A reexamination of the potential comedogenicity of sulfur

The present study was designed to reexamine the question of the potential comedogenicity of topical sulfur. Studies were done by two different investigators in two separate institutions with groups of 12 and 40 subjects, respectively. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the occluded test sites before and after a six-week period of treatment. Each subject received a patch test of 5% sulfur in either an octoxynol 9 (Triton X-100) or a carbomer 934P (Carbopol 934P) vehicle and one of two controls consisting of the Triton X-100 vehicle or a dry patch test. We conclude that no trend or correlation was noted between the presence or absence of sulfur in the formulation and the appearance of comedones. The Triton X-100 vehicle itself appeared to be comedogenic under the experimental conditions.