Sulfur
Sulphur
Average
Red Flag Pores
3/5
Irritancy
4/5
FA Safe
✅ Yes
Pregnancy
✅ Safe
Vegan
❌ No
Science & Benefits
Sulfur is a traditional keratolytic that works by reacting with cysteine in the keratinocytes to produce hydrogen sulfide, which breaks down dead skin cells. While it is highly effective at 'drying out' active whiteheads, its comedogenic rating of 3 and potential for high irritancy (Rating 4) make it a 'conditional hero.' In 2026, it is best used as a short-contact spot treatment rather than a leave-on product for the whole face.
Safety Alerts
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Non-Vegan: This ingredient is typically derived from animal sources (e.g. beeswax, lanolin, carmine).