Ingredient · dataset v56
Wheat Germ Oil and fungal acne
May trigger · Moderate evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Rich in linoleic and related C18 unsaturated fats — the core menu Malassezia yeast harvests once its lipases split the oil's triglycerides.
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
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Wheatgerm Oil
Products without this ingredient
- Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum 30 ml
- VERB Dandruff Shampoo 3% Salicylic Acid 8 oz
- Mineral Fusion Brush-On Powder Sunscreen SPF 30
- Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray 300 ml
- Biossance 100% Squalane Oil 3.3 oz
- Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
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 Wheat Germ 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 Wheat Germ Oil feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Wheat Germ 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 linoleic and related C18 unsaturated fats — the core menu this yeast harvests once its lipases split the oil's triglycerides.
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 Wheat Germ Oil →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.