Sulfur is one of the oldest known acne treatments.
The same stuff the flammable ends of matchsticks are made of is also used as an acne treatment.
It’s still used in skin care products today.
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Sulfur is a natural element and has an odor that is quite…distinctive.
The scent of rotten eggs comes to mind.
Luckily, today’s sulfur skin care products don’t smell that bad.
Sulfur is available in prescription medications, as well asover-the-counter acne treatment products.
How Sulfur Works
When applied topically, sulfur causes the skin to dry and peel.
Despite how this sounds, it is actually a good thing for your skin if you have acne.
First, sulfur helps reduce skin oiliness.
Sulfur also has antimicrobial properties, so it helps keep the acne-causingPropionibacterium acnesin check.
But it is good for inflammatory acne as well as comedonal acne.
It’s also a staple acne treatment at many skin spas and salons.
Quite often, sulfur treatments also contain resorcinol or sodium sulfacetamide.
These ingredients give added anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties and make the treatment more effective.
Doing this can help your acne clear more quickly.
Try using an over-the-counter sulfur cleanser in the morning and a benzoyl peroxide lotion at night.
Sulfur Is a Great Option for Sensitive Skin
Is your skin allergic to benzoyl peroxide?
Does your skin turn bright red at the mere sight of Retin-A?
Sulfur might be your new best friend.
This acne-fighting ingredient tends to be gentler on the skin than many other acne treatments.
It can be effective treat acne either by itself or in a regimen that contains other acne-fighting ingredients.
It is also a good option for someone who experiences both acne and rosacea.
If your skin is super sensitive, try starting slowly and building up to the recommended dose.
Some products still have that unique sulfur odor.
If you find the smell particularly noxious, try another brand.
The scent can really vary from product to product.
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