16 Best Sulfur Acne Products
Fight skin infections, acne, and inflammation with these skin-friendly topical products.
Studies suggest sulfur works great to treat acne (1). So, what are the best sulfur acne products? 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 Acne Free 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.
2. 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. Here is an informative video that tells you more about the product.
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Easy to use
- Value for money
Cons
- Expensive
3. Best For Oily Skin: Joesoef Skin Care Anti-Acne Soap
The Joesoef Skin Care Anti-Acne Soap deep cleanses your pores and combats oily skin. It helps treat body acne, whiteheads, blackheads, bacteria, fungus, dermatitis, and blemishes. This 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.
Pros
- Formulated by dermatologists
- Alcohol-free
- pH-balanced
Cons
None
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 treats acne, fungal infections, scabies rash, tinea versicolor, tinea, ringworm, jock itch, and nail fungus.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- EDTA-free
- SLS-free
Cons
None
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
6. 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
8. 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. 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
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 mask also helps eliminate debris that clogs pores.
Pros
- pH-balanced
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Pleasant smell
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
None
10. 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
- Cruelty-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
11. 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 gel is infused with tea tree, oregano, olive, black seed, and bergamot oils that control future breakouts.
Pros
- Vegan
- Gentle formula
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Strong smell
12. Hollywood Over Night Magic
The Hollywood Over Night Magic is an anti-blemish spot treatment that reduces redness and swelling caused by 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. It gently exfoliates the dead skin cells, unclogs pores, clears acne, and treats oily skin without scarring it.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Benzoyl peroxide-free
Cons
None
13. Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Refining Acne Wash
The Rodan + Fields UNBLEMISH Refining Acne Wash clears your skin of acne, blemishes, pimples, and blackheads. It contains salicylic acid and colloidal sulfur that prevent break outs. 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.
14. Control Corrective Sulfur Calming Mask
This Sulfur Calming Mask by Control Corrective soothes your inflamed skin and absorbs excess oil. It 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
15. DERMAdoctorAin’tMisbehavin’
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. It contains witch hazel and kaolin clay that purify your skin and botanicals that soothe it. The non-drying formula reduces oiliness and imparts a matte finish to your skin.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Non-irritating
- Dermatologist-tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
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 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. 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.
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. 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.
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Sources
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/
