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Looking for a good cleanser that’s fungal acne safe?
And not only that, but a cleanser that fights acne, prevents future breakouts, and won’t disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier? These 9 cleansers have you covered!
These are the 9 BEST CLEANSERS you can buy that won’t cause fungal acne breakouts.
If you’re wondering what makes a GOOD and FUNGAL ACNE SAFE CLEANSER – it’s all down to the formulation..
Many cleansers promise to clear your skin while retaining moisture – but be honest. When was the last time you washed your face without that tight, dry feeling afterward? Spoiler: that tightness means your cleanser is drying you out!
Oftentimes that dryness comes from the ingredients in the formula. Ideally, you want to find a well-balanced cleanser that works with your skin’s natural pH instead of against it. In fact, over-drying your skin could actually be sabotaging your efforts to get clear.
That’s why I prefer to keep my active ingredients (the ones that fight acne) in my toners & treatments instead of my cleanser. All I really need from a cleanser is to clean the built up dirt & oil off my face at the end of a long day!
I also need a cleanser that doesn’t contain ingredients known to feed malassezia furfur yeast, which is the nasty fungus responsible for fungal acne. Read all about it here.
Now – some of the cleansers in the list below actually do contain active ingredients. That means they’re formulated with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to fight breakouts.
Even though I prefer not to use those particular formulas, it doesn’t make it wrong for you! Just make sure you follow with an awesome fungal acne safe moisturizer to prevent over-drying your skin.
? You can purchase any of the cleansers on this list with complete confidence, knowing they won’t make your skin breakout and are 100% safe for fungal acne!
1. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser – Unscented
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is unscented and super gentle! It is one of the most popular cleansers among fungal acne sufferers, and with good reason.
The creamy formula is noncomedogenic and won’t dry your skin out. It’s also formulated without fragrance, botanical extracts, soap, betaine, sulfates, parabens, or gluten – aka – as allergy & sensitive-skin friendly as it gets!
It’s not only great for fungal acne, it’s great for anyone suffering from eczema-like skin conditions as well. Psst! Did you know eczema and fungal acne are linked?! Yeah, read all about it here.
? Not sure what fungal acne is? Click Here!
Price: $8.99 at Target | Check Price on Amazon
2. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
I have to be honest – a dermatologist once recommended Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser to me waaaaay back in high school when I first sought help in clearing my skin. See my whole acne story here.
Turns out – he was actually right about this product! At least in the U.S. – this is somewhat of a cult classic in skin care.
As the name implies, it is gentle, non-drying, noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, and suitable for all skin types. It’s also widely available – at least in the United States.
? Do me a favor? Let me know in the comments on this post if this cleanser is easily accessible in your country?
Price: $6.39 at Target | Check Price on Amazon
3. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser contains salicylic acid, which is an active ingredient (beta hydroxy acid aka BHA) that actually kills the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne breakouts!
And not only that, but salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliator that deep cleans pores, increases skin cell turnover, and is great for treating all types of acne – from fungal to bacterial.
? This is one of those cases where the active acne-fighting ingredient is right inside the cleanser already. This isn’t a bad thing, but it could be a bit drying for sensitive skin types.
If I was going to use this product, I’d probably skip using any further actives (like toners, spot treatments, or peel pads) and opt for moisturizer after cleansing.
Price: $9.89 at Target | Check Price on Amazon
4. Simple Micellar Facial Gel Wash
According to healthline.com, “Micellar water is a multipurpose skin care product that has become a favorite among beauty gurus and dermatologists alike. It’s made using purified water, moisturizers like glycerin, and mild surfactants, which are compounds used for cleansing.”
As I was writing about this cleanser, it occurred to me I don’t actually know what micellar water is, although I recommend certain products like Garnier Micellar Water, and my favorite – Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water – as both makeup removers and cleansers all the time!
? By the way, when you read that definition of micellar water, did the word “glycerin” trigger you at all? In my experience, many fungal acne sufferers are scared of glycerin, but here’s why you don’t need to be.
Price: $4.99 at Walmart | Check Price on Amazon
5. Avène Eau Thermale Cleansing Foam
Avène Eau Thermale Avene Cleansing Foam is a soap free foaming face wash for oily, sensitive skin that is great for clearing up fungal acne breakouts.
According to aveneusa.com, this cleanser is “Formulated with hydrating avène thermal spring water, the skin is left smooth and soft, without drying. The unique lightweight formula is proven to immediately reduce oil on the skin by 54 percent after a single application. Soap-free, silicone-free, paraben-free hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.”
Although I have yet to try this cleanser I’m dying to try it out and explore more products in the Avène brand – assuming they’re fungal acne safe, of course!
Price: $20.00 at Dermstore | Check Price on Amazon
6. Alba Acnedote Face & Body Scrub
The Alba Acnedote Face & Body Scrub, like CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser, contains Willow Bark, which is naturally occurring salicylic acid. I’ve written more about the amazing powers of salicylic acid to kill malassezia yeast and treat acne in this article.
Another amazing claim from Alba is that this cleanser is tough enough to clear back-ne but gentle enough to use on your face. I’m definitely intrigued! By the way, if you’re looking for fungal acne friendly body washes, I made a Youtube video about it.
Price: $6.19 at Target | Check Price on Amazon
7. Yes to Watermelon Super Fresh Facial Cleanser
I recently took a deep dive into the “Yes To” brand of skin care products and was happy to find a ton of fungal acne safe options!
This watermelon cleanser is formulated with 96% natural ingredients, is vegan and cruelty-free. It’s also made without parabens, SLS or silicones.
Again – I haven’t tried this cleanser myself, so jump into the comments and let me know if you have + what you thought!
Price: $8.99 at Target | Check Price on Amazon
8. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser with Benzoyl Peroxide
The Differin Deep Daily Cleanser is formulated with 5% benzoyl peroxide to banish acne breakouts, but benzoyl peroxide will not kill malassezia yeast specifically. I’ve written more about it here.
Differin claims this cleanser is as effective at clearing acne as higher concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, but without the drying side effects. It is formulated to penetrate deep into pores, removing dirt & excess oil while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin.
? Differin is most famous for their 0.1% Adapalene Gel, which is derived from Vitamin A, and not only good for acne, but could also help prevent fine lines & wrinkles with consistent use over time. It’s a product I use & certainly recommend.
Price: $10.49 at Target | Check Price on Amazon
9. Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
This Glow Recipe cleanser is packed with powerful antioxidants from blueberry extract that protect skin against environmental stressors, plus hyaluronic acid to boost hydration.
The blend of AHAs including glycolic and lactic acids, gently exfoliate to reveal smoother, brighter skin. It is also a vegan & gluten free formula that meets Sephora’s Clean Beauty Standard.
? Allegedly, it can be used as a makeup remover, a cleanser, AND A MASK! To use as a mask, apply a generous layer to the skin & rinse with lukewarm water after 5 minutes.
Have you tried this product? Let me know what you think!
Price: $34.00 at Sephora | Check Price on Amazon
What Do You Think of These Drugstore Fungal Acne Safe Cleansers?
If you’ve used any of the cleansers on this list, be sure to leave a comment on this post letting me know what you think of them!
Navigating the world of skin care & makeup when you have fungal acne can be a challenge, but I’m here to make it easy for you by reviewing products on my blog & Youtube Channel.
Following a fungal acne safe skin care & makeup routine is the only way I’ve been able to clear my skin & keep it clear after battling all forms of acne for over 17 years! Read my full story here, and join me on my mission to prove that clear skin + amazing makeup can co-exist. ✌️
Check out my Youtube Channel if you want to see the products I’ve reviewed so far! I post new videos every Tuesday & Friday.
