Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker

Can't find a product in our database? Copy-paste the ingredient list of the product into the box below:

Analyze my Product »

💡 How it works 💡

➀ Copy the ingredient list of your product into the grey box above.

You can get the ingredient list from reliable retailers (f.ex. Sephora) or the product manufacturer.

➁ Hit the blue 'Analyze-my-product'-button.

This step is super easy :)

➂ Your analysis is ready in a few seconds.

Check if your product is safe for fungal acne at a glance. Take the guesswork out of your skincare!

SOURCES WE TRUST

Vertrauensvolle Quellen: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Vertrauensvolle Quellen: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology

Vertrauensvolle Quellen: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

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Questions our Fungal Acne Checker can answer

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Is this product safe for fungal acne?

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Is it free of SLS, parabens, mineral oil, silicones, oils, and more?

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Does it suit your skin type or needs—such as combination, dry, oily, or anti-aging?

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Are the ingredients considered safe (based on CIR assessments)?

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Is the product comedogenic (pore-clogging)?

Example result: Quickly see whether a product is fungal-acne–safe at a glance:

Charts showing if product is suitable for fungal acne

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What Is Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne, scientifically known as Pityrosporum Folliculitis or Malassezia Folliculitis, is an acne-like skin condition. It often shows up as small, uniform bumps, usually on the forehead, and can sometimes feel itchy.

Because it looks so similar to normal acne, many people don't realize they have fungal acne. This can be frustrating because the treatments are completely different. Products that help with regular acne often don't help fungal acne —and can even make it worse.

Fungal acne, also known as Malassezia Folliculitis or Pityrosporum Folliculitis, is a skin condition caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia on the skin's hair follicles. This overgrowth, typically triggered by factors like excessive sweating, humidity, or heavy skincare products, leads to inflammation and acne-like bumps, often accompanied by itching.

The most significant difference between fungal acne and regular acne is that fungal acne is caused by yeast (Malassezia), and regular acne is caused by bacteria (P. acnes).

The so-called yeast Malassezia is a fungus naturally present on the skin. But sometimes it grows too much —often because of sweat, humidity, or heavy skincare products. When this happens, the yeast causes inflammation and acne-like bumps, often accompanied by itching.

Even though the term "fungal acne" isn't used much in scientific studies, the condition itself —called Malassezia folliculitis— is well-researched.

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How Do I Know If My Acne Is Fungal?

Here are the most common signs of fungal acne:

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Small, stubborn bumps, especially in oilier areas (like the forehead)

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Uniform red or white bumps that often look like tiny whiteheads

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Uneven, bumpy skin texture

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Itching, which regular acne usually doesn't cause

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No improvement with well-known acne treatments

If several of these points sound familiar, there's a good chance you're dealing with fungal acne.

Fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin and usually appears as small, same-sized bumps that may feel itchy. These bumps often cluster in oily areas, especially the forehead.

One important clue: Regular acne treatments usually don't help—and can sometimes make the bumps worse. That's because many common skincare ingredients can actually trigger fungal acne. So even highly recommended acne products might not work if they contain ingredients that feed the yeast.

If your acne isn't improving despite using well-known acne products, fungal acne may be the reason.

Many popular anti-acne products don't work against fungal acne. Why? Because many common ingredients can actually trigger fungal acne. If an acne product contains these triggers, it won't be effective—and may even make your skin worse.

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What Ingredients Are Fungal Acne-Safe?

There are over 60,000 ingredients used in cosmetics—so where do you even start?

Before we list the ingredients that are safe for fungal acne, it's helpful to know which ones are likely triggers:

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Fatty acids (number of carbon atoms C12 - C24) and fatty acid esters

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Vegetable oils, waxes, butter, and lecithin

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Polysorbates

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Amino acids (potential triggers)

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Ceramides and cholesterol (potential triggers)

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Fermented ingredients

It's generally best to avoid or patch test products containing these ingredient families, even in small amounts, since they can trigger fungal acne.

Scanning every product for these ingredients on your own can feel impossible—and that's exactly why we created the Glow Coach Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker

If you're prone to fungal acne, make sure your skincare is safe. Our Ingredient Checker makes it easy to find products that won’t aggravate your skin.

If you're prone to fungal acne, always check that your skincare is safe. Our Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker makes it easy!

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How Do I Get Rid Of Fungal Acne?

If you've had fungal acne before, you may be more prone to it in the future. Choosing the right skincare is key to preventing flare-ups.

1. Make Sure Your Products Are Fungal-Acne Safe

Check all your skincare products with our Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker to avoid ingredients that can trigger fungal acne. Using safe products is the first step to clear skin.

2. Follow a 2-Step Treatment Plan

➀ Step: 4-Week Ketoconazole Treatment

The most effective treatment for fungal acne contains Ketoconazole. Apply a suitable product to the affected areas twice a week, leaving it on for 3–5 minutes before rinsing. After four weeks, blemishes should be noticeably reduced.

➁ 2: Ongoing Maintenance

To prevent recurrence, use an exfoliant at least once a week. Look for products with BHA (Salicylic Acid) or AHAs (Glycolic or Lactic Acid). Other helpful ingredients for daily use include sulfur or urea.

Remember: Even after treatment, you may remain prone to fungal acne. Always choose fungal-acne safe products—our Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker can help you stay on track.

Fungal acne can be treated and prevented by using safe products, a 4-week Ketoconazole treatment, and regular exfoliation. Always check your skincare with our Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker to keep your skin clear and healthy.

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How Long Will Fungal Acne Last?

Fungal acne can be frustrating, especially when it seems like nothing is working. So how long does it usually take to clear up?

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With proper treatment, including Ketoconazole and fungal-acne safe skincare, most cases improve within 4–6 weeks.

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Consistency is key—skipping treatments or using products with potential triggers can prolong the condition.

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Even after it clears, you may remain prone to fungal acne, so it’s important to stick with safe, compatible products.

Keeping track of what's safe for your skin can feel overwhelming—but that's why we created the Glow Coach Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker. It helps you choose products that support clear, healthy skin and prevent flare-ups.

With the right treatment and fungal-acne safe products, fungal acne usually clears within 4–6 weeks. Staying consistent and avoiding triggers is key to keeping your skin clear.

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FAQ: Fungal Acne Checker

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Where Does the Information About the Ingredients Come From?

Our goal is to provide a Fungal Acne Ingredient Checker that’s grounded in science. The ingredient data is based on studies published in reputable scientific journals. For our research, we rely on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database and focus primarily on in-vivo studies (tests conducted on human skin) from independent organizations—not from skincare brands or ingredient suppliers. This ensures that the information you see is reliable, unbiased, and truly helpful for your skin.

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Why Are Some Ingredients Missing Information?

Sometimes, you might see ingredients with no information available. This simply means that, at the moment, there’s no published data on that ingredient. Our database is constantly growing, and new research is being published all the time. That means new information may be added soon! Be sure to check your products regularly to stay up-to-date. 🙂

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I Found a Mistake! What Should I Do?

If you notice an error, please get in touch with us so we can correct it. Thank you for helping us keep our database accurate!

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How Can I Get the Most Out of the Fungal Acne Checker?

Whenever you’re looking for new skincare, check if the product is fungal-acne safe—it can save you a lot of frustration. Another key tip: the foundation of an effective skincare routine is knowing your skin type and concerns. When you understand your skin, you know exactly what it needs. With this knowledge and the help of GlowCoach.co, you can easily find products that give your skin exactly what it needs. The result: an effective, personalized skincare routine that helps you achieve the healthy, glowing skin you want