Why anti-dandruff shampoo works for fungal acne (but not regular acne)?

You might have come across a surprising recommendation for treating acne: using anti-dandruff shampoo like Nizoral. Many people swear by this unconventional method, claiming it cleared up their stubborn breakouts.

However, it's crucial to understand that anti-dandruff shampoo is only effective for treating a specific kind of acne called fungal acne, not the more common bacterial acne.

What is fungal acne

First things first, let's clear up a common misconception. Despite its name, fungal acne isn't acne at all. It's a fungal infection of the hair follicles called pityrosporum folliculitis or malassezia folliculitis. This condition occurs when there's an overgrowth of yeast, a type of fungus, called malassezia on the skin. The excess yeast clogs the hair follicles, leading to acne-like bumps.

Why anti-dandruff shampoo works for fungal acne

So, why does anti-dandruff shampoo like Nizoral work for fungal acne? The answer lies in its active ingredient: ketoconazole. This is a potent antifungal agent that inhibits the growth of fungi, including the malassezia yeast responsible for fungal acne.

As Dr. Caren Campbell, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco, CA, explains, "Dandruff is seborrheic dermatitis, which is caused by malassezia yeast—the same type of yeast that's causing pityrosporum folliculitis, which we casually call fungal acne."

By reducing the yeast population on the skin, ketoconazole helps unclog the hair follicles and calm the inflammation associated with fungal acne. Other common antifungal ingredients found in dandruff shampoos, such as zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide, can also be effective in treating fungal acne.

How to use anti-dandruff for fungal acne

If you suspect you have fungal acne, give the anti-dandruff shampoo approach a try. Use anti-dandruff shampoo as a body wash on the affected areas, letting it sit on the skin for about 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.

Depending on the severity of your fungal acne and the strength of the shampoo, you may only need to use it once or twice a week. As with any skincare treatment, it might take several weeks to see results.

It's important to keep in mind that while anti-dandruff shampoo can be an effective treatment for fungal acne, it won't work for regular bacterial acne. If you're unsure what type of acne you have, it's best to consult with a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.