Pas poses this puzzler: I’m currently using Murad’s acne treatment kit and was curious about its use of sulfur, which I have not seen before. How does sulfur help treat acne?
The Right Brain unravels the riddle:
The Murad line of anti-acne products are proud of the fact that they don’t use benzoyl peroxide, an approved over the counter drug that can be drying to your skin. Instead Dr. Murad formulated his Acne Spot Treatment with sulfur, an approved over the counter drug that can be drying to your skin. Go figure!
Why sulfur?
Sulfur is a yellow crystalline mineral that has long been used for its medicinal properties. It’s considered an essential element for life because it’s present in two amino acids.
Sulfur has been used for a loooooong time to control acne even though we don’t know the exact mechanism that makes it work. It’s suspected that it causes the skin to peel and shed excess cells. Some researchers, according to Skincarephyscians.com, believe that it can actually make acne worse by promoting blackhead and whitehead formation through increased cell adhesion. If you haven’t heard of sulfur in acne products before, that’s probably due to the fact that it’s not commonly used today because it has an unpleasant odor and it can discolor the skin (in addition to being drying.)
The Beauty Brains bottom line
If you’re sensitive to products that contain benzoyl peroxide and you’re looking for an alternate active ingredient, then Murad Acne Spot Treatment might be a good option for you. But be warned, some of the items in the Murad line are a bit expensive! (See below for some examples.)
What do YOU think? Do you have a favorite anti-acne active that you’d like to share with the rest of the Beauty Brains community? Leave a comment!
References:
Skincarephysicians.com
Acne.org
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Meresankh Says:
I can use benzoyl peroxide, but I’m sensitive to salisylic (sp?) acid. There’s a lot of zit stuff on the market can’t use for that reason. My skin is okay with sulfur, though.
Sulfur is the active ingredient in both the Proactiv spot treatment mask and Origins Out of Trouble mask. I’ve used both masks and they work really well. Doesn’t sulfur also prohibit the growth of bacteria which can acne? That could be another of the reasons why it works.
Bri Coates Says:
I dealt with acne forever! It is refreshing to see a good study done. Also, a great tool to create unique headlines is glyphius its a copywriters dream
sook yee Says:
Murad is a familiar name in the skin care and anti aging cream field. It is often possible to find discount offers on Murad products. Such bargains may lure you into buying without really researching. Saving a bit of money is always a very attractive feature when buying skin care items, causing a lot of people to hasten the buying process.
Co-author of http://www.antiagingskincaremag.com
Pas71 Says:
Thanks Brains! Maybe this explains why the Murad has been great at breaking up the cystic acne that built up around my chin while I was doing a clinic acne med trial (likely placebo for 10 weeks), yet seems to be actually causing smaller, quicker healing blemishes. I think I’ll start being more careful where I put the spot treatment.
Thanks again!
Ally Says:
I can’t use BHA(salicylic acid) it breaks me out same with BP! It took me forever to figure that out! But sulfur works great for me, especially with my cysts around my chin. I found the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask works great! You can use it as a mask or spot treatment. And it is far less expensive than Murad!
Jenny Says:
My recommendation is Dermalogica’s concealing spot treatment from their Medi-bac line. Its active ingredient is sulfur (5%), and if you apply it to a large red blemish, the kind that take forever to get rid of, you will see a difference overnight. after 3 nights the blemish will be gone completely. An added bonus is that you can use this product as a concealer during the daytime, too. I stopped using prescription acne medications, creams and antibiotics because they turned my face red and made it peel. Anything from the dermalogica line is great, but on the pricey side. Still, it works. If you can get to a spa that offers the dermalogica medi-bac facial plus high frequency waves, get thee to a facialist! You will see a difference immediately.