Dermatologists Say This $15 Shampoo Could Clear Your Fungal Acne

Acne symptoms, like pimples or whiteheads, are caused by clogged pores, stuffed with extra oil, dead skin cells, and acne-causing bacteria. But what happens when your pores become clogged with yeast? A condition called pityrosporum folliculitis may pop up on your skin, which is otherwise known as fungal acne. Because these breakouts are caused by fungi rather than bacteria, traditional acne-fighting products will do very little to treat them, which can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming. Instead, using anti-fungal products, like Nizoral, for acne will be your best bet at ridding your skin of unwanted bumps.

Keep reading to find out what our experts had to say about fungal acne, and how Nizoral can help.

What Is Nizoral?

"Nizoral is a brand-name anti-fungal medication called ketoconazole," says Zeichner. "It lowers levels of fungus on the skin and is commonly used to treat conditions like dandruff and athlete's foot. It is also used to treat pimples when they are resistant to other therapies."

Benefits of Nizoral for Acne

Anyone who has experienced acne symptoms may easily mistake fungal acne for bacterial acne, which isn’t surprising as they can look similar, each resulting in texture on or just under the surface of the skin.

• Treats fungal acne: If you’re struggling with stubborn acne symptoms that don’t seem to budge using products marketed to treat acne, you may find some relief with anti-fungal products like Nizoral with the help of your doctor. "A condition called pityrosporum folliculitis that is caused by the fungus that causes dandruff," explains Patel. "Overgrowth of this organism on the scalp can spill down onto the forehead, hairline, face, behind the ears, and down the back. It presents as small bumps on the skin and even tiny clogged pores."

Benefits of Nizoral for Skin

• Treats dandruff: Nizoral is, quite simply, a dandruff treatment shampoo that's used on areas of the face and body to treat fungal acne. So, if you have dry, flaky skin on your scalp, Nizoral may help.
• Improves athlete's foot: Dandruff isn't the only fungus-caused condition that Nizoral can treat. Conditions like athlete's foot and even ringworm may be improved with once or twice daily use of Nizoral—just be sure to dry any treated areas well, as fungus thrives in warm, humid climates.

Side Effects of Nizoral

While Nizoral is considered an effective way to combat fungus, there is a potential risk of side effects, just like any medication. A common side effect of Nizoral is itching or the development of a rash on or around the area that’s been treated. Additionally, when taken orally some people may experience nausea, dizziness, stomach pain, and headaches. If you’re pregnant, nursing, or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before taking Nizoral as it may contaminate breast milk, which can be harmful.

It's best to avoid hot, humid conditions when possible. "Pityrosporum folliculitis is most common when the weather is hot and humid because it increases the levels of oil on the skin, creating an environment that allows yeast to grow at high levels," says Zeichner. "We want to make the skin inhospitable for high levels of yeast to grow." 

How to Use It 

Nizoral can be easily added to your usual skin and body care routine. "I typically recommend using it daily in the shower for two weeks or so or until the pimples improve,” Zeichner suggests. "After that, I have my patients use it twice a week as maintenance. Because it comes as a shampoo, I tell my patients to use it like a liquid cleanser. It is important to get enough contact time on the skin for it to do its job, so you should apply, lather, and count to 30 before rinsing off."

If you do have fungal acne, Nizoral is usually effective in a matter of weeks, but if you aren’t seeing signs of improvement just under the one-month mark, finding a different solution will likely be needed to experience results.

An effective part of treating any skin condition is becoming aware of how the active ingredients you’re using works with other products in your skincare regimen. Some products may enhance the efficacy of Nizoral, like certain acids. "I commonly pair Nizoral with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that helps remove excess oil and dead cells from the skin to keep the pores clear," says Zeichner.

Additionally, avoiding certain formulas and environmental conditions may help rid your skin of fungal acne symptoms more quickly. Patel adds that "using products such as coconut oil and olive oil on your scalp and hair can cause forehead acne—edible products such as these tend to increase the growth of microorganisms on the skin if you can eat a product, bacteria and fungus can eat a product as well."

The Best Products with Ketoconazole

Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo $15.00

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Nizoral is the brand name of a product, so using this shampoo is always an option for treating fungal acne. With its active ingredient ketoconazole, it is powerful enough to tackle fungal acne yet gentle enough for the skin.

Another favorite is the L’Emarie Hair Growth Shampoo + Anti-Dandruff Treatment ($38). It's made with

Revita High Performance Hair Stimulating Shampoo $32.00

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The compounds found in Revita's shampoo have been found to increase new hair growth. The product is backed by thousands of dermatologists, plus, there are no harsh ingredients.