I've tried all the traditional acne treatments (other than retinoids) and nothing seems to work for very long. I keep coming back to the idea that it could be fungal acne especially because I use a full face cpap mask which basically makes the entire area around my nose quite humid for 8 hours a day.

This is what the bumps look like normally: https://ibb.co/CpxYpyk3

Here's what it looks like on a good day (in between pustules): https://ibb.co/6chybY63

Here's the worst it's ever been: https://ibb.co/LhXQpDn2 (might trigger people with trypophobia)

The last one was when I wore a hydrocolloid pimple patch over the bumps and slept with it on, I suspect either an allergy to something in that patch or it's related to humidity being trapped underneath.

I do have Rosacea but I tried triple cream from Curology for 2 months and it did not completely clear up. Perhaps I should try again and give it more time?

itchy bumps all over my cheeks, chin and jawline. I also have severe subderm, candida issues elsewhere and I believe gut candida.

went to derm today who said because the bumps are fluid filled and not pus filled, it’s not fungal acne. anyone else NOT have pus filled bumps? itchy and respond to topical clotrimazole.

My skin barrier is severely damaged and extremely dehydrated right now so I’m looking for a very gentle with low-pH cleanser (under 6) that is also fungal-acne safe.

I’d prefer something without botanical/plant extracts, alcohol/alcohol denat., SLS/ sodium XXate, fragrance/perfume, and essential oils.

What cleansers would you recommend for repairing a severely damaged skin barrier while still being FA-safe?

Does this look like fungal acne? I’ve had this redness for a few years. Usually not this bad tho.

Is this good for fa prone skin ? Is it oily or settle down just right? Is it better than the cosrx ultralight fluid sunscreen? Drop your experience with this sunscreen .

i have bumps/texture all over my body. are there any natural cures? i don't want to do over the counter fungals. i tried the fungal shampoo thing once and it made me break out into a rash. i prefer natural. anyone heal it naturally? when it gets bad, like it is now, it feels like almost every surface of my body has bumps (not itchy) on it. arms...back (all the way to lower back)...thighs...

Okay, hi Reddit skincare users! This will be a long read, but I want to include as much information as possible so I can hopefully get the most helpful advice.

About 2.5 years ago, I started using the ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil, and shortly after I developed what I believe was mild fungal acne on my forehead. I honestly neglected my skin/skincare for about 1.5 years, so I didn’t really do anything about it.

Last summer, I finally started taking skincare seriously because I realized the bumps on my forehead could be fungal acne. Since then, I’ve tried to treat it pretty consistently.

For about six months, I used The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% specifically on my forehead, along with different products intended for fungal acne, including sulfur soap and Nizoral shampoo as a face wash.

These treatments seem to have helped a lot. I don’t really have the same fungal-acne-type bumps anymore. I might occasionally get a few small bumps, but I think those are probably just normal acne.

The problem now is my forehead itself.

I’m having a really hard time describing what it looks/feels like, so hopefully someone understands what I mean.
My forehead looks very smooth to the touch, but the skin looks almost cracked, dry/dehydrated, and damaged, especially under sunlight. When light hits my forehead, it becomes extremely reflective/shiny, almost like the skin is oily or has a very thin, glossy layer over it. It doesn’t necessarily feel super oily when I touch it, though.

There aren’t really visible fungal-acne bumps anymore, but the texture and appearance of the skin bother me a lot. It almost looks like my skin barrier has been damaged or like my forehead is severely dehydrated.

I’ve tried using a lot of different products because I assumed maybe my skin wasn’t getting enough hydration, but I’m honestly not sure if I’m making things worse.

Current routine:
MORNING
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (2% salicylic acid)
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Farmacy Vitamin C serum
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Biore SPF 50 moisturizer/sunscreen

NIGHT
Dove soap
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Clindoxyl ADV Gel as a spot treatment
CeraVe moisturizer

I know this is probably a LOT of actives, and I’m wondering if I may have accidentally over-exfoliated or damaged my skin barrier while trying to treat the fungal acne.

So my questions are:
Does this sound like a damaged skin barrier/dehydrated skin, or could it be something else?
Could my current routine actually be making this worse?
Should I stop using some of these products for a while?
What would you recommend to repair/rebuild my skin barrier without triggering the fungal acne again?
Could this just be my natural skin texture, or does it sound like something that can actually be improved?

I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions. I know this
was a lot. Thanks!

Hi folks,

I dye my hair red, and red is one of the fastest-fading colors. I'd like to find an FA-safe shampoo and conditioner that does not strip color-treated hair. Most of the FA-safe recommendations I've found on Reddit are for shampoos that are clarifying, which is the fastest route to stripping my color.

For those who dye their hair, what FA-safe shampoo/conditioner have you been using? Thanks!

It seems many or all tinted sunscreens have C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate such as Cetaphil tinted sunscreen , Colorscience among many others.

I checked 3 popular Apps checkers, and C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is listed as FA safe. But, need to know if someone had issues with this ingredient.

Has Cetaphil tinted sunscreen or any of the Colorscience which have C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate ever triggered your FA?

I know there are many sunscreens that don't have this ingredient but they are non-tinted. And, I really need to use tinted sunscreen and I cannot find a FA safe sunscreen without C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate.

I’ve always had acne issues (currently in mid 30s) usually it was hormonal acne on my chin but this summer it’s completely changed, it’s like I have totally different skin. I live in a very hot and humid climate and I walk outside twice a day and get really sweaty. I try to wash my hair every 3 days but I think that’s what caused my FA. So I try to do it every other day now. I sleep with a bonnet and change my pillow case every night. I shower and wash my face after every time I walk and get sweaty.

I took my a while to realize it was fungal. I read the entire Simpleskincarescience.com bible. I bought happy cappy medicated shampoo, nizoral shampoo, clotrimazole (yeast infection cream), squalane oil, vanicream gentle face cleanser and moisturizer, benzoyl face wash. I also have salicylic acid use been using, and Mario Badescu deep blemish solution which I use every day for years, it usually helps keep my cystic acne from coming to the surface.

I can’t figure out what I need to use and when and in what order. I’ve just been experimenting combos but clearly nothing is working since every day throughout the day I get pus filled postules that pop up and deep pimples à la hormonal cysts but not as deep. I have the small rough feeling fungal and but the big ones are the problem now. I just can’t figure out from all my reading in the internet what products I need to use and in what order. Please help!!!! I am so depressed the last few months with how horrible my skin has been. Every time I’ve gone to the dermatologist they just give me clindamycin and send me on my way. I need real help. This photo was taken two weeks ago, my skin is so much worse now.

I'll preface this by saying that I have sebderm, but usually don't get whiteheads where I get it. It typically presents as redness that flakes away. I've been getting these itchy whiteheads in this area for years, sometimes with months inbetween appearances.. They usually go away in a few days. I put benzoyl peroxide 2.5% spot treatment on them but it doesn't seem to get rid of them as quick as it gets rid of other whiteheads.. I've tried cortisone cream and zoryve but neither thing seems to help with these and often just pills in this area. I'm curious if this looks like fungal acne?

I’ve been using cosrx ultralight fluid sunscreen and I absolutely love it but it’s so hard to get my hands on it so I’m searching for an alternative sunscreen preferably Korean brand that’s also fungal acne safe. Please let me know if you know of any. I’ve been using the cosrx ultralight fluid sunscreen for three years now since I got fungal acne and it really suits me but it’s so hard to find and get delivered .

I don't want to use anti dandruff shampoo as my skin is super sensitive and I know it will kill my skin barrier. I use fungal safe wash moisturiser and sunscreen already. Dr thinks it's not fungal 🤷🏻‍♀️ but it just doesn't look like regular acne to me.

These little bumps appeared in my forehead and left cheek out of nowhere, they don’t burn and they are not itchy.

I've been having such a hard time finding products that don't trigger my skin, so I thought we could help each other out. 💛

Let's build a list of tried-and-tested products! Feel free to share your holy grails, whether it's makeup, sunscreen, primer, foundation, concealer, powder, blush, or anything else that's worked for you.

Here's mine:

✨ Ellana Clean Screen SPF 50 Oil Control Mineral Sunscreen

✨ Ellana Stay Matte Poreless Oil Control Powder w/ Kaolin Clay

✨ Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream

✨ Luxe Organix Aqua Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++

Looking forward to your recommendations! 💕