Zinc pyrithione is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that can effectively treat fungal acne or Malassezia folliculitis. However, we don’t have evidence that it is an effective treatment option for acne vulgaris.
Have you heard about the trend of using dandruff shampoo on the face? A lot of people are saying that it clears their acne.
Zinc pyrithione is the star ingredient in many dandruff shampoos but does it really help acne? If so, what type of acne?
Types of acne
Most of the time, when we talk about acne, we are referring to acne vulgaris. This acne is caused by excessive oiliness, plugging of our pores with dead skin cells, or infection by the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes.
It can present with whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, or pustules.
Another type of acne is Malassezia folliculitis also called fungal acne. This occurs due to the overgrowth of Malassezia fungus on our skin which infects our hair follicles resulting in papules and pustules.
As compared to acne vulgaris, the lesions in fungal acne are monomorphic, meaning they all look the same. They are also associated with itching.
They tend to occur in a humid environment or when we sweat a lot. It can occur on our face (usually forehead or sides of the face), neck, chest, or back.
What is pyrithione zinc?
Pyrithione zinc (also known as zinc pyrithione) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that can prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria).
It has been used for years to treat conditions associated with Malassezia fungus like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or tinea versicolor.
It can also help in restoring the skin barrier which can benefit chronic inflammatory skin conditions.
Can it benefit acne?
Zinc pyrithione is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and can kill bacteria. It is effective against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria.
We don’t have any evidence that suggests it is effective against Cutibacterium acnes, bacteria that cause acne vulgaris.
Most of the evidence documenting the benefit of zinc for acne involves amino acid complexes of zinc (like zinc glycinate) or zinc sulfate.
On the other hand, zinc pyrithione is beneficial in treating fungal acne or Malassezia folliculitis. It can decrease the overgrowth of Malassezia, which is the cause of fungal acne.
How to use
Pyrithione zinc can be found in creams, cleansers, bar soaps, or shampoos.
The concentration in wash-off products is 0.3% to 2% while the concentration in leave-on products is 0.1 to 0.25%.
For leave-on products you can use it as per the directions, usually once or twice per day depending on the consistency of the cream. Some creams are oil-based and may be best used at night.
Zinc pyrithione may also be compounded with other medications like Curology includes zinc pyrithione in its custom formulations.
For wash-off products like zinc cleansers or face washes, see the directions of the product or follow what your physician recommends.
Below are the general guidelines:
- Wash your hands and wet your face with a splash of water.
- Take the cleanser in your hand and make a lather.
- Leave the lather on the affected areas for 2-5 minutes.
- Rinse off well.
It is important to leave the lather on your face for a few minutes so that the zinc pyrithione particles can deposit on the skin surface and hair follicles.
This way even when you wash off your cleanser, the particles stay behind and prevent overgrowth of Malassezia on the skin.
Products picks
1. Zinc pyrithione soap and face wash
There are few zinc cleansers or washes which are gentle and can be used on the face. Zinc pyrithione soap bars can also be used on the skin; however, I find them more drying.
Pyrijthione zinc soaps
- Noble Formula 2% Pyrithione Zinc Bar Soap [Amazon]
- DermaHarmony 2% Pyrithione Zinc (ZnP) Bar Soap – Review here [Amazon]
Face/body washes with zinc pyrithione
- Dermadoctor Calm Cool & Corrected cleanser (Review here)– 2 % Zinc pyrithione (contains sulfates, no fragrance) [currently not available]
- Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash – 0.95% Zinc pyrithione (free of fragrance and sulfates) [Amazon] [Walmart]
2. Zinc pyrithione shampoo
Not every zinc pyrithione shampoo is suitable for use on facial skin. Some contain harsh surfactants, dyes, or potentially irritating preservatives.
Vanicream anti-dandruff shampoo may be a good option for use on the face. It’s free of sulfates, dyes, or fragrances.
- Vanicream Free & Clear Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo – 2% Zinc pyrithione (free of fragrance and sulfates) [Amazon] [Target]
3. Zinc pyrithione face cream
Zinc pyrithione can be found in a few over-the-counter creams. Both the creams mentioned below are based on oils.
- DermaHarmony Seborrheic Dermatitis Cream – 0.25% zinc pyrithione [Amazon] [DermaHarmony]
- Noble Formula Maximum Strength Cream – Pyrithione Zinc (ZnP) 0.25% [Amazon] [Noble formula]
Can it get rid of fungal acne?
Zinc pyrithione may help in resolving mild cases of fungal acne. In some resistant cases, prescription medications will be required to completely get rid of it.
If you are not sure whether your acne is fungal or not, it’s best to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Other types of acne may not improve or get worse if not treated appropriately.
Key points
Zinc pyrithione is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that can target fungi and bacteria. It can effectively treat fungal acne or Malassezia folliculitis.
However, we don’t have any evidence that shows it can be an effective treatment option for acne vulgaris, which is caused by Cutibacterium acnes bacteria.
There are several over-the-counter products containing zinc pyrithione. For wash-off products, make sure to leave the product’s foam on the affected area for a few minutes.
If your fungal acne doesn’t improve, or if you’re not sure whether you have fungal acne, it’s best to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Read more: Pyrithione Zinc for Face: Benefits, Side Effects, How to Use & Products
References
- Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi: 10.1155/2014/709152. Epub 2014 Jul 10. PMID: 25120566; PMCID: PMC4120804.
- Abendrot M, Płuciennik E, Felczak A, Zawadzka K, Piątczak E, Nowaczyk P, Kalinowska-Lis U. Zinc(II) Complexes of Amino Acids as New Active Ingredients for Anti-Acne Dermatological Preparations. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 6;22(4):1641. doi: 10.3390/ijms22041641. PMID: 33561977; PMCID: PMC7915519.
- Vest BE, Krauland K. Malassezia Furfur. [Updated 2022 May 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan.
- Mangion SE, Holmes AM, Roberts MS. Targeted Delivery of Zinc Pyrithione to Skin Epithelia. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 8;22(18):9730. doi: 10.3390/ijms22189730. PMID: 34575891; PMCID: PMC8465279.
- Rubenstein RM, Malerich SA. Malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 Mar;7(3):37-41. PMID: 24688625; PMCID: PMC3970831.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.