Sulfur is a naturally occurring mineral element that has been used to treat acne and other skin conditions for centuries, making it one of the oldest topical acne treatments still in use today.
It works by gently drying and peeling the outer layer of skin, which helps clear clogged pores, and it also has mild antimicrobial properties against the bacteria involved in acne. Long standing dermatology literature reviewing decades of sulfur use has found it effective for mild acne and useful for people who cannot tolerate stronger treatments like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids.
It is often combined with sulfacetamide, another anti acne ingredient, to boost its effectiveness, especially for rosacea related breakouts.
Sulfur References
Sulfur Revisited, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1988
The Use of Sulfur in Dermatology, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004
Our team reviews ingredient research and uses up-to-date evidence to rate ingredients based on the categories below.
Best
Ingredients with the most rigorous and convincing evidence. These are the standouts backed by consistent findings across independent, peer reviewed clinical research.. When we call an ingredient Best, it has earned that distinction through genuine, reproducible proof that it improves skin.
Good
Reliable, well tolerated ingredients that do their job without complaint. They may not carry the headline benefits of a Best rated active, but they hydrate, stabilize a formula, or support the ingredients around them in ways that make a real difference in how a product performs and feels.
Average
Ingredients that are perfectly safe and serve a clear function, typically as an emollient, thickener, or filler, but do not offer any meaningful skin benefit beyond that basic job. Not a red flag, just not a reason to choose one product over another.
Bad/Worst
Ingredients with documented potential to irritate skin, disrupt the barrier, or trigger sensitization in some users, often synthetic fragrance, drying forms of alcohol, or certain essential oils. Not automatically a dealbreaker for every skin type, but worth knowing about before you commit to a product.
