Topical Keratolytic
Reviews
3.1
2210 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%

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July 28, 2016
Love it!
I have really oily and acne prone skin so I always apply this to my problem areas overnight. When I wake up the next day my acne is either gone or reduced in size. For warning it does dry out your skin but that actually helps me because it makes me not as oily.
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July 4, 2016
The Best Zit Zap Recipe You'll Find
If you're already using a prescription and/or all the usual over-the-counter acne solutions and it's still not entirely successful in clearing up the skin, De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment can be immensely useful as a spot treatment. It's great on its own but I've found a way to make this product work even better than anything else on the market. I typically mix a very minute amount of this product with tea tree oil, apply to the spot and leave it overnight. My skin can already tolerate Differin (Rx) application every other day, benzoyl peroxide (Clean & Clear in the AM) and salicylic acid facial wash (in the PM). Still, I suffer hormone-driven break-through acne. De La Cruz Sulfer Ointment and Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil is my emergency spot-treatment remedy of choice. Instead of cystic acne persisting for a week or more, if I catch it in the early stages I can halt the size and duration of the spot. Although I don't typically need more than a dab of tea tree oil and sulfur combined, a "trifecta approach" can come handy in an emergency: First, apply a thin layer of OTC hydrocortisone cream, secondly apply a very, very tiny amount of sulfur ointment and tea tree oil to the tip of your finger and rub it together. Apply lightly on top of the cortisone cream . When applied overnight as a spot treatment, this combo will bring down inflammation a lot faster than anything else on the market. Now for the disclaimer: The directions for this product do not advise leaving it on as an overnight spot treatment, let alone in combination with additional ingredients, as I've described. If you take this approach make sure you're already tolerant of the use of tea tree oil and sulfur ointment individually, and when initially using this approach follow the recommendation and remove it after ~10 minutes. If there is NO problem with this approach, you can take a step-wise approach to leaving it on a bit longer each time until you know you can leave it overnight without awaking to an itchy, flaky mess. Personally, I have no redness and flaking using this multi-ingredient approach but I didn't go straight away to overnight use, either. As with anything this powerful, it is important to introduce new products and approaches, such as the one I've described here, one at a time. Ensure you can tolerate each product you use on your skin before you begin layering ingredients. What I've described here is extremely successful as a spot treatment but I wouldn't recommend it for daily or whole-face use.
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June 23, 2016
Good for whiteheads, and non cyst-like acne
I've tried this on multiple types of acne, and it never works on any mark very large, but if you have a regular size mark or whitehead it works miracles. Be prepared for dryness and DO NOT PICK, let this work its magic and you'll be thankful you did. It takes a few days for a pimple to be almost gone, but it changed my life. Avoid using this on dermatitis or areas with multiple small breakouts.
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May 31, 2016
Love it
I absolutely love this. I have been using it for years and put it on my troubled spots at night and wash it off when i wake up. Its a real life saver
May 23, 2016
great
This is the best ointment that I have used for acne. It drys out the pimples and can leave your skin flakey, but is an obvious result from the sulfur since that is what it's suppose to do. It's also better the other topicals for acne because it's more natural and isn't as harmful as other chemicals. I highly recommend this!
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May 19, 2016
Love it!!!
This mask is a 6% sulfur treatment, unlike most other topical acne treatments that use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, and it worked really well for me. I found it worked much better for me when I put a dab of this on a blemish overnight. The pimple disappeared or decreased in size and inflammation, and if it didn't disappear, I would just do it again at night. Everyone has different skin, and even if you have sensitive acne prone skin like me, different things work for different people. Give it a shot though, and see if it works for you. This will dry out your skin a little, so make sure to moisturize, even if you have oily skin, because drying out your skin will urge your pores to create more oils to nourish your skin. Overall, this was an amazing product, although it does much more for your skin if you spot treat overnight with a dab of this mask. Hope this helps!
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May 16, 2016
great
This soap works, and it works fast.Not only clears pimples and stops new ones, but my pores are visibly smaller. i use it on my face and body and it also cleared my back acne
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May 11, 2016
Sulfur is the best for clear complexion!
I love this product! Sulfur does wonders for me. If you follow these simple steps every time I promise you'll have a wonderfully clear complexion with no break outs at all. It's simple I use only 3 products. First step is to use the Joesoef Skin care sulfur soap, leave on a couple minutes then wash away with warm water, next step use their Sulfur lotion 6.6% on your problem skin area with a q-tip. Every couple of days or 1x a week I use the DDF sulfur mask. The results is amazing. What I love about these sulfur products is it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry like most acne treatment products do and the smell is not intense. Best of all Sulfur is all natural from volcanic rock. Try it out for yourself and you be the judge. Here is the website to where I buy my products Joesoefskincare or Amazon as for the DDF sulfur mask I buy at ULTA store or you can go online as well.
May 7, 2016
!!
i leave it on overnight and it never dried my skin. it may be because i have oily skin, i'm not sure. plus, if your skin starts to peal or dry up, it's common sense to stop applying to that area and apply a hydrating lotion instead. all my big pimples, except one, have vanished in less than five days. i first applied it to those then gradually smeared a thin layer across my forehead (where i have those tiny pimples that can only be seen in bright lights) and they're clearing up super fast. this product is a life saver because it shrinks a pesky pimple overnight. if i leave it on for 10 minutes then wash it off, it doesn't work for me. i only use it once day, i leave it on overnight. but you have to make sure your skin is clean before you apply it! overall, this is a great product 100/10 i recommend (''':
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April 13, 2016
My skin likes sulfur
Sulfur treatments don't seem to have many reviews, like the more common, bp and salicylic acid, but they should. For me, Sulfur exfoliates, fades hyperpigmentation way sooner than any other treatment I tried (and I've tried all of them), dries up acne and it significantly shrinks cystic bumps quicker than anything else. My acne responds to sulfur treatments. I used a different brand of sulfur ointment (de la cruz) for 5 years and it worked great, but the ointment was very greasy and felt like melted butter on my skin. I left it on all night, instead of using like a mask and my hair always got stuck in it. I eventually switched to retin a, but retin a totally screwed my skin up, after 8 months of use. When i switched back to 10% sulfur, I thought I was stuck with the greasy butter feel on my face forever, until I found, San Marcos brand 10% sulfur ointment... This, San Marcos brand is more of a Shea butter texture, vs. greasy, and it's very matte on my face, which is awesome! It also has all plant based ingredients, where the other brand is 90% PEG. I haven't used this brand long, but so far, no bad reactions and it seems to do the trick, just like the other brand did! For reference, I have super oily, very acne prone skin and I've tried everything, except accutane.
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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.