Sulfur

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?), but once you learn more about the popular acne ingredient, you might want to reconsider—besides, the formulations smell much better these days (more on that below).

Although we typically hear about the ingredient regarding breakouts, as it turns out, sulfur can address a myriad of other skin concerns. To fill us in on all the skin benefits of sulfur and how it works, we turned to board-certified dermatologists Jessie Cheung, MD, of Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness, and Sejal Shah, MD, of Smarter Skin Dermatology. Find out what the experts think you should know about the naturally occurring element.

SULFUR

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Exfoliant

MAIN BENEFITS: Kills bacteria, reduces sebum, and sloughs away dead skin.

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. "There are newer formulations of topical sulfur lotions that are combined with sodium sulfacetamide, creating a more gentle and less stinky product," Cheung says.

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.

What Is Sulfur?

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-based products tend to work best for mild-to-moderate acne, primarily whiteheads, blackheads, and papules," Shah says. "It typically isn't as effective for more moderate-to-severe acne, especially as monotherapy." While it does have similar effects to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, Shah says that typically sulfur is better tolerated than those two treatments. 

Benefits of Sulfur for Skin

Some of the characteristics of sulfur that make it great as an acne treatment (for instance, its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties) are also helpful for treating an array of other skin concerns.

• Dries out blemishes: According to Shah, sulfur reduces sebum (oil) on the skin. When applied to the blemish, sulfur works to dry out the skin so it can then be sloughed away.

• Promotes exfoliation: Sulfur works to exfoliate dead skin and remove impurities. Shah says that sulfur has a keratolytic effect (meaning it works to soften and thin the epidermis), which helps remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.

• Fights bacteria: Sulfur has antibacterial properties, and, according to Cheung, sulfur is a dermatologist-favorite because it kills bacteria, fungi, and various parasites.

• Treats sensitive skin conditions: Cheung says because sulfur is anti-inflammatory and helps to soften and exfoliate thick, dead skin, it's often used to treat acne, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff. Shah adds that it's also known to treat eczema and rosacea.

Side Effects of Sulfur

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.) For this reason, it's always smart to consult your dermatologist for guidance in selecting the best topical for you.

How to Use It

Cheung says because it can be drying and irritating for some, sulfur is commonly prescribed as a short-contact cleanser to be used once a day, usually at bedtime because of the strong scent. Avoid layering sulfur with your other acne topicals that may dry out the skin or exfoliate such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. Experimenting with multiple acne treatments together may be too much of a good thing and cause the skin to become too dry and inflamed.