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Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansing masks fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • This formulation offers high suitability for your oily, acne-prone skin, as sulfur and zinc PCA work effectively to cleanse pores and reduce blemishes, while niacinamide helps control oil production.
  • The inclusion of ingredients like Curcuma Longa root extract and Melaleuca Alternifolia tree oil leaf provides additional soothing and clarifying benefits, complementing the primary actives for your skin concerns.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no reported irritation risks due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this cleansing mask PM as part of your weekly routine, starting 1×/week and working up if tolerated.
  • Apply this cleansing mask after your cleanser and enzyme powder, and before applying your hydrating toner.
  • Smooth an even layer over your face using clean fingers, avoiding harsh rubbing.
  • Apply this cleansing mask on clean, dry skin to help control excess oil effectively.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and always do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.0Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

Users with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this spot treatment for its ability to quickly reduce the size and redness of breakouts, particularly cystic and hormonal ones, often overnight. A significant number of reviewers also note that the formula can cause dryness and peeling, and the strong, lingering sulfur scent is a common complaint.

Highlights

  • Rapidly clears acne Mostly Mentioned
    • “Shrinks the pimple”
    • “Heals cystic pimples”
    • “Zit zapper”
    • “Dry up overnight”
  • Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
    • “Smells awful”
    • “Strong sulfur odor”
    • “Smell would drive you crazy”
    • “Hands smelled like sulfur”
  • Effective on cystic spots Often Mentioned
    • “Best for cystic acne”
    • “Helps hormonal breakouts”
    • “Flattened underground bumps”
    • “Works on stubborn cysts”
  • Drying and peeling Often Mentioned
    • “Too drying”
    • “Caused peeling”
    • “Dries me out”
    • “Flaky skin around spot”
  • Reduces redness Sometimes Noted
    • “Dialed down redness”
    • “Soothes the look of redness”
    • “Less red and inflamed”
    • “Calms angry skin”
  • Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
    • “Price is outrageous”
    • “Expensive for the size”
    • “Pricey”
  • Irritating to sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Irritated the skin”
    • “Stings upon application”
    • “Burned my skin”
    • “Too harsh”
  • Prevents new breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Preventing new blemishes”
    • “Stops them from forming”
    • “Keeps skin clear”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, dermstore.com, sundayriley.com, lovelyskin.com, cultbeauty.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment Mask a great fit for oily skin?

This mask is a great fit because sulfur and zinc PCA help cleanse pores and reduce blemishes, while niacinamide helps control oil production. Tree oil and turmeric root extract provide extra soothing and clarifying benefits to keep oily skin calm and clear.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007

Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for oily skin?

Sulfur and zinc PCA make this mask a great fit because they help clean out pores and reduce breakouts, while niacinamide helps control extra oil. Tree oil and turmeric root extract also help calm the skin and keep it clear.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007

What does Sulfur do for oily skin?

Sulfur helps calm oily skin and manages breakouts by gently reducing surface oil and clearing pores. This ingredient has a long history of safe use in skincare with uncommon, mostly mild side effects largely limited to the skin.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1988

What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021

Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This cleansing mask goes in your weekly routine after the cleanser and enzyme powder, and before your hydrating toner. It is a great fit for your oily skin because sulfur and zinc help clear pores and reduce blemishes, while niacinamide helps control oil.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this mask in your routine alongside retinol by applying the mask first on your weekly cleansing mask step and following with your treatment, as the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.

How often should I use this mask?

This cleansing mask is a great fit for weekly use in your routine for oily skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps clear pores and calm blemishes with sulfur and zinc.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007

Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This mask is a great fit for oily skin because sulfur, zinc PCA, and niacinamide help clear out pores and keep extra oil under control, though it may cause drying and peeling for some. It is unlikely to clog pores since it relies on clarifying clays and oils.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007

Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.

    Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
  • Lactobacillus-fermented Chamaecyparis obtusa reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 65.3% compared to 38.2% with tea tree oil in 34 patients over 8 weeks, demonstrating superior efficacy, faster onset, and safety.

    Dermatology, 2014
  • Azelaic acid was probably less effective than benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment response, while showing little or no difference compared to tretinoin, and adverse events were mild and transient across evaluated topical treatments.

    Journal of Evidence-based Medicine, 2020
  • Topical application of precipitated sulphur 2-8% petrolatum achieved a 95% clinical and ectoparasitological cure rate in 40 ambulatory scabies patients without relevant adverse effects.

    Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo Del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion, 2004
  • Topical 10% benzoyl peroxide and 2%-5% sulfur cream achieved "good" to "excellent" results with no undesirable side effects in 113 consecutive patients with acne.

    Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1966
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Topical zinc treatment enhanced MMP-1 expression beneath the neoepidermis and metallothionein expression under the neoepidermis and in the wound bed in human epidermal wounds compared to placebo and control treatments.

    European Journal of Cell Biology, 2021
  • Topical preparations containing zinc(II) complexes with glycine and histidine effectively treat acne skin by providing high antibacterial activity against C. acnes and low cytotoxicity for skin cells, with no observed irritation or allergy in healthy volunteers.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021
  • Topical copper and zinc formulations promote skin healing by exerting antimicrobial effects, modulating macrophage polarization, acting as enzyme cofactors, stimulating angiogenesis, and supporting re-epithelialization.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2026
  • Topical lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil provides effective pain relief similar to a placebo in patients with burning mouth syndrome, showing a strong placebo effect.

    Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2014
  • Vectorization of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with clay enabled its penetration into deeper skin layers and led to a significant clinical reduction in fine lines in the crow's feet area compared to placebo after 28 days.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024
  • Quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan/organic montmorillonite nanocomposite demonstrated superior moisture-adsorption and retention compared to hyaluronic acid, good UV-protection ability, negligible dermal irritation, and prominent moisture-retention efficacy on human stratum corneum when formulated into a cosmetic cream.

    Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017
  • Twice-weekly use of a clay mask over 4 weeks in 75 adults with oily or combination skin improved acne-related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, hydration, and reduced dryness and irritation.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2023

Ingredients

Water, Sulfur, Isoamyl Laurate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Arabic Gum, Bentonite, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Olive Glycereth-8 Esters Oil, Zinc Pca, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Leptospermum Scoparium Oil Leaf Manuka Honey Oil Leaf Branch Oil Leaf, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Amber Powder, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Quartz, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol Denat, Chlorphenesin, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, 4-Terpineol

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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