Provides complementary anti-inflammatory and barrier-repairing synergy, where Niacinamide strengthens stratum corneum ceramides to counteract potential sulfur-induced dryness while enhancing redness reduction in rosacea and acne.
Read the passport유황 · 전성분
Sulfur
A naturally occurring inorganic element with a long history in clinical dermatology, topically forming hydrogen sulfide and pentathionic acid to dissolve keratin plugs, inhibit Cutibacterium acnes and Malassezia yeast, and calm inflammatory acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis.
GentlenessGentle — four of fiveEvidenceIndicativeTopical
- INCI
- SULFUR
Also called Precipitated Sulfur · Sublimed Sulfur · Colloidal Sulfur · Flowers of Sulfur
Early-stage page
This ingredient page is still early. We're actively researching before it's ready to stand fully on its own — check back as more sections are verified.
The short answer
Four lines, each compressed from the section it links to. Every line carries the sources of the claim it compresses.
- What it does
Papulopustular and Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea Improvement
See the evidence - Where it goes
cleanser, mask, or spot treatment step · day or night
See how to use it - What shows, and when
2 weeks: Noticeable clearance of active acne pustules and decreased facial redness in rosacea.
Source1
See the timeline
How to use it
Where it sits in the seven-step ladder, and the record's own fields for the habit.
아침DayDay: used
저녁NightNight: used
day or night
Cleanser클렌저 sits here
Toner토너
Essence에센스
Serum세럼
Eye cream아이크림
Moisturizer크림
Sunscreen자외선차단제
Filled steps are where Sulfur commonly appears. No product is recommended.
Everything here comes from the sources below. None of it is a product recommendation.
- Time of day
- day or night
- Where it sits
- cleanser, mask, or spot treatment step
- Starting frequency
- daily to 2-3 times per week
- Amount
- thin layer for masks/cleansers or pea-sized dot for spot treatments
- Application
- For wash-off masks or cleansers, apply a thin layer to clean skin, leave on briefly, and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. For spot treatments, dab directly onto active papules or pustules.
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep container tightly closed.
Plays well with / keep apart
One card per pair. Where the partner has its own passport, the name links to it.
Do layer it with
Classic dermatological fixed combination providing complementary antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action for acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Separate it from
Combining leave-on sulfur with high-strength acidic peels can exacerbate localized stratum corneum dryness or flaking.
What to expect, and when
The record's own timeline. Each step keeps the source of the study it came from.
- Immediate
Reduced surface oiliness and initial soothing of inflamed papules following short-contact wash-off application.
- 2 weeks
Noticeable clearance of active acne pustules and decreased facial redness in rosacea.
Source1
- 4 to 8 weeks
Reduction in rosacea assessment scores and inflammatory acne lesion counts, per real-world clinical use.
Source1
Is this safe for me
Everything the record says about suitability, consolidated. Pause-first comes first.
Before you start
May cause mild transient dryness, peeling, or a mild characteristic sulfur odor; avoid concurrent use with strong drying agents or acidic peels without buffering.
Best match
acne-prone skin
papulopustular rosacea · seborrheic dermatitis · fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) · oily skin and congested pores
Routine
cleanser, mask, or spot treatment step
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not medical advice · ask your own clinician
Pregnancy. A 2011 dermatology review of skin-care product safety in pregnancy names hydroquinone (high systemic absorption) and tretinoin (evidence controversial) as the actives of concern, and states that most other topical skin-care products act locally and produce minimal systemic absorption; Sulfur is not named among the flagged concerns 4.
| Common, and it usually settles | Stop using it |
|---|---|
| Mild, transient local dryness, light peeling, or a faint characteristic sulfur scent post-application. | persistent erythema |
| intense burning | |
| allergic contact dermatitis |
Allergen history
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify
Who should not use it
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify
What it will not do
- The antimicrobial and keratolytic results documented with 3.0%-10.0% leave-on or short-contact sulfur creams cannot be expected from ultra-low-dose (<0.5%) rinse-off cleansers with minimal skin contact.
- The antiparasitic action against Demodex mites sometimes attributed to topical elemental sulfur cannot replace prescription oral ivermectin for severe demodicosis, and was not independently confirmed in this cycle's sourcing.
- Topical sulfur provides physical keratolytic and antimicrobial benefits but does not alter systemic hormonal sebum drivers.
The evidence
One card per claim. Concentration, form, population and limitation sit with it, always visible.
Grade legend
- Indicative
- Limited
- Moderate
- Strong
Papulopustular and Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea Improvement
IndicativeIn a real-world observational study, topical sulfur preparations achieved improvement in Investigator Global Assessment and symptom scores comparable to topical metronidazole, with no significant difference between the two in either rosacea subtype.1
- Tested concentration
- not specified in the cited study (topical sulfur preparation)
- Which form
- Precipitated / Micronized Sulfur
- Population and duration
- 47 Japanese patients (22 erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, 25 papulopustular rosacea) treated for more than 8 weeks
- Limitation
- Retrospective observational design, not a randomized controlled trial; sample split across two rosacea subtypes and two treatments.
Inflammatory Acne and Comedonal Pore Clearance
IndicativeTopical sulfur (3-10%) is documented to reduce Cutibacterium acnes colonization, dissolve keratin plugs, and clear mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne lesions.2,3
- Tested concentration
- 3.0% to 10.0%
- Which form
- Precipitated / Micronized Sulfur
- Population and duration
- Synthesized across dermatological review literature rather than a single trial's own population
- Limitation
- Reviews synthesize historical and contemporary literature across diverse formulation types rather than reporting a single trial's own population.
Fungal Acne and Seborrheic Dermatitis Management
IndicativeSulfur's cutaneous conversion to hydrogen sulfide and pentathionic acid is documented to support antimicrobial and antifungal activity relevant to seborrheic dermatitis and Malassezia-related conditions such as tinea versicolor.2
- Tested concentration
- 3.0% to 10.0%
- Which form
- Precipitated / Micronized Sulfur
- Population and duration
- Synthesized across dermatological review literature spanning 1947-2025
- Limitation
- A review-level synthesis rather than a dedicated randomized trial for this specific indication; requires consistent application to suppress Malassezia recolonization.
The clinical recordHow it works · Forms · Manufacturing · Regulations · Study ledger · Gaps · Sources
How it works
When applied topically, elemental sulfur interacts with cysteine amino acid residues in epidermal keratinocytes and stratum corneum proteins to form hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and pentathionic acid. Hydrogen sulfide cleaves disulfide bonds in keratin to dissolve comedones and dead cell plugs (keratolytic effect). Pentathionic acid and hydrogen sulfide disrupt bacterial and fungal cell membranes by inactivating sulfhydryl groups in essential metabolic enzymes.
- Cutaneous Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Keratolysis
Interacts with keratinocyte cysteine to generate H2S, which cleaves disulfide cross-links in epidermal keratin to break down comedonal plugs and accelerate desquamation.
What that rests on: narrative review of biochemical and keratinocyte models
Source2
- Pentathionic Acid Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activity
Cutaneous bacteria and keratinocytes convert sulfur into pentathionic acid, which inactivates sulfhydryl groups in enzyme systems to exert bactericidal and fungicidal toxicity against C. acnes and Malassezia.
What that rests on: narrative review of in-vitro microbiological and enzymatic assays
Source2
- Rosacea Symptom Improvement
Topical sulfur preparations reduce inflammatory rosacea symptoms with efficacy comparable to topical metronidazole in real-world clinical use.
What that rests on: retrospective observational study
Source1
Reading the label
| Attribute | Precipitated / Micronized Sulfur |
|---|---|
| What it is | The clinical, cosmetic-grade elemental sulfur form designed for topical suspension in masks, lotions, creams, and cleansers. |
| Official INCI | SULFUR |
| Where it comes from | Natural mineral deposits or purified elemental sulfur recovery |
How it is actually made
- Obtained from natural mineral deposits or recovered as high-purity elemental sulfur during Claus hydro-desulfurization of natural gas/petroleum streams. The elemental sulfur is chemical-grade purified and precipitated or ultra-micronized to yield a fine, light-yellow powder.
Where the ceiling is set
United States
- The rule
- US FDA OTC Topical Acne Drug Monograph, 21 CFR 333.310
- What it allows
- Approved as an OTC active ingredient for acne treatment at 3 to 10 percent standalone, or 3 to 8 percent when combined with resorcinol or resorcinol monoacetate per 21 CFR 333.320 -- confirmed against the live regulation text.
What the evidence rests on
Study records
Retrospective real-world observational study, 47 patients2023
Real-world Evidence for the Treatment of Rosacea with Sulfur or Metronidazole Preparation in Japanese Patients
IGA and VAS scores significantly improved in both erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea groups treated with either sulfur or metronidazole preparations, with no significant differences in improvement rates or adverse events between the two.
Where it falls shortRetrospective observational study design in Japanese patients; not randomized.
Source1
Narrative review (literature 1947-2025) with regulatory analysis2025
Sulfur and Its Derivatives in Dermatology: Insights Into Therapeutic Applications-A Narrative Review
Sulfur demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity, with documented therapeutic use in scabies, tinea versicolor (a Malassezia-related condition), psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis; the review also summarizes global regulatory frameworks for sulfur in dermatology.
Where it falls shortNarrative review synthesizing historical and contemporary literature; not a single clinical trial.
Source2
Dermatological review and clinical summary2004
The Use of Sulfur in Dermatology
Sulfur possesses antifungal, antibacterial, and keratolytic activity, with documented efficacy in acne vulgaris among other conditions.
Where it falls shortReview-level summary; specific concentration-outcome data not independently confirmed beyond the abstract this cycle.
Source3
What is still missing
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify