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Apr 5, 2023 · As a gentle agent, sulfur for acne is most effective against noninflamed comedones and mild inflamed pimples; when combined with conventional acne medications it can also be effective against mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne symptoms.
- What does sulfur have to do with acne?
- How does it work?
- What types of acne does it work for?
- Is it safe for all skin types?
- Possible side effects and risks
- Products to try
- The bottom line
Hearing the word “sulfur” might conjure memories of science class, but it turns out this abundant element is a staple in natural medicine. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, sulfur has been used for centuries to help treat acne and other skin conditions.
It’s also easily accessible. Sulfur is widely available in over-the-counter (OTC) acne products, as well as some prescription versions.
As a topical acne treatment, sulfur works similarly to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. But unlike these other acne-fighting ingredients, sulfur tends to be gentler on your skin.
Sulfur helps dry out the surface of your skin to help absorb excess oil (sebum) that may contribute to acne breakouts. It also dries out dead skin cells to help unclog your pores.
Sulfur works best for breakouts that are formed with a combination of dead skin cells and excess sebum. These include milder forms of acne, such as whiteheads and blackheads.
Still, it’s important to bear in mind that results can vary between users. It also might work on some breakouts, but not on others. The first step is to determine what type of acne you have. Then you can talk to your dermatologist about whether sulfur is right for you.
Like other acne ingredients, sulfur has the possibility of causing irritation. However, it’s considered a safer selection for sensitive skin. And when used as a spot treatment, sulfur may also help clear acne breakouts in dry-to-combination skin types.
Sulfur may be gentle enough for sensitive skin, but there’s still a risk for side effects. Excessive dryness and irritation are possible.
When first using sulfur for acne, apply once a day. You can gradually increase the application to two or three times per day once your skin gets used to the product.
While sulfur is an ingredient in some spot treatments, it’s also available in other daily acne products, such as cleansers and masks. The types of sulfur products you use also dictate the dosage amount. For example, you might apply a lotion twice daily at the maximum, while you could use spot treatments up to three times daily.
Before using any new acne product, be sure to conduct a patch test to see whether you’re sensitive to sulfur or other key ingredients. To conduct a patch test:
1.Select a small area of skin away from your face, such as the inside of your arm.
2.Apply a small amount of product and wait 24 hours.
3.You can apply the product to your face if no side effects occur. But if you develop redness, a rash, or hives, discontinue using the product.
Some popular sulfur-containing acne products include:
As an acne treatment, sulfur is widely available at drug stores and beauty counters. You can even find sulfur products online.
If you don’t see results with OTC sulfur products, ask your dermatologist about prescription-strength versions. These often contain sodium sulfacetamide, another type of acne ingredient.
- Kristeen Cherney
It even calms down deep, cystic pimples in like 2-3 days (as opposed to 8-9 when I had no idea what to put on them). Only problem I’ve had with it is that when you go crazy and apply too much/too often, it does dry the skin over the pimple, but it can indeed be avoided by alternating with a moisturizer.
Cystine makes keratin rigid. However, when sulfur reacts with cystine, it helps to break up bonds between skin cells and unclog the pores. Sulfur is also keratolytic, meaning it can act as an exfoliant and cause the area around the acne to dry and peel.
Feb 3, 2023 · The sulfur helps with inflammation and decreases the bacteria, while the salicylic acid drives cellular turnover to resolve cystic acne lesions.”
Feb 2, 2024 · When speaking of breakouts, cystic acne is certainly the most painful and long-lasting. These large bumps sit layers under the skin and can't always be treated the same way as whiteheads or blackheads are. So, we tapped dermatologists and asked them what their top tips were for preventing and treating cystic acne.
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May 15, 2020 · Sulfur is unlikely to be helpful for severe acne, such as cystic acne, which usually requires a person to visit a dermatologist. The dermatologist may prescribe medications,...
