This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Let’s talk about my favorite skincare product of all time. It’s not a specific product by a specific brand. It’s much more generic than that.
Oh, did the title give it away? It’s moisturizer, of course!
To some of you that might sound a little… odd?
After all, I LOVE to nerd out over skincare vitamins, minerals, and actives. I love a good Vitamin C serum, and I love glycolic acid for it’s superior exfoliation abilities. And don’t get me started on the importance of sunscreen…
But the reason I love moisturizer more than any of those things is because – no matter what type of acne or skin condition you have – your skin is never going to heal without moisture, period.
I wrote much more thoroughly about this topic in my blog post on the skin’s moisture barrier, which you can check out here.
But in this article, I’m going to focus on the best moisturizers for fungal acne prone skin.
Best Moisturizers for Fungal Acne
Before I get into it, if you need to do some catching up on fungal acne, I have written a ton of content (and filmed tons of Youtube videos) about it. Here is a list of my best resources on fungal acne (or malassezia folliculitis, if you wanna get technical):
- What is fungal acne?
- How to tell if you have fungal acne?
- FREE Fungal Acne Shopping Guides for Target, Walmart, Ulta, Sephora
- From Fungal Acne to Clear Skin Guide
- Foundations for Fungal Acne
- My Fungal Acne Skincare Routine
And now that you are armed with all the fungal acne knowledge, let’s do this! Here comes my list of SEVEN fungal acne safe moisturizers!
1. Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream
According to Garnier’s website, this product is “[A] lightweight, oil-free gel-cream [that] provides 24 hour hydration and protection from external aggressors that strip skin of hydration.”
This product comes in two different formulas, and both are safe for fungal acne:
- Garnier Skinactive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream in the green tub, which is for normal to combination skin
- Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin in the pink tub, which is specially formulated with antioxidant fruit water for more sensitive skin types.
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Lightweight ✔️
- Absorbs Quickly ✔️
- Inexpensive ✔️
- Accessible ✔️
- Con: not hydrating enough for drier skin types ❌
I have used this product in both formulations, and there are a few things I love about it. First, it’s inexpensive. I can usually find this in-store at my local Walmart for $6.00, which is the lowest price I’ve seen for this moisturizer. Overall, this is the most affordable moisturizer on the list.
Second, I love the non-greasy lightweight texture of this product because it absorbs quickly into skin. Even the dry skin formulation absorbs quickly, but I didn’t notice much difference between the two formulas in terms of how they behave.
It’s worth mentioning that this product is lightly scented, but the scent doesn’t linger, which I consider a pro!
So I guess my one con is that this moisturizer probably isn’t for those of us with very dry skin – no, not even the dry skin formula, ironically. This is a great lightweight summertime moisturizer, but you’ll probably want to use something heavier at night or in winter.
2. Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream
According to online retailer Dermstore, this is a “A daily face moisturizer that deeply hydrates and boosts your skin’s radiance.” ..and.. “Achieve a more nourished complexion with Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream. With a niacinamide and salicylic acid formula, this moisturizing face cream works below the surface to alleviate dryness.”
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Lightweight ✔️
- Absorbs Quickly ✔️
- Inexpensive ❌
- Accessible ?
- “Fresh and light fragrance” ❌
- Con: not hydrating enough for drier skin types ❌
I’m a big fan of the Bioderma brand, generally. I use their Sebium Gel Moussant Cleanser regularly, as well as their cult-favorite Micellar Water adored by the beauty industry, and for good reason.
To be fair, I haven’t used this product very much. My twin sister used this moisturizer at the very beginning of our fungal acne journey while we were still navigating our new routines, and I occasionally stole a few pumps.
I find the “fresh and light fragrance” claim to be misleading. For me, this product is heavily scented, and it stuck with me throughout the day. This is more of a preference than an actual con, but if strongly scented products bother you- be warned.
Otherwise, my only real problem with this moisturizer is the price point and the fact that I can only find it online. $24.90 for 1.33 fl oz is steep, but it also isn’t the most expensive moisturizer on the list.
This is probably another good option for summer months, but not the best option for those of us with very dry skin.
3. Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
This is a Japanese Skin Care product that I have not personally tried, but it is at the top of my wishlist! I’ve read so many great reviews of it online.
According to the packaging, “This luxurious silky gel cream combines the skin perfecting power of a serum with the intense hydration of a moisturizer to improve overall skin quality, restoring its natural smoothness & youthful balance.”
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Inexpensive ❌
- Accessible ?
Ok, so in all fairness I am not able to share my opinion on this moisturizer, because I haven’t tried it! So if you have – I’m begging you – leave a comment on this post and let me know what you think!
All I can say is I’m not a fan of the price point at $22.99 for 1.76oz, although that is less expensive than the Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream.
I measure accessibility by whether I can go into a local drugstore or department store and purchase the product, but this is another moisturizer that I can only purchase online. At least it is available through Target’s website!
Additionally, this product is formulated with urea, which is both an exfoliating and moisturizing skincare ingredient. This is a good article on urea that breaks down the science in a way that’s easy to understand.
Overall, there’s a lot of hype around this product, and I’m putting it at the top of my wishlist!
4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
According to online retailer Dermstore, “Toleriane Sensitive Fluide (previously called Toleriane Facial Fluid) combines La Roche-Posay spring water, which calms sensations of skin irritation, with a limited number of carefully selected hydrating ingredients. The result is a light, pleasant formula that penetrates quickly and is extremely safe. Fragrance-free and preservative-free.”
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Inexpensive ❌
- Accessible ?
- Simple, Safe Formula ✔️
- Fragrance Free ✔️
La Roche-Posay, like Bioderma, is another French skin care brand that I trust. It seems that European skin care brands just know something about formulation that US-based companies don’t.
Is it to do with the FDA? Is it political? Is it that they actually care more about product quality than profit? All businesses have to strike a balance in order to stay in business, and these brands don’t come cheap! But no matter.
La Roche-Posay delivers.
Yet again, we’re at the $29.99 price point for 1.35 fl oz, similar to the price of the Bioderma moisturizer – aka – not cheap! But that’s really the only downside here.
Accessibility-wise, you can purchase La Roche-Posay products from many reputable online retailers like Dermstore, Target, or Amazon. Target carries the line in-stores, but as of the time this article is written – this moisturizer is not available locally.
Hands-down, what I love most about this product is the simple formulation. Like the Hada Labo moisturizer, this one gets rave reviews across the internet. So if price point isn’t an issue, I highly recommend this one!
Need Help Shopping for Fungal Acne Safe Products & Treatments?
Clueless when it comes to picking fungal-acne-safe products off the shelves at Walmart, Target, Ulta, & Sephora?
With my fungal acne friendly shopping lists, you’ll be able to pick out skincare & makeup products with complete confidence.
Download my FREE Shopping Guides & take them with you to the store!
Simply fill out this form & I’ll send them to your inbox!
5. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream*
This product and the next one are a bit controversial, I suppose. That’s because they technically contain one ingredient that could cause the growth of malassezia, although in my opinion, the scientific evidence is lacking.
There is so much good to say about CeraVe products, though. Here’s the low-down on CeraVe Moisturizing Cream from CeraVe’s own website:
“A compromised skin barrier can lead to dryness and itching—and aggravate skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. A moisturizing cream can help reinforce the skin barrier with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, or a ceramide cream that replenishes essential skin barrier components.”
Psst! Read my article on moisture barrier here.
“CeraVe Moisturizing Cream acts as both by effectively hydrating as it helps restore the skin’s protective barrier. Developed with dermatologists and ideal for dry and very dry skin on the face and body, this rich, non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizing cream features patented MVE Delivery Technology to release a steady stream of hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides throughout the day and night. Suitable for sensitive skin, this oil-free and fragrance-free ceramide cream also helps the skin hold on to moisture while improving its look and feel.”
*Contains cetearyl alcohol, which could promote the growth of malassezia
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Inexpensive ✔️
- Accessible ✔️
- Superior Formulation with Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid ✔️
- Fragrance Free ✔️
- Con: Contains Cetearyl Alcohol ❌
If you’ve been hanging around on my blog or Youtube channel for any length of time, you’ve heard me talk about this product. While I occasionally stray to try out new products, this is my go-to face & body moisturizer both day + night.
I haven’t had issues with the cetearyl alcohol, and you may be wondering how “safe” do we really need our products to be when it comes to treating fungal acne? I wrote an article about how long you have to keep up your FA-safe routine, and when/how to reintroduce old products, which you can read here.
Especially worth mentioning is the price point here. If we’re measuring price per fluid ounce, which WE ARE – then you’re paying around $1 per ounce! Insane. Some of the other moisturizers on this list are $22 per ounce!
I have also found a great savings on this product by purchasing bulk from Costco, which amounts to something like .50 per ounce. Of course, you need a Costco membership, but even if you don’t have one – I think I’ve made my point.
6. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30*
This product is just like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, but in a lightly lighter-weight formula that contains SPF!
Could life get any better?
*Contains cetearyl alcohol, which could promote the growth of malassezia
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Inexpensive ✔️
- Accessible ✔️
- Formulatied with Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide ✔️
- Sunscreen + Moisturizer ✔️
- Fragrance Free ✔️
- Con: Contains Cetearyl Alcohol ❌
This product is $12.99 for 3 fl oz, so – much, much, much, much cheaper than most of the moisturizers on this list. That’s $4.33 per ounce. And it’s also a sunscreen, so you’re killing two birds with one stone!
Looooooove it.
Feeling Stuck When It Comes to Clearing Your Fungal Acne?
When I first found out I had fungal acne, it took me months of research to figure out what I could & couldn’t use. And I still made mistakes!
The resources I found online didn’t have the answers I needed, so I had to be my own guinea pig.
And now that I’ve done all the work, I want to share it with you!
If you’re feeling confused and want the straightforward information, products, and skincare routines I used to treat & clear my fungal acne, I’ve created the From Fungal Acne to Clear Skin Guide just for you.
Download it now to fast-track your results to clear skin for life.
7. Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream
According to First Aid Beauty’s website, this is an “Oil-free refreshingly light water cream moisturizer infused with skin nourishing Coconut Water hydrocharges your skin with a burst of electrolyte-rich moisture for softer, smoother, healthier-looking skin. Rich in electrolytes, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants and phytonutrients, Coconut Water is known as nature’s perfect hydrator. This non-comedogenic formula absorbs immediately into skin while hydrocharging, to make it appear softer, smoother and more plumped. The oil-free formula is boosted by a combination of Sodium Hyaluronate and Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate to help reinforce skin’s moisture, protect against exposure to the elements and leave skin appearing smooth, soft and plumped.”
Wow, that’s A LOT OF INCREDIBLE CLAIMS! Is it true?
My Take On This Moisturizer:
- Inexpensive ❌
- Accessible ✔️
- Glycerin Free ✔️
Here’s what I think you’ll like most about this product – it is glycerin free!
Why does this matter?
Well – thanks to a website called sezia.co, there is quite the misconception that glycerin feeds thee malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. After doing my own research, I concluded this is false. Read my take on it here.
However, some of you still want glycerin-free product recommendations, and I won’t fault you for it. This moisturizer is for you!
Other than that, it’s widely available at Ulta, but it’s not the most affordable at $34 for 1.7 fl oz.
I have yet to use this product because there are other options that are much higher on my wishlist, such as the Hada Labo or the La Roche-Posay moisturizers I mentioned earlier. However, this is another product with rave reviews online.
Have you used it? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Help Me Spread the Word About Fungal Acne
I’m on a mission to spread the word about fungal acne because it changed my skin and my life for the better. Read my story here.
And I suspect a lot of people are dealing with this issue and don’t know it, because I suffered for 17 years before I found out the truth about malassezia folliculitis!
So share this post with your family & friends who are struggling with acne, dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis. It might just change their skin forever!
Want to come back to this article? Pin this Image to Pinterest!
