Introduction
Glymed+ may not dominate every beauty headline yet but within professional circles the Utah based brand enjoys a solid reputation for merging clinical formulations with spa sensibilities. I have always admired its no nonsense approach to active ingredients so when the Mattifying Sulfur Masque landed on my desk curiosity turned into a full two week trial.
The name itself is about as descriptive as it gets and almost dares oily skin to put it to the test. According to Glymed+ sulfur is the star that helps clear congestion fight blemish causing bacteria and calm post extraction redness while a clay blend mops up excess oil. They claim it clarifies reduces inflammation and suits everything from oily to sensitive skin. Used two to three times a week as a face mask or dabbed nightly as a spot treatment it promises to be the multitasker your medicine cabinet never knew it needed.
Armed with those claims I set aside fourteen days to see whether this mineral rich formula truly earns its place in a balanced routine or if the hype is just hot air.
What is Mattifying Sulfur Masque?
This formula sits in the wash off mask category, meaning it is applied, left to work for a short window then rinsed clean rather than absorbed. Wash off masks serve as a concentrated yet temporary treatment that can deliver active ingredients without leaving a heavy residue, which is useful for complexions that are already dealing with excess oil or sensitivity.
The core of this particular mask is 0.1 percent sulfur, a mineral long used in dermatology for its ability to disrupt acne causing bacteria and soften the material clogging pores. Glymed+ pairs the sulfur with bentonite and kaolin clays, both known for drawing out sebum on contact. A small amount of glycerin offsets potential dryness while grapefruit peel oil lends a mild astringent effect. The brand positions the masque as a clarifier that can reduce inflammation, control oil and soothe skin that has just undergone extractions.
Recommended use is two to three times weekly across the entire face neck and décolleté for five to ten minutes or as a nightly spot treatment on individual blemishes. According to Glymed+ the product is suitable for oily combination normal dry and even sensitive skin types, promising versatility while targeting congestion and irritation.
Did it work?
In the name of hard hitting journalism I benched my usual clay mask for a few days, feeling very “lab coat chic” while doing so. Fourteen days seemed like a fair trial window so I stuck to the brand’s instructions religiously: full face applications on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for seven minutes each, then tiny dabs on any emerging spots before bed the other nights.
The first session left my skin slightly pink but not tight. By morning an angry whitehead near my brow had flattened to a polite bump which impressed me. Oil levels also stayed in check through a long office day where my T zone normally morphs into a disco ball by lunch.
Midweek I noticed one trade off. While breakout activity was quieting, the perioral area felt a touch parched. A richer moisturizer at night solved the issue but it reminded me that sulfur and clay can still be overzealous even at this low percentage.
By the end of week one my forehead looked clearer and existing congestion on my chin had come to a head faster than usual which made extractions easier. However new blemishes still popped up though less inflamed than usual.
Week two mirrored these results. The masque kept shine in check for a solid six hours after each use and served as a reliable emergency dot treatment that shrunk pustules overnight. Redness from old spots faded a bit faster as well but blackheads on my nose remained largely unchanged. I did not observe any dramatic long term texture refinement which some sulfur products can deliver with extended use.
Overall the formula makes good on its promises to calm post extraction redness and curb surface oil. It is a respectable tool for managing the occasional breakout yet it stops short of being transformative enough to earn a permanent spot in my personal lineup. Still, for those seeking a gentle sulfur option that multitasks as a mask and spot treatment, this Glymed+ offering is certainly worth a try.
Main ingredients explained
Sulfur sits at 0.1 percent which may sound tiny yet remains enough to disrupt acne causing bacteria and soften hardened sebum plugs. Unlike stronger actives such as benzoyl peroxide it works at a slower clip but also brings a mild keratolytic effect that helps loosen debris without the burn. That said sulfur has a distinct scent and can be drying so the brand wisely kept the percentage conservative.
Bentonite and kaolin clays make up the bulk of the texture. Both are celebrated for strong oil absorption and are virtually non comedogenic meaning they should not clog pores when used in rinse off form. Bentonite swells when wet pulling impurities to the surface while kaolin offers a gentler polish and helps the mask rinse clean without gritty friction.
Glycerin is the classic humectant thrown in to counterbalance the wicking power of the clays. It draws water to the upper layers so skin never feels chalk dry once the mask is removed. On the comedogenic scale glycerin ranks a flat zero so it plays nicely with breakout prone complexions.
Citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil supplies a faintly zesty scent and astringent kick. Essential oils can be hotly debated because their natural fragrance molecules may irritate sensitive or compromised skin. In this formula the concentration feels low enough to avoid a sting yet those highly reactive to citrus oils should patch test.
Phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol partner as a broad spectrum preservative system that keeps microbial growth in check. Both are considered safe in rinse off products at the levels typically used though phenoxyethanol can cause a mild sting on freshly exfoliated or over processed skin.
There are no animal derived materials in the INCI so the masque is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. None of the listed ingredients carry a high comedogenic rating although heavy handed use of essential oils theoretically could trigger closed comedones in very reactive skin. Comedogenic simply refers to a substance’s tendency to block pores and create bumps beneath the surface.
As for pregnancy safety sulfur and grapefruit oil are generally viewed as low risk yet any topical active should be cleared by a healthcare provider first. Hormonal skin can behave unpredictably so err on the side of caution.
One final footnote: the absence of drying alcohols or silicones makes this mask surprisingly forgiving given its mattifying brief. If you tolerate a whiff of sulfur and a hint of citrus you will likely have no trouble incorporating it into an existing routine.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of masking and dotting here is the straight-up rundown.
What works well:
- Balances surface oil for several hours without leaving a chalky film
- Calms post extraction redness and visibly deflates fresh pustules overnight when used as a spot treatment
- Rinses off cleanly and the low sulfur level means minimal sting or odor compared with stronger formulas
- Simple vegan ingredient list suits most routines and avoids heavy comedogenic agents
What to consider:
- 0.1 percent sulfur may be too mild for deep cystic breakouts
- Oil control is short term so results fade if you skip applications
- Bentonite and grapefruit peel oil can leave drier areas feeling tight or tingly requiring a richer follow up moisturizer
My final thoughts
After two weeks of diligent masking, spotting and comparing notes with the many sulfur and clay formulas I have logged over the years, Glymed+ Mattifying Sulfur Masque has proven itself to be a competent workhorse rather than a breakout star. It excels at tamping down midday shine, putting fresh whiteheads on notice and soothing that post extraction flush, yet it never quite crosses into transformative territory. If you are oily to combination, appreciate a low odor sulfur option and do not mind topping up hydration around the mouth or cheeks, this is an easy product to slip into rotation. Drier or cystic-prone skins may crave something stronger or richer. On the friend test I would recommend it, but with the full context of its short-term oil control and gentle strength. Rating: 7/10.
Finding a wash-off mask that actually earns its rinse time is no small feat. I feel confident I gave this formula a fair audition, having cycled through dozens of similar products in the past. It does what it says on the tin – mostly – just in a measured, good-citizen way that rarely oversteps. Some may find that restraint refreshing, others may wish for more fireworks. Either way its dual role as mask and spot treatment lends solid value for money.
If you need alternatives, my cabinet has a few MVPs. Deascal Pink Clay Glow Mask remains my all-rounder pick for any skin type, delivering exfoliation, pore clarity and a bright finish at a price that punches above its weight. On days when I crave a deeper detox NIOD Flavanone Mud gives an almost professional level purge without the dreaded next-day rebound oil. Eve Lom Rescue Mask is my comfort choice when skin feels both congested and cranky thanks to its cooling camphor kick. For budget-friendly yet potent clarifying, The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque consistently keeps blackheads in check with minimal fuss. I have used each of these repeatedly and they still hold court on my shelf.
Before you slather anything new on your face please remember a few housekeeping rules. Patch test behind the ear or along the jawline, even if that sounds like an over-protective parent speaking. Keep expectations realistic because masks offer maintenance, not miracles, and results fade if you slack on regular use. Happy masking and may your pores stay on their best behavior.