30/03/2026
Let’s talk about the drama between fungal acne and regular acne (aka acne vulgaris). Because yes, they may look like twins but trust us not all breakouts are actually acne.
Enter: fungal acne (aka Malassezia folliculitis), the sneaky imposter that thrives on heat, sweat, and your fave creamy moisturiser. Cute, right?
What you need to know:
Fungal acne is characterised by small, itchy, same-size bumps (usually on your forehead, chest, or back), showing up in annoying clusters like they planned it in a group chat. It’s a yeast overgrowth, not bacteria. So, if you’ve been slathering on acne products and still nothing’s working, if she’s got the signs, she may just be fungal, not hormonal.
Common acne (acne vulgaris) is a chaotic mix of blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, papules with later stages having deep cysts and nodules (hard, red and sore infections). These guys have a mind of their own, thanks to excessive oil, an imbalance in hormones and bacteria infiltration, and they can spread out like they’re freelancing on your face, neck, chest and back!
Treating fungal acne takes a very different course to common acne, you’ll need products that contain anti-fungal ingredients, very light weight (non-oily) creams, and to make sure you always shower after sweating and exercise (this is where the fungus thrives).
Moral of the story: If your bumps are all the same size, love to cluster, and itch like they have a vendetta, it might be time to call out the fungus among us. Most importantly, if you’re unsure please consult with an O Skin Expert who can confidently diagnose your condition and get you on the right track.
