Topical acne medications contain a number of active ingredients. For any of these ingredients to be considered effective on nose acne, it must reduce or manage one or more of the contributing factors to this skin condition. This means it must slough dead skin, dry excess oil, kill bacteria or reduce inflammation to provide results. Sulfur is one of these active ingredients.
Features
According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter acne creams containing sulfur are helpful in treating mild cases of acne. Mild acne is often characterized as comedones. Also referred to as non-inflammatory acne, a comedone is the result of a soft plug developing near the surface of your skin. They can take the form of a blackhead or a whitehead, and are often seen forming on the nose, cheeks and chin.
Function
The reason that some acne creams incorporate sulfur is that it helps to dry excess oil and slough dead skin, explains Acne.org. When excess oil and dead skin build up within the openings to your hair follicles, they can form the soft plugs associated with comedones. By removing dead skin and drying excess oil, you eliminate two of the contributing factors to acne and thereby minimize additional acne lesions on your nose and other areas of your face.
Treatment
To manage nose acne, apply creams containing sulfur each day. After washing with a gentle cleanser, simply apply a thin layer to the skin of your nose. Let the topical cream dry fully before applying moisturizers, sunscreens or cosmetics to ensure proper absorption. You can also find sulfur in soaps and cleansers used for acne.
Effects
Besides helping to manage acne on your nose and other areas of the face, creams, soaps and cleansers containing sulfur can cause peeling, redness and skin discoloration, warns Acne.org. These products also tend to smell bad, so you may not tolerate their use around your nostrils.
Considerations
Sulfur isn't considered as effective in treating acne as other active ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are both said to be more beneficial in over-the-counter acne treatments by the American Academy of Dermatology. Prescription acne creams with a retinoid, such as tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene, are also considered effective. Consult a doctor or dermatologist to establish the best treatment plan for you and your skin.
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