Dedicated to those who asked me on IG DM, “SHALL I STILL BE USING FUNGAL-ACNE SAFE PRODUCTS NOW THAT THE FUNGAL ACNE IS GONE?”
Well, first, disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist or skin expert. I’m only sharing based on my own trial & error.
Q: Shall I
stay away (still) from skincare products with fungal acne trigger ingredients?
A: From my
own experience, when it comes to wash-off products (only stay on skin for
maximum 2 minutes), I’d go for non-safe fungal acne products.
Q: What kind
of wash-off products are you talking about?
A: First
cleansers are your best bet. Cleansing balm, Micellar Water, Lip & Eye
Makeup Remover and/or Face Wash.
All of these are not safe for fungal acne, but didn’t trigger ones as long as used correctly
Q: How about
other products?
A: Personally, I will stick to fungal-acne safe products for stay on skincare products (just to be safe), like toner, essence, serum, ampoule, moisturizer, and even for SPF. But if you are bored or simply just want to try other products, maybe you can try non-safe for fungal acne SPF, because it’s the last layer on skin and won’t absorb anyway.
Frankly
speaking, I am not an all-out green and natural skincare products seeker. I
mean, I still believe in hard-core acids and stuffs. But, lately there are new
and interesting natural ingredients on the skincare market. Thought I’d give it
a shot.
HIBISCUS
Hibiscus is
a beautiful flower and surprisingly has skincare benefits. It is one of the
most powerful anti-aging plant actives, so it’s known as nature’s botox for
its’ firming and lifting ability. This flower is also rich in antioxidants to
help skin fight free radicals from pollution and UV. But please aware that
hibiscus is a fragrant plant, therefore it might affect those who are sensitive
to scents on your skincare product.
NONI
In Indonesia
where I live, it’s not rare to drink the juice. But what do we know? Noni fruit
extract is great for healing and rejuvenating skin due to its abundance of vitamins
(A & C) plus antioxidants to protect against free radicals. One thing that
interest me the most about one of the benefits is: Noni has antibacterial and
anti-fungal properties! Whoa! It might be good for fungal-acne, no?
EGGPLANT
Again, where I live, people will eat cooked eggplants (though I don’t like it). I know it’s a healthy food, but little that I know it’s full of vitamin C. And when I did research for eggplant on the net, it contains ‘lupeol’ (some kind of substance that’s highly effective on problematic skin). It’s also antibacterial and anti-ageing. Pretty potent veggie, right?
Known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, you’ll easily find this ingredient in the treatment for acne and such. If you can stand its’ distinct scent, that’s great, because it does work to get rid of fungal acne.
PROPOLIS
I read in simpleskincarescience.com that there are studies that showed that propolis extract exhibits antimicrobial activity. And I love how propolis does give a glowing effect on skin.
KETOCONAZOLE
Unfortunately, this ingredient mostly came in a shampoo form. But no worries, you can use this shampoo as a 5 minutes wash-off face mask. Compared to other antifungals, like Zinc Pyrithione, Ketoconazole is the champ.
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil
has strong antimicrobial properties against Malassezia aka fungal acne. Personally,
I tried to stay away from the oil per se, just because I found it too thick and
might irritate my sensitive skin. So I chose product that actually contains one
(it’s diluted with other ingredients).
Is it just
me? Or lots of you experienced the same thing as me? My skin easily got immune,
usually after finishing two of the same skincare product. Weird but true.
That’s why I
found a way to alternate between products, just to make sure their
effectiveness on my fungal-acne prone skin. So, after finishing one product, I
usually move to another brand with similar ingredients and purposes. Then, I’d
move back to the old one.
EXFOLIATING TONER
HADA LABO MILD PEELING LOTION & SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 DAYS MIRACLE TONER
The
similarities: both are fungal acne safe and contain water plus butylene glycol.
The
difference: Hada Labo only has 7 ingredients, while Somebymi has 22.
Thoughts:
they are both mild enough to use everyday as exfoliating toner, but I try to
use it every other day to avoid over exfoliating. And usually I just use
exfoliating toner at night time.
The
similarities: both are fungal acne safe and contain niacinamide, panthenol,
sodium hyaluronate and allantoin.
The
difference: 2Sol only has 19 ingredients, while Paula’s Choice has 24.
Thoughts: They
both will be better if mixed with ampoule or moisturizer, as they might be
sticky if stand alone. Both have same clear watery texture.
ESSENCE
COSRX ADVANCED SNAIL 96 MUCIN POWER ESSENCE & BENTON SNAIL BEE HIGH CONTENT ESSENCE
The
similarities: both contain snail secretion filtrate, panthenol, betaine,
arginine, butylene glycol and allantoin
The
differences: Cosrx only has 12 ingredients, while Benton has 25. Corsx is safe
for fungal acne, while Benton (unfortunately) has polysorbate 20 (known as one
of fungal acne trigger) in their ingredients list.
Thoughts: Cosrx is more gloopy (literally like snail mucin), while Benton is less gloopy. Unfortunately Benton reformulated this and added Polysorbate 20 in their new formula, so it might not be safe for fungal acne.
I’m sure a
lot of you already familiar with the term of “Clean Beauty”.
Lately I’ve become more aware of this, especially after my first strike of fungal-acne back in April 2018. After that 1st attack, I read the ingredients label on the back like I’ve never been before. And luckily, now we’re blessed with skincare ingredients search engine that can identify the safety of most products that we use every day for our skin.
Now it’s
harder for companies to market and brainwash us with their products, because
(thanks to the awesome technologies) we can find out by ourselves. For certain,
I can’t be fooled by the word “natural” or “organic” or “pure” anymore.
After some
research online, the terms “Clean Beauty” refers to lots of definition, but I
guess I can simplify it to non-toxic. Non-toxic products that are made without
ingredients linked to harmful health effects (from simple and short term ones
like skin irritation, to scary and long term ones like cancer). If you search
online, you will find a lot of harmful ingredients with familiar names like
Propylene Glycol which actually is an antifreeze, or Sodium Hydroxide which is
used as a drain cleaner. Yes, nasty chemicals indeed. So, it’s not about
eco-conscious anymore, but more to health-conscious.
I’m trying
my best to join this “Clean Beauty” route. Having fungal-acne prone skin, I do
have to check every single time I want to purchase skincare product. Thanks to
simpleskincarescience.com, I know I have to stay away from Ester (alcohol and
fatty acid) and its’ friends like Polysorbate. So, initially I looked for
harmful fungal-acne trigger ingredients, but turned out those ingredients are
also harmful in any other ways. Lucky us, the industry (especially
personal-care ones) are slowly but surely cleaning up, for more aware
consumers. After the US, K-Beauty is also trying to clean up to serve the new
generation of more aware consumers.
My favorite
Clean Beauty products for Fungal Acne are:
I’M FROM MUGWORT ESSENCE
It consists
only one ingredient: 100% of Artemisia Princeps Extract (aka Mugwort). It’s
known for its’ soothing and cleansing effect. Great for sensitive skin!
Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar and T.L.C Framboos
Glycolic Night Serum
There won’t
be any Essential Oils, Drying Alcohols, Silicones, Chemical Screens,
Fragrance/Dyes and SLS in Drunk Elephant’s products. So yes, I love Drunk
Elephant, especially these two.
UNBOUND LAB HIBISCUS SMOOTHER PAD
Instead of
using AHA, this pad is using 88% Hibiscus (known as Nature’s Botox for its’
firming ability and natural source of AHA). So, it delivers the same benefits
as chemical AHA without being harsh. I just love this new Clean Beauty brand
from Korea. Even the packaging looks so clean!
PYUNKANG YUL ESSENCE TONER
Most of
their products contain less than 10 ingredients. Very minimalistic, just like
their packaging. This is one of their star product, which contains 91.3% of milk
vetch root, a super ingredient in Korean and traditional Chinese medicine, full
of skin-beneficial betaine and minerals. It’s fragrance free, dye free and
irritant free.
SKIN1004 MADAGASCAR CENTELLA ASIATICA 100 AMPOULE
Main and only ingredient: Centella Asiatica Extract. It’s really soothing for sensitive skin and very affordable for a big bottle of ampoule.
Do I have
other products than K-Beauty skincare? Of course, dearest. I do have a few of
European drugstore brands in my collection. Disclaimer: unfortunately, most of
them were purchased when I travelled abroad, because they don’t carry them
where I live (Jakarta, Indonesia). Boohoo!!
EAU THERMALE AVÈNE or simply called Avène.
Thermal Spring Water
I guess
every girl in this world must have this in their vanity. I use this before
first toner, right after cleansing. Why? Because I have hard water in my home,
so I need to neutralize my skin before everything else. It has ideal
calcium/magnesium ratio to help improve skin texture. And I love the cooling
& calming sensation on every spray it made. Super love!
3 in 1 Make-Up Remover
This is like
a cleansing milk, non-rinse ones. Its’ milky texture will turn into fluid when
rubbed. Please note that this has fragrance (but claimed to be tolerated by
sensitive skin). It removed base makeup well, but not recommended to use to
remove eye makeup.
Vichy Laboratories Mineral 89
I am sold by
one of their claim that it acts as a protective shield against pollution. And
after more research, I found out that this only has 11 ingredients (which is
great for sensitive skin), with the highest concentration of their Thermal
Mineralizing Water plus Hyaluronic Acid. Currently, I use this as daily
moisturizer, by the way.
URIAGE EAU THERMALE or simply called Uriage
Creme Lavante
Another
Thermal Water based product in my collection, this is a fragranced cleansing
cream. Even though it’s fragranced, it’s safe for sensitive skin (proven by
yours truly). Usually I use this in the morning after my acid night (which is
only twice a week now). Mind you, this is soap-free and contains 1/3 nourishing
milk. It won’t dry out skin but in the same time it didn’t leave any filmy
residue after cleansing.
Hyseac SPF50+ Fluid
It’s
specifically tailored for combination to oily skin, so yes on this point. It
contains licorice extract which known for its’ ability to reduce excess sebum
and prevent new blemishes. Another yes. It didn’t leave my skin look shiny or
white or greyish or patchy.
Eucerin Ultra Sensitive Soothing Care
This is
actually a day and night moisturizer, but I use this as a daily moisturizer for
AM only. It’s preservative-free, paraben-free, paraffin-free, fragrance-free,
alcohol-free, colorant-free and emulsifier-free. Since I’ve experienced redness
here and there, especially after that over-exfoliating period, this really help
to calm them down. It’s very light and contains SymSitive, their patented
ingredient specially developed for hypersensitive skin. I do recommend this to
strengthen skin barrier.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50T
This
specific type (they do have lots of type) of acid toner has been developed to
suit all skin types from sensitive to dehydrated skin. I was too excited to try
this hype acid toner, I applied this every night. Yes, I ended up having
over-exfoliated skin. So, I do recommend to use this only once or twice a week
(diluted on a cotton pad moistened with water). I don’t mind the vinegar-like
smell, it reminds me of Apple Cider Vinegar.
LA ROCHE-POSAY
Thermal Spring Water
What is it
with me and Thermal Water? Well, this is another favorite Thermal Water of
mine. Naturally rich in selenium, well known as a powerful antioxidant, this
face mist not only refreshes but also tones and rebalance skin. That’s why on
my bad skin days, I will use this as a face toner to replace my regular toner.
Serozinc Face Mist
To beat the
shine with only mist? Yup, this will do. This is actually a mattifying face
mist, specially made for oily skin people. As the name applied, it does contain
zinc sulfate to target signs of oily skin. No worries, it’s also clear like
ordinary water mist, and I believe this is also a great toner if you’re
sensitive to anything.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O
Need I say more? Tried many of cleansing water for makeup, from another brands, another countries, but keep on coming back to this. Even though this doesn’t dissolve eye makeup, but a great base makeup remover.
Thank you to
my IG followers who always inspired me to create my blog content based on their
questions. And one of the most asked is: “I want to develop a skincare routine
for my fungal-acne prone skin but everything is expensive, how can I create one
that’s easy to my pocket?”
Well, it is quite a challenge to find skincare products below IDR200K each that’s safe for fungal-acne. But, after all the soul-searching (on skincarisma & cosdna of course), and I included some of local brands (because they’re easier to find), here’s what I found!
MAKE UP REMOVER: NAMEERA PURELY BRIGHT MICELLAR WATER (IDR67K for 100ML) CLEANSER: ELSHESKIN DEEP CLEANSING SENSITIVE (IDR90K for 60ML) TONER: PYUNKANG YUL ACNE TONER (IDR130K for 150ML) ESSENCE : NAMEERA HYDRATING GLOW ESSENCE WATER (IDR140K for 110ML) SERUM: THE ORDINARY NIACINAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1% (IDR125K for 30ML) AMPOULE: LEEGEEHAAM GROW VITA PROPOLIS AMPOULE (IDR185K for 15ML) MOISTURIZER: INNISFREE ALOE REVITAL SOOTHING GEL (IDR101K FOR 300ML) SUNSCREEN: SKIN AQUA UV SUPER MOISTURE MILK SPF50+ PA++++ (IDR45K for 40GR) SPOT TREATMENT: SARI AYU INTENSIVE ACNE CARE (IDR24K for 12ML)
Still under the budget? Well, you can skip some steps like essence. So go straight to serum after toner. And you can skip ampoule too. Basically, all you need is: cleanser, toner, moisturizer and SPF (in the morning) or spot treatment (at night). So feel free to adjust according to your budget.
PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA & FROM VARIOUS BRAND’S WEBSITES
Next year,
which will happen soon, is going to be another exciting year for skincare
enthusiast like me. Visited Cosmoprof 2018 in Hong Kong on November this year
with my boss and colleague, we saw a lot of new and interesting innovation,
coming from lots of skincare brand.
But, being
me, a person with sensitive and fungal-acne prone skin type, I’d rather be
careful and pick’n choose carefully. That’s why sticking to what I believe
worked on my skin, is key. Well, I won’t be a hypocrite, I might try new
stuffs, but I’ll make sure it’s safe.
In this
post, I will share about skincare products that I love (and some are newly
discovered) along this year. And yeah, most probably I will repurchase by next
year (if I don’t find something new & safe for my skin).
PURITO DEFENCE BARRIER PH CLEANSER: new discovery this year and I love it.
Lightly scented, cleanse perfectly and does not leave that gooey sensation
after cleansing.
BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O: been using this since forever, I guess.
Cleanse makeup without any stinging sensation.
HADA LABO TAMAGOHADA MILD PEELING LOTION: new discovery this year, and have been in
love with this exfoliating toner ever since. Unscented and does not sting.
SKIN AQUA UV MOISTURE MILK SPF50+ PA+++: it’s hard to find sunscreen which is safe
for fungal-acne prone skin, so when I found this, it’s a winner. Super
affordable, easy to get and does not leave white cast.
KLAIRS SUPPLE PREPARATION UNSCENTED TONER: yes, it might be a bit hard to absorb if
apply with patting technique. But I believe this hydrating toner really
hydrates, even though I just apply one layer.
DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C FRAMBOOS GLYCOLIC NIGHT
SERUM: expensive AF, but that’s why it
works like a charm. I apply this as a spot treatment when needed.
GOODAL GREEN TANGERINE VITA C DARK SPOT SERUM: totally a game changer for me this year. After
cauterization, I believe this spot serum helped me to diminish the spots
quickly.
SKIN1004 MADAGASCAR CENTELLA ASIATICA 100
AMPOULE: super affordable and it lasts
like forever (thanks to the big bottle).
IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM: favorite day moisturizer, because it
contains silicone which might not be good if apply at night (you don’t need
that blurring effect at night right?)
KLAIRS MIDNIGHT BLUE YOUTH ACTIVATING DROP: my after treatment HG serum. After microneedling or after laser therapy, this is my go to serum. Usually I apply this by its’ own at night time.
For me, this
year it was all about dealing with fungal acne issues and how to avoid them for
coming back. Yes, once you have it, you know that beastly yeasts are there
waiting to attack you again and again.
My first sign of fungal acne popped out on my temple. Then, when I forgot to take care of my neck, they appeared on the edge between my face and my neck. How irritating.
But, as they
said, learning by doing. I got used to the symptoms already, and immediately
will take action when needed. Here’s how I deal with mine.
Use this twice a day, religiously
The first
sign of itchiness, go apply Nizoral on clean dry skin (after cleansing and
toning). Use this as the very last step (skip moisturizer) and usually the
itchiness will be gone asap. The rashes/textures will disappear within 3 days
max.
For natural options, you can apply raw honey (yes, only use raw honey) on clean, dry skin as a facial mask. Leave as long as you can handle the stickiness. Rinse with warm water.
Use these only on good skin days
Skip facial
oil and sheet mask. Based on my personal experiences, these two will just make
fungal acne worse.
My favorite micellar water ever
Seriously,
you don’t need oil to dissolve oil from makeup or SPF. Skip cleansing oil and
balm (good luck of finding the fungal-acne safe ones), and opt for micellar
water.
Morning Routine
Do skincare
diet. Girl, you don’t really need those ten steps, really. Currently I’m doing
6 in the morning (facial wash, exfoliating toner, hydrating toner, serum,
moisturizer, SPF) and lesser at night (micellar water, facial wash, exfoliating
toner, hydrating toner, spot treatment or serum).
PM Routine
Learn about
what ingredients worked best for you. I visit skincarisma.com often to read and
learn about which ingredients are safe for fungal-acne.
Last but not
least, do not pick at your fungal-acne. Avoid scratching and (worst) using
comedo remover to suck them out. Mostly, fungal acne don’t carry pus inside, so
there’s no use of trying that will lead you to more problems like scarring.
As much as I’d love to do 10 steps of skincare routine, I realized that sticking to just the essentials is key.
Especially for those who can’t be bothered with so many steps, and don’t know what the heck is the difference between serum and ampoule, read on….
Actually, the must do for our skincare routine is simply cleanse, tone, moisturize and slather some SPF in the AM routine. That’s it.
And after all that searching online plus self-experience, I can say these products did help my fungal acne prone skin.
Let’s start with AM routine, shall we?
CLEANSE: since I believe that my face is not that dirty, I use mild facial cleanser in the morning.
TONE: in toner I trust. This is one of the mildest daily exfoliating toner that I’ve tried.
MOISTURIZE: with minimal ingredients, this is my go-to moisturizer. And I love to mix my moisturizer with face oil in the morning, just to amp up that glow from within look. Don’t forget eye cream.
SPF: please don’t skip this step. You know, sun is responsible for up to 90% of age signs. Reapply if you are spending most of your time outside.
PM routine be like….
DOUBLE CLEANSE: if you are a heavy makeup wearer like me, this step is super important. I use micellar water to remove makeup, then continue with facial cleanser.
TONE: I only use stronger exfoliating toner once a week. Meanwhile, I use my daily exfoliating toner.
SERUM: additional step which I believe is super important if we have troubled skin. Currently, I am into Niacinamide and Zinc.
MOISTURIZE: I don’t do night cream, but I do believe in sleeping pack. Add eye cream, and I am done for the night.
shintarosvita 
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