Ingredient · dataset v56
Saponified Oils and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Fatty-acid soap salts that revert to free fatty acids in wash water and on skin, freeing the exact fats Malassezia yeast eats.
Explicit soap-base row: wash-off bars rinse most away, but the acids are judged, shown honestly per the antifungal rule. Not individually feeding-tested.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Soap
Also listed as
Sodium Palmate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Olivate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Saponified Olive Oil, Saponified Coconut Oil, Saponified Palm Oil, Saponified Argan Oil, Saponified Sunflower Oil, Sodium Stearate, Potassium Stearate, Sodium Tallowate, Potassium Cocoate, Potassium Laurate, Sodium Myristate, Potassium Myristate, Sodium Palmitate, Potassium Palmitate, Sodium Oleate, Potassium Oleate
Checked products with this ingredient (2)
Product types: Antifungal treatments
Antifungal treatments (2)
Products without this ingredient
- Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser
- Acure Dry Shampoo, Non Aerosol, Clean, 100% Vegan 1.7 oz Travel Size
- NYX Professional Makeup Dewy Finish Long Lasting Setting Spray
- Plant Guru Indian Healing Clay 1 lb
- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 13.5 fl oz
- Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel 50 ml
Related soap
- Aluminum Stearate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Magnesium Stearate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Sodium Laurate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Zinc Stearate — May trigger · Limited 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 Saponified Oils trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited 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 Saponified Oils feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Saponified Oils as a potential trigger (limited 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?
Limited evidence: Fatty-acid soap salts that revert to free fatty acids in wash water and on skin, freeing the exact fats this yeast eats.
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 Saponified Oils →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.