How does sulfur help acne

Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Let's be honest, sulfur stinks. No, we mean it literally stinks. For that reason, you might've skipped over it in the past as an acne remedy who wants to put something that smells like rotten eggs near their nose? Although we typically hear about the ingredient regarding breakouts, as it turns out, sulfur can address a myriad of other skin concerns.

Find out what the experts think you should know about the naturally occurring element. Who should use it: Sulfur can be used to treat those with mild-to-moderate acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. How often can you use it: According to Shah, it can be used on a daily basis, and some skin types can tolerate some formulations such as a wash even twice a day.

Works well with: Sodium sulfacetamide. Don't use with: Cheung says to avoid combining sulfur with other topicals that dry out the skin or exfoliate such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid to prevent the skin from becoming too dry or inflamed. Simply put, sulfur is a natural element that is an essential component for all living cells. As Cheung explains it, sulfur is common in rocks and minerals and essential for plant growth, and it's also found throughout our body in amino acids, vitamins, and our skin and hair.

It's known for its yellow color and its strong smell but you already knew that. Sulfur has been used throughout history for medical purposes fun fact: It's also used in wine-making , but when it comes to skincare, you'll commonly find it in acne spot treatments, masks, and soaps. Sulfur can be drying and may irritate sensitive skin, so Shah suggests those people use caution when trying products containing sulfur.

With that said, she adds that it tends to be gentler than some other acne medications, which usually makes it a good choice for people with sensitive skin confusing, we know.

Already subscribed? Log in. Forgotten your password? Want an ad-free experience? For moderate forms of acne, sulfur alone may not be effective. However, it may be beneficial in combination with other acne-fighting ingredients, such as sodium sulfacetamide. 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, or they may recommend surgery to remove the cysts. Sulfur is suitable for most people with sensitive skin. It is one of the more gentle acne treatments, and companies often market it to those with delicate skin. However, sulfur products that also contain other ingredients may be less suitable for sensitive skin.

People should speak to their dermatologist and do a skin patch test before applying new products to large areas of the skin. Sulfur may be an effective treatment for other skin conditions. For example, people may use it to treat rosacea , a common skin condition that causes facial redness, visible blood vessels, and pus-filled bumps. It may also improve the symptoms of another common condition called seborrheic dermatitis , which causes scaly patches, red skin, and dandruff on the scalp or other areas of the body.

Acne scars can be difficult to treat. Sulfur may work for very light scarring because it dries out the skin and removes dead cells. However, most acne scars will require more intense treatments, such as:. Learn more about treating acne scars here. Sulfur is available in a wide variety of skin care products, as well as targeted acne treatments.

Sulfur products are available OTC or with a prescription. They may contain additional active ingredients, such as resorcinol or sodium sulfacetamide. Individuals can use sulfur treatments alone or alongside other acne treatments. Often, using a combination of treatments can help acne heal faster. For example, people could use an OTC sulfur face mask once a week and a benzoyl peroxide wash each day. Because of the way Sulfur works on the skin, it is actually most effective in treating mild acne breakouts that consist of whiteheads and blackheads.

Unfortunately, moderate acne, such as papules or pustules, and severe acne, like cysts and nodules, are best treated with stronger ingredients and under the supervision of an esthetician or dermatologist.

However, once more severe acne is cleared up, Sulfur could be an excellent ingredient to help maintain clear skin moving forward. Struggling with acne is a challenge for many of us, but it is important that you remain vigilant in the products you choose to treat your skin with.

Many will seek out intense treatments that excessively dry out the skin. There are alternative spot treatment options, which can also be effective in treating acne at its source. Two of the most commonly used ingredients are Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. Like Sulfur, Benzoyl Peroxide is a drying agent that helps remove dead and dry skin from the surface and reduces the presence of bacteria.