Not all fungal skin infections are the same! This is why, finding the best anti-fungal cream for you may vary depending on your targeted skin concern. It could be as common as an athlete’s foot — often overlooked as a minor problem of cracked heels — which needs some serious skin smoothing and moisture-locking. Or, it could be skin discolorations that you neglect, such as tinea versicolor, for which you need a complexion-restoring solution. Worst case — ringworm or fungal infections that cause serious skin irritations and are embarrassingly visible! All of these fungal lesions can be treated and reduced if you have the right cream at your aid! 

While the skin microbiome is home to thousands of species (most of which do us good), nasty fungi start inhibiting it due to poor lifestyles and improper hygiene. Specialized OTC ointments contain anti-fungal active ingredients such as miconazole nitrate, terbinafine hydrochloride, and clotrimazole, to inhibit the growth of fungus and strip your skin of these dead skin cells. While some dermatologist-recommended ointments may fix the problem at the root, most others go a long way in alleviating itches, irritation, redness, and other uncomfortable symptoms of these infections. 

As a skincare expert and editor, I took it upon myself to study over-the-counter products and the results they provide, to offer an easy solution to this common skin problem that most people know little about. During my research, I scrutinized products by diving deep into their ingredient lists, comparing research papers on popular active ingredients, and investigating a plethora of customer testimonials. The below-listed products soared to the top of my list after having filtered many out. Scroll away to explore the following recommendations! 

• 1
  Best Overall

  McKesson 2% Miconazole Nitrate Anti-fungal Cream

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Specially formulated for ringworms, jock itches, and athlete’s feet, this anti-fungal cream by McKesson leverages soothing humectants to provide itchy skin relief. It harnesses the power of miconazole nitrate, to relieve discomfort from itches, soreness, scaly skin, and burns in the infected skin areas. While this cream is mild, it is sublimely effective when used twice every day, and doesn’t cause any additional tingling sensation in the affected area. On the contrary, users found this cream to be quite comforting on their skin. 

Key Ingredients: 2% Miconazole nitrate, aloe vera, and glycerin

Quick Tip

Apply this cream twice a day (morning and night) consistency for two straight weeks to see noticeably smoother skin.

2

Best for Ringworms

Globe 2% Miconazole Nitrate Antifungal Cream

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While this foot fungus cream by Globe works by wiping out the infected cells, you are unlikely to experience any dryness or harsh tingling sensation on your skin. On the contrary, after days of consistent use, you’ll notice that the cream has actually made the texture of your skin smoother than it was before, even if it’s the coarse skin of your foot. Some reviewers have also found this cream helpful in relieving mosquito bites and groin infections — which came as a surprise to me, too. But while I still recommend you limit the usage for athlete’s feet and ringworms, these testimonials prove how mild yet effective this cream is! 

Key Ingredients:  2% Miconazole nitrate

3

Best for Large Skin Areas

Charmpoo Antifungal Body Cream

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Considering that some people may prefer a multi-tasking solution for all skin infections, I shortlisted this body cream along with other potent ointments, and I don’t regret my decision! Formulated with revitalizing herbs, this product is deemed fit to soothe most inflammations, itches, rashes, and fungal problems. If you use this cream exactly as directed, it’ll work fantastically in treating skin irritations. You can also use this cream as a preventative measure, especially if you workout a lot or live in an extremely humid region. 

Key Ingredients: Sophora flavescens, fructus kochiae, pseudolarix amabilis, and cnidium monnieri

4

Best for Jock Itches

Lamisil 1% Terbinafine Hydrochloride Anti-fungal Cream

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Beyond the prowess of treating infections such as ringworms, cracked skin, and jock itches, this topical anti-fungal cream by Lamisil works well on fungal nails, angular cheilitis, and common rashes too. The formula harnesses the properties of terbinafine hydrochloride, which not only is super effective in treating the infection but is also pretty tolerable by the skin, as shown in a study by the Indian Journal of Dermatology. Moreover, a large number of reviewers seem quite content with its results, especially those who consistently used this cream for 3 weeks. 

Key Ingredients: 1% Terbinafine hydrochloride

5

Best for Really Dry Skin

DermaRite DermaFungal 2% Miconazole Nitrate Antifungal Cream

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This topical anti-fungal cream by DermaRite takes a new approach to treating your skin by first strengthening its moisture barrier. Then, by leveraging miconazole nitrate, like most OTC fungal creams, it superficially treats the infected skin, thereby gradually improving the condition without any harsh side effects. Considering the hydrating prowess of this ointment, I recommend using it on super dry skin types, as this would be a comforting product choice! Besides, you get a lot in a single tube, so you don’t have to keep adding this to your cart frequently.

Key Ingredients: 2% Miconazole nitrate

6

Best to Improve Skin Texture

Baza Moisture Barrier Anti-fungal Cream

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The skin-replenishing properties of this anti-fungal cream by Baza work wonders in strengthening the moisture barrier of your skin, thereby smoothing out the coarse texture of cracked heels and athlete’s feet. In addition, the cream treats pigmentation-causing fungal infections such as jock itch by leveraging the properties of miconazole nitrate. You can count on this product to help with skin dehydration as it is rich in emollients and humectants, such as vitamin E, urea, lanolin, cetyl alcohol, etc. 

Key Ingredients: 2% Miconazole nitrate

7

Best for Yeast Infections

Aidance Terrasil Femmesil Cream

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Instead of exposing your infected skin to synthetic emollients, this OTC anti-fungal cream takes a natural approach as it is formulated with botanical ingredients such as shea butter, cotton seed oil, and jojoba oil. While these moisturizing components nourish and replenish your skin, its active ingredient clotrimazole works wonders in reducing fungal activity in your skin, as per a study by the International Journal of Pharmaceutics. Another reason why I recommend this ointment is that its skin-revitalizing prowess is rather notable — think, that cooling, tingling sensation on your skin that makes you aware something good is happening to it! 

Key Ingredients: 1% Clotrimazole

8

Best Multi-tasking Soothing Cream

Pharmanerve Tea Tree Oil Antifungal Cream

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Effective, comforting, and revitalizing — three words that come to my mind when describing this fungal cream by Pharmanerve. Instead of highly potent topical drugs that may lead to side effects, this cream leverages tea tree oil, a natural ingredient with note-worthy anti-fungal properties, as shown by a study by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The product also contains the goodness of omega fatty acids, botanical oils (coconut, macadamia, etc.), and antioxidants that strengthen, nourish, and protect your skin from free radicals. Considering its all-encompassing formulation, I recommend using it for minor irritations, mosquito bites, and rashes. 

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, omega fatty acids, vitamins C, and E, and other botanical extracts

Quick Tip

In case of athlete’s foot or cracked heels, start by gently polishing the targetted skin area with a fiber-tipped manual callus remover. Then, apply a generous amount of this cream on that area and massage well, ensuring that the product seeps in well. Limit usage of the callus remover to once a week for safe use.

9

Best Preventative Cream

Everfere Advanced Natural Anti-fungal Cream

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Yet another fungal cream that employs botanical goodies, this formula by Everfere is an excellent treatment for redness, dampness, and skin issues that resemble psoriasis. The cream targets specific fungal concerns such as intimate-area infections, cracked foot skin, jock itches, and tinea versicolor to provide relief from irritations. Moreover, it revitalizes the skin cells, thereby empowering your skin to level up its self-healing game. You can also expect relief from redness from using this product.

Key Ingredients: Smilax glabra, sophora flavescens, cnidium monneiri (L.) cuss, fructus kochiae, and pseudolarix amabilis

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best anti-fungal creams, let’s go through things to consider before buying and applying these products. Scroll away!

Consider the Fungi-combating actives:

Active ingredients such as miconazole nitrate, terbinafine hydrochloride, and clotrimazole are commonly used in drugstore anti-fungal creams and gels as they fight skin fungus by inhibiting infected cells. Hence, when choosing an anti-fungal ointment, actively look for these ingredients. 

However, if you’re someone who wants to go all-natural and doesn’t have any allergies or sensitivities to botanical ingredients, you can opt for a tea tree oil-based formulation to fight nasty fungi. During my research, I dug up a bit on other natural ingredients, and sophora flavescens rose came as a hero ingredient in many products. A study published in Advances in Parasitology shows that this ingredient is excellent for psoriasis, eczema, acne, and similar skin lesions caused due to dampness and heat, which is why I recommend Sophora flavescens-based formulations for the same.

Consider the Overall Formulation:

Of course, it is not just the active ingredient but the overall formulation of a product that is responsible for the best results on your skin. In cases of fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm, I highly recommend using a cream rich in emollients. This could be shea butter, jojoba oil, beeswax, vitamin E, etc. — whatever works best for your skin. Humectants such as glycerin and aloe vera go a long way too!

Our contributor Dr. Anju Methil, a renowned dermatologist and cosmetologist, says, “While managing fungal infections often involves antifungal medications, moisturizing the affected area is crucial. Moisturizing helps prevent cracking and irritation, which can worsen the infection. So, use fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers recommended by a dermatologist.”

Moreover, avoid products that contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, parching alcohols, menthol, etc. at all costs.

Consider the Texture And Absorbency: 

For a product to work well on your skin, it must absorb into your skin well first! Hence, ensure that the formula you’re getting your hands on is non-greasy, non-tacky, and easy to apply. Formulations comprising distilled water and an overall lean formula seep in easily into the skin, whereas filler ingredients cause icky residues.

Step 1: Start by cleansing the affected area with some water (distilled, if possible). Dab the area with a clean cotton towel to absorb any excess moisture, and leave the skin dry. 

Step 2: Now, take a small amount of the ointment — as directed on the packaging or as recommended by your dermatologist — and dab it gently onto the affected area. 

Step 3: Cover the targeted area with a clean gauze — firmly, but not too tightly. 

A few tips to keep in mind: 

• A general rule of thumb when using a miconazole nitrate-based or clotrimazole-based cream is to use it twice a day, every day, for 2-3 weeks to see any results. Don’t try to rush the process by overusing the cream in a day, and also avoid skipping applications in between, if you want to see the best results.

• Avoid using the cream on unclean skin, especially if you’ve stepped outdoors. While the product may still show results, it’s best to prevent any environmental impurity from inhibiting the infected area. 

• Avoid getting the cream in your mouth or eyes. Wash with plenty of water, in case this happens.

• Use an anti-fungal cream on intimate areas only if the packaging of the product explicitly recommends so. Consulting your dermatologist on this is always a good idea. Avoid doing this if the primary anti-fungal active ingredient in the formula is an essential oil.

• A patch test never hurts before using the product, but impulsive and irresponsible usage may cause side effects.

Contributor: Dr. Anju Methil, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist - Clinicspots