Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask for sensitive skin
Colloidal Sulfur
Zinc Oxide
Licorice Root Extract
Retinol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 mask offers moderate benefits for your normal skin, with colloidal sulfur and zinc oxide helping to decongest pores and reduce blemishes, though its soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Bisabolol are not directly targeted for your primary concerns of redness and irritation.
- While the formula is generally safe for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents, its primary functionality is more supportive than corrective for your specific skin issues.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin as it contains soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Bisabolol and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask once a week as part of your weekly routine, starting slowly to see how your skin reacts.
- Apply this product after cleansing and enzyme powder, and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer.
- Smooth an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face, making sure to gently avoid rubbing.
- Put the mask on clean and dry skin to keep your sensitive face calm and comfortable.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the mask too close to your eyes.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users frequently report that this mask effectively calms inflammation, reduces redness, and shrinks active breakouts, often with overnight improvements, making it particularly beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin. A notable drawback is the strong sulfur scent, and some users express frustration with the pump packaging.
Highlights
Rapid acne reduction Mostly Mentioned
- “pimples dramatically reduced”
- “stops spots in tracks”
- “calms aggravated acne”
- “zaps zits fast”
Soothes redness Often Mentioned
- “calmed the redness”
- “minimizes inflammation”
- “skin less angry”
- “takes away redness”
Unpleasant sulfur scent Often Mentioned
- “smells like rotten eggs”
- “stinks”
- “smell is strong”
- “scent lingers”
Non-drying formula Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't dry out skin”
- “skin feels soft”
- “not tight”
- “moisturizing for clay”
Pore and oil control Sometimes Noted
- “pores vanished”
- “absorbs excess oil”
- “blackheads minimized”
- “skin less oily”
Versatile use Sometimes Noted
- “overnight spot treatment”
- “great under makeup”
- “use as primer”
- “leave on overnight”
Faulty pump packaging Sometimes Noted
- “pump is terrible”
- “hard to get out”
- “had to unscrew top”
- “pump stopped working”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “pricey for size”
- “expensive”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “costly investment”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “broke me out”
- “caused peeling”
- “eyes watered”
- “too strong”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “pills up”
- “hard to spread”
- “thick consistency”
- “crumbles if rubbed”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lookfantastic.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask work for sensitive skin?
This mask works moderately well for sensitive skin, helping to clear pores and blemishes safely with soothing ingredients like aloe and zinc oxide, though it is more supportive than corrective for redness and irritation. A product for this skin needs rich hydrating and exfoliating agents, gentle pore-clearing ingredients, and a complete absence of allergens to keep the skin calm and balanced.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for sensitive skin?
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, zinc oxide, and bisabolol make this mask a good fit for sensitive skin by helping calm and comfort it. However, a cleansing mask for sensitive skin needs gentle, calming plant extracts and hydrating agents that actively target redness and irritation while keeping pores clear.
What does Sulfur do for sensitive skin?
Topical sulfur helps manage various skin concerns with a low likelihood of irritation, though sensitive skin requires gentle formulations and careful monitoring. This type of skin needs soothing and protective ingredients like ceramides or niacinamide alongside treatments to prevent dryness and redness.
What does Zinc Oxide do for sensitive skin?
Zinc oxide helps calm red, irritated skin and protects against irritation while being gentle enough for daily use. It is unlikely to cause trouble for delicate areas, making it a safe choice for soothing sensitive skin.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This mask is used as a weekly step in a routine for sensitive skin, coming after a makeup remover and cleanser, and before a nourishing mask, treatment, and moisturizer. Sensitive skin needs a product of this type that features calming plant extracts and soothing agents like aloe vera and bisabolol, alongside gentle blemish-fighting ingredients, while avoiding harsh or irritating substances.
Can I use this mask with benzoyl peroxide, and in what order?
It is usually best to avoid using this mask at the same time as benzoyl peroxide, as combining them may easily make your sensitive skin too dry and irritated. If you do use both, separate them into different days or times and always follow up with a gentle, soothing moisturizer.
How often should I use this mask?
This mask is safe to use once a week as part of your weekly routine, while sensitive skin types should watch how their skin responds before using it more often. This product works well to clear pores, but sensitive skin needs extra calming ingredients and gentle hydration to keep redness and irritation down.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it contains ingredients that help clear blemishes and calm the skin. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients like aloe and gentle calming agents to keep sensitive skin comfortable.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (farnesol). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Biomimetic hyaluronic acid-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles selectively inhibited C. acnes, outperformed erythromycin in preclinical acne models, and safely reduced acne lesions and redness in a clinical trial.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Topical 0.5% hyaluronic-ZnO nanogel applied twice daily reduced inflammatory-lesion counts by 58% at week four in human subjects compared to baseline without causing erythema.
Biomedicines, 2025Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Azelaic 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, 2020Topical 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, 2004Topical 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, 1966Nels cream achieved a similar reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts compared to 5% benzoyl peroxide in acne vulgaris patients, but caused significantly fewer side-effects such as peeling and dryness.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2000Topically applied coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanoparticles under flexing and massage are retained in the stratum corneum with no significant penetration into the viable epidermis and no cellular toxicity in human skin.
Nanomedicine, 2016Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018A 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, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Kaolin, Colloidal Sulfur, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Peg-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zinc Oxide, Bentonite, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Opuntia Vulgaris Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Farnesol, Rosamarinus Officinalis Oil Leaf Rosemary Oil Leaf, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Sodium Pca, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Bht, Phenoxyethanol
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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