Is Vitex Agnus Castus Extract fungal acne safe?
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract is generally considered safe for fungal-acne-prone skin. Water/glycol fruit extract; iridoid glycosides + flavonoids, no fatty-acid moiety - note this entry is the topical cosmetic extract (not the oral supplement, which can cause hormonal acne by a separate mechanism).
Also known as Chasteberry Extract, Chaste Tree Extract, Monk's Pepper
Why this verdict
Water/glycol fruit extract; iridoid glycosides + flavonoids, no fatty-acid moiety - note this entry is the topical cosmetic extract (not the oral supplement, which can cause hormonal acne by a separate mechanism).
Fungal acne, properly called malassezia folliculitis, is driven by a yeast that feeds on fatty acids in roughly the C11 to C24 range. An ingredient is a concern when it can supply usable fatty acids in that window, and it is generally fine when it cannot. Chain length and ethoxylation can both change the verdict, which is why the chemical family alone does not decide it. See the full trigger list and how we assess ingredients for the reasoning and sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vitex Agnus Castus Extract safe for fungal acne?
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract is generally considered safe for fungal-acne-prone skin. Water/glycol fruit extract; iridoid glycosides + flavonoids, no fatty-acid moiety - note this entry is the topical cosmetic extract (not the oral supplement, which can cause hormonal acne by a separate mechanism). This is informational only and not a diagnosis; suitability varies by person and formulation.
Why is Vitex Agnus Castus Extract considered fungal-acne safe?
Water/glycol fruit extract; iridoid glycosides + flavonoids, no fatty-acid moiety - note this entry is the topical cosmetic extract (not the oral supplement, which can cause hormonal acne by a separate mechanism). Fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) is driven by ingredients that supply fatty acids in roughly the C11 to C24 range that the yeast can metabolize; Vitex Agnus Castus Extract is assessed against that mechanism.
Assessed using: INCIDecoder, Skinsort, PubMed 15783241 (safety review).
This page is informational only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Fungal acne can resemble other skin conditions, and ingredient suitability varies by person and by formulation. Verdicts reflect community-reported data and malassezia lipid research, not a guarantee for your skin. Always patch test and consult a qualified clinician.