Doctor shares honest verdict for anyone trying viral shampoo hack to clear acne

Is shampooing your face really the secret to clear, glowing skin?

Whether it's slugging with vaseline every night, double cleansing each morning, or investing in an expensive retinoid - the perpetual hunt for perfect skin is always changing depending on the latest trend. Recently, Brits have been washing their faces with anti-dandruff shampoos such as Head & Shoulders in a bid to fight stubborn fungal acne.

Some say the hack works wonders, attracting thousands of views online for showing off their incredible results. But NHS doctor and viral TikTok sensation Karan Raj has weighed in on the bizarre trend - warning there is a 'catch' you should be aware of before turning your hair care into a cleanser...

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"Different types of acne require different types of treatment," the doctor said in a recent video. "Cystic acne might require retinoids [where] surface level blackheads might respond better to salicylic acid. But if if you have fungal acne, shampoo on your face might actually work."

Dr Karan, who has amassed a whopping 5.3 million followers on TikTok thanks to his witty commentary on health trends, says both dandruff and fungal acne are caused by an overgrowth of a type of fungi called yeast malassezia.

Shampoos like Head & Shoulders contain ingredients such as zinc pyrithione which can actually stop the fungal cells from multiplying - giving you a flake-free scalp and spot-free forehead.

"The downside is in some cases, it could irritate and dry out the skin and result in a compromised skin barrier," he added. "And, it won't do much for common types of acne like bacterial acne."

While hundreds of users branded the hack 'brilliant', Dr Karan advises opting for ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids to tackle your acne. He also recommends speaking to a specialist if you're trying to solve a 'medical issue' such as fungal acne - rather than treating it as a 'cosmetic' issue.

What's your top skincare secret? Let us know in the comments section below