Acne.org Products
Topical Keratolytic
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Due to its antimicrobial properties and ability to absorb skin oil and dry out the skin, sulfur has been used for thousands of years for various skin conditions, including acne. However, it is normally reserved for noninflammatory acne (whiteheads and blackheads), because it doesn't work as well as other over-the-counter medications for inflammatory acne (papules and pustules).
Topical Keratolytic
How to Get It
This is an over-the-counter treatment. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Sulfur? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
January 19, 2010
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
Cons:
regular product does damage to sensitive skin, company didn't tell me about sensitive skin line
I had a bad breakout that included cystic acne when I used the "regular" line or products. I returned those products and asked about a "sensitive" line...which they had but hadn't told me about when I called the first time. Frustrating! The sensitive line works fairly well for me. Less redness, no cystic acne but I still have pimples. I'm 49-years-old, have had acne all my life and still haven't found a solution. I'll keep using Murad until I find something better.
January 19, 2010
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
Pros:
YEAH RIGHT
Cons:
MADE MY ACNE MORE RED, CYSTIC AND 20 ZILLION TIMES WORSE
After one day my acne went soso to HORRIBLE PLZ DONT TRY THIS PLZ
August 2, 2009
Product used: Bye Bye Blemish (Drying Lotion)
Pros:
Works well and quickly, lasts a long time
Cons:
Smells a little and has a tendency to fall in the eye
I use it when I get breakouts or large pimples. I read some reviews on here saying it dries out your skin but I haven't had that problem. Its intended to be used as a spot treatment NOT all over your face. Its perfect for people with mild acne and the occasional bad breakout.
January 28, 2016
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
RUINED MY LIFE
This Product completely ruined my life. I had clear skin in 7th grade, I just had small bumps and convinced my mom to get me this stupid treatment because i thought i had bad acne. I was so wrong. I used this product for weeks, and the "purging" process occured.... ACNE EVERYWHERE. I told myself it would be gone soon it was just "purging".... no.... I had developed cystic acne and spent over 500 dollars on treatment for my face. I am 20 years old now, a sophomore in college, and I am still recovering from this product. Please Please Please do not buy this product.
January 13, 2014
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Refining Mask)
Probably the best proactiv product
Pros:
Reduces redness/irritation
Evens skin tone
Makes skin feel smooth
Cons:
Smelly
Time consuming to use
Doesn't help a lot with whiteheads or blackheads
Proactiv hasn't really worked very well for me, even though I continue to use it because it at least manages my acne when it gets really bad. I have moderate acne, and incredibly dry skin. I use this after I've washed my face in the shower (I'm lazy) and then apply it. It also helps if you take a towel and run it under hot, but not burning water and wipe your face for a few minutes first to help wipe away anything that might still be on my face and open my pores. I use a fairly thick later over my entire face about 2-3 times a week (or more if I'm breaking out pretty bad or I'm feeling less lazy) and leave it on from 15-45 minutes. It says to leave on for 10-15 minutes but I feel that it works better if you leave it on for longer. I'm a zit-picker (which I know doesn't help, trying to break the habit lol), so if I've been picking at my face or have any red, inflamed areas, it takes it away. It really does calm your face down quite a bit. I feel like my skin is more even toned and I think it helps heal my zits quicker, because they seem to go away a few days after, rather than sticking around for a week. It does kinda dry your skin out after rinsing it off, but you're supposed to use the revitalizing toner right after which helps. Using a moisturizer also is useful after using this product.
So basically, if I'm breaking out a lot or half a lot of inflammation, it helps. It doesn't completely clear my skin, but it makes it look better. I do recommend this product, even though it's pretty stinky lol.
March 2, 2011
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
Pros:
clears skin
natural ingredients
top of the line performance ingredients
(Glycolic & salicylic acid, sulfur)
leaves skin really smooth and luminous!
Cons:
exfoliating gel does burn at first (but after using for two months, its imperceptible to me now)
purging stage
I used this line for about two months after going through aveda's outer peace line, arbonne's clear advantage line, and eminence acne products, this is by far the most successful line I've used! I use Murad's Time-Release Acne cleanser instead of the Clarifying Cleanser (smaller amount of sal acid that continuously works throughout the day- and also is anti-aging) which makes my skin so smooth and decreased fine lines I was seeing around my mouth (mid 20's and a smoker).
Before beginning this regimine, I had acne on my décolleté (chest), neck, and face! Yikes! I'm talking huge, painful, throbbing pustules with its own pulse in some places. After consistently using this regimine for 2 months, my skin has cleared up somewhere north of 80%. No breakouts on chest, neck, upper lip, forehead, or nose =) I have a few on one cheek (the side I sleep on), like 2 healing on the chin/jawline (any breakout in that area is hormonal!) and that's it! I would be remiss to not mention I use DDF's BP 5% just at night as a spot treatment. Also, I've been doing a 30% sal peel every 2 weeks (its really hardcore and only for those who know what they're doing and follow directions to a T!) Murad is great, but maybe not great for everyone. You just have to find the perfect combination of products for you!
February 5, 2011
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
Pros:
none
Cons:
very expensive and doesn't work any better than whats at your local store for much less
Bottom line its $37.93 for 2% salicylic acid based acne face wash. You get some witch hazel astringent, some sulfur based acne cream and some moisturizer. They send you the supplies every 2 months and charge your about $38 every month which is rather dishonest so each little box of supplies actually costs $75.86. If you spent that much at your local store on Neutrogena products you would be able to buy 9 of Neutrogena tubes of face wash which are about between $6.50-8.00 for about 4-5 ounces which should easily last almost a year. If you want which hazel you can buy a large liter sized bottle for under 10 dollars and that will last a long time. Bottom line is Murad is about making lots of money and keeping you on their monthly charges. I couldn't even find out on their website what the active ingredient was because they don't want you to know its something you can buy cheaper at the store they want to believe they invented some breakthrough system. There are only two major systems out there on the market over the counter either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide based, other than that see your doctor for some Rx products which are probably way better and probably cheaper then Murad.
January 5, 2011
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Refining Mask)
Pros:
--Even reduces size of pimples UNDER the surface layer
--reduces redness & size of pimples overnight!
Cons:
none! :)
I use this for spot treatment whenever I go to bed--Just put a liberal amount over affected areas & I see a HUGE difference in the morning. Couldn't live without this product!! (I've used this product for over 5 YEARS & it has never failed me yet!!!)
December 31, 2010
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
Pros:
Works for a couple days
Cons:
Makes acne worse
I wish I hadn't bought this product my acne wasn't terrible before but i didn't like it so I bought this since then my acne has gotten TERRIBLE I thought it was just a coincidence so I kept using hoping it would get better and then a couple days ago I finally decided to quit and my skins already getting a little bit better now that I found this website I realize it was definitely the product cause everyones saying the exact same thing as me DO NOT BUY
December 18, 2010
Product used: Murad (Acne Complex)
Pros:
None, unless you want more acne.
Cons:
Made skin look oily
"purging" effect never stopped, even after 5 1/2 months of consistent use
Caused HUGE pustules that would take forever to go away
I got this to treat my mild acne. I was ok with the blemishes because they were relatively mild, and my mother honestly had more of an issue with my acne than I did, so I just used it to make her happy. Well, after just a few days, it made my face break out REALLY bad. I had HUGE pustules in places where I had never had them before. AT this point, I really wanted to stop the treatment, but my mother insisted that I keep using it. Well finally after 5 and a half months I am finally quitting this crap and my skin has stayed the same since the initial "purging" effect began. Basically, don't waste your money on this crap.
Pros:
clearier skin, less redness, sensitive skin option