Ingredient · dataset v56
Selenium Sulfide and fungal acne
Antifungal · known to help
Why it's known to help
A selenium-sulfur compound that slows Malassezia growth on skin; the classic active in dandruff and tinea-versicolor shampoos.
Tinea versicolor is itself a Malassezia overgrowth, so suppressing this yeast is this ingredient's day job.
Evidence strength
Strength 3/3
Function
Antifungal
Also listed as
Selenium Sulphide
Checked products with this ingredient (2)
Product types: Antifungal treatments
Antifungal treatments (2)
- Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Selenium Sulfide 1%)
- Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Selenium Sulfide 1%)
Related antifungal
- Benzoyl Peroxide — Antifungal · known to help
- 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
Sources
- del Palacio et al. 1987 — selenium sulfide shampoo vs itraconazole in pityriasis versicolor RCT (Clin Infect Dis)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Selenium Sulfide help with fungal acne?
It is known to help: A selenium-sulfur compound that slows Malassezia growth on skin; the classic active in dandruff and tinea-versicolor shampoos. It is commonly used against Malassezia — that is not a claim that any product treats or cures anything.
Does Selenium Sulfide feed Malassezia?
No: Selenium Sulfide 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 Selenium Sulfide →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.