Top products from r/Fungalacne

I use all type of skin care brands from Asian, European to American. Morning I wash my face with Perfect Whip Collagen, then I recently incorporated Aveda Calm concentrate into my regimen because it’s good for redness (not sure if it’s really working). Then I use Dr.Wu toner and serum, followed by Avene 20SPF hydrating cream.

At night I remove my makeup using Biore Cleanser (Japanese Line) and exfoliate my skin 1-2 a week then the same Dr.Wu toner + serum. Lastly depending how dry my skin is I will either use the “A.H.C Hydra B5 Ceramice Balm” or “NO.7 Advanced night cream”. My skin is combination, it gets really dry in winter season and oily at the same time. Now that east coast is warmer now I haven’t been using much heavy cream for couple months now.

I’ve been taking Meiji collagen powder to help collagen regrowth and Bio K plus probiotic capsule supplements to help with regularity. Last night I used clean & clear acne treatment with salicylic acid all over my face and woke up with more inflamed cheeks! :(

I also added an unusual skin care to my regimen prior to all the skin flare up. “ 7 day ageversal multi-peptides anti-aging Ampoule by DR.WU “
There came in small glass capsules and you can use each one twice. I went through 3 and stopped because I was tending to the skin condition and forgot about it.

Biore Makeup Cleansing Oil (been using for 9 years)

DR WU essence for toner

DR. WU serum

A.H.C Hydra B5 Ceramide Balm

NO.7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Night Cream

Meiji Amino Collegen Powder

Bio K Plus Supplement

MSM is short for Methylsulfonylmethane, a form of sulfur. You can find more info on google, but basically sulfur is great for your skin but stinky. MSM doesn’t smell like sulfur, and you can find it in many different skincare products. I use this version with aloe on my body (also great for sunburns), and sometimes on my face. It really helped clear the FA I had on my neck and chest.

Have you done anything different with your diet? Some people have had success with a reduction or elimination of dairy and sugar?

Also simpleskincarescience.com recommended a pro biotic called pro-15. I’ve been taking it and I’m happy with the results. Another user recommended a supplement called DIM.
https://www.amazon.com/DIM-Supplement-BioPerine-Treatment-Inhibitor/dp/B006KL4TYG

I’ve also been happy with this supplement as well.

sounding like a broken record

The same redditor that recommended DIM recommended pantothenic acid.
https://www.amazon.com/Solaray-Pantothenic-Acid-Capsules-Count/dp/B000I4AHEC

I tried taking the 500mg, but I got really bad headaches. And it was already in another supplement I am taking by Murad. It’s vitamin B5, and I’ve seen other redditors say they get breakouts from B vitamins. 🤷‍♀️ I break out from anything Biotin, even topically. I was using a shampoo that had Biotin in it and I had to kick it to the curb.

https://www.murad.com/product/acne-pills-supplements/

I breakout in my “beard area” of my face. I feel like if I don’t put on a drop of the Ordinary’s niacinimide on my beard area first in my routine I will get clogged pores. I also wash my face and put on TO niacinimide and salicylic acid on my face before I work out.

Have you tried putting eucerin healing skin cream on it? (The red top) I’m convinced it works miracles. Do a patch test first.

Sorry if you heard all this before but I’m just trying to help.

Another option for a continuous treatment that I've had great success with is sulfur ointment. I've tried the De La Cruz sulfur ointment and the San Marcos version and love them both. This may be less irritating than using Head and Shoulders all the time. I use it as a mask nightly for 10 mins then wash it off and moisturize. It also gets rid of acne as well, so it's a two in one deal! And, the FA can't develop a resistance to sulfur.

Here are some of my personal recs:

Head and Shoulders Shampoo (basic formula) -- 1%

Happy Cappy Shampoo (0.95% Zinc)
https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Cappy-Seborrheic-Dermatitis-Clinically/dp/B07857W8MS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Noble Zinc Bar (2% Zinc) -- DO NOT USE TWICE A DAY. Very strong.
https://www.amazon.com/Noble-Formula-Pyrithione-Zinc-Original/dp/B00G7TUDA0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I'm currently using Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel pump (SPF50 + PA ++++) 140g which turns clear as soon as you rub it in. I think I found it on the master list of FA safe products. I really like it, but it leaves a dewy look (not matte) just fyi!

Link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BM1USNO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BK4tDb6TBVADF

So I’m on this same road and recently hunted through EVERYTHING that touches my face (hair products included) for ingredients that feed fungal acne... and if a product has any of those ingredients, it is booted from my routine. Period. That has helped a surprising amount. My routine is prettyyyyy bare bones at the moment, and my skin seems to LIKE it.

I also hate putting shampoo on my face because it BURNS but these ketoconazole wipes are not harsh on my skin. I’m even able to use them at morning and at night without feeling like I’m damaging my face. They’re for pets (I know, I know. Weird.) but they’ve noticeably improved my skin so far and they don’t burn. I have high hopes that being consistent with this will get my skin back to a healthy baseline.

Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Spot Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Medicine to Treat Face Acne, Gentle Benzoyl Peroxide Pimple Gel for Acne Prone Skin, .75 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UOLIOC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uDl2DbTGP5T9G

I'm pretty sure I found this one in Walmart. And you definitely want to stick with a lower percentage if your skin is sensitive.

I personally use cerave in the tub at night, and actually have been "slugging" with aquaphor. So if you genuinely can't find a moisturizer that works for you I'd suggest trying to put a light layer of aquaphor or petroleum jelly before bed. They are occlusive, so even though they don't moisturize/hydrate on their own they do prevent your skin from losing water overnight.

Edit: I forgot to mention that for some reason my moisturizer has been stinging a bit, regardless of which one I try, but for some reason the sting goes away when I get aquaphor on, so I just rapid fire those products.

Skincare Routine:

Morning:

• Wake up, wash face with water and apply a small amount of Biotherm Life Plankton Elixir (Got this in a sample size, free with a purchase for some other products).
  
• Afterwards, I'll apply Vichy Skin-Perfecting Velvety Cream (SPF 50).If I'm wearing makeup that day, I'll use Weleda Skin Food as a primer (some sites suggested it) and go on with a little bit of foundation.
  
  Evening:
  
  
• When I get home I'll take my makeup off by lathering on Nature Republic Himalaya Cleansing Balm, Pink Salt and gently wiping it off with a cotton pad. I don't want to over-wash my face so I usually leave it as is for the rest of the day until I properly wash my face before bed (Usually no longer than 5 hours)
  
• Then, at night, I wash my face using Bioderma Sensibio Mild Cleansing Foaming Gel and pat face dry.
  
• I use Mario Badescu's Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater as a light toner, followed by the Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2%+B5 all over my face and once that's sinked in, I'll apply Weleda Skin Food again to boot.
  
  ​
  
  I only exfoliate twice a week, (Tuesday) once using a brush as an physical exfoliator (something similar to a Clarisonic brush) and (Thursday) the Ordinary's Lactic Acid 10% + HA as a chemical exfoliator.
  
  I only recently started using these products together, in an attempt to help this bumpy issue I've been having for quite a few months now. I don't know exactly when it started but it's definitely only been 2+ months since it has re-appeared and stubbornly stayed with me. I've also just bought the Ordinary's Salycylic Acid 2% since I've heard it does wonders, especially paired with the Niacinamide (which I need to get!).
  
  If you've any recommendations or advice, I'm willing to hear and learn more! If it helps at all, I currently live in Sweden so not all products are found here, keep in mind. I'm also sorry for the switch between amazon.co.uk and amazon.com - I couldn't find some products on the US site.
  
  I would so, so, so appreciate any help given. (I have a more HD picture if wanted, but it's gross - imo). Am I doing something wrong? Is it an allergic reaction to something? The spots aren't itchy or anything and they don't flare up or turn red (the only redness/red spots are due to me picking the skin, I must admit I suffer from Compulsive Skin Picking - which makes this whole ordeal horrible).
  
  EDIT: Grammar and change of a product + Forgot to specify that I do have PCOS (policystic ovarian syndrome), and I'm taking birth control pills for it. I know it can affect the skin along the jawline, but how come it affects other parts of my face and comes and goes? I have some speculations that this is not hormonal acne.