How does Sulfur works on acne?
Sulfur is a keratolytic agent which means that sulfur encourages the shedding of skin cells. This peeling effect prevents the pores from being clogged. The peeling effect is thought to be caused by hydrogen sulfide which breaks down keratin on epithelial cells. Hydrogen sulfide is created due to the reaction of sulfur and cystein which is present on the skin. Sulfur can be combined with other keratolytic agent such as salicylic acid. In some preparations, it is combined with zinc oxide which provides anti-inflammatory action and enhances wound healing. Efficacy Study shows that topical sulfur is as effective as standard antibiotic acne treatment. • 10% topical sulfur is comparable to the performance of oral tetracycline. ( Source: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | Date: 7/1/2004 | Author: Gupta, Aditya K.; Nicol, Karyn ) • “Our experiments appear to show that both alcohol-sulfur and carbowax-sulfur owe their inhibitory properties to the sulfur particles that are dispersed throughout th
