Fungal Acne Safe Products under $20
I finally got my skin back to normal. For a while, my skin was in really bad shape. The more acne products I used, the worst my acne got. For the longest time, I didn’t know what to do. Then it suddenly hit me. It might not actually be acne at all. It might be fungal acne. I have previously posted about fungal acne {here}, but in that post, I wasn’t aware that to fully get rid of fungal acne, you should switch to a fungal acne-safe skincare routine. However, buying a new whole skincare routine could be expensive. So in this post, I will only review products that are under $20 and fungal acne safe.
What Is Fungal Acne?
In case you have never of fungal acne, in brief, fungal acne is basically an overgrowth of yeast on your skin. It infects the follicles of the hair making tiny flesh-like bumps all around the skin. It looks like whiteheads, but it doesn’t react to typical acne treatments. Even when you finally find out that your “acne” is fungal acne, it is super tricky to treat. Almost like a restrictive diet, you have to avoid certain ingredients.
If you are new to fungal acne, here are a few resources that might be a little helpful:
Fungal Acne resources:
Check if your product is fungal acne safe: sezia.com
Masterlist of products that are fungal acne safe: 1, 2
The ultimate post about fungal acne: here
Not sure if you really have fungal acne?
If you are still not sure if you have fungal acne, I suggest trying Nizoral ($10) or anything with 2% ketoconazole. You could try using it as a mini mask and leave it on for 2 minutes. If you see a dramatic difference after using it you should probably switch to some fungal acne-safe products.
Fungal Acne Safe Products Under $20
1. Makeup Remover
As much as I love cleansing oils, it is one of the first things I stopped using after getting fungal acne. Most cleansing oils contain oils and fungal acne loves oils. Instead, I recommend using micellar water. My go-to is the Garnier Micellar Water Waterproof Version ($8). It is affordable, effective, doesn’t leave a film, and best of all removes waterproof makeup.
P.S. Although you can probably still use cleansing oil as a cleanser, you might have to test a few before finding a good cleansing oil. I prefer just to skip altogether to be safe. The Cleansing oil doesn’t really have to be fungal acne-safe but it has to be completely removed when you rinse it off.
2. Cleansers
Most cleansers are fungal acne-safe, so you can probably keep using your current cleanser (double-check on sezia.com just in case). In most cases, you don’t really need a fungal acne-safe cleanser, since the cleanser will be rinsed off. However, you have to make sure that you have completely rinsed off the cleanser before starting your skincare.
My personal favorite cleanser my Vichy Purifying Gel ($19) but I sometimes switch it up with my Wishtrend Acid-Duo cleanser ($19). Both are decent cleansers that do not dry out the skin. An affordable option that I recently reviewed the Etude House Soon Jung ph 6.5 Whip Cleanser, if you want a fungal acne safe cleanser option.
Can’t find a good fungal acne cleanser? You might not need it. Read my post Why you might not need a fungal acne-safe cleanser.
3. Fungal Acne Treatment
If you have fungal acne, you really need to use Nizoral (or anything with 2% ketoconazole). Nizoral is a dandruff shampoo that can be easily found in drugstores. When I first started using Nizoral, I found it super drying. I highly recommend that you followed it up with a DIY honey mask. It really helps to hydrate your skin after an intense mask. Plus the antibacterial properties of honey help combat fungal acne. You could opt for manuka honey for that extra boost of nutrition for your skin. If you have aloe either the real plant or a gel, it would be a great option for a mini hydration mask as well.
4. Moisturizers:
Moisturizers are probably one of the trickiest products to buy when you have fungal acne. You need to take into account what level of hydration your skin needs, what type of skin you have, and what ingredients to avoid. I like to switch it up depending on how my skin is feeling.
If you have super dry skin and require a thick moisturizer, it might be a little trickier to find a moisturizer for you. Most moisturizers aren’t fungal acne safe. Instead of finding a thick moisturizer, your best bet is to layer and layer more hydration.
If you want to find an affordable fungal acne-safe moisturizer for your skin type read my post, Affordable Fungal Acne Safe Moisturizer Review, or the device you need if nothing seems to hydrate your skin
The First Layer of Hydration :
Hatomugi Skin Conditioner ($12) – The Hatomugi Skin conditioner is a great option. For $10-$15 you get a large bottle of hydrating toner. It is super thin and it almost feels like water. It gives your skin the initial moisture that your skin needs.
Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion ($15-$18) – If you have fungal acne, and could only get one thing (besides Nizoral), I would highly suggest you buy the Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion. It has urea, which helps inhibit the growth of fungal acne. Plus it is super hydrating.
Cosrx Snail Mucin ($18) – Although the Cosrx Snail Mucin is not a hydrating toner. I like to layer this on top of the Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion. It gives a little hydration while at the same time helping you with acne scars.
Further Hydration:
Lighter (oily skin): If your skin is on the oily side, and need just a touch of hydration I recommend Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel ($16) or the Jason Soothing 98% Aloe Gel ($6). Both of these are great options.
The Benton Aloe Gel contains aloe and propolis, which are two ingredients that can fight fungal acne. Also, it is a great lightweight moisturizer that almost feels like water. Jason’s aloe, on the other hand, is a thicker aloe gel. Rather than using it as a moisturizer, I like to use Jason’s aloe as a mask. If you apply a thick layer on the face, a layer of film does develop. That is why I use this only at night.
Heavier (dry skin): If an Aloe gel isn’t hydrating enough, I recommend you to use an oil. Specifically The Ordinary Squalane Oil ($7.90). Most oils are not fungal acne-safe, while squalane is.
Have Acne-prone skin type? Check out my favorite Fungal Acne Safe Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin.
5. Exfoliators/ Acne Scar Treatments
Exfoliators
Stridex ($6)/ Life brand clear action daily cleansing pads pad ($7)/ Labo Labo Super Keana Lotion ($15) – Even though I have fungal acne, I find that I still have to exfoliate my skin. These exfoliants are fungal acne safe. I personally haven’t used the Stridex exfoliation pads but I heard the Life Brand (Shopper Drugmart’s generic brand) Clear Action pads is a dupe. However, I found that the Life Brand’s pads were a little too harsh to use for daily use. The exfoliating pads are a little too rough for my skin. I would probably only use it when my skin is feeling very congested or only twice a week. Personally, I prefer to use the Labo Labo lotion for my daily exfoliation. I find it super gentle and just great for daily exfoliation.
Check out my other posts Fungal Acne Safe Exfoliators
Brightening/ acne scars
Cosrx Snail Mucin ($18) – As mentioned above, I like to use this to help with my acne scars. It is a little hydrating as well.
The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid ($6.80) – When you have fungal acne, the types of serums that you are allowed to use are limited. This is especially in the case with vitamin C. One of the most affordable options is the Ordinary’s Alpha Lipoic Acid. I find that The Ordinary’s Alpha Lipoic makes my skin tingles a bit. I don’t have sensitive skin, so you aren’t used to acids or you have sensitive skin you might need to be careful. I did find it effective especially when it is the only active I used at night.
6. Sunscreen
Biore UV Perfect Bright Milk ($12) – I was pretty sad when I found out my HG sunscreen, the Biore Watery Essence Sunscreen was not fungal acne safe. Although they are both made by Biore, the Biore UV Perfect Milk Sunscreen is not comparable. But it is decent. It is quite watery, it does make your face brighter and it does absorb relatively fast. However, I don’t like that it leaves a chalky layer on the skin. Not my favorite sunscreen, but I will use it up. If you don’t mind the chalky feeling that some sunscreen leaves behind, this could be a good option.
Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Broad Spectrum Sunscreen ($8) – While waiting for my order of fungal acne-safe sunscreen to arrive on my doorsteps, I had to find a sunscreen asap. The only sunscreen that I could find on such short notice in the drugstore was the Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen. It is an okay sunscreen. It doesn’t leave a white cast. However, it could be a little bit greasy looking. I don’t particularly mind. Not bad in my opinion, but I heard from my sister, that this particular sunscreen gets recalled a lot. I personally haven’t experienced any sensitivities or hives but if you are sensitive beware.
What? You don’t have fungal acne? Maybe you have whiteheads! Check out my post: Drugstore Products to Remove Whiteheads. or How to reduce whiteheads.
A beauty lover that loves everything about beauty and skincare. She is always on the lookout to find the new “it” product. Whether it is budget friendly or high end, she plans to share with others her beauty adventures and beauty experiences on this blog.
[…] Affordable Fungal Safe Products under $20 […]