‘I’ve Heard a Sulfur Cleanser Helps’: One Reader Asks About Sebaceous Filaments
Main image – Tanyadanilevich/Stocksy
Dr Sonia Khorana is a GP with a special interest in dermatology and Live That Glow’s own skincare agony aunt. She is passionate about helping people feel confident in their own skin. In this month’s column, she advises about how to reduce the appearance of sebaceous filaments.
I’m 26 and have just finally cleared up my acne after almost 10 years. I still have really prominent, dark pores around my nose though which I believe are sebaceous filaments. I’ve heard a sulfur cleanser helps with this but should I only be using it around my nose or is it safe to use on the rest of my face too?
Dr Sonia says:
Although there’s no way to permanently remove sebaceous filaments– small tube-like structures in your skin’s pores- you can reduce their appearance.
Sulfur cleansers in particular can be helpful for this.
These cleansers work by reducing excess oil production and helping to remove dead skin cells. This in turn helps reduce the visibility of sebaceous filaments.
While it’s generally safe to use on your whole face, it can be a bit drying, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side.
You might want to start by applying it to your nose and surrounding areas a few times a week to see how your skin reacts.
You can also help prevent sensitivity by avoiding combining sulfur cleansers with other potentially drying or sensitising ingredients, like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.
If everything goes well, you can gradually increase use or try it on other areas prone to excess oil. Make sure to follow up with a good moisturiser to maintain your skin barrier.
As ever when adding a new skincare ingredient into your routine, starting slowly and at a low concentration should help you enjoy the benefits of a sulfur cleaner while minimising potential side effects.
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