes out? You may have fungal acne.
My experience
Mid December I suddenly noticed tiny bumps on my forehead that I
don't think were there before. I did my usual regimen and used my trusted spot
correctors but they didn't seem to work. I found it odd because these products
are my HGs. When I use them, my pimples would be gone in at least two days. So
I googled what these might be and came across the term fungal acne.
So, what is fungal acne?
Fungal acne is called malassezia or pityrosporum folliculitis.
It is a fungal infection of hair follicles. These are caused by yeast
overgrowth on our skin.
Waaaait, wag ka muna magpanic. Skin microbes are actually
normal. Each of us have a unique population of bacteria and fungi. They help
protect the skin but when there's imbalance magkakandaleche leche yan.
I kind of think that since I thoroughly clean my face and use
bacteria killing products to prevent acne baka nashegi ko yung bacteria lahat,
haha! So yeast overgrowth happened.
What's the difference between fungal acne and normal acne?
Like what happened to me, I first thought that it's just normal
acne. A lot of people on Reddit who went to dermatologists said that most of
them were misdiagnosed as having normal acne. Acne-busting products prescribed
to them didn't work as well. Why? Because normal acne is caused by bacteria.
What did I do?
I was desperate but I don't want to go to a dermatologist
cause.. wala lang, feeling derma ako. So I relied on everything I read online
based on the experiences of the people who had the same symptoms as mine. I
also used what I already have that are fungal acne safe.
The sad part is I threw/gave away almost all the products I own
that are not fungal acne safe. I had to. You'd have to. Because one way or
another you'd be tempted to use them thinking na sayang or kung ano pa.
Nangyari sakin yan. But if you can resist using them until you're fungal acne
free, keep them. Marupok kasi ako eh. Haha
I said almost all because I can't let go of my Apotheke Spot
Corrector. We'd dig into this later.
How do I know that a product is fungal acne safe?
I searched for the products on Skincarisma's database. If it's
there the result would show you if the product is paraben-free, sulfate-free,
alcohol-free, silicone-free, EU allergen-free, cruelty-free, and most
importantly FUNGAL ACNE (Malazzesia) SAFE.
If the product is not there, I run the ingredients list of the
product on Skincarisma's COSMETIC ANALYZER. You just have to copy the
ingredients list on the official website of the product, paste it on the
analyzer and the result will show you if the product is free from ingredients
commonly avoided.
You don't really have to get a product that's free from all the
ingredients mentioned above, what's important is its fungal acne safe.
What products did I use?
 |
| Celeteque and L'Oreal not in photo |
1. Make Up Remover
L'Oreal Paris Micellar Water 3-in-1 Moisturizing
This really removes make up so well. You can buy the 400ml
bottle at Watsons for only PHP349. Whatta steal! Skip this one if you don't
use makeup.
2. Facial Wash and Scrub
St. Ives Gentle Soothing Oatmeal Scrub
I've been using this one for years already. And it's great to have found out that it's fungal acne safe. I use this in the morning because I feel like the smell of oatmeal wakes up my senses (whew arte) . Also, the beads in this scrub are not harsh which is good because as much as we have to regularly exfoliate, harsh and overexfoliating is not good for the skin may you have normal or fungal acne.
Available at Watsons for PHP257.
Senka Perfect Whip Acne Care
This contains salicylic acid that, as we all know, deeply
cleanses and unclogs pores. It's great for fungal and normal acne so you're
hitting two birds with one stone. I use this at night because I'm out all day so
when I go home I prefer deep cleaning.
This is not yet available in the Philippines.
3. Mask
Nizoral
Yes, the anti-dandruff shampoo. Dandruff is caused by malassezia
too. And Nizoral has ketoconazole which is an effective medication for fungal
infection so it works for yeast-based acne. It's scientifically proven. Google
mo pa! Di GG to. Tubuan man ulit ako ng fungal acne.
Also, I just want to say, after learning that Nizoral works on
fungal acne, I realized that a week or few weeks before I noticed the bumps on
my forehead nagka-dandruff ako. So maybe the fungi overgrowth started
there.
How did I use it?
After cleansing and drying my face (pat dry lang), I put the
shampoo on the affected areas, mainly my forehead and jaw area (yung sa may
patilya or baby hair near the ears). Apply it in a circular motion until it
lathers and leave it for 10 minutes. This product is quite drying so make sure
you use a timer.
Use this until the fungal acne is cleared then continue to use
this once a week for a few more weeks to avoid relapse. Because trust me,
magrerelapse yan. It happened to me.
This is available at Watsons for less than PHP50/sachet.
4. Toner
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
This helps remove flakes caused by the drying of the skin on the
affected areas due to Nizoral. It also helps keep the oil at bay. AHA and BHA
are both skin exfoliants. AHA removes surface level texture while BHA goes deep
in the skin, hair follicles level. These are good for both normal and fungal
acne, so again, you're hitting two birds with one stone.
I use this both day and night.
Available at BeautyMNL for PHP680.
5. Essence
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
I don't know if you're familiar with the hype around snail
mucin, if you're not, bakla kaaaa, snail mucin is da bomb. Snail mucin in
itself contains hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, antimicrobial and copper
peptides. It supports healing, reduces fine lines and many more. My skin reacts
really well to products that have snail mucin. I used Snail White before, glass
skin effect. Sadly it's not fungal acne safe so I resorted to this essence. It
doesn't give me the same glass skin effect but better na clear skin than
mukhang glass skin na basag.
This essence is good for both normal acne and fungal acne. You
just might find the texture of this product weird at first or it's just me.
Haha.
Available at BeautyMNL for PHP980
6. Moisturizer
Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
This is actually the most popular moisturizer for people who
have fungal acne. It has 80% aloe. Aloe in itself has long been used as natural
remedy for fungal infections. Kryz Uy, a Filipina blogger used real aloe vera
to solve her fungal acne. But since I don't have aloe vera on my backyard, this
would do. This also has propolis that also have antifungal and healing
properties.
The most important thing about this moisturizer is it is very
lightweight. It's really important to moisturize because Nizoral is really
drying. Buuuttt we cannot use really thick or heavy moisturizers because fungus
thrives on a moist environment. Hassle no?
Available at BeautyMNL for PHP900
7. Spot Treatment
Spot treatments are quite tricky. Because they can only work on
one kind of acne each. Well, atleast with my understanding of my own skin.
Aaaannd, unlike the products mentioned above that checks all the boxes on
Skincarisma, these products don't. But I swear by these products. Here it
goes.
A. Normal Acne: Celeteque Dermo Science Acne Solutions Spot
Corrector
❌Paraben-Free
✅Sulfate-Free
❌Alcohol-Free
✅Silicone-Free
❌EU
Allergen-Free
✅Fungal
Acne (Malassezia) Safe
It helps heal and prevent regular acne. Whenever I feel like a
pimple is about to potrude because it's itchy or there's already a reddish
bump, I put it on that area and the little shit won't even see the light of
day. But it depends on the kind of pimple. If this doesn't work then I'll use
the next one under this category
Available at Watsons for PHP449
B. Cystic Acne: Apothěkě Spot Treatment
✅Paraben-Free
✅Sulfate-Free
✅Alcohol-Free
✅Silicone-Free
✅EU
Allergen-Free
❌Fungal
Acne (Malassezia) Safe
Obviously, this is not fungal acne safe. It's actually oil but I
don't care. It really helps A LOT whenever I have cystic acne. As much as
having fungal acne is irritating, cystic acne is still the worst kind of acne
for me because aside from getting a really huge bump, it hurts when touched.
And you can't really pop a cystic acne because it's really embeded under the
skin. This flattens my cystic acne and leaves no scar. If it doesn't flatten
it, it helps the acne come to surface, but not to the point where it looks like
a normal acne. It's more like it turns the pus into a whitehead. Then I'll
extract the biatch out.
Available at
C. After Extraction Care: Mizon Mark x Blemish After Cream
✅Paraben-Free
✅Sulfate-Free
✅Alcohol-Free
✅Silicone-Free
✅EU
Allergen-Free
❌Fungal
Acne (Malassezia) Safe
I extract my own gunk. I know my face better than anyone. I know
my pain tolerance. I know what clogged pore can be extracted already, and I
know what needs more time. Unlike pag iba gumawa, parang pipilitin na i-extract
hanggang magsugat. I use this on areas that I extracted. It works! I usually
extract my face when I can see/feel, feel as in kinakapa ko, di feel na
intuition lang ha. 😂😂 If
there is/are something/s that must be extracted I extract it on night time.
When I put this on after extraction, the next day, the redness is gone.
There are instances where I extracted whiteheads over the same
area of the fungal acne and used this. It didn't aggravate the fungal acne even
when it has ingredients that trigger fungal acne. I do, however, think that the
fungal acne triggers on this product is minimal. And also, this product
contains sulfur which has antifungal, antibacterial, and keratolytic activity.
Available at BeatyMNL for PHP425
Other Fungal Acne Safe Products That are Available Here in the
Philippines
The following products are 100% fungal acne safe but may or may
not be free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts
(cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, EU allergen-free,
alcohol-free).
Cleansers
1. Avene Tolerance Extreme Cleansing Lotion (SM Department Store)
2. Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub (Watsons, SM Department Store, Mercury Drugstore)
3. Derma E Purifying Gel Cleanser (Healthy Options)
4. Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash (Kiehl's)
Toners
1. Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner Aloe Vera Formula (Watsons, Healthy Options)
2. Avène Thermal Spring Water (SM Department Store)
3. Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Toner (BeautyMNL)
4. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Toner
5. COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-free toner (BeautyMNL)
6. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (Watsons, BeautyMNL)
Serums
1. A’pieu Madecassoside Ampoule (BeautyMNL)
2. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and Zinc 1%
3. The Ordinary Acorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
4. Nacific Phyto Niacin Whitening Essence
5. Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum (BeautyMNL)
Exfoliants
1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
2. COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule
Moisturizer
1. Sebamed Clear Face Gel (Watsons, Mercury Drugstore)
2. Celeteque Hydration Moisturizer
3. A’pieu Madecassoside Cream
4. Avène Tolérance Extrême Emulsion
5. Celeteque Acne Clearing Facial Moisturizer Gel
What to avoid?
Nakakapagod magsearch ng product/mag-run ng ingredients list sa
skincarisma so my advice, to at least save you some time, is to avoid products
with oil. Do not oil cleanse or use facial oils. Plant-derived Squalane oil is
fungal acne safe but I've read comments on Reddit where it broke them out. So,
just avoid oil unless it's for spot treatment only, like Apothěkě's.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a dermatologist nor am I in anyway
accredited to give advice regarding skin problems. Everything written here is
based on my research (wow research) and own experiences. What works for me, may
not work for you.
Websites mentioned:
Skincarisma https://www.skincarisma.com/
BeautyMNL https://www.beautymnl.com/
Reddit thread on Fungal Acne https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/6ohgsx/discussion_fungal_acne_my_experience_and_how_i
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