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Sulfur ointment for acne
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Sulfur was used to treat many diseases in ancient medicine: to get rid of intradermal parasites, bacteria, fungal infections, to stop inflammatory processes. Now sulfur is actively used in dermatology. For example, sulfur ointment for acne is an inexpensive and effective remedy that has not lost its relevance for many decades.
Does sulfur ointment help with acne?
Sulfur ointment has always been considered quite an effective remedy for getting rid of acne. But it helps everyone in different ways, because the reasons for acne are different for everyone.
Sulfur ointment will really help at the initial and moderate stages of acne. The product also helps well with whiteheads and blackheads, but may not cope with pronounced cystic rashes.
If the appearance of acne is associated with hormonal problems in the body, then the use of sulfur ointment must be combined with the restoration of hormonal balance. Such treatment will be prescribed by a doctor after the appropriate tests have been taken.
Indications of sulfur ointment for acne
In addition to acne and pimples, sulfur ointment can be used:
- to get rid of seborrhea – a disorder of the sebaceous glands that occurs as a result of a failure of nervous and endocrine regulation;
- to eliminate sycosis – a chronic recurring inflammatory process in the hair follicles, mainly of the moustache and beard;
- for psoriasis - psoriasis, chronic dermatosis of presumably autoimmune origin;
- in case of fungal infection – localized fungal infection;
- for acne caused by demodicosis.
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Pharmacodynamics
Acne is often the number one problem, especially in adolescence. And sulfur ointment can really help – this drug works almost without fail.
How does this happen?
Purified sulfur blocks the spread of pathogenic microorganisms that clog the pores on the skin of the face (which is what triggers acne).
In addition to the antimicrobial effect, the ointment can soften and loosen the surface layers of the skin, stimulating their regeneration. At the same time, the smallest cracks, ulcers and wounds heal, inflammatory infiltrates are smoothed out, the skin tone is evened out, and pigment spots are lightened.
The regenerative properties of the drug result in increased local blood circulation in the tissues, which promotes their renewal and healing.
Pharmacokinetics
The active components of sulfur ointment practically do not enter the bloodstream (less than 5%). This figure is considered insufficient for the drug to have a systemic effect on the body.
A small amount of the drug that enters the blood is metabolized in the liver and excreted from the body, mostly through the urinary organs.
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Dosing and administration
Sulfur ointment for acne is used for local application to problem areas of the skin. The procedure should be carried out up to 3 times a day.
Before applying the ointment, the skin should be prepared: cleaned and disinfected.
The course of treatment with sulfur ointment should be at least 5 days, and on average – from 7 to 10 days.
There is no need to use bandages and compresses with acne ointment, as this can lead to increased dryness of the skin.
Sulfur zinc ointment for acne
Sulfur zinc ointment is an external remedy that combines zinc oxide, a vaseline base and purified sulfur. The ointment has a less intense odor than pure sulfur ointment, so it can be used by those people who are especially sensitive to various foreign aromas.
The action of sulfur zinc ointment is adsorbent, tanning, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. On areas of skin with inflamed pimples, the ointment has a healing effect, forming albuminates that prevent destructive processes in tissues.
In addition, the combination of zinc oxide and sulfur has a moderate antifungal effect.
Sulfur zinc ointment for acne is applied to problem areas 1-2 times a day until the skin heals.
No negative consequences or side effects were identified as a result of using the ointment.
Sulfur salicylic ointment for acne
Sulfur salicylic ointment has a wide application in dermatology. In particular, it is successfully used to treat the initial manifestations of psoriasis, scabies and seborrhea.
The antibacterial and antiparasitic action of the ointment allows it to be successfully used to get rid of acne. Salicylic acid, which is part of the ingredients of the product, has a pronounced keratolytic, antifungal and bacteriostatic effect. Thanks to it, the ointment inhibits secretion from the sebaceous and sweat glands, which helps reduce the oiliness of the skin.
Another active ingredient in the drug is pure sulfur, which is known for its antiseptic properties.
Why is sulfur salicylic ointment actively used for acne?
- The ointment softens superficial skin scales and stimulates the local anti-inflammatory action of steroid hormones.
- When it comes into contact with the skin, active sulfides and panthathionic acid are formed on its surface, which have antibacterial and antiparasitic effects.
This remedy is contraindicated for pregnant women.
To get rid of acne, the ointment is applied in the morning and at night. The duration of treatment is determined by the condition of the skin: the use of the ointment is stopped after the problem areas are cleared of acne.
Sulfur tar ointment for acne
Sulfur tar ointment for acne is quite effective, although it is rarely used. Most likely, this is due to the fact that the ointment itself is a thick dark mass with a specific smell, which repels many. The unsightly appearance and aroma are given to the ointment by a mixture of birch tar with sulfur. These same components determine the beneficial properties of the drug.
However, few people know that sulfur tar ointment can be used safely both in childhood and during pregnancy. The ointment is applied to clean skin and left for several hours (ideally for 24 hours). The visible effect will be noticeable on the third day of using the drug. The duration of treatment is 10 daily procedures.
Sulfur tar ointment is considered a safe drug. However, sometimes the product can cause allergies. This fact must be taken into account if the drug is used for the first time.
Acne chatterbox with sulfur ointment
A particularly good reputation in the fight against acne is the chatterbox - a remedy for acne with sulfur ointment, which is prepared at home. The chatterbox can be applied to individual pimples or to places where they accumulate.
The best effect can be achieved by using two types of chatterboxes. One of them is applied during the day, and the other at night.
- To prepare the No. 1 chatterbox, take one bottle of 2% salicylic alcohol from the pharmacy and add one bottle of 3% boric acid to it. After that, divide the resulting solution into two parts and add sulfur ointment to one of them (1/2 teaspoon for every 30 ml of solution). After thorough mixing, the preparation can be used as a night remedy for acne.
- To prepare the chatterbox #2, take the second remaining part of the acid-alcohol solution and add salicylic-zinc ointment to it (1/2 teaspoon per 30 ml of solution). After thorough mixing, the resulting product can be used during the day to cauterize acne.
The effect of the chatterboxes will be more pronounced if the treatment is combined with proper nutrition and drinking enough clean water.
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Use of sulfur ointment for acne during pregnancy
In dermatology, sulfur ointment is considered relatively safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. Relatively - this is because full-fledged studies on the effect of the ointment on the child and the process of bearing the child itself have not been conducted.
However, if we think theoretically, the components of the ointment do not enter the systemic bloodstream, or enter in tiny quantities, and cannot have any negative impact on the body and fetal development. But, despite this, this issue must be approached sensibly, and any drug, including sulfur ointment for acne, should be prescribed only by a doctor. Especially if we are talking about pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Contraindications
Sulfur ointment is one of the few drugs that have almost no contraindications. More precisely, there are contraindications, but there are not so many of them:
- hypersensitivity of the body to the composition of the ointment;
- children under 3 years of age.
The period of bearing and breastfeeding a baby are considered relative contraindications, because in the listed situations the decision on the possibility of using sulfur ointment for acne is made by the attending physician.
Side effects of sulfur ointment for acne
Sulfur ointment does not have any systemic side effects, since the components of the external agent practically do not enter the bloodstream.
As for local reactions, in rare cases an allergic reaction may develop after applying the ointment. This manifests itself in the form of rashes, reddening of the skin, swelling, itching. If such symptoms occur, it is better not to use such an ointment, but to consult a doctor.
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Overdose
There have been no complaints of overdosing on sulfur ointment so far. However, despite this, doctors do not recommend using the drug for a long time, or applying the ointment in a thick layer to large areas of skin.
In addition, to avoid overdrying the skin, it is not recommended to keep the ointment on the face for more than 5 hours in a row.
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Interactions with other drugs
Simultaneously with the use of sulfur ointment for acne, the use of other external and internal drugs is not contraindicated. You can take tablets or capsules prescribed by a doctor, receive injections, drink syrups and solutions for internal use.
The simultaneous use of external acne treatments and sulfur ointment should be agreed upon with a dermatologist, since some drugs increase dryness of the skin at the site of application. Most often, such drugs are alternated: for example, sulfur ointment for acne is applied at night, and other drugs - during the day or in the morning.
Storage conditions
Sulfur ointment, which is used to get rid of acne, does not require special storage conditions. It is not necessary to store the ointment in the refrigerator, since the drug is perfectly preserved in a dry, dark place.
Sulfur ointment should be stored in safe places out of the reach of small children.
Shelf life
The shelf life of the drug is up to 2 years.
Sulfur ointment for acne is used and prescribed often, so you can buy this drug at any pharmacy. You don’t have to have a doctor’s prescription for this. Preference should be given to ointments with a high sulfur concentration (approximately 10%).
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Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Sulfur ointment for acne" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.