With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype.
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what → figure → content
While we don’t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do — which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends (and questions) on our timelines, like whether you need pet laundry detergent to clean your dog’s things.
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Sometimes, the most surprisingly effective products for your skin aren’t found in the skin care aisle.
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Dandruff shampoos have become a viral hack for treating acne-like breakouts, with people using them as both face and body washes.
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people → become → washes
But can swapping your face wash for a bottle of Head and Shoulders actually help your skin?
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swapping → swap → skin
While certain ingredients in dandruff shampoos may help with fungal acne, they won’t necessarily work for every type of blemish.
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they → help → blemish
I asked dermatologists to explain why dandruff shampoos may work for acne and when you’re better off sticking with traditional acne treatments.
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you → ask → treatments
Why are people using dandruff shampoo for acne?
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people → use → acne
The idea took off on social media because there are actual results: “Many people have been fighting stubborn, itchy bumps for months with acne products that never worked, then try an inexpensive drugstore shampoo and see clearer skin within a couple of weeks,” says Dr. Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology.
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Foad → take → Dermatology
“That kind of before-and-after is made for TikTok.
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Can dandruff shampoo actually treat acne?
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shampoo → treat → acne
Yes, anti-dandruff shampoo can treat acne, but only one specific type of breakout: fungal acne.
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shampoo → treat → breakout
“Fungal acne, which we call Malassezia folliculitis, isn’t true acne at all,” says Foad.
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It’s caused by an overgrowth of the same yeast (Malassezia yeast) responsible for dandruff, which is exactly why dandruff shampoo works on it.
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shampoo → cause → it
The overgrowth of yeast causes inflammation and infection around the hair follicle on your scalp, forehead, chest and back, causing small red bumps that are usually mistaken for regular acne, says Katharine Perry, board-certified nurse practitioner at MONA Dermatology.
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Perry → cause → Dermatology
But it doesn’t treat traditional acne (called acne vulgaris), which is driven by oil, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation.
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which → treat → oil
That means someone with hormonal acne, blackheads or deep, painful pimples probably won’t see the same results, says Dr. Ariel Ostad, New York City-based dermatologist and reconstructive surgeon.
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“Many people actually have both types of acne at the same time, which is why some see partial improvement and assume the shampoo is working,” says Foad.
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“The bottom line is that if you have blackheads, whiteheads or deep, painful cysts, you need a true acne treatment.
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Even for fungal acne, it controls the problem rather than cures it.
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“Malassezia yeast lives on everyone’s skin naturally, so the goal is to keep it in balance, not eliminate it,” says Foad.
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If you stop treating fungal acne entirely, it usually comes back, especially in hot, humid weather.
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So, think of dandruff shampoo as a management tool with ongoing maintenance, rather than a one-time cure, says Foad.
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Best dandruff shampoos for fungal acne
Best overall
This shampoo, which has 1% ketoconazole, is one Foad regularly recommends to her patients dealing with fungal acne on their face or body.
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“The key is using it as a short-contact mask, not a regular cleanser,” she says.
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she → use → mask
That contact time is what allows the active ingredient to work.”
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ingredient → allow → ?
For the face, Foad recommends keeping it targeted and limiting it to a few times a week to avoid dryness.
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Best for sensitive skin
Those with sensitive skin have to be careful with which anti-dandruff shampoo they use on their skin.
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This Vanicream shampoo is a mild option that has 2% pyrithione zinc, which has antifungal properties and targets itchiness and inflammation.
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which → have → itchiness
It also has panthenol and glycerin to avoid overly drying out your skin, according to the brand.
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It’s also free of common irritants like dyes, parabens and sulfates.
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Best cooling
This Selsun Blue shampoo comes recommended by Foad, who says the 1% selenium sulfide in its formula slows yeast growth and skin cell turnover, which can treat fungal acne and reduce flaking and scaling on your skin.
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which → recommend → skin
It also has menthol, which feels cooling on the skin and helps reduce mild itchiness.
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Best budget-friendly
This is a classic for a reason: Head and Shoulders’ anti-dandruff shampoo lathers well, smells good and has zinc pyrithione, which has both antifungal and antibacterial properties, says Foad.
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Foad → lather → properties
It’s also under $10, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.
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The shampoo combats dryness, relieves irritation and itchiness, reduces flakes and redness, and controls oil.
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shampoo → combat → oil
What ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoo can help treat fungal acne?
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ingredients → help → acne
Not every dandruff shampoo has the same active ingredients, so the results can vary from product to product.
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results → have → product
The ingredients commonly in anti-dandruff shampoos that help treat fungal acne are:
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This is one of the most well-known ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoo.
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…and 44 more, not listed.
The Aporia
