16 Best Sulfur Acne Products Of 2024, According To An Expert
Fight skin infections, acne, and inflammation with these skin-friendly topical products.
Nichelle Temple is an NYC-based esthetician and the owner of Inderma Studio with over a decade of experience in microcurrent, HydraFacial, and holistic skin care treatments. She is passionate about using professional-grade and organic products as well as cutting-edge technology to help her clients experience instant and illuminating results.
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Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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Studies suggest sulfur works great to treat acne (1). So, what are the best sulfur acne products for quick results? Why is sulfur the new buzzword in skin care circles? Well, it has the potential to fight against bacteria, fungus, and inflammation. Moreover, it tends to dry out your skin and is safe for sensitive skin (2) (3).
These properties play a key role in treating acne. This article lists the 15 amazing sulfur-based products that effectively combat acne. Read on!
In This Article
What Does Sulfur Have To Do With Acne?
Acne usually occurs due to three factors bacteria, inflammation, and excessive sebum. Sulfur helps fight these issues and is an effective treatment for adult acne. It works as a drying agent and clears excess sebum, unblocking the pores. Sulfur prevents the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. It helps soothe the skin, reduces breakouts, and treats blemishes.
Note: Do a patch test before using any sulfur product. Apply a small amount of the product on your forearm and keep it for the recommended time. If you experience itching, redness, or burns, gently wash the area and avoid using the product.
Let’s now take a look at the 16 best sulfur acne products that you can buy online.
15 Best Sulfur Acne Products
1. Best Oil-Free Formula:AcneFree Therapeutic Sulfur Mask
The AcneFree Therapeutic Sulfur Mask is enriched with 3.5% sulfur that controls excess sebum production and prevents acne breakouts. It contains vitamin C and bentonite clay that helps reduce the appearance of pores and acne blemishes. The Color Changing technology transforms the mask’s color to blue, which indicates that it has been absorbed into your skin. This mask clears oil, acne, blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads and can be used 2-3 times a week.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Easy to use
- Dermatologist recommended
Cons
- Might feel drying.
Pro Tip2. Best For Preventing Blemishes:Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment
The Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment combats acne and blemishes and prevents future breakouts. Sulfur eliminates existing acne and prevents the formation of new ones. This product is infused with BHAs that minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. Zinc oxide is a natural mineral that controls excess sebum production. The brand claims that some of its testers noticed visible results in just 2 days. Here is an informative video that tells you about a reviewer’s experience with the product.
Pros
- Clinically-proven
- Gentle formula
- Easy to use
- Value for money
- No animal testing
Cons
- Expensive
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 460 reviews claiming its efficacy.
3. Best For Oily Skin:Joesoef Skin Care Anti-Acne Soap
The Joesoef Skin Care Anti-Acne Soap enables deep pore cleansing and combats oily skin. It helps treat body acne, whiteheads, blackheads, bacteria, fungus, dermatitis, and blemishes. This dermatologist-tested soap contains10%natural volcanic sulfur and 0.25% salicylic acid. The salicylic acid effectively removes dead skin cells and makes your skin healthy. The sulfur penetrates the pores and removes all the trapped bacteria and fungus, making it a suitable choice for oily skin types.
Pros
- Formulated by dermatologists
- Alcohol-free
- pH-balanced
- Suitable for body acne treatment
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 3,625 great reviews on Amazon.
AcneFree Therapeutic Sulfur Mask Best Oil-Free Formula | Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment Best For Preventing Blemishes | Joesoef Skin Care Anti-Acne Soap Best For Oily Skin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 2.81 x 5.06 inches | 5.12 x 2.05 x 1.57 inches | 2 x 1.5 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.7 Ounces | 1.06 Ounces | 3.53 Ounces |
| Skin Type | - | Skincare Concerns | Oily, Normal |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 333 | 460 | 3,625 |
| Price | $12.03 | $28.0 | $11.99 |
4. Best Plant-Based Ingredients:Naturasil Sulfur-Lavender Soap
The Sulfur-Lavender Soap by Naturasil is a natural plant-based (palm kernel and coconut oil-based) medicated soap that contains micronized volcanic sulfur. It is enriched with pure lavender essential oils that help calm the skin. This soap contains antimicrobial properties that treat acne, fungal infections, scabies rash, tinea versicolor, tinea, ringworm, jock itch, and nail fungus.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- EDTA-free
- SLS-free
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 3,521 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
5. Best Vegan:Ebanel Bio Drying Lotion
The EbanelBioDrying Lotion helps draw out impurities, absorb excess sebum, and purify pores. It treats skin conditions like whiteheads, pimples, blemishes, and cystic acne. This lotion contains salicylic acid that minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, prevents future breakouts, and makes your skin even-toned. It also contains calamine and camphor that calms your skin and reduces irritation.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- None
"This drying lotion has such great ingredients that makes it beneficial for active breakouts and blemishes. It even helps reduce redness and promote skin renewal through mild exfoliation. It diminishes dark spots and calms the skin post usage."
Pro Tip6. Best Exfoliating Formula:Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask
The Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask is enriched with 10% sulfur. It contains kaolin clay and bentonite clay that clear acne blemishes and prevent their recurrence. Aloe vera soothes your skin and purifies clogged pores. This mask gently exfoliates your skin and absorbs excess oil. For more information about the product, click this video.
Pros
- Medicated
- Gentle formula
Cons
- Might feel drying.
7. Best Long-Lasting Results:Grisi Pharma Sulfur Ointment
The Grisi Pharma Sulfur Ointment dries and cleans existing pimples and acne. This ointment contains 10% sulfur that helps lock your skin moisture. It prevents future scars and helps heal your skin. The lanolin visibly improves skin damage caused by acne spots.
Pros
- Gentle
- Long-lasting
- Value for money
Cons
- None
Pro Tip8. Best Natural Ingredients:NxN Acne Edit Spot Treatment
The NxN Acne Edit Spot Treatment is enriched with sulfur that reduces blemishes while eliminating acne-causing bacteria. The active ingredients include probiotics, licorice, ginger root extracts, and organic green tea that can combat inflammatory acne. The probiotics replenish the good bacteria on the skin and prevent future acne breakouts. Licorice evens out the skin tone and soothes the skin. The ginger root extracts improve your skin tone and boost skin elasticity, while the organic green tea helps treat redness and skin inflammation.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Urea-free
- Propylene glycol-free
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
- None
"This spot treatment fights acne-causing bacteria and reduces the size of my blemishes. It evens out my skin tone and improves my skin texture. The formula soothes my skin and eliminates redness. However, it may leave behind white residues, so controlled application is recommended."
9. Best pH Balanced Formula:raya Bio-Sulfur Masque
The raya Bio-Sulfur Masque contains bio-sulfur, vitamin B, pure essential oils, kaolin clay, and fruit enzymes that help maintain the pH balance of your skin. This mask reduces oiliness and pore blockage while clearing the dead skin cells. The camphor and eucalyptus prevent redness and soothe irritated skin. This effective sulfur treatment also helps eliminate debris that clogs pores.
Pros
- pH-balanced
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Pleasant smell
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- None
"This mask is very soothing for something with sulfur. It surprisingly has no overpowering smell, all thanks to the essential oils. It feels comfortable on the skin and not drying. It has been working well for my oily, acne-prone skin without causing irritation."
10.Best For Skin Breakouts:Earth’s Care Acne Spot Treatment
The Earth’s Care Acne Spot Treatment clears stubborn acne and prevents future breakouts. It is enriched with 10% sulfur that treats cystic acne, blackheads, and acne scars. This ointment contains colloidal oatmeal, sunflower seed oil, natural kaolin, and shea butter that extract pimples without drying your skin.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- No artificial fragrances
- Non-comedogenic
- Allergy tested
- Vegan
- Not tested on animals
- Petrolatum-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- None
"This sulfur spot treatment has been helpful in managing my cystic acne. A little goes a long way with this product. It not only targets acne, but also helps reduce inflammation and minor scarring."
11. Best Resorcinol Formula:Adrien Gagnon Acne
The Adrien Gagnon Acne treats acne and pimples, making your skin blemish-free. It helps heal pimples faster, reducing the size, redness, and swelling. This anti-acne gel boosts the healing process of your skin. It contains sulfur and resorcinol that clear acne and unclog the pores. This acne spot gel is infused with tea tree oil, oregano, olive, black seed, and bergamot oils that exhibit antibacterial properties, which helps control future breakouts.
Pros
- Vegan
- Gentle formula
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Strong smell
"This acne treatment dries up my pimples and eliminates their appearance. It has also reduced the formation of new pimples. My skin has become flawless after consistent use of this product. I like that the product blends well on my skin and absorbs quickly into it. It does have a strong sulfur scent, which fades away after some time."
12. Hollywood Over Night Magic
The Hollywood Over Night Magic is an anti-blemish rapid spot treatment that reduces redness and swelling caused by inflamed acne. The potent formula contains a blend of salicylic acid and zinc oxide that eliminates acne-causing bacteria from your skin. This cream enables overnight healing and removes blackheads and whiteheads, giving visible results with reduced pimples and redness. It gently exfoliates the dead skin cells, unclogs pores, clears acne, combats dark spots, and treats oily skin without scarring it.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Benzoyl peroxide-free
- Supported by clinical data
Cons
- None
"This acne solution has helped in battling against breakouts. It is highly concentrated so I use it sparingly to avoid overdrying or causing irritation. It reduces inflammation and helps control the appearance of blackheads."
13.Best Uv Protection:Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Refining Acne Wash
The Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Refining Acne Wash clears your skin of acne, blemishes, pimples, and blackheads. This sulfur face wash contains salicylic acid and colloidal sulfur that prevent breakouts. The hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and natural extracts moisturize and nourish your skin, making it youthful. The invisible broad-spectrum offers UV protection and imparts a matte finish to your skin.
Pros
- Offers sun protection
- Matte finish
- Works like a primer
- Gentle formula
Cons
- Might burn the eyes.
"This acne treatment has helped reduce breakouts and offer better skin clarity with consistent use. I use it sparingly so it does not dry out the skin. It also helps reduce redness."
14.Best For Heals Inflamed Skin:Control Corrective Sulfur Calming Mask
This Sulfur Calming Mask by Control Corrective soothes your inflamed skin and absorbs excess oil. The sulfur face mask contains aloe that absorbs excess oil and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores. This therapeutic mask also works like an overnight spot treatment for painful blemishes.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- No synthetic dyes
- Phthalate-free
- Triclosan-free
Cons
- None
"This calming mask soothes my inflamed skin and reduces my enlarged pores. It is a creamy formula that applies smoothly to my skin, leaving a cooling sensation behind. It treats my acne and reduces my skin’s tendency to break out. I like that it does not overdry my facial skin even after soaking up the excess sebum."
15.Best For Clear Skin:DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’
The DERMAdoctorAin’t Misbehavin’ is an aromatic mask that contains 10% sulfur. It clears acne blemishes and heals your skin. This medicated cleanser prevents the formation of new blemishes and blackheads. through gentle cleansing. It contains witch hazel and kaolin clay that purify your skin and botanicals that soothe it. Include this dermatologist-approved cleanser in your daily cleansing routine to reduce oiliness and for a matte effect on your skin.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Non-irritating
- Dermatologist-tested
- Allergy-tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- None
"This product exfoliates my skin gently and removes dead skin cells. It penetrates my pores to pull the gunk out. Thus, it has reduced the formation of blackheads and acne. My skin feels smooth and looks even and clear after using this product."
Although many natural products avoid the use of sulfur as an ingredient, it has stood the test of time as one of the best quick-remedies for acne. Sulfur is infused into many facial products that are specially created for acne-prone skin. and are available in gel form or as treatment pads for on-the-go use. Below are some points to consider while choosing the best sulfur products for acne.
Things To Consider While Buying The Best Sulfur Acne Products
Ingredients
As we know sulfur works on acne by drying out excess sebum from the pores, killing bacteria, and unclogging the pores. This also means that it dries out the skin, which then needs extra moisturization. BHAs reduce enlarged pores. The natural mineral zinc oxide controls sebum production. Bentonite clay pulls out dirt, grime, blackheads, and oil from the pores. Vitamin C reduces the appearance of blemishes and acne. Salicylic acid also helps to remove dead skin cells. Essential oils like lavender and coconut nourish, moisturize, and maintain the pH level of the skin.
Alcohol is a drying agent and should be avoided in a sulfur acne product. This is because sulfur already dries out the skin and added alcohol may cause excessive dryness, peeling,and rough skin. It may also cause redness and irritation on the skin.
Skin Type
Since sulfur tends to dry the skin out, it is good for oily and acne-prone skin. People with dry skin should avoid using sulfur-based products. Skin care enthusiasts with combination skin may use sulfur-induced products on the oilier parts of their skin.
Skin Concerns
There are different types of sulfur-based products to treat different acne-related skin issues. A soap or cleanser infused with sulfur, antibacterial ingredients, and moisturizers, works best for acne-prone skin. You can look for a mild exfoliating cleanser for scrubbing off dead skin cells. Sulfur-infused serums reduce enlarged pores, control sebum, and reduce further breakouts. A lotion works similar to a serum but also offers hydration to the skin. Look for moisturizing ingredients in the lotion.
A sulfur mask for acne helps to draw out impurities and clear the skin of oil, blemishes, acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. Sulfur controls the sebum production. Some masks come with color-changing technology which changes the color of the mask once it is fully absorbed into the skin. Spot-treatment or targeted application is to be done directly on live acne and pimples which offer almost immediate effects. These are usually used as an overnight treatment which kills bacteria and reduces inflammation.
You may also look for an acne-control gel that can be used during the day or night. A blend of zinc oxide and salicylic acid can eliminate acne-causing bacteria from the skin.
Reviews
When checking out acne products, always be sure to read through their reviews. Reviewers advise against products that might aggravate acne, instead advocating for ones that prioritize skin soothing and promote an acne-free complexion. The insights from various reviews provide valuable guidance in selecting sulfur-based acne products that align with your skin’s specific needs and concerns.
Wondering what types of acne can be treated with these products? Check out the following section for your answer.
What Types Of Acne Can Acne Ointments Treat?
Sulfur is known for treating mild acne that occurs in the form of whiteheads and blackheads. These are non-inflammatory types that occur when oil and dead skin cells are trapped in the skin pores.
Moderate acne or hormonal acne may not be healed with the help of sulfur alone. It works in combination with other acne-fighting ingredients. Severe acne, also known as cystic acne, cannot be treated with sulfur ointments and sulfur spot treatment for cystic acne would not be helpful. Dermatologists often prescribe medications and surgeries to treat cystic acne.
Although sulfur is gentle on your skin, it has some side effects. Check out the following section to know what they are.
Side Effects Of Sulfur For Your Skin
Sulfur acne products might feel very drying on your skin. If you are using a sulfur product for the first time, apply it once a day. Once your skin gets used to it, gradually increase the dosage to twice or thrice a day.
Infographic: Benefits Of Using A Sulfur-Rich Acne Product
Sulfur is a master element in combating acne-causing bacteria and regulating sebum production in your skin. Thus, products enriched with sulfur are very effective for people with acne-prone skin. They keep the skin smooth and mattify its appearance The infographic below lists five amazing benefits of using a sulfur-rich product. Have a look!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Excessive sebum production and bacteria are two primary reasons for acne. Sulfur works as a wonder drying agent that minimizes sebum production and unclogs the pores. So it would be of great help to invest in the best sulfur acne products for acne-prone skin. Choose the AcneFree Therapeutic Sulfur Mask to instantly soothe sensitive skin. However, if you have enlarged pores, go for the Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment. Lastly, the Naturasil Sulfur-Lavender Soap is multipurpose soap that heals acne, insect bites, and warts. Most products listed in our article reduce acne, pores, and blemishes, while some prevent the formation of new ones, and some remove dead skin cells. Consider acne products that will aggravate your acne and instead soothe the skin and make it acne-free.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal is a certified skin care coach who loves writing about grooming and self-care. She has curated this list of the best sulfur acne products after consulting hundreds of user reviews and thoroughly researching the products. This article also has some pointers that you must consider while buying sulfur acne products. The shortlisted products soothe the skin and clear excess sebum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sulfur effective for acne?
Yes, sulfur is effective on mild acne. It removes excess oil from your skin and unclogs pores.
Is sulfur better than salicylic acid?
Yes, sulfur is gentler on your skin than salicylic acid. However, it works similarly to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Does sulfur treat cystic acne?
Yes, using sulfur religiously may help treat pus-filled cystic acne, but it is most effective on red pimples and blackheads.
Can I put sulfur on a popped pimple?
Yes, you may put sulfur on a popped pimple to remove excess sebum and clear out the area.
Does sulfur make your skin peel?
Yes, sulfur helps exfoliate and remove the top layer of your skin.
Can I use a sulfur soap every day?
Yes, you may use sulfur soap every day. However, reduce the usage if your skin reacts negatively to the soap ingredients.
What skin diseases does sulfur help with?
Sulfur generally helps with seborrheic dermatitis, scabies, and eczema.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Benzoyl Peroxide and Sulfur: Foundation for Acne Management
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1935555/#subscribe - The use of sulfur in dermatology
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8406945_The_use_of_sulfur_in_dermatology - An update on the management of acne vulgaris
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047935/
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