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.
Haven’t
found one cleansing balm that’s safe for fungal acne. And these two are also
not safe, but at least they didn’t trigger my fungal acne. Usually, I use
cleansing balm after my first cleanser, which is Bioderma Sensibio H2O. Then,
quickly rinse off the balm residue and continue with face soap (currently using
Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar).
I received Banila Co Clean It Zero as a PR gift, and this is the first time I’ve ever tried a cleansing balm as my first cleanse.
Heimish is the second balm I’ve purchased by myself. I’ve noticed that most cleansing balm (including these two) used Ethylhexyl Palmitate as their number one ingredient (which unfortunately known as fungal acne trigger). But as I mentioned previously, they both didn’t trigger mine. And I believe they cleansed perfectly, I rarely got cystic acne on my chin anymore after I triple cleanse with this.
SIMILARITIES
Both provided spatulas and lids.
They both turns into oil texture on dry skin, then emulsified into milk when rinse off with water.
Melt makeup easily, including waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Unfortunately they both caused blurry eyes.
DIFFERENCES
Heimish contains essential oils like Tea Tree Leaf, Lavender and Eucalyptus Leaf Oil. While Banila Co. didn’t use any.
Because Heimish used essential oils, it comes with visible scents (I smell tea tree and lavender the most). While Banila Co. have a slightly softer (like soap) scent.
Heimish has 33 ingredients on the list, while Banila Co only has 20.
Heimish is more solid and balmy then Banila Co. which have sorbet-like texture and more delightful to pick up.
Heimish has thicker oil when melted, while Banila Co. is more lighter.
The Jar. I love how Heimish came up with flip-top lid which is very practical, compares to Banila Co. twist-top lid.
The Lid. Heimish is more sturdy compares to the Banila Co. ones which is very filmsy and hard to pick up when you are in a hurry.
Heimish (IDR 190K for 120ml) is cheaper and contains more than Banila Co (IDR 232K for 100ml).
So I’m sure
we’ve all heard about both. But seriously, are they the same problem? Or are they
like…connected?
Well, I did
some research to write about this. First of all, I do believe I have sensitive
skin, just because it’s easily irritated. So, if you are easily irritated,
either by environmental things like sun or cold, and by topical products, you
might call it sensitive skin.
Then, I did
some more digging on the net. Turned out, our skin sensitivity actually has to
do with the fatty outer layer of our skin. This fatty outer layer often called
the lipid (fat) barrier with two functions: keeping the water inside and
protect the skin from damaging factors like UV rays, wind, heat and harsh
chemicals. Unfortunately for those who have sensitive skin, this barrier is
usually weaker, thinner and more easily damaged. Therefore, thin lipid barrier
can cause a variety of dermatological issues like acne and inflammation.
So, what to
do now, you might ask?
First, stay away from harsh products and try
not to overdo anything.
Wash your face strictly twice a day with gentle
cleanser.
Do not over exfoliate, try to do it once or
twice a week (max).
Use fewer products on your skincare routine.
Trust me, sometime less is definitely more.
Stay away from alcohol (from the ingredients
list), just because it might over-dried the top layer of the skin.
PRODUCTS TO TRY:
APIEU MADECASSOSIDE AMPOULE
I love this! Like whenever I over exfoliate or my skin feels uncomfortable, this will instantly calm down the redness and the bumps. Under-rated product that’s actually very damn good. Totally recommended!
2SOL FACIAL RECOVERY BOOSTER
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) inside this will help improve the barrier function. It has 10% of each, so it will help prevent moisture loss, reduce dryness and strengthen skin barrier at once.
HEIMISH ALL CLEAN GREEN FOAM
Gentle
cleanser with low PH, formulated with centella asiatica and witch hazel, which
are widely known for their skin healing and soothing properties. I just love
the gel-balm texture of this cleanser, and how it didn’t leave my skin feel
tight after wash.
TRILOGY CERTIFIED ORGANIC ROSEHIP OIL
Try to incorporate facial oil to your routine and you’d be surprised. This specific oil contains powerful essential fatty acids that improve skin hydration. Bonus: it also helps to reduce scars and fine lines. Personally, I mix two drops to my foundation every morning. It adds glow and prevent cracks, while keeping skin hydrated all day long.
Before I go further
to details, they are both not safe for Fungal-Acne.
If you do have fungal acne, I recommend to use these as spot treatment only. I only use these on blackheads, small bumps, closed comedones and some milias near my eyes. That’s it. I don’t put these on my hormonal acne, because they both didn’t seem to work on one. By the way, this is the newest version of Chica Y Chico Beta Salic 2.0 Plus Baby Face Cream with very instagramable pink tube.
THE DIFFERENCES
Badecasil has that old feel tube, while Chica
Y Chico got that modern ‘now’ vibe.
Badecasil has 32 ingredients, while Chica Y
Chico has 35 ingredients
Badecasil has Broccoli extract, while Chica Y
Chico has Snail Secretion Filtrate.
No tingling sensation with Badecasil, but
there’s tingling close to stinging with Chica Y Chico at the first use only. On
second day, same spots, I didn’t feel anything. But it always tingle on new
spots, so be aware.
THE SIMILARITIES
Both are made in Korea
Both come in a tube 30ml packaging
Both contain silicone
Both have 24 of the same ingredients, some familiar names like Glycolic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Jojoba Seed Oil and Allantoin (you can check the complete list on skincarisma.com).
Both are recommended to use at night time only
Both claimed to exfoliate dead skin cells and moisturize skin at once.
Both have the same milky white lotion texture
RESULTS:
So I’ve
tried both of them each by themselves for two weeks straight in a row with no
pause day, just to show you guys these results on my skin. Please note that I
was also using other skincare products before applying these (as each is
recommended to use as final step of PM skincare routine).
USING BADECASIL: NO IMPROVEMENT ON SMALL BUMPSUSING CHICA Y CHICO: FLATTER/LESS VISIBLE BUMPS
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.
As you might
probably know, I do enjoy trying new skincare products (still, even though I do
have sensitive and fungal-acne prone skin). Somehow, I ended up purchasing non-mass
Korean brand, instead of those well-known mass brands which are already
available here in Indonesia (like Etude House, The Face Shop, The Saem etc).
That’s why,
searching for new stuffs to try is a bit challenging. But it’s a fun-filled
challenge for me. Looking for the brand itself, screening through ingredients,
enjoying the look of their packaging, how would I say no to these?
I’M FROM
They claim 3
promises: Ingredient Transparency (check!), Honest Materials (check!) and No
Harmful Additives (also check!). Currently only own their Mugwort Essence, just
because it only contains 100% Artemisia Princeps Extract aka Mugwort and
nothing else. This Mugwort has been widely known for treating acne, troubled
and irritated skin.
HUXLEY
I am drawn
to their clean-look packaging, they look so Nordic (big love). And I appreciate
skincare brands which are consistent in making only skincare (not expanding to
makeup). This cult Korean skincare brand is known for using cactus oil and they
also consistent of their cactus scent, which is prominent in their products. Some
might feel off because of the scent, but I love it. So, when they launch their
body care products, of course I went on to buy (BTW, these soap, body lotion
and body oil are the most expensive body care products I’ve ever purchased,
LOL).
BENTON
If the name
seems familiar, well…it because they named this brand after the Brad Pitt’s
movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Benjamin Button = Benton (get
it?). Obviously I wasn’t drawn because of the name, but I’m sold at their Snail
Bee Line. Yes, my skin apparently reacted well with both ingredients, Snail
Secretion Filtrate and Bee Venom.
PYUNKANG YUL
The brand was launched in early 2016. Pyunkang is actually a renowned Korean hospital that specializes in treating atopic skin ailments. With medical experience like this, of course I am sold. Almost all of their products have minimal ingredients, but my favorite will be these two: their Essence Toner and Acne Toner from their Acne Line.
shintarosvita 
You must be logged in to post a comment.