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Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • Low RiskSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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

  • Offers moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts as sulfur and zinc oxide help to dry out blemishes and reduce inflammation, which is suitable for your combination skin. However, it lacks sufficient humectant ingredients for drier areas of your combination skin.
  • The product provides excellent pore cleansing due to sulfur and kaolin, which decongest pores and reduce acne lesions.
  • The safety profile is generally good, though sulfur and fragrance may pose a slight irritation risk.

How to apply

  • Use this cleansing mask during your PM weekly routine. Start 1x/week and increase if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this cleansing mask after using your pre-cleanser and cleanser , and before your hydrating toner.
  • Spread an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face , avoiding any rubbing to protect your skin.
  • Apply the cleansing mask to clean and dry skin to help clear up your blemishes effectively.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

This mask is highly praised for its ability to rapidly clear cystic and hormonal acne, absorb excess oil, and reduce redness. While users consistently report significant improvements in skin clarity and texture, many caution that the product can be quite drying and has a potent, lingering sulfur scent.

Highlights

  • Effective acne treatment Mostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my cystic acne”
    • “sucks the gunk out”
    • “best sulfur acne mask I've ever used”
    • “prevented future breakouts”
  • Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
    • “smells horrific”
    • “smell did get pretty bad”
    • “towels will smell like sulfur”
    • “rotten egg smell”
  • Oil and pore control Often Mentioned
    • “great for oilier skin”
    • “decreases oiliness”
    • “pores look cleaner”
    • “absorbs excess oil”
  • Drying and irritating Often Mentioned
    • “can be drying”
    • “irritates eyes”
    • “caused peeling”
    • “burning sensation”
  • Fast acting Sometimes Noted
    • “visible results overnight”
    • “dries pimples quickly”
    • “works as intended fast”
    • “great spot treatment”
  • Good value Sometimes Noted
    • “container lasts forever”
    • “a little dab does the job”
    • “worth the investment”
    • “lasts about 2 years”
  • Smooth application Sometimes Noted
    • “goes on smoothly”
    • “silky texture”
    • “washes off quickly”
    • “nice cooling sensation”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “taken aback by the price”
    • “bit pricey”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
  • Packaging concerns Rarely Noted
    • “wish it came in sustainable packaging”
    • “jar packaging”
    • “prefer tube”
  • Sensitizing Rarely Noted
    • “feels a little tingly”
    • “burning sensation”
    • “too strong for daily use”
    • “irritating on large areas”

Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, walmart.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does the Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask work for acne-prone skin?

Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask works well for acne-prone skin by clearing out pores and drying out blemishes, but it may cause slight irritation and lacks enough hydrating ingredients for the drier areas of combination skin. A product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid alongside hydrating agents like glycerin to balance both oily and dry areas safely.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004Journal of Controlled Release, 2025

Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Sulfur and zinc oxide help dry out blemishes and reduce inflammation, while kaolin and bentonite clays decongest pores to make this mask a good fit for your acne-prone skin. Sulfur and fragrance may pose a slight irritation risk, and this skin type needs products with ingredients like salicylic acid for oil control and glycerin for hydration.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004Journal of Controlled Release, 2025

What does Sulfur do for acne-prone skin?

Sulfur helps clear up acne-prone skin by reducing blemishes and calming irritation, with uncommon side effects mostly limited to mild skin dryness. It is a well-established choice for breakouts because it treats spots effectively while keeping your skin calm and smooth.

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

What does Kaolin Clay do for acne-prone skin?

Kaolin clay helps absorb excess oil and calms redness in acne-prone skin with a strong safety profile. Using a clay mask twice a week may improve acne and skin evenness while keeping dryness under control.

Skin Research and Technology, 2023Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024

Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This mask goes into a weekly routine step after a cleanser and enzyme powder, followed by a hydrating toner, treatment, and moisturizer. To fit acne-prone skin better, a cleansing mask of this type needs added moisturizing ingredients to keep drier areas comfortable while it clears pores.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004

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

Using this mask in the same routine as retinol is likely to cause irritation, so you should use them on different days or times. Because sulfur and clay dry out the skin, pairing this treatment with strong active ingredients increases the risk of redness and flaking.

How often should I use this mask?

This cleansing mask is used once a week as part of your weekly routine. A product of this type for your acne-prone skin needs moisture-attracting ingredients to keep drier areas comfortable while sulfur and zinc oxide dry out breakouts.

Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This mask is unlikely to clog pores since it contains kaolin and bentonite clays that deeply cleanse and decongest pores. However, sulfur and fragrance may cause dryness or irritation, and a product for this skin needs extra hydrating ingredients to keep drier areas comfortable.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004

Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

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

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, 2025

  • Topical 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, 2025

  • Topical sulfur alone or in combination demonstrates efficacy and rare mild adverse events in treating various dermatological disorders.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2004

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.

    Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012

  • 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

  • A novel water-in-oil emulsion with a lecithin-modified bentonite prevented epidermal degradation and inflammatory protein secretion induced by urban dust and cedar pollen more effectively than a conventional water-in-oil emulsion in a reconstructed human epidermis model.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

  • Bentonite nanoparticles and honey co-administration improved skin wound healing in BALB/c mice by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and increasing fibroblastosis, new epithelium thickness, granulation area, and collagen density compared to the untreated control group.

    The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2025

  • 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

  • Topical 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, 2018

  • Topical 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

Why other cleansing masks fit acne-prone skin better

  • A 30% supramolecular salicylic acid peel improved the global acne grading score and skin barrier indicators, decreased cutaneous microbiome richness and evenness along with Staphylococcus proportion, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and increased caveolin-1 expression in 28 patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2023

  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020

  • Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Ingredients

Sulfur, Water, Bentonite, Kaolin, Propylene Glycol, Talc, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Zinc Oxide, Polysorbate 20, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Carbomer, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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