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
December 31, 2017
Product used: De La Cruz (Sulfur Ointment)
Good to dry out pimples
This stuff is good to use to dry out acne. I have used it on new pimples and old pimples to dry them out, but I wouldn't use it every night as it is very drying and can irritate your skin if you use it too much. It didn't do anything for my cysts under the skin, but did help with surfaced acne. It does have a sulfer smell to it but it really didn't bother me.
FvckYouAcne
January 6, 2018
Try Vick’s vapor rub for cysts under the skin
plphil4
January 24, 2018
@FvckYouAcne I will have to try that! Thank you :)
December 11, 2017
Product used: Grisi (Sulfur Soap With Lanolin For Acne)
Effective for mild cases
I could see how this would help with mild acne. I have severe acne so it didn't do much for me. Make sure to leave it on or 10 min
November 9, 2017
Product used: Kate Somerville (EradiKate Acne Treatment)
Worked when nothing else did ( and over 10 years of trying )
I've tried different strengths of BP, Differin Gel + Cream versions, Acnomel, Clean & Clear, Proactiv, Good Genes, Salicylic Acid and more...you name it and I've more than likely tried it. So far this stuff works the best, I have acne related to poor digestion/poor microbiome that is either cystic or just really big, constant and painful. I don't get breaks in acne but it does get worse around period-time. My zits will nearly be gone the next day and certainly not painful if I use this at night. Its also the highest amount of sulphur available apparently. 10% You dip into the sediment through isopropyl alcohol which dries very fast. My regimen: Night
2 Ingredient soap bought off a seller on Etsy. Tallow and lye. (She gets the ratios correct so there isn't any fat or lye left after the saponification process, thus the most gentle, but nourishing soap there is.) moisturizer Erradikate Morning
Rinse off pink stuff with warm water and follow with an organic facial oil ( I handle Argan well) Plant sulphur based moisturizer (Local to BC but can be bought online I think)
October 28, 2017
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Refining Mask)
Good mask bad system.
In high school I had no acne at all.. if I did get an occasional pimple I would use this and in the morning..gone. Since then, I've developed adult acne. Yay me! A year ago I thought to just give in and buy the proactive line before seeing a dermatologist. Only after a few days.. the line completely made my skin look awful, bumps everywhere!! But the mask itself can be quite helpful. Other than that, save your money with the line. I know more people with bad proactive experiences than good. Actually I never met someone with a good proactive experience. But I wish they would tell us the makeup they use on the commercials!
October 26, 2017
Product used: Mario Badescu (Drying Lotion)
Good product
I expected it to be better considering the price I payed for it. It did work well, although it took too long to actually eliminate the spot. I would recommend it if you're willing to pay that much.
July 25, 2017
Product used: Grisi (Sulfur Soap With Lanolin For Acne)
Considerably helped with my non-stubborn acne.
I have very stubborn acne due to hormonal problems (pcos) and I have NORMAL acne that I use to treat with washes like St. Ives apricot scrub with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.. once I started using this sulfur soap bar almost all the normal acne is gone. I still use the apricot scrub in conjunction with the Sulfur soap but I must say I am very happy with the result. Although I have been using this soap treatment for a little over two months and I have noticed its decrease in effectiveness but maybe I'm just going crazy. I would recommend you let the bar soak in warm/hot water for at least 20 seconds (as is instructed) and then use the suds - not the bar itself - to apply to your body (I would not recommend using a washcloth), leave on for 5 minutes and eventually after a few uses build up to 10 minutes before washing off. It can dry the skin out very bad.. especially if its summer time and you find yourself out in the sun often! Also as a fantastic moisturizer I use all natural, cold-pressed Rosehip oil.
July 15, 2017
Product used: Mario Badescu (Drying Lotion)
Pass
This product is intended for pimples that come to a white head. I did notice it helped in drying out my pimples, however, after using it for a while I noticed it doesn't do an excellent job. It would take 2-3 nights of using this product in order to see my pimples dry out-- not quick enough for me. It's not a terrible product, but it isn't the best either. Benzoyl peroxide does a better job.
July 4, 2017
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Refining Mask)
Been using this stuff for years
This is a staple in my acne regimen. I've been using it since I was 15, and I'm 23 now. I basically use it as spot-treatment and leave it on overnight. I've never actually used it as a "mask", and prefer to use it overnight. It can be very drying, though - so fair warning. If I use it too much on popped pimples, it will cause my skin to flake. It does dry up pesky small pimples that don't seem to go away, and I also use it on my bacne. If I don't have this stuff, I usually freak out. update: they changed their formula, but in my opinion, their new formula is better or just as good as the last, but it does have little "beads" for exfoliation.
June 24, 2017
Product used: Mario Badescu (Drying Lotion)
Did NOTHING and irritated my skin!
I was excited to try this spot treatment due to all of the positive reviews, but after applying it over night, it WOULD NOT budge the next morning. I washed my face with a gentle cleanser and used cotton balls to try and get this treatment off of my face, but it would barely move. I actually ended up accidentally popping a few pimples just trying to get it off (which was extremely annoying). When I finally got it off (it took me around an hour and a lot of qtips), I barely noticed a difference in my skin. My blemishes looked EXACTLY the same and if anything, my skin was extremely irritated from trying to get this product off. I would suggest sticking to benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment, not this stuff. EXTREMELY disappointed.
July 3, 2017
girl. you have to use a foaming cleanser (or mario's cleanser, it works so much better since one of its techniques is to wash everything off your face gently, including strong drying lotion) to get it off and with lukewarm water. you have to use the treatment at least twice for your pimples to begin vanishing, and make sure you exfoliate before putting it on, like you would a face mask. benzoyl peroxide does not help your skin whatsoever, all it does is dry your face up and drain it of oil and bacteria, which on the bad side, makes your skin naturally want to produce more oil than what was there, and throughout the day youll end up with an even oiler face, more pimples, and more dirt sticking to your face :/ who wants that?
May 8, 2017
Product used: Bye Bye Blemish (Drying Lotion)
worked for me!
I don't usually write reviews but I had to share.
These steps worked for me:
Wash face with dove soap.
Wash with spectro-gel (or other brand similar product).
Pat dry.
Apply hydrogen peroxide to cotton pad wipe face with the pad. Hold a little longer (30 seconds or so) on the pimples. Be careful, it bleaches the hair so watch your eyebrows!
Use bye bye blemish as per directions.
Go to bed and wake up and see the difference!
I really regret not taking a before and after picture. I have been using this daily for almost a week. Not sure if it is doing anything to the "dead" ones yet...