Best Fungal Acne-Safe Skincare Products in Malaysia: Say Bye to Itchy Bumps, Hello Glow!

Getting a skincare product that suits your skin is hard enough. Can you imagine having to deal with the ever-so-tricky fungal acne? Nothing is more frustrating than discovering that your go-to skincare can sometimes make it even worse. Fungal acne can look similar to bacterial or vulgaris acne, so you wouldn’t even know the difference or how to treat it. Living in Malaysia, where the climate is hot and humid, only makes it harder as your skin becomes a breeding ground for fungal acne. But Beauty Insider is here to make your skincare journey easier. We’ve gathered the best of the best fungal acne-safe skincare products in Malaysia, so you can say adiós to itchy acne and hola to clear skin!

What is Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne is a skin condition that commonly occurs when your hair follicles are infected with a fungus called Malassezia yeast. So, how does it look? You can identify fungal acne by its clusters of itchy, small red bumps on the skin. These bumps can also get a tad bigger and turn into whiteheads. Your skin may also feel painful and burning, with each acne spot having a red ring or border around it.

What Are the Difference Between Fungal and Common Acne?

Often confused with common acne, fungal acne is a lot harder to detect because, well, both give you pimples. Fungal acne is a condition where the fungus infects the hair follicles and can be itchy. Meanwhile, common acne occurs when hair follicles are blocked by oil, bacteria, and dead skin.

The Best Fungal Acne-Safe Skincare Products in Malaysia

1. BIODERMA Sensibio H2O

First up in this list of fungal acne-safe skincare products is the BIODERMA Sensibio H2O. When we start our skincare routine, we always begin with this award-winning micellar water. It gently yet deeply cleanses and removes makeup, dirt, and even pollutant particles from the face while strengthening the skin barrier. Made for sensitive skin, it will not dry the skin out or irritate the eyes, leaving it feeling soft and cleansed. Thanks to its non-rinse formula, you won’t feel any greasy or sticky residue after each use.

Price: RM113.12

Where to buy: Watsons

2. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Being formulated with acne-fighting ingredients, CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser is on a mission to tackle fungal acne, as it dissolves all excess oil and dirt. Featuring three essential ceramides, this product reduces acne and maintains the skin’s barrier without overdrying. Developed with dermatologists, it also contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to retain the skin’s natural moisture while providing soothing benefits to heal your skin. Oh, and we personally like how it prevents new blemishes from forming.

Price: RM57.75

Where to buy: Shopee

3. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner

Locking in hydration, Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner is an unscented, watery toner that instantly absorbs into the skin with no sticky finish, making it easy to layer with the next product in your skincare routine. By balancing the natural pH level, this fungal acne-safe skincare toner helps reduce the chance of Malassezia fungi from overgrowing. With deep seawater, it maintains the skin’s moisture, while panthenol provides soothing care for irritated skin. Plus, we are fans of its gentle exfoliation properties.

Price: RM68.00

Where to buy: Shopee

4. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

It is a no-brainer why COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence captures many hearts with its skin-benefiting ingredients. Its lightweight consistency absorbs into the skin quickly and gives it a natural glow from within. The snail secretion filtrate assists in repairing and soothing sensitive skin after each breakout by restoring moisture. It also contains betaine that promotes the skin’s moisture balance without triggering fungal acne. Oh, we also noticed that it improves our skin elasticity, giving us a plumper complexion.

Why we love it:

• Restores moisture
• Soothes sensitive skin
• Improves skin elasticity

Cons:

• The slimy texture of snail mucin may not be for everyone

Price: RM43.50

Where to buy: Shopee

5. Healez Acne Corrective Hydrating Serum

One of the fungal acne-safe serums on our list is Healez Acne Corrective Hydrating Serum. It actively fights off acne-causing bacteria to reduce breakouts and minimise acne scars for smoother skin. Not only that, the ingredients also help to reduce redness and prevent possible acne formation by strengthening the skin’s natural defence system. Formulated to treat oily skin without drying it out, this product provides much-needed hydration and brightens the complexion with the help of bearberry extract.

Why we love it:

• Combats acne-causing bacteria
• Minimises redness
• Provides hydration

Cons:

• May not be easy to find except online

Price: RM69.89

Where to buy: Shopee

6. Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol

If you love Korean skincare brands, we bet you have heard of Beauty of Joseon. Among their four serum variants, the Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol boasts antioxidant green tea that alleviates skin damaged by UV rays and combats inflammation, which is beneficial for fungal acne-prone skin. Enriched with mugwort, this herb promotes moisture with its skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to treat inflamed skin. Aside from that, this serum also creates a moisture shield to keep the skin hydrated.

Why we love it:

• Keeps the skin hydrated
• Contains anti-inflammatory benefits
• Fights inflammation

Cons:

• May take some time to see visible results

Price: RM54.60

Where to buy: Shopee

7. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream ensures your skin gets 24-hour hydration while keeping it shine-free. Crafted for normal to oily skin, this non-comedogenic gel moisturiser has a cooling effect for fresh-feeling skin all day long. Its fast-absorbing formula immediately penetrates the skin to minimise the appearance of pores with consistent application. With glycerin and dimethicone, we like that it hydrates the skin without leaving any greasy residue, a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy skin barrier without feeding fungal acne.

Why we love it:

• No greasy feeling
• Ensures 24-hour hydration
• Helps minimise pores over time

Cons:

• On the more expensive side

Price: RM298.00

Where to buy: Shopee

8. iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream

We know that Centella Asiatica is a staple in Korean skincare products, so we can’t skip recommending iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream for its soothing benefits. This fungal acne-safe skincare calms irritation and sensitivity, while also reducing redness. With the help of niacinamide, it controls sebum production with antimicrobial properties, making it effective for managing fungal acne. Plus, this moisturiser protects against stress and external factors by strengthening the skin.

Why we love it:

• Calms sensitive skin
• Contains antimicrobial benefits
• Strengthens the skin

Cons:

• The consistency may be quite heavy for some

Price: RM45.00

Where to buy: Shopee

9. I’m From Mugwort Mask

One of the best fungal acne safe Korean skincare products, I’m From Mugwort Mask is our go-to wash-off mask that relieves skin heat. Containing mugwort from Ganghwa Island, its gel formula is highly concentrated with active ingredients like plant extracts to deliver quick soothing to the skin. It also offers skin-brightening benefits to tackle the scars left behind by fungal acne. We also like how this face mask detoxifies our skin, providing a cooling effect to leave our skin feeling revitalised and refreshed after each use.

Why we love it:

• Has a cooling effect
• Delivers instant soothing
• Easy wash-off formula

Cons:

• May not be for those who don’t like herbal scents

Price: RM98.00

Where to buy: Shopee

10. Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+

Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ is among the best skincare for fungal acne, as it offers water-light and non-greasy broad-spectrum sun protection that alleviates dryness. Used in the AM skincare routine, we believe it works on all skin types but does wonders on oily skin and clogged pores, so you can go out and about shine-free. With SPF 30+, it protects the skin from harmful UV rays and reduces early signs of ageing. Rest assured, you will feel comfortable with its second-skin-like mattifying finish.

Why we love it:

• Matte finish
• Non-greasy formula
• Protects the skin from UV rays

Cons:

• The smell may not be to everyone’s liking

Price: RM199.00

Where to buy: Paula’s Choice’s official website

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