Ingredient · dataset v56
Plum Seed Oil and fungal acne
May trigger · Moderate evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Rich in oleic and related long-chain unsaturated fats that Malassezia yeast's fat-splitting enzymes free and its uptake enzymes accept.
Explicit row under the fatty-oil rule (same basis as the ruled seed oils); not individually feeding-tested.
Evidence strength
Moderate evidence (2/3)
Function
Oil
Plant oils: triglyceride oils and butters the yeast harvests after its enzymes split them.
Also listed as
Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Prunus Domestica (Plum) Seed Oil, Plum Oil, Plum Kernel Oil
Products without this ingredient
- Cococare Africare 100% Mineral Oil 8.5 fl oz
- Uriage Bariederm Cica Daily Gel-Cream
- Dr. Song 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Advanced Acne Gel
- Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
- The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
- Cleure Fragrance Free Leave-In Conditioner 8 fl oz
Related oil
- Acai Fruit Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Apricot Kernel Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Argan Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Avocado Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Babassu Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Baobab Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Black Currant Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Borago Officinalis Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
Sources
- Brunke & Hube 2006 — MfLIP1 extracellular lipase hydrolyses Tweens (Microbiology)
- Mayser et al. 1995 — ester hydrolysis depends on alcohol moiety (Acta Derm Venereol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Plum Seed Oil trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (moderate evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does Plum Seed Oil feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Plum Seed Oil as a potential trigger (moderate evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Moderate evidence: Rich in oleic and related long-chain unsaturated fats that this yeast's fat-splitting enzymes free and its uptake enzymes accept.
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 Plum Seed Oil →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.