Topical Keratolytic
Reviews
3.1
2211 Reviews
Topical Keratolytic
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Topical Keratolytic
Side Effects
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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.
Read All About Sulfur
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.1%
4
24.2%
3
17%
2
16.1%
1
20.6%

Used Sulfur? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 8, 2009

Pros:

Didn't dry out my face

Cons:

Didn't help with my acne

I might as well have used nothing at all
April 17, 2009

Pros:

Initially very good. Not a cure for my acne but certainly the best I've tried. The best thing about it is the way it leaves my skin feeling really clean & unclogged.

Cons:

I have fair, sensitive skin and I have to use Murad very carefully, otherwise it dries-up and burns my skin. Recently I have had very nasty breakouts - most likely caused by Murad.

After several months of use I can say this stuff definitely works but it has not completely cleared my acne, probably because there is no way I can use as per the instructions. I use it now about twice every fourteen days, any more than that and it burns my skin, and recently has caused some really, really bad breakouts - spots that look terrible & take literally weeks to clear up. I don't think these spots are 'purging' but seem to be a nasty reaction of some kind. My advice is try it - but be careful.
April 5, 2009

Pros:

It reduces redness of pimples and dries them up quite nicely.

It does work really well to reduce the redness of a pimple and dry it up. It's good as a spot treatment as well.
March 24, 2009

Pros:

after a wash, your face is tingly and feels minty fresh and clean. i love that feeling.

Cons:

well where do i start?
dried skin, not enough repair lotion, major and severe breakouts, flaky skin

i started out with a few pimples here and there, for some odd reason i felt like switching to Murad. bad idea. this is why i'm here, and how i got my severe acne. it was all over. don't buy this.
March 21, 2009

Pros:

It worked for a week.

Cons:

The 'purging' lasted over 6 weeks, and never got better. Left more blemishes on my face. My skin was smooth and now it is all bumpy with whiteheads that never existed.

It makes your skin work. Anything with a purging period that causes you to break out more is not worth it. Think about it, if your skin is going to break out MORE than before, and leave you with blemishes that will take MONTHS to clear, is it worth it?
March 16, 2009

Pros:

None. Product doesn't work.

Cons:

Did not like the product at all. It is very harsh and makes skin worse. There is no such thing as purging. Bacteria gets into the pores and you break out and this only happens if your pores are wide open and inviting bacteria in.

Proactiv works from the word go. It should be used wisely so dryness doesn't occur. As in use dime sized amount for everything. Don't use it liberally or drying/peeling will occur. Benzoyl peroxide is the only thing that can combat the nasty bacteria. Murad doesn't work and is a waste of money and time.
March 12, 2009

Pros:

It did see an actual disappearance of acne within three days I liked it for about a minute, then the skin began to dry up and I used moisturizer but no moisturizer worked with how dry my skin became!

Cons:

very harsh on my skin made more blackheads on my chin and made my face very red after use, it made my eyes water to use because it stung! Made my skin uber dry too I couldn't even wear my cover up because it made my skin look so scaly.

I am going to try something different, way too expensive (i paid 60.00 for starter kit!!) , it hurt to use and made my skin wayyyy too dry.
March 10, 2009

Pros:

Price is decent compared to other products, but that might be due to the fact that it's sold in smaller quantities. Has a great cooling effect when cleanser is applied that makes it seem like the product is exfoliating your skin.

Cons:

Made skin worse and caused me to break out almost as bad as the first summer I experienced acne and was put on heavy antibiotics. Product made my skin consistently irritated and actually was physically discomforting for the full two weeks I used it.

It's important to remember that there is no cure all for acne and that just because a product didn't work for me it, it can't work for someone else (or vice versa). I have tried three line of products with Proactiv being the first, Skin Perfection MD second, Evolution X (surprisingly good product) third, and Murad fourth. In order of what worked best for me, Proactiv seemed to fluctuate and actually made my skin worse in the second year I used it. Evolution X made my skin (about 90% clear) better, but I know there's still a product that can help me with over 90% effectiveness. Murad comes in dead last with Skin Perfection MD closely on its heels. I've never used a product with such poor results, but that's not completely unexpected since using a product is part of the research process involved in this unfortunate aspect of skin health. I recommend not to buy this product anywhere expect the official website in order to insure you are warranted your 60-day money back trial perio
March 9, 2009

Pros:

Reduces redness slightly.
Slightly being a key word.
It smells good, though.

Cons:

When used overnight as a mask, I saw no results. When used for 10 minutes as directed on the bottle, the only results I saw were minimizing redness. Also, it dried out my skin and can be difficult to remove.

It doesn't get rid of acne/pimples/zits/whatever-you'd-like-to-call-them.
March 1, 2009

Pros:

great products that reduces redness and swelling. i actually like the way it smells, unlike most people out there who have also used this product. clears and cleans skin.

Cons:

the mask can actually stick onto your skin and can be difficult to remove if it is left on skin too long.

i use this mask nightly simply because i have time to do so and keeps my skin perfectly smooth. the price is acceptable because this mask is simply incredible. in order to remove mask correctly you must wash afterward and use the toner to remove the residue left behind.

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.