Have you ever had those annoying little bumps that appear on your skin? They look like acne breakouts, but they itch. They are swollen and sore. Wait, does acne even itch? It might not be an acne breakout at all but a skin condition called folliculitis. Many of us may have encountered this skin irritation problem and not even known it. Folliculitis cases can be light or severe. In normal cases, it takes care of itself clearing up in a week, or over a couple of days, no harm done. In other instances, it can become moderate to severe, even recurring becoming a problem in a person’s life.

Folliculitis Explained

Exactly what is folliculitis? It is an infection that happens in either one or more of the hair follicles resulting in inflammation. Causes are mostly by the staphylococcus aureus or staph bacteria. Viruses, fungi, and even ingrown hairs can be a culprit too. Tiny bumps form under the skin that can itch, swell, fill with pus causing those tiny white head pimples. This is why folliculitis is often confused with acne. They can look very much alike, but in hindsight, they are different as acne is caused by clogged pores. Folliculitis is caused by an infection in the hair follicle itself. If you’re concerned at all you might have folliculitis see your doctor or a dermatologist. They will examine to confirm or not. Folliculitis can happen anywhere we have hair. That includes back, legs, chest, buttocks, underarms, and face. The only place it is excluded is our palms and the bottom of our feet due to no hair being there.

How Folliculitis Happens

When there is damage done to the hair follicles folliculitis can occur. This can happen from shaving, waxing, plucking, wearing tight clothes that rub against the skin causing irritation. Wearing tight clothes can also cause increased sweating. The increased sweating can clog the pores encouraging folliculitis. While folliculitis occurs mainly through follicle damage there are few other ways folliculitis can happen.

  • Infected cut or scrapes. The bacteria can spread nesting over into the hair follicles.
  • Those that have a low immune system, who are not able to fight back against infections easily.
  • Sharing a towel with someone who might have folliculitis.
  • Hot tubs, public pools or spas that do not disinfect correctly.

Types of Folliculitis

Folliculitis is factored into two types. Superficial and deep. Superficial folliculitis consists of only part of the follicle being infected. Deep folliculitis is when the whole hair follicle is infected, which usually results in severe cases.

Superficial folliculitis includes these types of folliculitis.

  • Bacterial folliculitis (common type)
  • Hot tub folliculitis (Caused from the improperly kept hot tubs.)
  • Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps)
  • And pityrosporum folliculitis (Caused by yeast infection.).

Deep folliculitis hosts.

  • Sycosis barbae (a type that young men get when they just start to shave.)
  • Gram-negative folliculitis (Folliculitis that can happen after taking antibiotics for acne for a long time.)
  • Boils/carbuncles/furuncles ( A deep infection inside the hair follicle. It is quite painful with redness and swelling.)
  • Eosinophilic folliculitis (Type of folliculitis that affects people who are HIV positive/AIDS infected.)

Treatment

For mild folliculitis, you can treat it at home either by yourself or with advice from a dermatologist. Most cases do not need a medical intervention unless your case worsens, reoccurs, or includes a high fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit ( 38 degrees Celsius). There are numerous over the counter antibacterial soaps out there that can aid you in your quest for clear skin again. Let’s look at the best!

Best Antibacterial Soaps for Folliculitis

Patchouli Soap

Who knew patchouli was therapeutic! Aside from smelling great with its earthy scent this soap has antibacterial properties for defeating folliculitis with ease. Yes, patchouli is antibacterial! Built with shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil this soap will leave your skin soothed and nourished with moisture for sure. It has no parabens or GMO’s, so this bar is all-natural.

ZUDAIFU Antibacterial Soap for Folliculitis

The name says it all. This soap is aimed specifically for folliculitis. Containing sulfur this soap is an antibacterial cleanser that helps any skin infection problem. It lessens redness, breakouts, itching, and the smell is divine! It leaves your skin and you feeling refreshed without drying your skin out at all!

Dial Antibacterial Bar Soap

Dial Soap just dialed their product up a notch with their Dial Antibacterial Bar. This is not just any simple antibacterial soap. Formulated to kill the folliculitis fungi/bacteria Dial Antibacterial Bar Soap may knock all your other body soaps to the curb. Also helpful in treating other skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Plus infusing it with moisture-rich elements Dial Antibacterial Bar Soap leaves your skin feeling clean. Not dry, just clean.

Folliculitis Solution Medicated Body Wash by Ovante

Treats folliculitis along with acne, ingrown hairs, and scars. This body wash helps soothe any inflamed redness and itching filling the hair follicles with moisturizing cleanliness. Works well for all skin types, even sensitive ones. Contains no kinds of paraffin or sulfates. Directions advise though to leave on skin for 2 to 3 minutes then wash off for best results.

CLn Therapeutic Body Wash

Powerfully effective yet very gentle. You can use this every day with no problems. CLN blends sodium hypochlorite with other healing ingredients to create visible results in as soon as two weeks! If scents are not your thing CLn contains no fragrances or other skin-irritating chemicals. Helps in treating folliculitis and a variety of other skin conditions including dry flaky skin, eczema, ingrown hairs, and razor bumps. Your skin is now clean, smooth, and healthy.

One With Nature Soap

Crafted using Dead Sea minerals, argan oil, shea butter, lemon, and sage. One With Nature Soap has created a blend that cleans, nourishes and heals. The healing comes from the Dead Sea minerals who are famous for their healing properties. They aid in refueling the skin’s pH balance. The lemon and sage help create a nice fragrance as well as share their healing properties. The result is clean toned skin.

Charcoal Face Wash Bar Soap

Charcoal is the “IT” thing in the face and skincare line. Charcoal is well known for its prominent antibacterial and antifungal properties. It helps banish skin impurities, pulling out excess oils, dirt, and toxins from your skin all the while nourishing and smoothing your skin. Thus Charcoal Face Wash Bar Soap can aid in controlling folliculitis as well as other skin problems such as eczema, acne, razor bumps. Infused with tea tree oil this Charcoal Face Wash Bar Soap has double the booming healing power allowing your skin to clear up and stay cleared up. Leaves your skin feeling good with no surprising dryness behind.

Desert Essence Tea Tree Therapy

Desert Essence Tea Tree Therapy works well on all skin types no matter what your type. Dry, oily combination, sensitive. Incorporating tea tree oil, saponified palm oil, palm kernel oil, glycerin, jojoba oil, eco-harvest oil, aloe, barbadensis leaf juice. This soap bar battles any skin infection or irritation creating strong results without reducing your skin’s natural oils.

Makari Antiseptic Soap

An antiseptic soap that works well for folliculitis thanks to its many nurturing and healing ingredients. They include; macadamia oil, mulberry root, cocoa butter, licorice extract, and a blending of seeds from apricots. This soap helps heal and dredges out skin impurities restoring skin full of moisture. This is due to the macadamia oil which is known for its moisturizing and healing abilities. Makari Antiseptic Soap is loved because it is welcoming on all skin types and conditions as well as helps in toning and lightening the skin.

DermaHarmony Bar Soap

Hardcore DermaHarmony Bar Soap comes with FDA approval to kill the bacteria that is commonly connected to acne. This soap is antibacterial and works effectively against folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and whatever other types of skin problems are out there. Made with some powerful ingredients that include saponified oils used from palm, coconuts, olive oil, table salt, oatmeal, titanium dioxide, and glycerin. DermaHarmony soap applies a soothing feel that heals lessening the appearance of redness. That is thanks to the oatmeal that provides a skin whiting touch.

Bamboo Charcoal Soap

If you want skin healing with celebrity status then Bamboo Charcoal Soap is the soap to go. Created by popular celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas this soap is not all glitter and stars, it honestly works amazing. Made with charcoal as its base you know that this is instantly going to zap away those skin toxins. When added olive oil, bamboo powder, and shea butter you got a wondrous pure natural blend product. Bamboo Charcoal Soap aims to help clear out pores and heal breakout battered skin including folliculitis. Charcoal is amazing leaving your skin feeling so silky smooth and glowing!

REMEDY SOAP

This stuff claims to treat any skin condition under the sun! From rashes to ringworm, nail fungus, jock itch, even bad body order. REMEDY SOAP uses all organic ingredients including eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree oil, peppermint, jojoba, coconut, and olive oil. REMEDY SOAP promises clean and clear skin restoration with amazing hydrating results. Safe to use every day and all over including face. You do have to stand in your shower a bit to let the soap soak into your skin. Directions state you let it set on your skin for 30 to 60 minutes before washing off to get the beneficial results.

Aromavita Oregano Oil Soap

When you see the words oregano oil soap you may wonder if the stuff will leave you smelling like your favorite Italian restaurant. The answer is no. Plus if you already have oily skin then why would you want to wash with an oil-based soap? Well, oregano is antibacterial and works highly against fighting bacteria and fungal properties that are the main cause of folliculitis and other nasty skin issues including rashes, acne, eczema, even yeast infections. Not only does it help take care of the causing issue it also evokes skin healing. A great product to use every day to fight away evil bacteria and fungal today!

Lavender Goat Milk Soap

Lavender lovers with skin problems can rejoice with Lavender Goat Milk Soap. Indeed made with goat’s milk and other therapeutic skin elements like olive oil, palm oil, coconut oil you get a soap bar that cleanses your mind and body cradling your tender skin in a nourishing cocoon. The most therapeutic soap you will ever find.

Noble Formula (ZnP) Argan Oil Bar Soap

Another powerhouse soap bar, yet gentle enough to use every day. Filled with Zinc Pyrithione that we know has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Milled oats for a soft exfoliation that helps lock in moisture while creating a barrier to protect against outside irritates. Olive and argan oil for moisturizing. Noble Formula soap bar packs a powerful healing punch to those skin irritation flare-ups. Each bar is handcrafted with all-natural minerals extracts and oils. No added fillers, dyes, or artificial scents. Works well for the whole body and face.

Conclusion

Folliculitis is no fun. It’s unsightly, it can be itchy and irritating and not to mention make you feel self-conscious. Can folliculitis be prevented? The answer is yes. Here are some preventive tips you can do.

  • Avoid sharing towels and other personal items like razors, combs. The bacteria or fungi that cause folliculitis can be living on the items. While not necessarily contagious certain folliculitis can be contracted and spread this way.
  • Wear more loose-fitting clothes so your skin can breathe thus creating less friction when you are active.
  • Shower after any strenuous work that causes profuse sweating.
  • When shaving shave in the direction of the hair growth and shave with caution to avoid damaging your skin i.e. your hair follicles.

In the end, it might be trial and error in finding the right product that finally works best for you. Each of our bodies is different so what might work well for one might not for you. Once you do, though, adding it to your beauty regime can help keep your face clear and golden.

Sources

1. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw171614

2. https://skinandhead.com/best-antibacterial-soap-for-folliculitis/

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/folliculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20361634#:~:text=The%20two%20main%20types%20of,Bacterial%20folliculitis.