Keratolytic
Sulfur
Pale yellow cream with characteristic mild odor
Typical Strength
2%–10%
Formulations
0 compounds
Formula
S₈
Mol. Weight
256.52 g/mol
How It Works
Mechanism of action
Keratolytic and antimicrobial. Interacts with cysteine in keratinocytes to form hydrogen sulfide, which softens and sheds the stratum corneum. Inhibits both P. acnes and Malassezia yeasts.
Did you know?
Sulfur is one of the oldest known acne treatments — its use on skin dates back over 2,000 years to ancient Rome's sulfur springs.
What compounding can change
When Sulfur is compounded for one patient, your prescriber can choose the concentration, combine it with other ingredients, and pick the base. Commercial products come in fixed strengths and bases.
Safety Considerations
Please note: Compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed prescriber for an individual patient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. A compounded medication is not the same as, or a generic version of, any FDA-approved drug. This page is general information, not medical advice. Your prescriber decides whether a treatment is right for you and sets the final ingredients, strength and dosage form.