we’ve seen plenty of unconventional beauty treatments and solutions in our day—applying potato slices under your eyes to eliminate dark circles, using starch in place of dry shampoo… you get the picture.

There are also a ton of these DIY solutions out there for acne, like the ol’ toothpaste on a pimple trick (which is terrible for your skin, by the way), including one that has the internet really buzzing—washing your face with dandruff shampoo.

Here’s the thing, though: Unlike so many of these other DIY solutions, it turns out there’s actually some validity to this one.

Credit pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfide, are two of the active ingredients most commonly found in dandruff shampoo.

So, are you simply supposed to swap out your face wash for a bottle of Head & Shoulders? Not quite.

Here, Joshua Zeichner, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, also, New York City dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group, clarify how dandruff cleanser can help battle skin break out, and how to best utilize it for this reason.

FAST FACTS

• TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Anti-fungal
• MAIN BENEFITS: Targets the overgrowth of fungus in the hair follicles of the skin that can lead to fungal acne.
• WHO SHOULD USE IT: Those dealing with fungal acne may want to consider trying this.
• HOW OFTEN CAN YOU USE IT: You don’t need to wash your face with a dandruff shampoo daily—two to three times per week is sufficient, says Greenfield.
• WORKS WELL WITH: This largely depends on the individual, but a topical anti-fungal cream can sometimes be helpful as well, according to Greenfield.
• DON’T USE WITH: Again, this varies on a case-by-case basis, but if your skin is dry or sensitive, to begin with, you may want to consider avoiding ingredients known to be irritating (think retinoids or intense exfoliating acids).

What are Pyrithione Zinc and Selenium Sulfide?

Both pyrithione zinc (now and then known as zinc pyrithione) and selenium sulfide are hostile to contagious fixings found in numerous over-the-counter dandruff shampoos.

While the component of activity is comparative for both, the last will in general be somewhat more grounded.

In dandruff shampoos, they work by bringing down degrees of growth on the scalp, which advances irritation and scale (or what we call dandruff) clarifies Zeichner.

How to Use Dandruff Shampoo for Acne

First, make sure that the shampoo you chose does in fact contain the targeted ingredients: Pyrithione zinc can be found in the Head and Shoulders Classic Clean Daily Shampoo ($6).

Selenium sulfide is the active ingredient in Selsun Blue Medicated Maximum Strength Dandruff Shampoo ($7).

so you could use dandruff shampoo in lieu of body wash on these areas as well.) Depending on the exact state of your skin and whether or not the shampoo seems to be helping, Greenfield points out that you might still want to use topical acne products along with your new “face wash.

The bottom line? If you suspect you have fungal acne, you can try cleansing your complexion with a dandruff shampoo—but it’s probably a good idea to check in with your dermatologist, too.

so you could utilize dandruff cleanser in lieu of body wash on these zones also.) Depending on the specific condition of your skin and whether the cleanser is by all accounts helping, Greenfield brings up that you may at present need to utilize topical skin break-out items alongside your new “face wash.

The reality? On the off chance that you presume you have contagious skin inflammation, you can take a stab at purifying your appearance with a dandruff cleanser—however, it’s most likely a smart thought to check in with your dermatologist, as well.