Having dandruff is a common scalp concern and most of us rely on dandruff shampoos to keep those pesky flakes under control. Lately, there’s a new trend going around — people are actually using dandruff shampoo for acne!
But does this actually work, or could it do more harm than good? To find out if this skincare hack is worth trying, we’ve reached out to two dermatologists to share their expert opinions.
- Meet Our Experts
- Why Do Trends Gain Popularity on Social Media?
- The Trend of Using Dandruff Shampoo for Acne
- Can Dandruff Shampoos Really Help With Acne?
- What’s Inside Dandruff Shampoo Makes It Tempting for Facial Use
- What’s Good for Your Scalp… Might Not Vibe With Your Face
- Not All pH Levels Are Skin-Friendly — Just Saying!
- pH Levels of Dandruff Shampoos vs. Facial Cleansers
- Other Ways To Calm Your Skin (No Shampoo Needed)
- Tried the Trend and Regret It? Here’s What To Do Next
Meet Our Experts
- Dr Tan Siew Kiang is a Ministry of Health-accredited dermatologist in Singapore at The Dermatology Practice with over a decade of experience. Her practice focuses on general, aesthetic, and laser dermatology.
- Dr Mok Zhun Rui is a Consultant Dermatologist at The Dermatology Practice @ Camden in Singapore, with expertise in acne, eczema, psoriasis, immunodermatology, advanced dermatosurgery, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery for skin cancers.
Why Do Trends Gain Popularity on Social Media?
According to Dr Tan Siew Kiang, a Ministry of Health-accredited dermatologist said that “it often started with a viral video posted by TikTokers with multi-million followers. So, it is not uncommon to see a lot of young patients following beauty trends or using TikTok viral beauty products.”
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She added that she has seen many “young patients as young as nine to 10 years old using more than 10 products on their face. And these beauty trends or products are usually inexpensive. A lot of times they are DIY hacks,” Dr Tan shared.
The Trend of Using Dandruff Shampoo for Acne
The trend of using dandruff shampoo as a face wash has recently been gaining popularity. But what do dermatologists think about this? As a matter of fact, Dr Tan said, “using dandruff shampoo as a face wash is not a new thing.”
“We have been prescribing anti-fungal shampoos with selenium sulfide or ketoconazole to treat seborrhoeic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes red scaly inflamed patches on the scalp and face. Anti-fungal shampoos decrease yeast overgrowth and oiliness, which contribute to seborrhoeic dermatitis.”
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Echoing similar sentiments, Dr Mok Zhun Rui, Consultant Dermatologist elaborated, “for skincare-related trends, we should delve into the medical science and clinical benefits behind using certain products for specific indications.
Using dandruff shampoo as a face wash is a trend that’s been gaining traction, particularly for tackling fungal acne.”
However, he emphasised, “do bear in mind that everyone has a skin type, composition and sensitivity threshold. Moreover, not all acne on the face is solely related to fungus, with seborrhoea, hormones examples of other triggers.”
Related Read: 10 Products That Get Rid of Fungal Acne and Other Tips That’ll Help
Can Dandruff Shampoos Really Help With Acne?
When asked if dandruff can cause acne and whether it’s necessary to use dandruff shampoo on the face to tackle acne issues.
@camilitagold ¿Sabías que el shampoo Head & Shoulders puede ser tu aliado contra el acné fúngico? 🌿✨ @headandshoulders Gracias a su ingrediente activo, el *piritionato de zinc*, es capaz de combatir la levadura responsable del acné fúngico. 💙 Yo lo uso como mascarilla facial, dejándolo actuar unos minutos antes de enjuagar. ¡Un truco económico y efectivo! 🙌 Recuerda consultar a un dermatólogo antes de probarlo. 😉 ✨ *Tu piel, tu prioridad.* ✨ #AcnéFúngico #SkincareTips #MascarillaCasera #HeadAndShoulders #SkincareEfectivo #CuidaTuPiel #AcnéControl #TipsDeBelleza #RutinaDeCuidado #RemediosCaseros
Dr Tan clarified, “dandruffs do not cause acne.” She shared “dandruffs happen when the excessive sebum or oil on the scalp is broken down by the yeast called Malassezia. This leads to red patchy skin, itching, and dead skin cells in the form of white flakes which are the dandruffs.
Source: Depositphotos
Both dandruff and acne are caused by excessive oil production and many people have mistaken that dandruffs cause acne. According to Dr Tan, there are many causes of acne, including:
- Diet
- Medications
- Cosmetics
- Genetic factors
- Fungal infection
- Bacterial infection
- Hormonal influences
She added that “dandruff shampoo may be useful for patients with fungal acne, also known as pityrosporum folliculitis.”
What’s Inside Dandruff Shampoo Makes It Tempting for Facial Use
Source: Depositphotos
Meanwhile, when asked about the ingredients in dandruff shampoo that might make it suitable for facial skin, Dr Tan explained, “dandruff shampoo often contain zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide which combat fungal overgrowth. That’s why it is useful for fungal acne.”
Echoing this, Dr Mok elaborated, “all skin carries with it its own skin microbiome – comprising bacterial and fungal elements. This type of acne is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, leading to inflammation and breakouts.
Source: Depositphotos
Additionally, “dandruff shampoos, which typically contain ingredients like ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, or selenium sulfide, can help combat this yeast overgrowth.”
He shared that the “components of dandruff shampoo that make it useful for facial skin are its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.” For instance:
- Ketoconazole can decrease fungus levels on the skin
- Zinc pyrithione helps reduce inflammation and prevent fungal growth
What’s Good for Your Scalp… Might Not Vibe With Your Face
When asked about the potential risks, Dr Tan explained that most acne is usually caused by bacterial infection, which means dandruff shampoo may not be effective for all types of acne.
Source: Depositphotos
“Dandruff shampoo, when used on a daily basis, can dry out the skin and might lead to irritation causing red and sensitive skin. So even though we know that antifungal shampoos work well in eliminating the fungal overgrowth, we seldom prescribe them to patients with acne rosacea as these patients have sensitive skin which is prone to flush and turn red,” she added.
Sharing a similar concern, Dr Mok pointed out that “the skin on your face is generally more sensitive than your scalp, so using a shampoo that’s formulated for the scalp can be too harsh.”
Not All pH Levels Are Skin-Friendly — Just Saying!
Source: Depositphotos
According to Dr Tan, the difference in pH levels between dandruff shampoos and facial cleansers could potentially affect skin health.
“Dandruff shampoos can vary in pH, most commercial options tend to be slightly acidic to neutral, with pH ranging from 4.5 to 7. That’s why it’s not uncommon for patients to complain of dry and frizzy hair after using dandruff or antifungal shampoo,” she added.
Dr Tan further shared that when it comes to facial skin, pH balance is crucial. “A pH of 5.5 is slightly acidic and is the ideal pH level for healthy skin. It helps maintain the skin’s barrier, which protects against harmful microorganisms and environmental factors,” she explained.
pH Levels of Dandruff Shampoos vs. Facial Cleansers
Dr Mok shared that “as a product category, dandruff shampoos have a range of pH” which is quite similar to facial cleansers. The difference in pH levels between the two is not significant. According to Dr Mok, the pH levels are as follows:
- Dandruff shampoos typically range from pH 4.5 to 6.5
- Facial cleansers usually range from pH 4.5 to 5.5
He explained that “the skin’s natural pH is around 5.5, and products that are closer to this value are deemed as more gentle and less disruptive to the skin barrier.”
Other Ways To Calm Your Skin (No Shampoo Needed)
When it comes to managing fungal acne or seborrhoeic dermatitis on the face, dermatologists agree that treatment goes beyond just using antifungal shampoos.
Source: Depositphotos
Dr Tan shared, “other than antifungal shampoo, patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis and fungal acne often need concurrent treatment such as anti-inflammatory creams, antifungal cream and sometimes oral antifungal.”
Source: Depositphotos
Meanwhile, Dr Mok also suggested exploring other options, especially for those looking for targeted ingredients or treatments.
“consider using cleansers that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which can help control acne-causing bacteria.”
He also suggested “using a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated and balanced.”
For those needing anti-inflammatory effects, Dr Mok added, “for an anti-inflammatory effect — low potency topical corticosteroid creams or topical steroid sparing creams can be useful as well.”
Related Read: Salicylic Acid Is the Ingredient You Need for Clearer, Clog-Free Skin – Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Tried the Trend and Regret It? Here’s What To Do Next
If you’re already experiencing irritation or discomfort after trying dandruff shampoo on your face, Dr Tan advised, “switch to a gentle facial wash and hydrating moisturiser and consult a medical professional if you’re experiencing burning or stinging.”
She emphasised that “there are many other effective and safe treatments available for acne.” So, it’s always best to seek professional advice rather than relying solely on trending hacks.
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Before hopping onto any skincare trends you see on social media, Dr Mok also shared a few important reminders:
- Consult a Dermatologist: Get professional advice before trying any new skincare products or treatments. The condition you are experiencing may or may not be the same as what is depicted on social media.
- Be Cautious of Harsh Ingredients: Avoid using products that contain harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin.
- Don’t Believe Everything You See: Social media can be misleading, so take skincare trends with a grain of salt and do your own research.
