Formerly known as Pityrosporum, Malassezia is yeasts, which form part of the normal skin
microbiome – the complex community of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses that
live on the skin. Malassezia comprises 17 species and is the most prevalent fungus on
healthy skin. It colonises the human skin after birth and is usually tolerated by the human immune
system. However, it can cause skin-related diseases such as head and neck dermatitis, an
eczematous/inflammatory reaction as in seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis Versicolor or Malassezia
folliculitis.