One of the popular trends on Tik Tok is to use dandruff shampoo as a skin wash, especially if the skin is prone to acne.
The videos claim that the zinc in dandruff shampoo is “amazing for your face.”
The video has garnered more than a million views and is shared by dermatologists who offer their opinions on her method. It is noteworthy that some doctors supported this method, but with some caveats, of course.
Experts say anti-dandruff shampoos have antifungal properties due to zinc pyrithione, an antifungal ingredient, which helps people with a very specific type of acne from fungal overgrowth. However, since most people with acne have a bacterial variety rather than a fungus.
But doctors caution that relatively inexpensive over-the-counter shampoos are not made for facial skin and can irritate and dry out the skin.
Dandruff shampoo works on acne in a similar way to how it works on your scalp. Acne is the result of pores becoming clogged with oil, and it usually becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause swelling and redness. Anti-dandruff shampoos are over-the-counter drugs that are typically formulated with two FDA-approved ingredients: zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide. Both ingredients work on dandruff due to their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. If applied to the face, they can help reduce acne due to their antibacterial benefits.
Fungal acne looks like pus-filled pimples and red bumps, which can resemble bacterial acne. You must first check the type of grain before deciding whether or not a dandruff shampoo is suitable.
Aside from dandruff shampoo, doctors recommend using a gentle face wash with ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid help to clear up skin inflammation and open pores; Niacinamide is great for dark spots caused by acne, and benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria, is also good to look for in a face wash.
