Evidence supporting the use of: Sulphur
For the health condition: Skin (infections)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Sulphur has a long history of use in dermatology, particularly for the treatment of various skin infections and conditions such as acne, scabies, seborrheic dermatitis, and fungal infections. Its use dates back to ancient times, but importantly, there is also scientific validation for its efficacy in certain dermatological applications. Sulphur possesses keratolytic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which help to shed dead skin, inhibit the growth of microbes, and reduce inflammation.
Topical sulphur preparations (such as ointments, creams, and soaps) are recognized in modern clinical guidelines for the treatment of scabies and acne vulgaris. For example, a 5-10% sulphur ointment is recommended as a safe and effective treatment for scabies, especially in populations where other treatments are contraindicated (e.g., infants, pregnant women). Studies have demonstrated that sulphur can inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and certain fungi, supporting its use in acne and superficial fungal infections.
However, the overall evidence base is moderate rather than strong, with many recommendations based on clinical experience, case series, and smaller studies rather than large randomized controlled trials. Nonetheless, the combination of historical use and supportive scientific data justifies its continued use in the management of certain skin infections and conditions.
Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)
AjoeneAloe vera
alpha-pinene
barberry
beeswax
bisabolol
black walnut
chlorophyll
copper
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
goldenseal
heartwood
knotweed
Japanese sophora
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactoperoxidase
Monolaurin
quercetin
Trypsin
vitamin C
Zinc
bentonite
sarsaparilla
Yellow root
Mullein
chickweed
typhonium
paederia foetida
smilax
Rubia cordifolia
privet
goldenrod
Yarrow
juniper berries
sweetgums
oriental arborvitae
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Stillingia
White oak
melaleuca alternifolia
10-Undecenoic Acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Akebia
Aquilegia viridiflora
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Ardisia
Agave
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Alchornea
American Pawpaw
Albizia
asafoetida
Ajuga
aucubin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Allantoin
Aureobasidium pullulans
Alkanet
Alstonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Acemannan
Allyl isothiocyanate
Abuta
Alkanna
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Artepillin C
babchi
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Black spruce
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
bisabolene
bael
benzoin
borate
Backhousia citriodora
banyan
Bacillus
burning bush
Bergenia
Casearia esculenta
croton seeds
Clerodendrum phlomidis
citral
California pitcher plant
Cistus
cypress
chaparral
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Cedrus libani
castile soap
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
Chekiang Fritillary
copaiba oil
citronella
Didymocarpus
daphne
emu oil
Echinodorus
Ficus religiosa
farnesol
fleabane
frankincense
fir
gallic acid
geraniol
genipap
glyceryl caprylate caprate
Galium
geranial
Glycolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gigartina
Galbanum
golden shower tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
Hypericin
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Houttuynia
hydroxyquinoline
Hyaluronidase
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Immortelle
Ivy
Jatoba
Kigelia africana
Kachnar
knotgrass
loquat
Lactobacillus plantarum
Ledebouriella
Lilium polyphyllum
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lophira lanceolata
lupulone
lactic acid
Leptadenia
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
liverwort
Loranthus
Laminaria
Lysimachia
Labdanum
Mesua
Mountain horopito
Marjoram
Mucilage
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
Milkweed
Marking Nut Tree
manzanita
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
purple Tephrosia
Premna
Pepper Bark Tree
Polypodium
Pentatropis capensis
Plumbago zeylanica
Queen's Delight
Rosmanol
Rosa laevigata
Rhododendron
Spilanthes
Silkmoth
Streptomyces
Scoparia dulcis
Shikonin
Spikenard
Snakeroot
Silk protein
Sesquiterpenic Acid
Solanum anguivi
Sarcandra glabra
Semiaquilegia
Soapberry
Sapindus mukorossi
Semecarpus anacardium
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Sulfur
Storax
Stone Root
Smoketree
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
Takuna
Veronica
Verbascoside
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Waltheria ovata
Xanthorrhizol
Xanthoparmelia
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yellow Dock
Other health conditions supported by Sulphur
AcneArthritis
Athlete's Foot
Boils
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Dandruff
Dermatitis
Eczema
Fungal Infections
Gout
Herpes
Itching
Lesions
Lice
Liver Detoxification
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Shingles
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Warts
Wounds and Sores