nextbest

See what everyone's saying

Sulfur Ointment

AcneAcne Spot Treatment

Sulfur Ointment — Reddit Reviews

by De La Cruz

92nextscore197 verdicts

Updated November 10, 2026

Reddit loves 10% sulfur for breakouts; one study found sulfur reduced acne spots.

What the community says

Backed by 9 studies

This is a short-contact 10% sulfur ointment for inflamed acne, clogged pores, and rosacea bumps; Redditors often use it for five to ten minutes, then rinse. Research found sulfur reduced acne spots in one trial, but reactive skin can flare.

From Reddit

Backed by 28 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • 10% sulfur short-contact mask; cheap breakout workhorse
  • Brings under-skin pimples forward and shrinks cysts quickly
  • Reduces rosacea pustules and perioral dermatitis bumps

Watch out for

  • Can cause cracking and peeling skin
  • 10% can flare redness and leave skin painfully dry
  • Strong sulfur smell; thick ointment texture

Product details

What TikTok says

Skip to videos

From 4 TikTok videos1 sponsored, marked with outlined numbers

Creators say the ointment cleared bumps and breakouts, and one says it improved perioral dermatitis 1234. Creators say it smells strongly of sulfur, with one calling the smell horrific 14. One sponsored creator says it suits hormonal acne and perioral dermatitis and can be used as an overnight spot treatment 3. Unsponsored creators use it as a mask for 10 to 30 minutes, or longer 124.

Sponsored means the creator disclosed a brand partnership or the video ran as a paid ad.

Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.

“It is the best product I've used for perioral dermatitis.”
“They just went back into their place.”
“This stuff is so good.”
“But this stuff is my holy grail.”

How to use it

From Reddit routines

What the science says

Sulfur lotion reduced acne spots when used alone in the one study that tested it directly, though the evidence for acne is not proven yet 1. For rosacea, the evidence is not proven yet, though the one direct study found sulfur on the skin worked about as well as oral tetracycline 2. That suggests sulfur alone can help rosacea, though the evidence is thin 2.

  1. Sulfur for acne Not proven yet · 5 studies
  2. Sulfur for rosacea Not proven yet · 4 studies

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

How we grade research

Full ingredient list · 2

De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment ingredients

Sulfur, Polyethylene Glycol

Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.

Real Reddit threads — 268 mentions across 28 threads

De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment on Reddit, in one place — 28 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more, summarized.

“How does sulfur play into these?”

Mentioned

“I use the De la Cruz ointment as a spot treatment mask and am curious if it would be too dehydrating or irritating to use with the granactive retinoid...”

Mentioned

“...too dehydrating or irritating...”

Mentioned

“will De La Cruz Acne Treatment Ointment with 10% Sulfur work?”

Mentioned

“it says put it on pimples for 5 mins and wash off?”

Mentioned

“will De La Cruz”

Mentioned

“De La Cruz 10% sulfur!”

Mentioned

“If anyone has an alternative for the medicated sulfur clay mask, please share :(”

Mentioned

“I’ve just ordered the Medicube Peel Shot and it’s supposed to do the same thing.”

Mentioned

“I just realized that I forgot to mention that now and then I will do a sulfur mask too! I recommend either De la cruz 10% sulfur or Kate Somerville 3% sulfur.”

Mentioned

“I recommend either De la cruz 10% sulfur or Kate Somerville 3% sulfur.”

Mentioned

“Sulfur can be a bit drying so make sure you follow with a good hydrating moisturizer.”

Mentioned

“How do you do the sulfur? Like a daily wash?”

Positive

“I use the de la Cruz 10% ointment”

Positive

“I just recently picked up the sulfur product and its sooo good!”

Positive
527

“a regimen to include a sulfur mask like de la cruz”

Positive

“like de la cruz”

Positive

“sulfur mask like de la cruz”

Positive

Dupes & Alternatives

Compare all 12 alternatives

Compared with

Reddit's best acne spot treatments by concern, skin type or ingredient list

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more