Topical Keratolytic
Reviews
3.1
2211 Reviews
Topical Keratolytic
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Topical Keratolytic
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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:

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September 15, 2008

Pros:

Turns bumps around overnight!

Cons:

Can only use at night - cannot be worn under makeup.

I love this stuff! I've only been using for a few days but it really makes a difference. I have been trying to switch over to all natural products and no antiobiotics, birth control, etc. and I'm fighting breakouts. After reading the cosmetic database about all the hazards in the products I was using (Murad, Acnefree, St. Ives Apricot, etc) I switched over to Burt's Bees and Carley's Clear & Smooth. I use the Bye Bye Blemish only on new spots that haven't broke the surface and it puts a stop to them. They are gone in 2 days without leaving a mark! And I checked the formula and it is low in hazard ranking. You can't use it all over but I definitely reccomend it for spot treatment!
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August 31, 2008

Pros:

My favorite cleanser yet, and I'm picky!!

Cons:

It indeed smells like a soap your Grandpa would use.

This makes my skin feel very clean and refreshed and it does seem to help my acne and make my bumps smaller. It might be a little drying for some people, but just put on moisturizer.
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April 2, 2008

Pros:

Really Dries out your pimples, seen a difference after the first night

Cons:

kinda smelly, and burn upon application and down here in my area its really expensive

I really liked this product, I found confidence in it and I trust it. Even though the price is a bit high I am at the point with my acne that i will pay whatever price just to get the job done and make this history. So if you want a working product in my opinion this could be the right one for you! good luck and I hope that i atleast helped someone out there experiencing the same problem as me.
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January 8, 2008

Pros:

Works better than BP, SA, or any other acne medication

Cons:

Smells bad, darkens silver jewelry

This stuff is great! I have tried the expensive stuff such as Murad, Proactive, Peter Thomas Roth & the cheaper drugstore stuff such as Clearsil, Clean & Clear etc but none of them compared to this little miracle in a bottle! This product even worked on my cystic acne on my jawline & chin. Granted it wont work overnight like the box says, it does work relatively faster than other acne meds on the market (give it about 4 days to clear you up). I recommended it to 3 of my friends & it works like a charm for them as well. The only downside is that it smells horrible & if you have any silver jewelry on your face such as a nose-ring or necklace on your neck it will darken it so make sure you remove all silver jewelry before applying the pink stuff. Good Luck! I highly recommend it.
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February 25, 2007

Pros:

works overnite. u can feel it working

Cons:

the bottle, and you cant shake it.

this product works!!! i use it with proactiv and it keeps my skin clear and whenever i get a pimple byebye blemish can dry it up before it even emerges.
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February 13, 2007

Pros:

-Works on blakheads!
-Works as a GREAT spot treatmeant.
-Was gentle on *MY* skin. [Which is hard to believe because many things mess with my skin!!] It also felt comfy on my skin! && It was a cheap buy, too!

Cons:

It can sting *BUT* that is on things like open pimples, not under the skin cystic acne or blackheads. It doesnt sting for long at all! && The stinging is NOT unbearable. It feels like rubbing alcohol [&& smells exactly like it too] on an open pimple.

Well, like some others said...I was iffy to buy this product, too. I never heard of it && noone ever told me about trying sulfur for your face. [Which is what is in ByeByeBlemish.] WELL--I tried it. && I truly liked it! It worked as a GREAT spot treatmeant. It helped get rid of blackheads. [Nothing I tried would work on my blackheads, even *I* couldnt work any magic on those things!] They made my skin look bumpy && when I started using ByeByeBlemish, they started disapearing! Im using this product with the acne system from Arbonne. *BUT* before I even started using the Arbonne kit && [I was only using ByeByeBlemish] --It STILL made my skin better! I really suggest it for anyone, specially people who need spot treatmeants! You should use this with your acne regimen, but not for your cure of acne. Its only been a week but I'm sold! If I have any complaints I will come back! Untill then, BUY IT! :)
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December 6, 2015
No longer a skeptic!
I started dealing with breakouts by 10-11 years of age. I tried every cream, medication and face wash that I could find. Creams dried me out, medications cause gastritis/acid reflux, and face washes didn't seem to help. It could be an expensive face wash kit or it could be your average store bought product. Neither worked for me. In the last 2-3 years of my life I seem to have had some hormonal changes (26 now)? I have more acne than I did in high school, and my weight has been harder to control. I lost any extra pounds that I had found over the last couple of years, but the acne persisted. It comes in a range of acne disasters. -I have the terrible, deep, long-lasting acne that occurs on my jawline and sometimes on the cheeks (usually half a dozen of these at a time). -I have white heads, blackheads, and extremely clogged pores. That being said, I was wary about the 'purging' process. Many claimed it wasn't a purge, but a breakout. Well, my large cystic acne went away within a week of use, but the rest of my face appeared to be all bumpy/pimply. Here's how I have handled this.. I don't wear makeup unless I really need to. Around the house, with family, grocery shopping.. I'm 100% makeup free. I'm waiting until my skin has fully adjusted before wearing my 'non-clogging' makeup. If it clears nice enough.. I may stop makeup use all together. I'm on the second week and everything is clearing up. I still have remnants, but they're clearing too. Now.. how to handle dryness you ask? I'm from NE, Ohio.. I know ALL about dryness. My face is crappy, it's greasier than a tub of lard, but it dries and flakes due to looking at it the wrong way. I use a dime sized amount, maybe even less, per use. I also listen to my skin. I have the 5 piece set. I use all items in the kit, but some days I skip different pieces. If it's feeling a little dry, I skip step 2 and go straight to 3 for moisturizing. If I'm feeling extra oily, I use step two and skip 3. All in all.. I didn't think it would work, but it has. The only cons I see are: -Size -Cost -Smell is a bit off putting (for the sulfur spot treatment) PS.. the difference between a purge and any other reaction is that a purge is any area that may have had clogged pores. I know mine was a purge, because I know my forehead, nose, and cheeks were terribly clogged. Any unusual itchiness or severe redness could be a poor reaction.
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May 16, 2015
Amazing
This has worked wonders on my skin. I've tried every line out there. I can't believe some of the reviews because this was seriously a life saver. I was on the pill for years but I hated the symptoms I got. I finally found this gem and I couldn't be happier. I'm using the Acne clearing solution and the skin perfecting lotion. I can't wait to move onto their other products.
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August 15, 2014
WORST ACNE TREATMENT I'VE EVER USED
I went to Massage Envy for monthly facials by the esthetician. My acne was very bad and nothing I have ever used has worked. So I figured why not? I went in and they sold me the Anti-Aging line of Murad because my skin was too sensitive for the full on acne treatment at first. I used it for a while, on top of Murad's facials each month, and my skin was not getting better after a month and half of use. It was getting worse and worse. I took the products back and was told to use the Environmental Essential C line. THAT WAS TERRIBLE! Made my skin 100 times worse. After over a month of use, I took it back and was told to use the Anti-Aging and Acne line. It wasn't as strong as the acne line because my skin was still too sensitive. I used this line for two months and my skin was absolutely ruined. Every time I was told "It just brings it all out." Okay, so why is it still "bringing it out" over 3 months later. I used it for a while, and took it back for the full on acne line. WHAT A JOKE! Absolutely terrible. Didn't work, and my acne went from moderate to severe quick. Murad is by far the absolute worst acne line I have ever used in my life. And it's not cheap either. I've wasted almost $1,000 on murad products and facials, and it didn't work. I recently went to Neutrogena. I got their Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser for very cheap. And...I HAVE FOUND THE "ALMOST" CURE TO ACNE! I use the cleanser in the morning and night, but on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights I put about a teaspoon of Baking Soda on my hand hand mix in a pump of cleanser. I gently rub it in and rinse really well. And the results are amazing. Only do it 3 times a week, at night only. It will help a lot. It is a little drying but I'm using Aveeno Gentle Moisturizer. All of your acne won't go away completely obviously, but it works! Honesty, anything is better than Murad though. Save yourself. Do not use Murad products. Any of them!!!
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March 8, 2013

Pros:

Moisturizers work well

Cons:

Made acne alot worse
Dries skin
Expensive

Waited for the purging stage to end-it didnt.
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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.