Fungal Acne vs. Regular Acne in Monsoon: Spot the Difference

You’d think the rains would be a break for your skin after all that summer fun, but nope! Monsoon comes with its own chaos. The humidity is high, sweat lingers around, and by midday, your face feels like it’s fighting for balance. There comes breakouts! You try your regular acne routine to tackle these pimples… and it barely makes a dent.

Because not all breakouts are the same. Especially during monsoon, there’s another kind that sneaks in more often, fungal acne. It looks pretty similar, shows up in the same zones, but plays by a completely different set of rules. And sometimes, even your best face serum or moisturiser fails to get rid of it.

In this blog, we aim to uncover – , how fungal acne is different from regular acne, what triggers both during this season, and most importantly, how to deal with them.

Fungal Acne vs. Regular Acne: What’s Actually Different?

Not all breakouts are built the same, and during monsoon, that becomes very obvious.

Here’s how you can tell the difference, in a way that makes sense, not stress:

The texture difference: here’s what you see on your skin

Regular acne is a bit chaotic. You’ll see a mix of whiteheads, occasional cysts, maybe a few blackheads. Some are painful while some are not. Fungal acne isn’t all over the place like that. It shows up as clusters of tiny bumps, usually all the same size, and they’re often in areas where sweat just sits, like the hairline, forehead, or even shoulders and chest.

Itchy or painful: how does it feel on your skin?

This one’s a huge clue. Regular acne doesn’t usually itch. It hurts, it’s inflamed, it sits deep. Fungal acne, on the other hand, often feels itchy or tingly, especially when your face gets sweaty or oily. If you’re constantly tempted to scratch, that’s your sign.

They pop up in different zones

Regular acne loves the T-zone, cheeks, jaw, basically, the usual suspects. Fungal acne shows up in hot, sweaty zones, where moisture just lingers. If you’re getting breakouts in areas like the upper back or right along your hairline, it could be fungal.

Humidity messes with both, but not in the same way

During the monsoon, everything feels stickier. For regular acne, the moisture clogs up pores and traps oil. For fungal acne, the humidity fuels the yeast overgrowth that causes it. So while the weather feels like the same trigger, the reasons behind the breakouts are totally different.

Here’s where it really messes with people: regular acne responds well to your usual anti-acne regimen. But fungal acne does not respond much. In fact, if your products are too rich or oily, they might be feeding the problem.

This is where keeping your routine light actually pays off. Neude’s line-up is all about barrier-supportive actives, in textures that won’t clog or overload. Just clean, targeted actives that help your skin stay calm and balanced.

Neude’s Minimal Routine for Not-So-Minimal Monsoon Acne

If your skin’s been feeling extra moody this monsoon, like oily one day, bumpy the next, then all you need is a low-effort, skin-sane routine that can make all the difference. We’ve rounded up a quick Neude checklist that helps keep things clear & hi-glaze.

Zits Away: A Cleanser That Gets the Breakout Struggle

When breakouts feel endless, especially in this sticky, monsoon weather, the last thing your skin needs is a harsh, drying cleanser pretending to fix it. Zits Away Acne Control Gel Face Wash by Neude Skin is built differently. It’s lightweight, gel-based, and designed to treat acne at every stage without leaving your skin red, tight, or confused.

The formula brings together 2% Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide, both known for clearing existing breakouts and preventing new ones, but balances them with Milk AHA (Lactic Acid) and Lactobacillus Ferment, which gently exfoliate and promote new cell growth at the same time. So while it clears gunk from pores, it doesn’t send your skin barrier into panic mode.

You’ll also get calming support from Neem Seed Oil, Papaya Extract, Aloe Vera, and Lemon Peel, all working quietly to reduce oil, calm irritation, and even out post-acne marks. It’s a super gentle and effective milky formula, something acne-prone skin actually needs.

Perfect for both AM and PM, it’s a daily face cleanser that fits right into a routine. Whether you’re dealing with active breakouts or just trying to prevent the next one, this one keeps things balanced.

Legend 13: The Fix for Skin that’s Breaking Out

When your skin’s stressed, breaking out, and feeling patchy all at once, the next thing after cleanser that’s really needed is a legend. Legend 13 Super Face Serum is made exactly for those in-between skin moments where nothing feels stable.

It’s packed with 13 active ingredients that provide hydration, barrier repair, and even skin tone. Lactobacillus Ferment, a milk-derived probiotic, targets inflammation, congestion while supporting healthy cell turnover. That means fewer bumps and breakouts, and skin that just feels more balanced.

For barrier support, there are 3x Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid working in sync to hold moisture and prevent dryness or flakiness. Add Niacinamide to refine texture and fade post-acne marks, and you’ve already got a strong, daily defence layer built in.

Brightening support comes from Alpha Arbutin and Kakadu Plum, helping to fade pigmentation and even out skin tone over time. Meanwhile, Vitamin B5, Aloe Vera, and Phytosqualene step in to keep the skin soothed, moisturised, and protected, especially when the weather’s humid and your skin’s leaning reactive.

What sets Legend 13, the best face serum, apart is how everything works together without overwhelming your skin. It’s non-comedogenic, pH-balanced (5.5), and sinks in fast, with no greasy layer, no pilling under other products.

Use it on clean skin, before moisturiser. It works just as well in the AM when you’re heading out or in the PM when your skin needs to settle down. Simple, direct, and built for skin that’s been through a lot lately.

Skin Dew: For Dewy, Not Damp-Looking Skin

A face moisturizer for oily skin in the monsoon should hydrate, not turn your face into a bigger greasy mess. That’s where Skin Dew slips in easily. It’s a gel-based daily hydrator that brings bounce without the oil slick, glow without heaviness, and softness without clogging anything up.

Formulated with Milk, this face moisturizer softens and conditions skin from the get-go. But what makes it stand out is how well it supports acne-prone and oily skin without disrupting its flow. Walnut Oil (yes, non-comedogenic here) increases skin’s hydration and prevents water loss.

There’s also Green Tea Extract that helps calm down irritation, fade dark spots, and build some resilience against sticky days. Add Niacinamide to the mix, and you’ve got a barrier-supporting hydrator that evens tone and keeps skin nourished.

It’s made for oily and acne-prone skin types, especially in humid seasons. And the texture is light, dewy, and sinks in a snap. If you’re looking for the best moisturizer for face in India that actually holds up in monsoon weather, Skin Dew checks all the right boxes.

Layer this face moisturizer for dry skin after your serum (like Legend 13), and it locks everything in without messing with your finish. Just that clean, nourished, Hi-glaze look!

If You Think Sunscreen Isn’t for Monsoons, Read This!

If you’ve been skipping sunscreen for face because it feels heavy, leaves a weird white layer, or just doesn’t sit right under makeup, Sunstoppable SPF45 fixes all that without trying too hard.

This is a 3-in-1 daily face sunscreen that protects, hydrates, and even repairs, and somehow still feels like nothing on the skin. It’s powered by Zinc Oxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, with Milk Extracts that help fade old sun damage and reduces tanning.

You’re also getting Avocado Oil (hello antioxidants) and Almond Oil, which soothe sun-exposed skin and helps reverse sun damage. The texture is smooth with zero white cast, no pilling, and no greasy shine.

Sunstoppable is made for everyday use, especially in unpredictable weather where clouds trick you into skipping SPF. Use it as the final step in your morning skincare routine; it layers easily after serum and moisturiser without feeling like too much.

Apply two to three fingers’ worth before stepping out, and reapply every few hours if you’re outdoors. Whether it’s just another workday or you’re out running errands in sticky heat, this sunscreen for oily skin holds up.

The Takeaway

Dealing with breakouts during monsoon doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire routine, just tweak it smartly. Once you know the difference between fungal and regular acne, you can finally stop throwing random products at your skin and start giving it what it actually needs.

Keep it minimal, lightweight, and barrier-safe. And before you go, definitely check the Neude website. They’ve usually got exciting offers running, so your skin (and your wallet) stay happy.