If you’ve been treating your breakouts with acne products and seeing little to no results, you might not be dealing with traditional acne at all. You could be facing fungal acne—a lesser-known but increasingly common acne imposter that often goes undiagnosed or mistreated. What is Fungal Acne? Despite the name, fungal acne isn’t actually acne. It’s a condition called Malassezia folliculitis. It occurs when an overgrowth of yeast—specifically Malassezia, a fungus that naturally lives on your skin—infects your hair follicles, leading to inflammation and breakout-like bumps. What Causes Fungal Acne? Several triggers can disrupt the balance of yeast on your skin, including: Excessive sweating Hot, humid climates Wearing tight or non-breathable clothing Overuse of antibiotics (which kill bacteria but not yeast) Oily skincare or hair products that feed yeast If you’re noticing small, itchy bumps that don’t respond to traditional acne treatments, appear in clusters, especially on your forehead, chest, shoulders, or back or gets worse in heat or after sweating it may be fungal acne. How to Treat Fungal Acne? Unlike traditional acne, fungal acne needs products that are anti-fungal to treat the condition within the pore follicle. Mandelic Acid (our favorite is from Face Reality Skincare) Hypochlorous Acid (Our favorite is from E11ement) Ketoconazole Shampoo, like Nizoral, may also be effective in more severe cases. Apply the shampoo as a face/body mask for 5–10 minutes before cleansing off. Let Us Help! If you’re unsure what’s triggering your breakouts or need help picking the right treatment let us help. Email us at info@weloveacne.com or follow us on Instagram or Tiktok @weloveacne for more free acne tips.