Overview
Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur is made by Grandpa Brands Co., which has been in business since 1878. According to the Mayo Clinic, sulfur is an active ingredient that may be found in over-the-counter acne treatments, which may come in bar soap and topical (lotion and ointment) preparations. Sulfur may cause skin irritation and peeling when used to treat acne; taking certain precautions may reduce side effects caused by using Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur and other sulfur acne medications.
Sulfur for Acne
Sulfur has been used as an acne treatment for more than 50 years, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Although it’s unclear how sulfur affects acne when used alone, the Mayo Clinic notes that when combined with another agent, such as resorcinol, these ingredients unplug pores by getting rid of excess dead skin cells and remove oil from the skin. Among Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur marketing claims is that the soap softens the hard shell of acne lesions, dissolves blackheads and cleanses oil from the skin.
Product Information
Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulphur is sold in a 3.25-oz. bar. In addition to its active ingredient of 3 percent sulfur, the soap contains the following known ingredients: sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate, water, glycerin, fragrance, titanium dioxide, tetrasodium etidronate, pentasodium pentetate and cosmetic orange oxide. The soap contains no complementary acne-fighting ingredients mentioned by the AAD that might be combined with sulfur, such as alcohol, salicylic acid and resorcinol.
Product Use
Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur is used twice daily, according to the product’s instructions. The soap can be used to work up a lather in the hands (or on a washcloth) and used on the acne-afflicted parts of the skin without excessive scrubbing. After the soap is allowed to dry for around one minute, it is rinsed off. Mayo Clinic instructions for the use of sulfur soaps differ slightly; the clinic recommends a second application of the soap, but rather than rinsing, removing the lather with tissues or a towel.
Cautions
The most common side effect of using sulfur to treat acne is dryness and peeling, according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms may occur a few days after use and resolve on their own; however, if they persist or if acne becomes worse, individuals should consult a doctor. The harsh, drying effects of sulfur can be mitigated by using skin care and cosmetic products that aren’t harsh, abrasive or drying, and taking care when using other topical acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid or prescription tretinoin. Individuals should avoid the use of topical preparations that contain mercury, according to the Mayo Clinic; combining sulfur with mercury not only causes a bad odor, but it can turn skin black.
User Consensus
Because no one acne treatment works for everyone, the benefits of Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur are largely anecdotal. As of April 2010, product reviewers on MakeupAlley.com gave Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur a rating of 4.4 out of a possible 5. Reviewers cited effectiveness on use of the soap on larger parts of the body, such as the back, but mentioned dryness and an unpleasant odor as negative features of the product. Product reviewers on Acne.org rated Thylox Acne Treatment Soap With Sulfur a 4 out of a possible 5. Product odor and dryness were also mentioned as undesirable side effects of using this soap.
About this Author
Lisa Sefcik has been writing professionally since 1987. Her subject matter includes pet care, travel, consumer reviews, classical music and entertainment. She’s worked as a policy analyst, news reporter and freelance writer/columnist for Cox Publications and numerous national print publications. Sefcik holds a paralegal certification as well as degrees in journalism and piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
