The Best Sulfur Treatments For Seb Derm And Psoriasis

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Sulfur has been used in skincare in ancient Indian, Egyptian, Greek and Chinese civilizations.  In Biblical times it was known a brimstone and this ingredient is still widely used today to treat a wide variety of skin complaints.

Although it has fallen out of favor in shampoo form, sulfur is still widely used to treat a number of skin conditions in cream, lotion and soaps.

In this article, before looking at our favorite sulfur treatments, we will look at what sulfur is, how it works and what the major side effects are.

Meaning you can make an educated decision yourself on choosing your own favorite sulfur treatment.

What’s in this article:

What is sulfur?

Sulfur is a naturally occurring element, widely used in a range of products such as: fertilizers; pesticides; preservatives; and medicines. In 2014, it was estimated that over 72 million tons of sulfur were produced globally, with China the world’s leading producer and consumer [1]. Nearly all sulfur is produced from petrochemical refining.

pile of sulfur

Many medicines contain sulfur preservatives to prevent bacterial growth, improving shelf-lives. These are listed on the ingredient label, with common examples including:

• Sulfur dioxide
• Sodium sulfite
• Sodium metabisulfite

Each of these has been categorized as ‘generally recognized as safe’ by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are widely used in tablets and injectables [2].

On ingredient labels, elemental sulfur can be listed as ‘sulfur’ or ‘colloidal sulfur’. This article will focus on the use of sulfur soaps and shampoos – not to be confused with ‘selenium sulfide’, which is an effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis with a unique mechanism.

sulfur crystal

A brief history of sulfur soaps

Sulfur has a long history of being used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis and was a popular treatment in the Victorian era (the 1830s to 1900). During this time ‘brimstone and treacle’ – ‘brimstone’ is sulfur – was a popular laxative and lotion for a range of skin conditions. The cheap mixture quickly became unfashionable in the 1850s when King George’s III soap tax was repealed, and bathing became less of a luxury [3].

How does it work?

Sulfur is converted to hydrogen sulfide by bacteria for energy production but quickly becomes toxic. Hydrogen sulfide kills a range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and parasites – making it an effective preservative and anti-infective [4].

It’s important to distinguish the anti-infective properties of elemental sulfur from ‘selenium sulfide’. Selenium sulfide is widely used to treat skin conditions, due to anti-mitotic properties (slows excessive skin cell turnover) in addition to anti-infective effects – elemental sulfur does not have these anti-mitotic properties [5].

Sulfur has seen a new lease of life with acne sufferers in recent years. Sulfur helps dry the skin, slowing sebum production and its anti-infective properties kill the bacteria.

We now know that there is a strong correlation between the amount of sebum on a sufferer’s skin and the severity of a seb derm outbreak. Hence, sulfur soaps and face masks are slowly creeping back into mainstream usage for facial seb derm sufferers too.

[Note: Adults need 800 to 900mg sulfur per day, most of which is comes from the sulfur-containing amino acids ‘cysteine’ and ‘methionine’. Sulfur supplements are available as ‘dimethylsulfoxide’ (DMSO) or ‘methylsulfonylmethane’ (MSM), but are rarely clinically useful – and have no effect on skin conditions]

How effective is sulfur?

Sulfur is primarily an anti-infective and so is most effective in skin conditions associated with underlying infections, such as seborrheic dermatitis and acne. However, it’s rarely used to treat seb derm in shampoo form these days as it can discolor light hair.

Then there’s the smell…

It’s much more commonly found in creams, masks and lotions and is often combined with salicylic acid to offset the smell.

It is an excellent antifungal agent though. Although the number of studies is limited, the results have been consistently excellent. For a number of skin conditions.

Sulfur compounds inhibit the growth of Malassezia fungus, which is strongly associated with seb derm.
A 2012 report in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry determined that sulfonamides were as effective in preventing the fungus’ growth than ketoconazole – the active ingredient found in Nizoral.

This in itself is remarkable. Ketoconazole 2% is a prescription strength seb derm treatment. Yet you can buy sulfur anywhere.

In another small study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, one sulfur-salicylic acid shampoo demonstrated effectiveness in treating tinea versicolor, a chronic fungal infection characterized by patches of discolored, scaly skin.

Like seb derm, the infection is linked to the Malassezia yeast and the same anti-fungal treatments are typically successful in tackling both conditions.

Sulfur may have an effect on Demodex mites, which many skin researchers believe play a role in rosacea. In a double-blind study comparing the effectiveness of a sulfur five percent and sodium sulfacetamide 10 percent lotion against a metronidazole 0.75 percent gel for rosacea, the sulfur/sodium sulfacetamide formulation significantly improved erythema and reduced the number of pustules compared to the metronidazole topical gel.

Around 30% of rosacea sufferers also have seb derm and many of the symptoms can confuse even the most experienced dermatologist (I can say this with experience).

Sulfur is also mildly keratolytic and can be used as a treatment for psoriasis. Although salicylic acid is very much in fashion these days. However, physicians will often prescribe sulfur baths to treat psoriasis or eczema. Primarily to help soften the sufferer’s skin.

A clinical trial registered with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2010 aimed to evaluate sulfur compared to benzoyl peroxide for moderate acne, but to date, no results have been posted [6].

Anecdotal evidence online indicates sulfur is exceptionally effective at treating acne so I await this particular publication with interest.

[Note: sulfur products should not be used by those with asthma or eczema without first consulting a doctor, as there is a risk of potentially harmful irritant reactions.]

Where can you buy sulfur treatments?

Sulfur soaps, face masks, creams and shampoos can be widely found in alternative health stores, pharmacies, and online retailers in concentrations up to 10%. Common brands include:

• Sebco
• Clearasil Cream
• Acnomel
• Sulfoam

What are the risks?

Sulfur is a known irritant, and so risks inflammatory skin reactions. A 2014 case report highlighted a patient with second-degree burns after exposure to a sulfur hot spring (termed ‘sulfur spring dermatitis’) – the case received global media attention [7].

It can also dry the skin after prolonged usage so use sparingly until you find out how much you can safely tolerate.

As with most medicines used to treat skin conditions, contact with the eyes and mouth should be avoided. Sulfur can discolor metallic jewelry, and mercury contact will produce hydrogen sulfide which has the classic ‘rotten eggs’ sulfur smell (elemental sulfur does not have this smell).

Summary

Sulfur is used by a range of industries, with elemental or colloidal sulfur used in some soaps and shampoos. Sulfur has a long history of use in skin conditions, and any effect is likely due to the anti-infective properties – potentially useful in seborrheic dermatitis and acne. No randomized clinical trials were identified evaluating the effects of sulfur in skin conditions.

Combination preparations are widely used, and so it’s difficult to establish if the sulfur component is responsible for improvements without clinical trials. Overall there are other treatments with more robust evidence, but sulfur remains an option in those whom other products are not tolerated or are ineffective.

References

[1] U.S. Geological Survey. (2015). Mineral Commodity Summaries: Sulfur. www.minerals.usgs.gov [Accessed: 5/7/17]
[2] FDA. (2017). Food Additive Status List. www.fda.gov [Accessed: 5/7/17]
[3] Berncastle, H. M. (1941). Correspondence: Treatment of scabies. BMJ. p.560
[4] William, A., Angela, J. (2004). Sulfur/sodium sulfacetamide preparations. Dermatology for the Clinician. 3(2), 95-101.
[5] Gaitanis, G., Magiatis, P., Hantschke, M., Bassukas, I. D., & Velegraki, A. (2012). The Malassezia genus in skin and systemic diseases. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 25(1), 106-141.
[6] NIH. (2010). NCT01260571. www.clinicaltrials.gov [Accessed: 5/7/17]
[7] Lee, C. C., & Wu, Y. H. (2014). Sulfur spring dermatitis. Cutis, 94(5), 223-225.

Authors

    by
  • Master of Pharmacy Ethan graduated a number of years ago after studying pharmacy in the UK, and is now a practicing pharmacist by day. By night he writes the most stunning articles on a whole range of pharmaceutical subjects both here, and on our sister site at safehouseholdcleaning.com

  • The site owner. I founded, and have ran this site for too many years now. I have extremely sensitive skin, have suffered from seb derm for all my adult life and this site is my way of doing something about it. Check out my sister site at safehouseholdcleaning.com

1 thought on “The Best Sulfur Treatments For Seb Derm And Psoriasis”

  1. I just wanted to say that I credit sulfur more than any other active ingredient with clearing up the mild but completely intractable seb derm around my nose. Before I tried it, I had suffered from seb derm in this area for nearly five years without any improvement. I had previously tried using a dandruff shampoo in the area on my dermatologist’s recommendation, but even a mild formula like the Free & Clear fragrance free anti-dandruff shampoo caused irritation, dryness, and stinging where I used it. My skin is very sensitive to cleansing agents, and I could never use the shampoo on my face often enough to clear up the condition, though I do still use it every once in a while. I have also tried a couple of OTC antifungals in the area (clotrimazole and miconazole) with no results. I then tried a topical sulfur-based treatment (Prosacea, an OTC rosacea treatment available in the US), and over time I was amazed to see that the seb derm finally cleared up. I chose Prosacea in hopes that it would be relatively mild as sulfur topicals go, and though I think that it is, I still cannot use it everyday as sulfur is indeed rather drying. Every other day seems to work however. It should be noted that there are two or three other factors in my routine which may be of some benefit along with the Prosacea: I stopped using any products containing plant oils in that area of the face, I started using Differin gel all over the face for comedonal acne, and I started using Vanicream moisturizing cream to keep the irritation and dryness from the treatment products at bay. I’m in my early 30s with very sensitive skin that is generally rather dry, despite the seb derm and the acne.

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