Ingredient · dataset v56
Sweet Almond Oil and fungal acne
May trigger · Moderate evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Mostly oleic acid, a proven fast food for Malassezia yeast.
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
Almond Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
Products without this ingredient
- Paula's Choice All Over Hair & Body Shampoo
- Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- FragFre Hair Styling Gel, Medium Hold, Sensitive Skin 8 fl oz
- Morphe Bake & Set Translucent Setting Powder Jumbo
- Sky Organics Indian Healing Clay 16 oz
- Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water 500 ml
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 Sweet Almond 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 Sweet Almond Oil feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Sweet Almond 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: Mostly oleic acid, a proven fast food for this yeast.
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 Sweet Almond Oil →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.