Figuring out that you have fungal acne is challenging enough, and finding products that don’t aggravate it can be even harder. In this post, I’ll walk you through the 15 best moisturizers specifically formulated for fungal acne and malassezia—based on my own struggles in 2024. Later in this article, I’ll share my personal tips for managing malassezia folliculitis.
Table of Contents
- Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne on a Budget
- Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne for Slugging
- Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne for Oily Skin
- Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne for Dry Skin
- Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne Without Niacinamide
- Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne in the US
- Do I Have Fungal Acne or Closed Comedones?
- What Is Fungal Acne Caused By?
- Fungal Acne Triggers in Your Environment
- What About Oral Antifungal Medications?
- How to Use Nizoral for Fungal Acne
- My Top Tips for Fungal Acne on the Face
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne on a Budget
When every penny counts, you don’t have to sacrifice quality. Here are affordable options that are friendly to fungal acne–safe formulas:
1. Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station
Geek and Gorgeous has earned a cult following among skincare enthusiasts due to their simple, fragrance- and essential oil–free formulations. Their Hydration Station is an excellent fungal acne safe moisturizer available for just £8.75 on Amazon. It hydrates effectively while supporting a healthy skin barrier.
2. e.l.f. SuperHydrate Gel Moisturizer
e.l.f.’s SuperHydrate Gel Moisturizer combines squalane—a well-tolerated oil that doesn’t feed malassezia—with centella asiatica (cica) to soothe the skin and reinforce the barrier. It’s lightweight and ideal for keeping fungal acne in check.
3. Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream
A personal favorite, the Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream is praised for its gentle formula and fungal acne safety. It’s particularly effective for normal to combination skin types, though it might not be rich enough for those with very dry skin.
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne for Slugging
If you love a good slugging routine, finding a moisturizer that both locks in hydration and doesn’t trigger fungal acne is a win:
4. Eucerin Original Healing Cream
This thick, occlusive cream is a popular choice for slugging routines. It contains piroctone olamine, an antifungal agent often found in antifungal creams, which helps fight yeast while sealing in moisture. It’s hard to find a product that both prevents and treats fungal acne, making this a standout option.
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne for Oily Skin
Managing oily skin alongside fungal acne and other issues (like perioral dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis) can be a real challenge. The following moisturizer is a top pick for oily, acne-prone skin:
5. SkinFix Barrier Skin Restoring Barrier Gel Cream
While the name might seem a mouthful, this gel cream is fantastic for oily, fungal acne–prone skin. It features zinc PCA and niacinamide to control sebum production—zinc also provides antifungal benefits. With added hyaluronic acid and allantoin, it offers hydration and soothing relief without overwhelming your skin.
6. Uriage Bariederm-Cica Daily Gel-Cream
A slightly more affordable alternative, Uriage’s Bariederm-Cica Gel-Cream is lightweight and formulated to be free of common fungal acne triggers. Its cica content further helps reduce redness while providing needed moisture.
7. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream
Targeted at those with oily skin, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream has a lightweight gel texture that absorbs rapidly. Its balanced formula contains micronized amino acids to help control sebum—even though I’ve had mixed experiences with other Kiehl’s products, this cream remains a reliable option for some.
8. I’m From Vitamin Tree Water Gel
A popular choice in Asian beauty, I’m From Vitamin Tree Water Gel excludes common fungal acne triggers. It’s designed for oily skin and includes a derivative of vitamin C (3-O ethyl ascorbic acid) along with niacinamide, which may help fade dark spots over time.
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne for Dry Skin
Finding a richer cream that doesn’t trigger fungal acne can be tough, but here are my personal favorites for dry skin:
9. Thank You Farmer Phyto Relieful Cica Cream
If you prefer a thicker moisturizer, this cream might be your answer. Although it contains a variety of fruit extracts (which some might find irritating), the formulation is designed to provide heavy hydration. If your skin tolerates fruit extracts, this could be a great option—otherwise, test before committing.
10. Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
Curél is known for its simplicity and short ingredient lists. This Intensive Moisture Facial Cream primarily uses silicones to lock in moisture, which usually benefits most skin types. However, some with acne-prone skin might not react well to silicones—so it’s a matter of personal preference.
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne Without Niacinamide
While I generally appreciate niacinamide for brightening and barrier support, it isn’t for everyone. If you need a formula free from niacinamide:
11. Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream
Krave Beauty’s Oat So Simple Water Cream is celebrated for its minimalist formula. If your skin reacts to most ingredients, this lightweight, niacinamide-free cream might be exactly what you need.
12. First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Water Cream
This water cream from First Aid Beauty features coconut water extracts without coconut oil (a common trigger for fungal acne). It also includes licorice root extract, which has anecdotal brightening benefits, all while avoiding niacinamide.
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne in the US
For those residing in the US who prefer to shop locally (like at Target), check out these options:
13. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water Gel Moisturizer
Peach & Lily delivers products that are both aesthetically pleasing and effective. Their Glass Skin Water Gel Moisturizer has a serum-like texture that feels luxurious yet lightweight, making it a fun option if you can tolerate a few botanical extracts.
14. Malezia 5% Urea Moisturizer
Founded by the creator of Simple Skincare Science, Malezia’s 5% Urea Moisturizer is formulated specifically with fungal acne in mind. Its very short ingredient list and inclusion of urea—an effective and gentle exfoliant—make it a highly sought-after option, though it can be hard to get.
15. Almond Clear Soothing Daily Moisturizer
Another recommendation from Simple Skincare Science is the Almond Clear Soothing Daily Moisturizer. This straightforward formula contains squalane and aloe vera juice, providing a soothing, no-fuss option for daily hydration.
Do I Have Fungal Acne or Closed Comedones?
Distinguishing fungal acne from closed comedones can be tricky. Here are a few clues:
- Location: Fungal acne often appears on the forehead while closed comedones may be more widespread.
- Onset: Fungal acne can erupt suddenly and may fade quickly, whereas closed comedones develop gradually and are more persistent.
- Appearance: Fungal acne often presents as active, red bumps with a slight itch, while closed comedones tend to be less inflamed.
What Is Fungal Acne Caused By?
Fungal acne is primarily due to an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast that normally lives on your skin. Under certain conditions—such as changes in your environment or product triggers—this yeast can proliferate and cause irritation. It’s important to remember that having yeast on the skin is normal; problems arise when it grows out of control or your skin’s barrier is compromised.
Fungal Acne Triggers in Your Environment
Fungal acne triggers aren’t just found in skincare; your environment plays a role too. For example:
- High Humidity and Sweat: Extended periods of sweating—like during intense workouts or in non-air conditioned gyms—can create a damp environment that encourages yeast growth.
- Tight Headwear: Wearing tight caps or hats may trap sweat and heat, triggering fungal acne.
- Environmental Adjustments: I’ve even considered using a mini handheld fan or switching gyms to mitigate sweat buildup. These small tweaks can go a long way in reducing outbreaks.
What About Oral Antifungal Medications?
Oral antifungal medications have shown mixed results for facial fungal acne. While some people experience temporary improvements, many find that the issue returns after treatment stops. The key is to pair medication with lifestyle adjustments and product changes that minimize fungal triggers.
How to Use Nizoral for Fungal Acne
If you’ve heard about using Nizoral (an antidandruff shampoo) for fungal acne, here’s a step-by-step on how I do it:
- Nighttime Routine: After completing your regular cleansing routine, take a small blob of Nizoral.
- Create a Lather: Mix the product with a little water to form a lather.
- Apply to Affected Areas: Gently massage the lather onto areas prone to fungal acne.
- Let It Sit: Leave it on for about 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
- Repeat: Use nightly for 3–5 days. A noticeable improvement within these days may indicate that your breakout is fungal in nature. Note: Nizoral can be irritating if overused, so it’s best used as a short-term treatment while you adjust your skincare routine and environmental factors.
My Top Tips for Managing Fungal Acne on the Face
Here are a few practical tips that have helped me manage fungal acne:
- Identify Your Triggers: Fungal acne varies from person to person. For me, sweating at the gym triggers outbreaks; for others, it might be specific skincare ingredients. Keep track of your triggers and adjust your routine accordingly.
- Understand Your Skin: Fungal acne thrives in damp, humid conditions. If you’re not normally exposed to these factors but still have outbreaks, the issue may lie with your products.
- Test and Tweak: Introduce new products slowly. If ketoconazole (Nizoral) doesn’t make a difference in a few days, your bumps might simply be closed comedones.
- Make Gradual Changes: Avoid overhauling your entire routine at once—small changes make it easier to determine what works.
- Consider Retinoids: I’m a big fan of retinoids, which can help keep both fungal acne and general breakouts under control by promoting cell turnover and preventing clogging.
I hope this guide helps you find the right moisturizer and gives you a clearer picture of managing fungal acne. If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to reach out. Happy healing, and here’s to clearer, healthier skin!
