De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment Review 2026: Complete Guide

Pimples that refuse to leave cost money, time, and confidence. Many people spend hundreds of dollars on fancy serums, then find real relief in a small jar that costs about nine dollars. De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment sits on that short list of cheap winners. It is a thick paste with a smell that people either tolerate or hate.

It also clears stubborn bumps for thousands of users. This review breaks down the ingredients, the directions, the side effects, and the honest results. You will also see the price, the sizes, and three strong alternatives. By the end, you will know if this sulfur ointment earns a place on your shelf.

In a Nutshell

• What it is: A maximum strength acne ointment that holds 10 percent sulfur as the only active ingredient. DLC Laboratories makes it in Paramount, California.
• Price and sizes: The 2.6 oz jar costs about $8.98. The 2.6 oz tube costs about $9.98. The 5.5 oz jumbo jar costs about $15.98.
• How it works: Sulfur sheds dead skin cells, kills bacteria, fights yeast, and soaks up extra oil.
• Best for: Blackheads, whiteheads, deep cystic bumps, fungal acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis.
• Main drawback: The sulfur odor smells like rotten eggs. The paste also burns skin when you leave it on for too long.
• Simple routine: Cleanse the skin, apply a thin layer, wait 10 minutes, rinse with warm water, and repeat one time daily.
• Rating signal: The jar listing holds about 4.5 stars from roughly 3,000 Amazon ratings.

What Is De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment?

Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment is an acne medication with a single active ingredient. That ingredient is sulfur at 10 percent strength. The only inactive ingredient is polyethylene glycol. That short list keeps the formula simple and easy to read.

The company behind the jar is DLC Laboratories. A Mexican pharmacist named Paul Cruz started the brand in 1963 in Los Angeles. The label lists the product as Maximum Strength Acne Treatment.

The jar holds 2.6 ounces of ointment. The same formula also comes in a tube, a jumbo jar, and a small travel size. The jar listing shows about 4.5 stars from roughly 3,000 ratings.

The maker describes the product as oil free and washable. It clears pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and blemishes. It also helps stop new pimples from forming.

The cosmetic claims look strong for the price. The jar is noncomedogenic, allergy tested, vegan, gluten free, and free of dyes and added fragrance. It is also free of preservatives.

Sulfur has treated skin problems for a very long time. This jar keeps that old idea alive in a cheap and tested form. That mix of history and low cost explains much of its lasting popularity.

Ingredients and Formula Facts

The formula is remarkably bare. Sulfur USP 10 percent acts as the acne medication. Polyethylene glycol serves as the base that carries the sulfur onto your skin. That is the whole list.

The FDA allows sulfur from 3 to 10 percent in over the counter acne products. This ointment sits at the very top of that allowed range. That high dose explains both the strong results and the strong smell.

The base adds no water. That detail matters for storage. The ointment stays thick and stable for years. The label on a fresh jar often shows an expiration date two years ahead or more.

The brand also sells a 5 percent version. That lighter option suits people with sensitive or dry skin. The 5 percent tube costs about $9.98 on Amazon. Both versions share the same two ingredients, and only the sulfur level changes.

No added fragrance is a real plus for reactive skin. Sulfur still carries its own natural odor. So the jar smells like sulfur even without a scent added.

The vegan and cruelty free claims appeal to many shoppers. So does the made in the USA label. The jar ships from Los Angeles, and the maker states the product is not tested on animals.

A short ingredient list carries one real benefit. It lowers the odds of a reaction to fillers, dyes, or perfumes. For a $9 acne treatment, that clean formula is hard to beat.

How Sulfur Fights Acne, Oil, and Bacteria

Sulfur attacks acne in several ways at once. First, it works as a keratolytic agent. That word means it loosens dead skin cells and helps them shed. This action unclogs pores and clears blackheads and whiteheads.

Second, sulfur kills acne bacteria. It also calms inflammation, so red and angry bumps settle faster. Some research shows sulfur stops the growth of acne causing bacteria.

Third, sulfur fights yeast. This trait makes it useful against fungal acne, which comes from a yeast called Malassezia. Many acne products fail on that type of breakout. Sulfur often wins there.

Fourth, sulfur soaks up oil. It reduces sebum production, so your skin feels less greasy through the day. Less oil means fewer clogged pores and fewer new pimples.

Scientists describe the keratolytic effect in clear terms. Sulfur breaks disulfide bonds between corneocytes, the cells that build the outer skin layer. That process softens the top layer and opens blocked pores.

The antibacterial and antifungal actions stack on top of that. So one cheap paste covers several causes of breakouts at the same time.

Sulfur also treats more than acne. Dermatologists use it for rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and perioral dermatitis. That range explains why so many users call this jar a holy grail find.

Top 3 Alternative for De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment

Last update on 2026-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2026-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2026-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Some people want a different format or a lighter feel. These three sulfur products cover that need well.

Dermaharmony 10 Percent Sulfur Acne Bar Soap costs about $7 for a 4 ounce bar. It holds 4.4 stars from roughly 404 Amazon ratings, and Amazon marks it as a Choice item. You lather it on wet skin, then rinse. A bar lasts a long time, so the cost per use stays very low. This pick suits people who dislike paste textures on the face.

Kate Somerville EradiKate 10 Percent Sulfur and BHA Acne Treatment costs about $24.65 for one fluid ounce. It holds 4.5 stars from about 2,700 ratings. The formula pairs sulfur with salicylic acid, so it works two ways. It dries fast and feels light on the skin. This pick suits people who want a quick drying spot treatment and do not mind paying more.

PanOxyl Pore Refining Acne Mask with 5 Percent Colloidal Sulfur costs about $15.97 for a 3 ounce tube. It holds 4.5 stars from a smaller pool of ratings. Colloidal sulfur sits in tiny particles, which spread smoothly on the face. This pick suits people who prefer a weekly mask over a daily paste.

Each option keeps sulfur as the star. So you still get the antibacterial, antifungal, and oil control benefits. Choose a bar for value, a serum for speed, or a mask for weekly care.

How to Use De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment

Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The label gives clear steps. Cleanse your skin well and pat it dry. Apply a thin layer over the whole area with acne. Leave the paste on for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Start with one use each day. Dryness is common at the start. If your skin handles it well, you can build up to two or three uses daily. If peeling or tightness appears, drop back to once daily or every other day.

Users share extra tips that help a lot. Rub the paste off with your fingers before you rinse. This step keeps sulfur out of your eyes, and the sting is real.

Apply it before a shower. The steam and water make cleanup fast and easy. Many users also run a fan or open a window during the wait.

Moisturize right after you rinse. A simple cream with ceramides calms the skin and prevents flaking. Skip other strong acne actives in the same routine.

Use sunscreen every morning. Sulfur can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. The label also warns against direct sunlight and heat sources.

Never leave the paste on for hours at the start. A few brave users try overnight wear. Most dermatologists suggest short contact first, then longer wear only if your skin stays calm. Ten minutes is the safe starting point for almost everyone.

Pros and Cons of De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment

Every product has two sides. This jar is no different.

Pros

• The price is very low at about $8.98 for a 2.6 ounce jar.
• The formula holds only two ingredients, so reactions are less likely.
• The sulfur strength sits at the top of the FDA allowed range.
• It clears blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, fungal acne, and rosacea.
• It is vegan, gluten free, cruelty free, and free of added fragrance.
• It rinses off with plain water far easier than the texture suggests.
• One jar lasts months because each use needs a thin layer.

Cons

• The sulfur odor smells strong and lingers on some users after washing.
• Long wear can cause redness, peeling, and even chemical burns.
• The paste dries out the skin, so you must moisturize daily.
• It can sting badly when it reaches the eyes.
• It takes weeks to show full results, so patience is required.
• The texture feels thick, sticky, and messy during application.
• People with very dry or sensitive skin often need the 5 percent version instead.

The good news is simple. Most problems come from misuse, not from the formula. Short contact time and daily moisturizer solve the bulk of them. For nine dollars, the value stays strong even with these flaws.

The Smell, Texture, and Washing Off

The smell is the topic users discuss the most. Sulfur carries a natural odor that many people compare to rotten eggs. The brand adds no fragrance to hide it. So the jar smells like sulfur from the first opening to the last use.

Opinions on strength vary a lot. Some users call the scent faint and barely noticeable. Others call it a full stench that stays in the nose for hours. One review noted the odor still lingered after a shower and a face wash.

The texture also divides people. Users describe it as thick, sticky, and paste like. It does not spread like a light gel. You warm it between your fingers and press it onto the skin in a thin film.

Washing it off surprises most new users. Water alone removes the paste with little effort. No scrubbing or oil cleanser is needed. That easy cleanup makes the messy application easier to accept.

A few tricks reduce the smell problem. Apply the paste at night so the odor fades while you sleep. Use it before a shower so steam carries the scent away. Keep the jar closed and store it away from fabric, since the odor can cling to cloth.

The smell is the price you pay for a two ingredient formula. If your nose cannot handle it, a sulfur bar soap offers a milder option with the same active ingredient. Your skin gets the benefit either way.

Side Effects, Burns, and Safety Warnings

The label lists clear warnings. Use the ointment for external use only. Do not apply it to broken skin or to large areas of the body. Keep it away from your eyes. Stop use and see a doctor if irritation grows.

Dryness and irritation rise when you stack two acne treatments. The label advises using only one topical acne medication at a time. That rule matters a lot. Mixing sulfur with benzoyl peroxide or retinol in the same routine often backfires.

Real users report harsher reactions. Some people left the paste on too long and burned their skin. Others saw heavy peeling and raw patches the next day.

Eye sting is another common complaint. Rubbing the paste off with dry fingers before rinsing cuts that risk. Never let shower water run straight down your face while the mask sits on your skin.

Sensitive skin needs a slower start. Try a small patch on your jaw for 10 minutes first. Wait a full day and check for redness. If your skin stays calm, treat the rest of the face.

Pregnant and nursing users should ask a doctor before use. Sulfur is generally seen as low risk, but medical advice beats guesswork. People with eczema or very dry skin should also check with a dermatologist.

Used with care, this ointment is safe for most people. Used with haste, it can damage the skin barrier fast. Short contact time is your best protection.

Sulfur Ointment vs Benzoyl Peroxide and Other Acne Treatments

Benzoyl peroxide and sulfur are the two classic over the counter acne fighters. Both cost little and both work. The differences decide which one suits your skin.

Benzoyl peroxide kills acne bacteria fast. It also peels the pore lining and reduces inflammation. Doctors often call it the stronger choice for moderate acne. Some sources rank it above sulfur for overall acne power.

Sulfur works on more fronts. It is antibacterial, antifungal, and keratolytic at the same time. It also cuts oil production and calms redness. That mix helps when standard acne treatments fail.

Sulfur tends to dry the skin less than benzoyl peroxide for some users. Others find the opposite and see heavy flaking from both. Skin type decides the winner, so testing matters.

Doctors have studied both ingredients together for decades. One early trial looked at 10 percent benzoyl peroxide against 2 to 5 percent sulfur in acne patients. That long research history shows both ingredients earned their place.

Other options fill different gaps. Salicylic acid unclogs pores. Adapalene adjusts cell turnover. Azelaic acid fights bacteria and redness.

Sulfur wins on two clear points. It handles fungal acne and it soothes rosacea, two problems where benzoyl peroxide often struggles. If your breakouts itch or cluster in small uniform bumps, sulfur is the smarter first try.

Sulfur for Rosacea, Fungal Acne, and Perioral Dermatitis

The FDA approves this ointment for acne only. Users and dermatologists still use it for other skin problems. That practice is called off label use, and it is common in skin care.

Fungal acne responds well to sulfur. This condition comes from Malassezia, a yeast that lives on normal skin. Regular acne treatments often make it worse. Sulfur fights the yeast directly, so bumps fade.

Rosacea also improves for many users. Sulfur calms inflammation and redness without harsh acids. One user reported clear skin after years of flushing and bumps.

Perioral dermatitis is the standout success story. This rash forms small red bumps around the mouth and nose. Sulfur lotions and washes are standard treatments for it. Users report big improvement in about a week.

One user called it the best product for perioral dermatitis and cleared a bad flare in seven days. Others describe the same fast turnaround. Topical sulfacetamide combined with sulfur is a common prescription for the same problem.

A note of caution applies here. These uses sit outside the official label. If a rash spreads, hurts, or fails to heal, see a doctor. Self treatment has limits, and some rashes need prescription care.

For itchy bumps, uniform small pimples, or redness around the mouth, sulfur is a sensible and cheap first step.

Price, Sizes, and Overall Value

The price is the strongest selling point. The 2.6 ounce jar costs about $8.98 on Amazon, and the list price sits at $9.99. That works out to about $3.45 per ounce.

The 2.6 ounce tube costs about $9.98. The 5.5 ounce jumbo jar costs about $15.98 and holds Amazon Choice status. The 0.21 ounce travel size costs about $2.53, which suits a first test.

A two pack of the 2.6 ounce jars costs about $14.35. That bundle drops the cost per jar and covers months of use for one person.

Compare these numbers with other sulfur options. The Kate Somerville EradiKate serum costs about $24.65 for one fluid ounce. That price buys three times the volume of the De La Cruz jar plus change.

One thin layer is all you need each use. A 2.6 ounce jar often lasts four to six months with daily use. The cost per treatment then falls to a few cents.

Amazon offers free returns on the jar listing. So a bad reaction costs you nothing but a little time. That return policy lowers the risk of trying a $9 product.

The formula also skips expensive extras. No fragrance, no dyes, no fancy packaging. You pay for the active ingredient and nothing else.

For value, few acne treatments come close. A cheap jar with a proven ingredient beats a costly serum with weak results. This product wins the price contest with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment work?

Yes for many users. It clears blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts, and it helps with fungal acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis. Results vary by skin type, and moderate acne may need stronger prescription care.

How long does it take to see results?

Most users notice less redness and smaller bumps within a few days. The maker claims visible improvement in days as well. Deep cysts and full clearing often take four to eight weeks of steady use.

Can I leave this sulfur ointment on overnight?

You can, but the risk of burns and heavy peeling rises fast. Start with 10 minutes and build up slowly. Use overnight wear only after your skin proves it can handle longer contact.

Is De La Cruz sulfur ointment safe for sensitive skin?

It can be, with care. Begin with one 10 minute mask and a patch test. Choose the 5 percent version if your skin stays red or flaky. Moisturize after every use.

Can I use it with benzoyl peroxide or retinol?

The label advises one topical acne medication at a time. Mixing actives raises the odds of dryness and irritation. Use sulfur in the morning and another treatment at night only if your skin stays calm.

Why does this ointment smell so strong?

Sulfur itself carries a rotten egg odor, and the brand adds no fragrance to mask it. The scent fades after rinsing for most users. Some people still notice it on the skin for hours.

Is De La Cruz 10 Percent Sulfur Ointment worth buying in 2026?

Yes for most people. At about $8.98, one jar lasts months and treats several skin problems. The smell and dryness are real drawbacks, but short contact time solves most issues. Few acne products deliver this much for the price.