If you live in Malaysia, you probably already know the struggle where one day your skin looks fine. The next, tiny bumps start appearing on your forehead, chin or around the hairline.
You try exfoliating. You add more actives. You scrub a little harder. Somehow, the bumps still stay.
For Malaysian influencer Joeyee (Flarey Wings), the issue was fungal acne, and she recently shared the simple steps that helped her manage it.
Fungal acne is not exactly the same as regular acne. It is commonly linked to an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, which can lead to small, stubborn bumps that often look similar in size. In hot and humid weather, especially when sweat, oil and product build-up come into the picture, it can become even more frustrating.
Here are the main things she recommends.
Stop Exfoliating And Pause Harsh Actives
Her first tip is simple: stop exfoliating.
When the skin is already irritated or breaking out, it can be tempting to keep reaching for acids, scrubs or strong acne treatments. However, fungal acne is not the same as clogged pores.
Using too many harsh actives may only make the skin barrier feel worse. Instead of trying to “scrub” the bumps away, Flarey Wings suggests giving the skin a break and cutting back on anything too strong.
This includes exfoliating acids, physical scrubs and heavy acne treatments that may be too much for the skin.
Switch To Fungal Acne-Safe Products
The next step is to look at what you are putting on your skin.
According to Flarey Wings, switching to fungal acne-safe products made a difference. The idea is to keep the routine light, simple and less likely to clog the skin.
Look for products that feel lightweight, non-greasy and non-comedogenic. She also highlights avoiding products that contain ingredients which may feed fungal acne, such as certain fatty acids or rich, oily textures.
This does not mean you need a complicated routine. In fact, the simpler the better.
A gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturiser and suitable sunscreen may be enough while your skin calms down.
Treat The Root Cause
One mistake many people make is treating fungal acne like normal acne.
Flarey Wings explains that the focus should be on dealing with the fungal overgrowth itself. This is especially important in Malaysia, where the weather is often hot and humid. Sweat, heat and oil can make the skin feel more congested, particularly around the forehead, chin, hairline, chest and back.
Keeping the skin clean, showering after sweating and avoiding heavy product build-up can help reduce the environment where fungal acne tends to thrive.
Using Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
One of the methods Flarey Wings shared is using anti-dandruff shampoo as a short contact treatment.
She applies it lightly on areas such as the forehead and chin before showering. Then, she leaves it on for around five minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.
She does this about two to three times, depending on what her skin needs. She also uses the same shampoo on her scalp, which makes sense since product build-up and oil around the hairline can sometimes affect the skin too.
However, this step should be done carefully. Anti-dandruff shampoo can be drying, especially on the face. If your skin starts to sting, peel or feel tight, it is better to stop and speak to a dermatologist.
Using Sulfur Cream
Flarey Wings also uses sulfur cream as a treatment mask.
After cleansing, she applies the sulfur cream before moisturiser and leaves it on for about five minutes. After that, she rinses it off and continues with the rest of her skincare routine.
Sulfur is often used in acne care because it can help reduce excess oil and calm certain types of breakouts. Still, it can also be drying for some skin types, so it is best to start slowly and avoid layering it with too many strong products.
The biggest takeaway from her routine is not to overdo it.
When dealing with fungal acne, more products do not always mean better results. Sometimes, the skin needs fewer steps, lighter textures and the right treatment approach.
Fungal acne can look like regular acne, closed comedones or even irritation, so it is easy to get confused.
If the bumps keep coming back, feel itchy, spread to the chest or back, or do not improve with a simpler routine, it may be worth seeing a dermatologist. A proper diagnosis can help you avoid wasting time and money on products that do not suit the problem.
Listen to your skin, go slowly and do not be afraid to get professional advice if the issue persists.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general reading and awareness only. It does not replace advice from qualified medical, legal, financial, religious or other relevant professionals. If you are facing a specific concern, please speak to the appropriate expert or authority for guidance.
