All You Need to Know About Sulfur Soap

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Struggling to manage your acne and heard about the benefits of sulfur (commonwealth spelling: sulphur) soap?

But what is sulfur soap? What else should you know about sulfur soap?

Before we get started with discussing sulfur soap in depth, let’s define what this additive is.

What Is Sulfur In Sulfur Soap?

Sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe by mass, and the fifth most abundant on Earth.

Due to its abundance, many ancient civilisations started using it medicinally, in a clay format, and directly on the skin.

Early literature references sulfur as brimstone, which translates to “burning stone”.

It’s also worth mentioning that many sulfur compounds are odouriferous, which means they possess a distinct smell we’re all familiar with: rotting eggs.

So, when was sulfur soap invented?

Invention Of Sulfur Soap

The creation of sulfur soap only occurred after chemists began refining the element and mixing it into topical treatments.

As a compound used for thousands of years, sulfur soap became the go-to treatment for acne and dandruff in the early 20th century, before antibiotics and modern skincare products were invented.

Today, it is still a product (somewhat more refined) recommended by modern dermatologists.

But how does sulfur work?

How Does Sulfur Soap Work?

Modern sulfur soap usually contains between 3% and 10% of the active ingredient, and is known for its natural properties, which are:

Antibacterial,
Antifungal,
And keratolytic properties (meaning it helps shed dead skin).

Sulfur as a compound works by breaking down keratin (the protein in skin), which helps with:

Removing the dead skin cells,
Clearing clogged pores,
And killing bacteria and fungi.

Now that we understand sulfur soap well, what are its more common modern uses?

Sulfur Soap’s Most Common Modern Uses

At the moment, there are numerous common uses, which include the following:

1. Acne Treatment

Using sulfur soap for acne treatment is arguably the most common use. Sulfur has drying properties that will draw out excess oil and pus from inflamed acne lesions, and helps with speeding up healing.

Sulfur reduces the amount of oil your skin produces, helping to prevent clogged pores and bacterial overgrowth.

The last benefit of sulfur soap is its keratolytic properties, which help unclog pores and, in turn, reduce blackheads.

2. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic skin condition characterised by inflammation, redness, scaly skin, and oil patches on the scalp, face, and chest.

Sulfur soap combats this chronic skin condition by eliminating the yeast-like fungus (Malassezia) that contributes to it, especially around the nose, eyebrows, ears, and scalp.

If used correctly, sulfur will reduce scaling and irritation by removing dead skin and regulating the oiliness of the face.

3. Scabies and Mites

Scabies are caused by microscopic mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) which burrow into the skin.

Sulfur helps kill scabies mites by disrupting the tiny parasite’s outer coating, leading to their death.

The result is that sulfur soap helps to soothe itching and inflammation caused by the tiny mites.

4. Fungal Infections

Sulfur, as mentioned, has antifungal properties that help eliminate fungi from the skin.

This means that sulfur soap is effective against common fungal infections like:

Ringworm (circular red patches on skin)
Tinea versicolor (discoloured skin spots caused by Malassezia yeast)
And athlete’s foot (fungal infection between the toes)

5. Psoriasis and Rosacea (in some cases)

Psoriasis and rosacea are autoimmune disorders characterised by the development of uncomfortable patches, scales and skin redness.

Both are chronic skin conditions, and are entirely different conditions.

Psoriasis causes skin cells to reproduce faster than usual.

While Rosacea is an autoimmune condition that is caused by irritation and redness.

Sometimes, sulfur soap can ease this itching, but consult your doctor before taking this step.

But how should you use and apply sulfur soap properly?

How To Use Sulfur Soap

It might seem like a simple enough process, but you must use sulfur soap as instructed.

Always consult the product’s recommended steps, as different products will have distinct ingredients and sulfur content.

Before applying the soap to the affected area, do a patch test to gauge your skin’s sensitivity. If you use other active skincare treatments, introduce the soap slowly to avoid major irritations.

Once happy, here are the general steps to follow when using sulfur soap.

Step 1: Wet Your Skin with Warm Water

Use lukewarm water to wash your face. This activates and opens your skin’s pores, allowing soap to work more efficiently when it comes time to lather it in.

Avoid using hot water as this can dry out or irritate sensitive skin.

Step 2: Work It Into Your Skin

Rub the sulfur soap between the palms of your hands to create a rich lather. If you prefer, you can also use a gentle washcloth or facial sponge.

However, avoid scrubbing hard, especially on the affected area.

Step 3: Apply to the Affected Area

Gently work the lathered soap into the problem area. Avoid applying it too close to your eyes, mouth, or broken skin.

Step 4. Let It Sit for 30 Seconds to 1 Minute

You will want the lathered soap to sit on the skin for 30 seconds and a minute, allowing the sulfur to work.

As mentioned, the sulfur will:

Kill bacteria and fungi.
Loosen dead skin cells.
And dry out the excess oil.

If it’s your first time using sulfur soap, start with a shorter time (20–30 seconds) to test your skin’s reaction.

Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly

Use clean, lukewarm water to rinse off the soap and skin residue. Never rub off sulfur soap; rather, pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Rubbing can irritate sensitive skin.

If the sulfur has dried out your skin too much, you can use a non-comedogenic moisturiser. The application regimes of sulfur soap can usually vary depending on your reason for using it.

But the general rule is to use it once or twice a day.