Thanks to their affordable and effective formulas, The Ordinary has quickly become the world’s favorite skincare brand. The Ordinary has an expansive selection of products, so there is a solution for almost every skincare concern.
Within the past few years, The Ordinary has offered their products for sale in multiple retailers around the globe. So now, almost anyone can get access to high-quality skincare that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
One widespread skin care concern many people share is acne and, more specifically, fungal acne. Fungal acne is simply an overproduction of yeast within hair follicles that can easily get clogged up with an overproduction of the sebaceous glands.
If you’ve dealt with fungal acne before, you know treating it the same as regular acne can be challenging. In general, acne can be challenging to deal with. No one wants to spend money on expensive skin care and dermatologist appointments for no results.
What are the best The Ordinary Products for fungal acne? Skin care products containing niacinamide, zinc, squalane, and more are beneficial for fungal acne since they can be anti-inflammatory and don’t feed the yeast.
We’ll explain all the basics you need to know to choose the best The Ordinary products to treat your fungal acne below, so keep reading to achieve the clear skin of your dreams!
What Is Fungal Acne?
According to Healthline,“fungal acne is a type of infection in your skin’s hair follicles. It most commonly appears as small pimples that don’t vary much in shape or size, often along with itching…most commonly associated with blackheads and whiteheads.”
In addition, fungal acne can easily be mistaken for acne vulgaris. However, fungal acne doesn’t react the same as other forms of acne, making it more challenging to treat. So, it’s crucial to know how to recognize fungal acne.
Healthline also lists varying causes of fungal acne, like trapped moisture, medication, changes in diet, hot climates, and non-breathable clothing. While fungal acne can be challenging, it is treatable with the right products and ingredients.
However, going to the dermatologist or spending money on expensive skin care isn’t accessible for everyone. This is where The Ordinary comes in to provide affordable and high-performing products that solve issues for everyone worldwide.
Products For Fungal Acne By The Ordinary
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Controls oil, reduces redness, improves texture |
| 2. | The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser | Cleanses and unclogs your pores |
| 3. | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | Hydrating, reduces pore size, soothing |
| 4. | The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA | Reduces dark spots, exfoliates, hydrates |
| 5. | The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque | Fights blackheads, unclogs pores |
| 6. | The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane | Protects your skin barrier, locks in benefits |
| 7. | The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% | Gentle exfoliant, hydrating |
1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Niacinamide is one of the most popular skincare ingredients that graces the labels of the majority of our skincare products. What is niacinamide exactly? Well, it’s a form of vitamin B3 that works to control oil production, improve skin texture, and more.
In addition, niacinamide is ideal for acne-prone skin, including fungal acne. Niacinamide will reduce inflammation and redness that is often caused by fungal acne.
So even when your acne clears but your discoloration doesn’t, this serum can help.
What makes The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum different is that it’s formulated with 1% zinc. Together, both zinc and niacinamide can keep oil production and inflammation at bay. In addition, this duo is ideal for treating blackheads and pores.
This formulation from The Ordinary is safe for fungal acne, and it can be implemented into your morning or nighttime skincare routine.
However, 10% niacinamide is a relatively high percentage, so it’s recommended to use it only once a day to avoid irritation.
2. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
Most people won’t believe that an oil can be beneficial for fungal acne because trapped moisture can cause it in the first place. However, squalane is an excellent emollient that soothes the skin barrier and won’t inflame fungal acne further.
However, it’s crucial to note that there is a difference between squalene and squalane, besides the one letter.
Squalene is naturally found in our bodies; however, it depletes as we age. It also isn’t stable, so it goes through hydrogenation to become squalane.
Squalane can be derived from plants, which is how The Ordinary formulates their squalane products. So how does this ingredient work for fungal acne? Because it’s an emollient, it can create an extra barrier to lock in all your skincare benefits underneath it.
However, this squalane cleanser is ideal for the first cleanse to break down dirt, oil, pollution, sunscreen, makeup, and anything else that can clog your pores.
Then follow with your second cleanse to achieve a fresh canvas for the rest of your skincare.
3. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Sometimes you need moisture to balance out moisture, and there’s no better way to do that than with hyaluronic acid. The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid is also formulated with vitamin B5.
If you deprive your skin of moisture, it will want to produce more. Thankfully, this serum is formulated with skin-loving ingredients to add a boost of hydration without clogging your pores.
You’ll find sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and glycerin. In addition, citric acid will help reduce the appearance of large pores.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant and will help your skin retain moisture so it can remain hydrated, plump, and free of irritation.
HA can also offer various soothing properties to keep fungal acne calm and at bay. Vitamin B5 also provides hydrating properties to the skin.
Hyaluronic acid can be used both day and night. However, most people find it the most effective in the morning when paired with a vitamin C serum. Regardless of skin concerns, there is a chance that hyaluronic acid will fit nicely into your routine.
4. The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient that serves multiple purposes, and it’s compatible with various skincare ingredients. So, you will see it frequently in The Ordinary products like the alpha arbutin 2% + HA serum.
Alpha arbutin is a fantastic product to treat the aftermath of fungal acne. For example, if you struggle with discoloration or dark spots, alpha arbutin will help reduce its appearance.
In addition, this serum has other ingredients that support alpha arbutin.
You’ll find lactic acid, which is an AHA, and it will help exfoliate the skin. This will ensure new cells reach the surface and aid alpha arbutin with fading discoloration. In addition, hyaluronic acid will ensure the skin is hydrated and nourished.
While you can use it day or night, it may be beneficial to use it at night due to its exfoliating properties that can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and potentially cause irritation.
5. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Salicylic acid is a form of BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, which is a chemical exfoliant. Most of us are familiar with salicylic acid because it’s one of the most popular ingredients used in skincare products that help treat various forms of acne.
This mask is a quick and effective treatment to unclog pores and help new skin cells appear on the surface. It also targets blackheads which are also commonly associated with fungal acne. This mask contains 2% salicylic acid.
The best way to use this mask is at night. Only apply it twice a week for the best results. You can wash it off within 10 minutes and follow it up with the rest of your night routine.
Because salicylic acid is a BHA, it can also increase your sensitivity to the sun. So, to ensure your products work the best for you, always apply sunscreen daily so BHAs can give you your desired outcome. If not, you can risk further redness and irritation.
6. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
We touched earlier on the benefits of squalane for fungal acne. However, if you don’t want squalane in a cleanser, The Ordinary also offers a 100% plant-derived squalane oil that will soothe your skin, protect your skin barrier, and lock in your other products.
This formula is sourced sustainably, and it’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t inflame or clog your pores, which is often a big concern when dealing with fungal acne.
In addition, it can be used daily, after your serums and moisturizers, to create a healthy skin barrier.
7. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%
If you have fungal acne, sometimes exfoliants can be too harsh on the skin, especially when used daily. Thankfully, The Ordinary offers a mild alternative that can exfoliate the skin without causing extra irritation.
This lactic acid serum contains 5%, while most The Ordinary serums contain 10%. Lactic acid is an AHA, alpha hydroxy acid, that will gently bring new cells to the surface and improve your overall skin texture.
However, it can also increase sensitivity to the sun.
Because lactic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, it’s ideal to apply this serum at night and follow with sunscreen in the morning. In addition, this formula contains hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture within the skin.
Lactic acid can be used on its own, or you can find it in other serums like the alpha arbutin. In addition, it is crucial not to mix too many exfoliants at once because it can be counterproductive for fungal acne.
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