Can I put sunscreen on my fungal acne?
Yes, and it is important to do so. Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) is sensitive to UV exposure like any inflamed skin, and sunscreen helps prevent post-inflammatory darkening of the marks it leaves. Choose a sunscreen that does not contain fatty acids or oils that can feed Malassezia, the yeast responsible for fungal acne.
Malassezia thrives on certain fatty acids found in oils and some skincare ingredients. Sunscreens with heavy oils, coconut oil, or fermented ingredients may aggravate fungal acne. Safe options typically include gel-based mineral sunscreens or chemical sunscreens with a simple, oil-free ingredient list. Zinc oxide in particular is considered safe for fungal acne and offers the benefit of being anti-inflammatory. Resources that list Malassezia-safe ingredients can help you cross-reference your sunscreen's full ingredient list before committing.