You might be surprised to hear that the same natural element used on the end of match sticks can be used as a viable acne treatment. For centuries sulfur has been used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as dermatitis and rosacea. You will find sulfur an important ingredient in many acne treatment products such as cleansers, masks, lotions, and even direct spot applications. You can find sulfur in both prescription medications and commercial acne products.

One drawback to sulfur acne treatments is the odor. Modern products have removed much of the “rotten egg” smell, but the odor is still distinct. Of course, how a treatment smells may be a small price to pay especially when it is effective. If you do not like the smell of one product, switch to another brand that has less odor.

The way sulfur acne treatments work is they cause skin to dry and peel. Oil is reduced so the clogging of pores is reduced which will help to clear up your acne. Because over application of sulfur acne treatments can cause extreme irritation, it is wise to follow all usage instructions to the letter. Likewise, you should begin with a lower dosage to see how your skin will react. If you tolerate the treatment well, you can increase the dosage if necessary.

There are times when it is not wise to use a sulfur acne treatment. You should probably wait to apply sulfur products if you have a sunburn, chapped skin, or skin that has a high level of irritation currently present. If you are using soaps that dry you skin out, you should not use sulfur products. Sulfur used in conjunction with abrasive scrubs may cause too much skin irritation. Using sulfur acne treatments while you are using prescription acne treatment such as Differin or Accutane is not wise because it can lead to heightened irritation. Finally, if you are pregnant you will not want to use sulfur acne treatments because they may have adverse impacts on a developing fetus.

Only in rare cases does topical sulfur acne treatment cause serious issues. Too much drying, redness, burning, or peeling may occur. If this happens, simply reduce the dosage you are currently applying. You may want to go from an everyday application to an every other day application. Again, be sure to follow application instructions to the letter because some sulfur treatments can be left on all day or overnight. Other applications should be rinsed off rather quickly after application. In short, use sulfur acne treatments only as directed.

You should consult your physician about possible adverse interactions with prescription drugs you may be taking for your acne. Even if you are trying to use sulfur acne treatments with other forms of over-the-counter acne products it is wise to consult your doctor or dermatologist. Used correctly, sulfur acne treatments can treat your acne successfully as long as you give the treatment time to work and follow all application instructions.