This Stinky Ingredient Could Be The Secret To Clearer Skin

via Giphy

When someone mentions the word Sulfur, the normal response that springs to mind (or the nose) is that icky eggy smell: definitely not a skincare savior. Ok, so we can’t deny that it doesn’t smell rachet AF, but we’re here to tell you that it could be the solution for clearer, healthier skin. Surprisingly, sulfur can help remove impurities and excess oil, gently exfoliate your skin, and even soothe the skin, which is why it’s now making it way into a whole array of skincare products. Here’s how it could help your skin:

For acne-prone skin: Sulfur could actually be one the best active ingredients to add to your regime when it comes to combatting acne. Firstly, it will draw out any dirt or oil from your skin, cleansing and de-clogging your pores. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it will help soothe any redness or inflamed blemishes. It can also prevent the emergence of a new pimple as it is a bacteriostatic agent, which will fight bacteria and prevent it from spreading further.

Our favorite sulfur-containing products for acne-prone skin:

Source: Mario Badescu, Dr. Dennis Gross, Murad

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $17: This drying solution is amazing at taking down pimples overnight, as it helps to dry out blemishes and reduce redness and inflammation. Check out why we love it so much here.

Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Sulfur Mask, $42: This overnight mask will help draw out oil from the skin, declogging your pores, leaving your skin looking clear and fresh.

Murad Blemish Spot Treatment, $18: Apply a thin layer of this spot cream to any stubborn pimples to reduce redness and inflammation.

First Aid Beauty Anti Redness Serum, $36: This vegan sulfur-containing serum will help fight redness and inflammation, its allergy tested and it’s also gluten-free.

A natural exfoliator: Sulfur is keratolytic, which means it will gently remove the top layer of your skin, peeling away any dead skin and leaving behind fresh, new skin in its place.

For your hair: You’ve probably heard of the protein called keratin, commonly associated with the strength of your hair (it’s also an important part of your skin cells), but what most people don’t know is it actually has a very high sulfur content, and sulfur is required for hair boosting proteins to maintain their strength. So, by adding sulfur products into your hair products, you’ll basically make them more effective.

But DO be careful as it does have a high pH balance, which means it could irritate or exacerbate some skin issues, so you should always consult your dermatologist before you incorporate any active ingredients into your skincare regime. You should also make sure you do a skin test before you use a new product, by applying a small amount of product to your arm to see how it reacts when you apply it to your skin.

Let us know if you have any sulfur-containing skin products that you love in the comments below.