Battling stubborn breakouts that won’t disappear no matter what topical or internal treatments you go for points to a good chance of having fungal acne (also known as Malassezia folliculitis). In my previous post, How To Get Rid of Fungal Acne For Good, I explained what fungal acne is and how to get rid of it.
In this post, you will read about the pros and cons of purchasing their products. So if you are currently struggling with itchy, bumpy, acne-like spots, this review might be extremely helpful in understanding what you are dealing with.
Without further waiting, let’s dive into everything you need to know about Malezia, their products, fungal acne, and whether it’s worth the hype.
Table of Contents
- What Is Malezia Skincare?
- Why I Chose Malezia: My Skin Background
- What Happened After Using Malezia
- The Pros and Cons of Malezia Skincare
- Final Verdict: Would I Recommend Malezia?
What Is Malezia Skincare?
Malezia is a brand that was created with one purpose – to target fungal acne, also known as Malassezia folliculitis. The founder’s name is Stephen Ford, and he is a former YouTuber with his content focused on skincare. He is also such a science enthusiast; therefore, the brand is also science-backed.
He made sure to work hard for several years to put out the best products possible when it comes to fighting fungal acne. The products are also focused on minimalist formulations, avoiding common triggers such as fatty acids, oils, esters or polysorbates. And because there aren’t many brands taking the whole skincare for malassezia seriously, this founder found major success.
The star product of the brand is the Malezia 5% Urea Moisturiser, which is my favourite product from the entire line. But more about that later…
Why I Chose Malezia: My Skin Background
When you are dealing with a very specific problem but don’t seem to find any correct answers, it can get very frustrating. I spent years dealing with acne in general, and I was misdiagnosed several times by my dermatologist about what condition I was having. It turned out I had a combination of comedonal and fungal acne.
My skin is genetically not programmed to process the production of oil well. And that, combined with some hormonal imbalance, excessive sweat and other environmental factors, led to severely clogged pores and painful spots. I spent years doing my own research and perfecting my skincare routine.
Why did I stick to it?
Nowadays, I’m extremely careful about what I put on my face and body. I’ve learnt that sometimes your favourite product can change a company director and therefore the formula, to save them money. I’ve also learnt that the same products purchased in another country can have an unpleasant effect on your skin due to a change in formula.
Malezia products, unlike traditionally offered treatments, surprisingly did not have any negative effects on my skin (just on my wallet). I tested this brand out of curiosity and found out that the products calmed, hydrated and repaired my skin in a very desirable way. But they could not heal my issues completely.
As I’ve learnt more about fungal acne, I’ve understood better that certain skincare ingredients can feed Malassezia. That’s why Malezia Skincare was such a fresh breeze in my skincare routine. It promised to be fungal-acne safe, non-comedogenic, and backed by real science, and boy, did it deliver on all those promises!
It took around 3 weeks for my skin to adjust. My pores were previously severely clogged, and my skin thickened due to using the wrong and harmful products. If that’s also your case, I highly recommend focusing on repairing your skin barrier, not just clearing your acne.
Of course, everyone’s skin is different, and therefore, expect individual results. But I can present you my results, which were ultimately fewer clogged pores, less bumpiness and texture and also fewer flare-ups. Malezia products are not a quick fix or the final solution, but they certainly helped with healing and improving my skin condition.
The Products I Tried from Malezia
There are several products from the brand, and you can purchase them directly on https://malezia.com/. So far, they ship only from the US, where the brand originates. Let’s go over some of the most popular and hyped products that I decided to test.
Malezia Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser
A good cleanser is a MUST in your skincare routine, but to find one that isn’t comedogenic or feeds the yeast is a challenge on its own. I spent way too much time in a drugstore or local business studying labels and ingredients. And there was ALWAYS at least one ingredient causing problems.
So I chose this specific cleanser called Malezia Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser because it’s fungal acne safe and has many other benefits. I believe this was one of the products that helped me to balance the pH level of my skin. Although I need to warn you, it is drying. I think if you have dry skin, you need to follow up with a good moisturiser.
Overall experience was rather positive – it’s a very simple cleanser that won’t do any harm and goes well in combination with other products.
Malezia 5% Urea Moisturizer
This was the very first product I’ve ever tried from the Malezia brand. I was on a hunt for a fungal acne-safe moisturiser and something basic that still hydrates my skin. The Malezia 5% Urea Moisturiser, however, is not meant for every skin type. Just like the cleanser mentioned above, I found this moisturiser to be quite drying, especially under my makeup.
Its star ingredient is urea, a molecule found in the skin’s natural moisturising factor. It should help with repairing the skin barrier, hydrating, and mildly exfoliating your skin. In my case, it caused more exfoliation than hydration. BUT! On those days when I wasn’t wearing any makeup? It did a fantastic job keeping the oil production under control.
So, I found myself at a bit of a crossroads. On one hand, this moisturiser is one of the best I’ve tried whilst dealing with severe comedonal acne. I believe it also helped with healing my skin and restoring my skin barrier.
So, what’s the issue with this one then?
However, there were some things about these products I have to point out. Firstly, the sealing is quite awful, and the product literally burst after I opened it for the first time, causing a loss of some amount. It’s pretty much the same story with each application, and I recommend purchasing a special key designed for this product to be squeezed out fully as well.
Another important thing to point out is that this product is NOT for sensitive or severely dry skin. It WILL make things worse for you and cause irritation, redness, swollen places, and possibly burn a bit. And the reason why I feel like sharing this is because my friend, who has sensitive skin, had all these unpleasant side effects, whilst I had none. So please be cautious.
On the other hand, if you are someone with extremely oily skin and textured skin, you will absolutely love this product. It is meant for fungal acne after all. The product itself is lightweight and does not leave any sticky residue (gel-like form). Plus, it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Which is always a big yay when it comes to skincare and fungal acne-prone skin.
Malezia Acne Treatment Gel (2.5% Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide)
Lastly, I want to talk about the Malezia Acne Treatment Gel (2.5% Micronised Benzoyl Peroxide), as it remains in my top 5 products for the fungal and comedonal acne category. I’ve always loved Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant, but I started to cheat on it with this amazing Malezia one. And it paid off!
Within two weeks, my skin improved drastically. All those painful, red spots? Gone! And surprisingly, this product was not as drying as the previous two, which was wild considering it WAS meant to be. It also somehow made my skin thinner and less oily, which is the ultimate goal when dealing with oil glands in hyper-production mode!
What Happened After Using Malezia
Since Malezia is formulated entirely to avoid feeding Malassezia yeast (the main cause of fungal acne), I could not wait to try it out. Back then, I discontinued using ALL my usual skincare and decided to keep it simple but effective. Malezia products, along with some other brands, were put to the test against my ongoing malassezia issues.
Week 1-2:
My skin didn’t react badly at all (which is a win). No stinging, no clogging, and no new breakouts. However, I did not see any changes, but my skin felt a bit smoother. Normally, that happens with all new skincare products I test, before the “purge” or the “real face” of the product reveals itself.
Week 3-2:
I noticed slight itchiness, especially around my T-zone. My skin felt smoother but also so much drier. Especially when I put on makeup, the peel was so visible! But I knew it was part of the process. So I carried on.
After 6-8 Weeks:
By week 7, I knew that I would keep only the Malezia Acne Treatment Gel (2.5% Micronised Benzoyl Peroxide) within my skincare routine. The cleanser was great at first, and so was the moisturiser, but they eventually caused more problems. My skin felt tired and dehydrated.
I had to double down on my moisturising game with another product to kind of restore the peace. But I was happy with the gel treatment, because it seems to calm those stubborn bumps. The fungal acne also cleared out, and now I’m dealing with clogged pores and scars only.
The Pros and Cons of Malezia Skincare
For the final verdict, let’s summarise all the advantages and disadvantages of using Malezia skincare for fungal acne. I already mentioned the packaging issues, which is something you could overlook, as we are talking about a small business owner filling those tubes himself. But I understand that for a paying customer, this is something to consider.
I want you to be ready for NO refunds. You won’t get your money back just because you did not like the product (this is no Sephora), so please really consider before buying from this small business.
The prices range from $17 to USD 20+ per product, and the shipping can also get pricey if you are ordering outside of the US. They do ship worldwide, and it usually takes around 2-3 weeks to arrive, depending on your location. The package is eco-friendly, which sometimes means the product is not necessarily wrapped in extra layers.
The Pros of Malezia Skincare
- ✅ 100% fungal acne safe
- ✅ Simple, minimalist ingredient list
- ✅ No unnecessary fillers or fragrances
- ✅ Great for sensitive skin and barrier repair
- ✅ Lightweight and breathable
- ✅ Developed by someone who understands acne personally
- ✅ Comes with a metal tube key (super handy!)
The Cons of Malezia Skincare
- ❌ Not available in physical stores
- ❌ Slightly more expensive than drugstore moisturisers
- ❌ Only a few products in the range (currently)
- ❌ Might not be hydrating enough on its own for very dry skin
- ❌ No sample sizes available
Final Verdict: Would I Recommend Malezia?
The answer is simple – yes! BUT! Please have some realistic expectations. The Malazia brand will bring some relief to your fungal acne, and in many cases, it does a great job of healing it for good. I would not call it a miracle, but it’s a smart brand, with an amazing owner who actually cares.
Would I repurchase from Malezia? Yes, I already have! Would I recommend it for fungal acne-prone skin? Absolutely! But would I also advise you to follow other steps in your skincare routine (for example, a better moisturiser or cleanser)? Also, a big yes!
Final Thoughts
It can be very disappointing when you discover the truth about how to get rid of fungal acne and that the products you once loved are no longer safe to use (I’m talking about you, CeraVe!). Suddenly, it’s so overwhelming – looking for an entirely new skincare line to adapt to in the hope it won’t give you further bumps and clogs, spending hours researching and money on testing.
This is why I’m so motivated to share my personal journey, honest reviews about products and brands and give you, my readers, a new perspective. Sometimes you will see an affiliate link with them, but that does not mean I’m not ready to bash them if they don’t deliver on their promises.
There isn’t currently any perfected “skincare for malassezia” or “skincare for fungal acne”. But I believe with each experience, even through just reading about it, you will gain a crucial clue on how to build your own.
I highly recommend checking the https://folliculitisscout.com/ and https://www.sezia.co/ingredients checkers to see if your current skincare and makeup are safe to use when dealing with fungal or comedonal acne.
If you would like to learn more about fungal and comedonal acne, consider subscribing to my newsletter and never miss another article about this topic.
Related Articles You’ll Love
🔗 [How To Get Rid of Fungal Acne For Good]
Frequently Asked Questions About Malezia
Is Malezia safe for sensitive skin?
Yes! It’s fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, and designed to be gentle.
Does Malezia cause purging?
Most people don’t report purging. In my case, it calmed inflammation quickly without worsening breakouts.
Can I use it with other actives (like tretinoin or niacinamide)?
Yes — it plays nicely with activities. Always patch test first.
Is Malezia vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes! Malezia is both vegan and cruelty-free.
Is it dermatologist-recommended?
While it’s not officially branded as dermatologist-recommended, many dermatologists and aestheticians online trust it for fungal acne.
Can Malezia products help with regular acne, not just fungal acne?
Yes! While Malezia is formulated specifically to avoid feeding Malassezia yeast, the ingredients (like urea and benzoyl peroxide) also help treat regular acne, including clogged pores, inflammation, and texture issues. Many users report clearer skin overall, not just fungal acne improvement.
Is the Malezia moisturiser good for oily or combination skin?
Definitely. The 5% Urea Moisturiser is lightweight and non-greasy, making it ideal for oily and combination skin types. It hydrates without clogging pores or leaving a shiny finish, and it layers well under SPF or makeup.
Does Malezia have any SPF products?
Not yet. As of now, Malezia does not offer a sunscreen, but many users pair their moisturiser with fungal-acne-safe SPFs like Purito Daily Go-To or La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 (check ingredients first!). Hopefully, Malaysia adds one in the future!
How long does one tube of Malezia Moisturiser last?
With daily use (morning and night), one tube usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how much you apply. A little goes a long way, and the included metal tube key helps squeeze out every last bit.
Can I use the Malezia Moisturiser with tretinoin or adapalene?
Yes — and it’s actually a popular combo! The urea in Malezia helps soothe dryness and irritation caused by actives like tretinoin, retinol, or adapalene. Just apply tretinoin first, wait 20–30 minutes, then apply Malezia’s moisturiser.
