Organic sulfur, everything you need to know about this renowned mineral.

Sulfur, used alone or in combination with other ingredients (sodium sulfacetamide, salicylic acid, resorcinol, etc.) has proven its effectiveness in treating numerous dermatological conditions. Its precise mechanism of action is not yet well understood, but it is known that its effectiveness depends on its direct interaction with the skin surface, which means that the smaller the particle size, the greater the effect. Sulfur thus offers a wide range of beneficial characteristics for the skin and the hair.

• Drying out pimples: When sulfur is applied to a blemish, it absorbs the excess sebum, which contributes to pimple outbreaks, and dries out the skin's surface, thereby unclogging the pores.

• Promoting Exfoliation: Sulfur also acts as a gentle yet effective exfoliant, meaning it aids in the breakdown of dead skin cells, to prevent the clogging of pores and the formation of blackheads and whiteheads, as well as to prevent and fade brown marks left by skin eruptions.

• Combatting Microorganisms: As an antibacterial agent, sulfur has the ability to slow down the growth of bacteria on the skin, thereby helping to control acne outbreaks. The topical application of a product containing sulfur also appears to be an effective treatment for scabies, rosacea , or seborrheic dermatitis due to its anti-parasitic and anti-fungal properties. Indeed, the effectiveness of sulfur applied to the skin is due to the gradual production of hydrogen sulfide and pentathionic acid, which are toxic to the infectious agent (bacteria, fungi, parasites).

• Preventing and Controlling Dandruff: Beyond skincare, sulfur is commonly used in hair care products to combat dandruff due to its exfoliating and anti-fungal properties. However, available research on its effectiveness is limited. Some studies show that using a shampoo containing sulfur and salicylic acid twice a day for 5 weeks reduces flaking.

• Reducing visible irritation: Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, sulfur can also help soothe other skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, by minimizing inflammation reactions. This anti-inflammatory property thus helps to calm irritated skin, reduce inflammatory lesions and surrounding redness that may appear, and relieve itching.

• Delaying the effects of skin aging: Sulfur promotes the production of collagen, which can help delay or even reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, thus giving you a more youthful complexion. A study has shown that oral supplementation can increase skin elasticity.

Sulfur is potentially safe when applied appropriately to the skin. In clinical studies, products containing sulfur at concentrations up to 10% have been safely used for 8 weeks. However, this element may cause slight sensitization at the application site, reported as mild (adverse events associated with sulfur are rare). Indeed, some people may suffer from temporary dryness, redness, peeling, warming, or mild itching when using sulfur topically, which can be a source of discomfort especially for sensitive to dry skin types.

Due to its drying and irritating nature for some, sulfur is typically prescribed as a short-contact cleanser (a rinse-off product), to be used once a day, usually at bedtime, because of its distinctive smell. However, in case of an adverse reaction, stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional. Nevertheless, sulfur has fewer drying effects than benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Any precautions for use?

• Before applying sulfur-based products on a large area of the skin, it is important toperform a patch test to check for the absence of skin reactions or potential sensitivities.

• Follow the recommended usage instructions on sulfur-based products to ensure safe and effective use.

• If you have very sensitive skin, start with a lower concentration of sulfur and gradually increase the amount over time.

• If you have never used sulfur, start by using it once or twice a week and gradually increase the frequency as your skin adapts.

• Sulfur can be drying, so it is crucial to follow a product containing sulfur with a moisturizing cream.

• Do not use sulfur-based topical products while you are using other acne treatments on your skin, unless your doctor tells you that it is safe to do so.

• Do not apply sulfur on damaged, wounded, or sunburned skin, or skin that is otherwise irritated, as this can exacerbate the irritations.

• Do not layer a sulfur product with other topical blemish treatments that can dry out or exfoliate the skin, such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid, as this may further dry out the skin and lead to skin inflammation.

Is sulfur comedogenic?

It has long been reported that sulfur was comedogenic after experimentation on a rabbit ear model, as well as on a human's back. However, another study reexamined the comedogenic potential of sulfur and it was concluded that there was no correlation between the presence or absence of sulfur in the formulation and the occurrence of comedones. This randomized double-blind study involved the application of patches containing 5% sulfur on the skin of healthy volunteers with or without active acne, patches that were replaced three times a week for six weeks.

Please note that while sulfur can be beneficial for many people, it may not be suitable for everyone. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional or a dermatologist before altering your skincare routine.

At Typology, we offer you our purifying face scrub with 2% of colloidal sulfur. This grainy exfoliant is a powerful yet gentle product, specifically formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin. This formula harnesses the blemish-fighting power of sulfur and the purifying effects of clay, cellulose microparticles, and nettle extract (INCI: Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract), which work together to effectively exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, and control excess sebum. As a bonus, glycerin works behind the scenes to alleviate feelings of irritation and promote skin radiance. We recommend using this scrub only once or twice a week.

Pure sulfur has no odor, but its compounds, such as hydrogen sulfate, do. Our purifying scrub has a reduced sulfur odor intensity compared to other formulations, and this is achieved without the use of potentially sensitizing odor-masking additives, such as fragrances.