Two medicines, side by side
Benzoyl peroxide vs sulfur
Benzoyl peroxide and sulfur are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of benzoyl peroxide since 2022 and of sulfur since 1940.
Check it at the source: the benzoyl peroxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026); the sulfur FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 15, 2023).
Highlights of the benzoyl peroxide record
Benzoyl peroxide (Epsolay) · label of July 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsfor the treatment of acne
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 22, 2022
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0469 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the sulfur record
Sulfur (Bensulfoid) · label of November 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsSkin Rash Worsened By Heat And Water*
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 17, 1940
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Benzoyl peroxide label of July 31, 2026, Sulfur label of November 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do benzoyl peroxide and sulfur differ on the record?
| Benzoyl peroxide | Sulfur | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 22, 2022 | September 17, 1940 |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0469 per gram (Benzoyl peroxide 10% wash) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | +5% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 6,709 | 8,405 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to benzoyl peroxide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions