We put three 10% OTC sulfur products to the test! Kate Somerville, the Ordinary, Vichy, and De La Cruz Lab have four completely different takes on sulfur. The chemists discuss which product is the best to use as an acne spot treat!
Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season
*a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist.
https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514
Product Shoutout:
The Specialist: https://chemistconfessions.com/products/the-specialist-exfoliating-treatment
Enrichment Content:
EP153: OTC Sulfur for Acne is Kinda Weird!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cPB2eUtYpY&list=PLldQkxjc7bYnFkUtOw8Y07yCyBnaF4ddx&index=2
From the Blog: The Chemists’ Comprehensive Guide to Acne Pt. 1
https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/the-chemists-comprehensive-guide-to-acne-pt-1
00:00 | Sulfur Products Review: Which 10% Sulfur Acne Treatment is Best?
00:39 | What are the selection criteria for the 4 sulfur products?
01:22 | Price comparison of The Ordinary, Vichy, Kate Somerville, and De La Cruz sulfur products
02:48 | How does a dry-skin representative use a drying sulfur spot treatment?
03:38 | Which sulfur product has a classic drying, high absorption lotion texture?
04:00 | The problem with Kate Somerville's isopropyl alcohol-based drying lotion
06:30 | Ranking sulfur products by "rotten egg smell"—which one smells the most?
08:46 | Chemist Notes: Which oil-absorbing powders are in the sulfur formulas?
11:13 | Which sulfur products contain additional acne actives like Glycolic or Salicylic Acid?
14:11 | Is sulfur a long-term preventative acne ingredient or just a spot treat?
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/chemist.con...
INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...
Skincare questions for the podcast?
Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack
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16:53
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16:53
#154) AD | A Deep Dive Into VT’s Reedle Skincare!
In paid partnership with VT! VT has given us insider access to the R&D behind their viral Reedle Skincare. In thanks to our community’s curiosity, they’ve decided to share the research behind their reedles, what makes them special, and all the testing they’ve done behind this product line. The chemists also share their experience and recommendation using this uniquely prickly but soothing? Kbeauty serum.
Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season
*A small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist. (Thank you!)
https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/1280514
Enrichment Content:
EP 128: Our Deep Dive into Spicules (Non-paid/non-gifted)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acn8V6-4_Uk&t=61s
EP 129: VT’s Reedle Shot 50 vs. 100 (Non-paid/non-gifted)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-BwdlFYFU0&t=1s
Follow us:
IG: / chemist.confessions
INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...
Skincare questions for the podcast?
Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack
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22:58
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22:58
#153) The Science Behind Sulfur for Acne & Skincare
We take a deep dive into the science behind Sulfur, a very old and historically prevalent ingredient for acne. We discuss its nonmetal clay origins and characteristic scent, often described as rotten eggs , or like "if a clay farted". The episode covers its classification as an OTC acne ingredient , its proposed catalytic and oil-absorbing mechanisms , and the challenges in its topical formulation, such as particle size. We also look at old-school research, including a study on 10% Sulfur + 4% Niacinamide drying lotion , and offer realistic expectations: Sulfur is best used as a spot treatment for quick fixes, not for long-term overall breakout reduction
Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season
*a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist.
https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514
Recommended 30 for 30 Sunscreens 2025
*a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist.
https://shopmy.us/collections/1766357
Product Shoutout:
Blank Slate Gentle Gel Cleanser
https://chemistconfessions.com/products/blank-slate-cleanser
Enrichment Content:
Sunscreen Layering Guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0Dlb0WXvc
Do We Absorb Sunscreen Filters into Our Bloodstreams?
https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/controversy-corner-do-we-absorb-sunscreen-filters-into-our-bloodstreams
Follow us:
IG: / chemist.confessions
INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes...
Skincare questions for the podcast?
Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack
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29:13
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29:13
#152) MY SKIN IS ANGRY! Now what?
Everyone at some point in their lives will experience skin irritation. From overeager retinoid use to skin deciding to do a complete 180° just because. When skin is angry, troubleshooting your routine can start to feel stressful and overwhelming . The chemists review why skin reacts the way it does and best practices on how to appease unhappy skin and recalibrate back to your original healthy skin.
Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season
*A small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist. (Thank you!)
https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514
Product Shoutout:
Aquafix Soothing Hydrating Serum
https://chemistconfessions.com/products/aquafix-hydrating-water-gel
Enrichment Content:
Navigating Plant Extracts: A Guide
https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/botanicals-a-skincare-ingredient-jungle
EP136: Can You Just Use Water to Cleanse Your Face?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDay3OeG7Q
Follow us:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/chemist.confessions/
INTERWEB: https://chemistconfessions.com/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfessions?lang=en
Skincare questions for the podcast?
Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack
We put popular hypochlorous acid sprays to the test! Tower 28, Prequel, and Magic Molecule. Do they live up to the hype for acne, redness, and barrier support? Here’s the chemists’ breakdown.
Products Discussed this 2025 Podcast Season
*a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist.*
[https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514](https://shopmy.us/collections/1280514)
Recommended 30 for 30 Sunscreens 2025
*a small portion of your purchase through these links goes to feeding a chemist.*
[https://shopmy.us/collections/1766357](https://shopmy.us/collections/1766357)
Product Shoutout:
Blank Slate Gentle Gel Cleanser
[https://chemistconfessions.com/products/blank-slate-cleanser](https://chemistconfessions.com/products/blank-slate-cleanser)
Enrichment Content:
Sunscreen Layering Guide
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0Dlb0WXvc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ0Dlb0WXvc)
Do We Absorb Sunscreen Filters into Our Bloodstreams?
[https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/controversy-corner-do-we-absorb-sunscreen-filters-into-our-bloodstreams](https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/controversy-corner-do-we-absorb-sunscreen-filters-into-our-bloodstreams)
Follow us:
IG: / chemist.confessions
INTERWEB: [https://chemistconfessions.com/](https://chemistconfessions.com/)
TIKTOK: [https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes](https://www.tiktok.com/@chemistconfes)...
Skincare questions for the podcast?
Leave your question in the comments and it could be featured in our next episode! #chemistconfessions #skincarescience #chemistconfessionspodcast #skincarehack
Skincare chemists Gloria & Victoria’s weekly conversation on all things skincare science.The podcast covers notable skincare news, decoding outrageous claims, demystifying the overwhelming product landscapes, and answering your burning skincare questions. Tune in if you might need help building a skincare routine, finding a serum that’ll ACTUALLY deliver, or just want to have a few laughs on some of the crazy things you see in skincare.
New Zealand