Ingredient · dataset v56
Benzoyl Peroxide and fungal acne
Antifungal · known to help
Why it's known to help
Best known as an antibacterial for ordinary acne, but its oxygen-releasing action also suppresses Malassezia growth, and formulators use it as the active in skincare aimed at fungal acne.
Nuance, stated honestly: it can be drying and irritating, and the Malassezia-specific record is thinner than for zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, which is why this sits at moderate, not strong.
Evidence strength
Strength 2/3
Function
Antifungal
Also listed as
BPO, Dibenzoyl Peroxide
Checked products with this ingredient (8)
Product types: Antifungal treatments, Cleansers
Antifungal treatments (7)
- PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash (Benzoyl Peroxide 4%)
- PanOxyl Acne Treatment Bar (Benzoyl Peroxide 10%)
- Touch Acne Treatment Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%)
- Dr. Song 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Advanced Acne Gel
- Humane Maximum-Strength Acne Wash 8 oz
- Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask 4.2 oz
- Zapzyt Maximum Strength Acne Treatment Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide 10%)
Cleansers (1)
Related antifungal
- Bifonazole — Antifungal · known to help
- Ciclopirox — Antifungal · known to help
- Climbazole — Antifungal · known to help
- Clotrimazole — Antifungal · known to help
- Econazole — Antifungal · known to help
- Ketoconazole — Antifungal · known to help
- Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil — Antifungal · known to help
- Miconazole — Antifungal · known to help
Sources
- Okamoto et al. 2021 — benzoyl peroxide microbicidal vs Malassezia spp. in vitro (J Dermatol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Benzoyl Peroxide help with fungal acne?
It is known to help: Best known as an antibacterial for ordinary acne, but its oxygen-releasing action also suppresses Malassezia growth, and formulators use it as the active in skincare aimed at fungal acne. It is commonly used against Malassezia — that is not a claim that any product treats or cures anything.
Does Benzoyl Peroxide feed Malassezia?
No: Benzoyl Peroxide is known to help against Malassezia, not feed it. That is not a claim that any product treats or cures anything.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Benzoyl Peroxide →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.