Author: Namratha Gopal
Fungal acne is the skin condition that is caused due to overgrowth of a type of fungus-Malassezia around hair follicles. The sebaceous gland underneath the skin overproduces the oil where the oil, bacteria and fungus accumulates and proliferates forming bumps. Fungal acne can make your skin look textured and bumpy and in most cases, it develops into inflamed acne. One such product that treats inflammation, infection and fungal acne is witch hazel. Below I’ve mentioned best ways to use witch hazel for fungal acne-
WAYS TO USE WITCH HAZEL FOR FUNGAL ACNE
Witch hazel toner
It’s very necessary to remove that excess oil from the skin. So toner is the easiest way and time-reducing method in order for treating fungal acne here. The recipe goes like this- You need 3 tbsp witch hazel, 3 tbsp rose water and 4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil. Give a good mix and store it in small spray bottle or the pumping bottle. Now take little amount of the witch hazel toner with the help of cotton ball and pat it all over the face. Witch hazel is the anti-bacterial and anti-microbial ingredient that help inhibit the growth of underlying overgrown yeast whereas the rose water reduces the inflammation and soothe the acne prone areas.
Anti-fungal mask
To make this anti-fungal mask, you need is 1 tbsp witch hazel, 1 tbsp of diluted apple cider vinegar and 1 to 2 tbsp of oats (oats flour would work too) as per the consistency you need. Give a good mix and apply it all over the face. Wash it after 20 to 25 mins. Apple cider vinegar helps in treating fungal acne as it helps balance skin pH and inhibits fungal growth. Oats have excellent exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties that is beneficial in treating inflamed fungal acne.
Witch hazel facial serum
This serum gives you a soothing effect along with protecting your skin from fungus. Peppermint oil sets the standard list when it comes for treating the fungal acne. All you need is 1 tbsp of witch hazel, 1 tsp of aloe vera and 3 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix well until well-emulsified and transfer to a pump bottle or dropper bottle. Use it as a serum during your AM and PM skin care routine. Use commercial aloe vera gel as it emulsifies with other ingredients in the recipe.
Anti- acne spot treatment
Spot treatments are a great way to target inflamed acne and works well for inflamed fungal acne too. All you need to prepare this anti-acne spot treatment recipe is 1 tsp of witch hazel and half tsp of kaolin clay. Mix well and apply on acne using Q-tips. Keep it overnight for best results. Kaolin clay helps in extracting excess oil from the skin and witch hazel does the justice in treating the fungus.
Detoxing treatment
This face mask is boon in removing the impurities and has detoxing properties which is very essential part for us to focus on. All you need is 1 tsp of charcoal powder and 1 tbsp of witch hazel. Give a good mix and apply all over the face with the help of brush in upwards direction. Rinse after 30 mins. Charcoal powder extracts and adsorbs all the impurities and unclogs the pores from bacterial/fungal growth thereby helping healing the acne.
Ginger mask – spot treatment
All you need is 1 tsp of ginger juice and 1 tsp of witch hazel. Give a good mix and apply it over the acne with the help of Q-tips. Rinse after 20mmins. Ginger is excellent for your skin especially when it comes to clarifying and purifying. Ginger has antioxidant, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties which helps in curing acne and gives a skin refreshment.
Ketoconazole treatment
This treatment is all about mixing 2% ketoconazole shampoo diluted with witch hazel, give a spot treatment and rinse after 30 mins. After the rinse, apply the moisturiser suitable for your skin type as it can dry out your skin making flaky. You can do this daily for 3 weeks, take a break of few days and repeat until fungal acne is all cleared.
Fungal acne scrub
Take 1 tbsp of oats and witch hazel as per the consistency you require. Give a good mix and use it as a scrub in order to remove excess oil from the skin, treat inflammation and remove the dead cells. Helps unclog pores and soothe the skin.
