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Buying guide · Picks updated November 6, 2026

Best Serums for Fungal Acne (2026)

Our top pick for serums for fungal acne in 2026 is Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum: fragrance-free, no essential oils, no plant oils, butters, fatty esters and polysorbates. These 8 picks pass every rule for this need, out of 74 serums whose full ingredient lists we decoded. Picks updated November 6, 2026.

The catch: a product can suit fungal acne (malassezia) by its ingredient list and still not suit your skin, so patch test first and see a doctor if a flare doesn't settle.

Start with the ingredient list, not the front of the bottle, because labels list ingredients from highest amount to lowest. Every pick here was chosen by reading its full INCI list (the standard ingredient list on the label), and products with more helpful ingredients, such as zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole and salicylic acid, rank higher. Fungal acne looks like ordinary acne, so a doctor or dermatologist should confirm it first.

Edited by Bez · Our full method

Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

Best overall

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Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

  • Fragrance-free
  • No essential oils
  • No labelled fragrance allergens
  • No drying alcohol
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free

Key ingredients: Ceramides · Niacinamide · Hyaluronic acid · Glycerin · Salicylic acid (BHA)

Check today's price on AmazonFull ingredient list

Our picks, ranked by their ingredient lists

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Compare every pick

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ProductIngredientsFragranceEssential oilsLabelled fragrance allergensDrying alcoholSulfatesSiliconesKey ingredientsBuy
1Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing SerumBest overall35Ceramides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acidAmazon
2Balea Beauty Expert Plump & Glow SerumShortest ingredient list13Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, GlycerinAmazon
3Balea Niacinamide Serum 1 x16Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, GlycerinAmazon
4Catrice Pore Ultra Minimizing Serum18Niacinamide, Glycerin, Lactic acidAmazon
5Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2%20Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, GlycerinAmazon
6Paula's Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment26Niacinamide, Glycerin, Vitamin CAmazon
7Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum Ginseng + Snail Mucin28Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, GlycerinAmazon
8Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum34Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, GlycerinAmazon

What every pick leaves out

Every pick is also free of plant oils, butters, fatty esters and polysorbates, so look for those names on the label as well. Fragrance-free means no added fragrance, but only the full ingredient list proves it, since 'unscented' can still contain a masking fragrance that hides other smells. Patch test anything new, such as inside the elbow, for several days before using it all over.

    How to choose

    Which ingredients should you look for in serums for fungal acne?

    Scan the list for helpful ingredients that rank higher. Salicylic acid (BHA), an oil-soluble exfoliant, reaches inside pores. Zinc pyrithione is an anti-dandruff active that targets scalp yeast. Ketoconazole is an antifungal anti-dandruff active. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, helps with oil, redness and uneven tone. Squalane is a light, skin-compatible emollient.

    How do you read the ingredient list in serums for fungal acne?

    The label lists ingredients from the highest amount to the lowest, down to about 1%. Below that point, the order is free. Check the full INCI list, the standard ingredient list on the label. Fragrance-free means no added fragrance, but only the full ingredient list proves it.

    Should you patch test before using a new serum?

    Patch test anything new. Apply a little to a small area, such as inside the elbow, for several days before using it all over. Fungal acne (Malassezia) looks like ordinary acne, so a doctor or dermatologist can confirm it. If you are unsure, see a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist before you start.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which are the best serums for fungal acne in 2026?

    Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum is our top pick in 2026: fragrance-free, no essential oils, no plant oils, butters, fatty esters and polysorbates. The runners-up are Balea Beauty Expert Plump & Glow Serum, Balea Niacinamide Serum 1 x and Catrice Pore Ultra Minimizing Serum. Every pick is chosen by code from its full ingredient list.

    Which ingredients should a serum for fungal acne include?

    Usually, look for salicylic acid (BHA), zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, niacinamide and squalane. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that dissolves in oil, so it clears inside pores. Zinc pyrithione targets scalp yeast, and ketoconazole is an antifungal anti-dandruff ingredient.

    What should a serum for fungal acne and oily skin contain?

    Usually, look for niacinamide and salicylic acid. Niacinamide, vitamin B3, helps with oil, redness, uneven tone and the skin barrier. Salicylic acid (BHA) clears inside pores. Check the full ingredient list to confirm both are there.

    Is a serum for fungal acne safe to try?

    Patch test first. Apply a little to a small area, such as inside the elbow, for several days before using it all over. Do this with anything new, including a serum you are excited to try.

    How can I tell if a serum is fragrance-free?

    Read the full ingredient list, called INCI, the standard list on the label. 'Fragrance-free' means no added fragrance, but only that list proves it. 'Unscented' can still contain a masking fragrance that hides the smell of other ingredients.

    Can I tell fungal acne from regular acne myself?

    No, not by looks alone. Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) looks like ordinary acne, so a doctor or dermatologist can confirm it. If you are unsure what you have, see one before you start a new serum.