Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask for dry skin
Colloidal Sulfur
Zinc Oxide
Licorice Root Extract
Retinol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceCaution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansing masks alongside fit it better.
- Journal of Evidence-based Medicine, 2020
- Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo Del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion, 2004
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 exfoliation for your dry or flaky skin due to colloidal sulfur and willow bark extract, which provide mild skin renewal.
- While the mask effectively cleanses pores with colloidal sulfur and zinc oxide, its kaolin and bentonite content can be drying for your dry skin, and it lacks sufficient emollients and humectants to counteract this.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask PM as part of your weekly routine, starting 1x/week and increasing slowly if needed. Always follow with a rich moisturizer to prevent dryness.
- Apply the cleansing mask after using your cleanser and enzyme powder, but before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. This ensures the mask works effectively on your dry skin.
- Smooth an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face while avoiding any rubbing. Let it sit for the recommended time before gently rinsing it off.
- Apply the cleansing mask to clean, dry skin for the best comfort. Since your skin is dry, this method helps prevent any potential irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin tolerates the product well.
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
Why does Lovi advise caution with the Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask for dry skin?
Lovi advises caution because the mask contains drying clays like kaolin and bentonite without enough rich, hydrating ingredients to balance them out. A product of this type for dry skin needs plenty of soothing moisturizers and gentle hydrators to keep skin soft and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this mask a poor fit for dry skin?
This mask is a poor fit for dry skin because its kaolin and bentonite can dry out dry skin, and it lacks enough rich moisturizing and hydrating ingredients to balance them out. A product of this type needs plenty of soothing hydration and moisture to keep dry skin soft and comfortable.
What does Zinc Oxide do for dry skin?
Zinc oxide is unlikely to help dry skin on its own, because repeated use of this ingredient may increase water loss and lead to a scaly appearance. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients that lock in moisture and soothe the skin.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This mask is a poor match for dry skin because its clay ingredients can be overly drying, and it lacks enough moisturizing ingredients to counteract them. A mask for dry skin needs plenty of rich hydrators and softening oils to keep the skin comfortable and smooth.
Can I use this mask with benzoyl peroxide, and in what order?
It is best to avoid using this mask with benzoyl peroxide, because the combination of sulfur, clays, and acne treatments may easily over-dry and irritate your dry skin. A product of this type needs rich moisturizers and gentle hydrators to keep your skin soft and comfortable.
How often should I use this mask?
This mask is a poor match for your dry skin because its clays and sulfur can dry you out further without enough moisture-locking ingredients to balance them. When using a product of this type on dry skin, you need soothing plant extracts and heavy moisture-locking ingredients to keep your face soft and comfortable.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This mask helps clear pores for dry skin with colloidal sulfur and zinc oxide, but its clay ingredients may dry out your skin further. A product for this skin needs rich hydrators and soothing oils to keep it soft and 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
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, 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, 1966Topical 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, 2025Nels 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, 2015Licochalcone 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, 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 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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