Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Methylsulfonylmethane (dimethyl sulfone) is an organic sulphur compound. It is most commonly sold as a supplement, and is said to have anti-inflammatory benefits (learn more here). “Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) [Dimethyl Sulfone] is a stable metabolite of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) which is a type of organic sulfur compounds.” (source)

It is relatively common in K-beauty skincare, and can be found in many formulations marketed for hydrating, soothing, and anti-acne purposes.

I’ve found a lot of claims about the benefits of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in skincare, but haven’t been able to find a lot of research to back up those claims.

• This PubMed article from 2017 mentions studies that show potential anti-inflammatory and anti-itch benefits in topical uses.
• This 1979 patent application/1981 patent discusses skin softening benefits (said to be comparable to that of Urea and Lanolin, but without the instability of urea or the greasiness of lanolin). It also mentions that Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) can help stabilize urea in formulations.
• Voyageur Soap and Candle Co. mentions it is used to help with aches and pains.
• Ingredients to Die For mentions anti-aging, absorption enhancing, and pain-relieving benefits.
• I’ve also found mentions of it as a sebum controlling ingredient—often in marketing blurbs like “formulated with a variety of intensive soothing and sebum control agents such as azulene complex, dimethyl sulfone, and bha…” (source), so I’m not terribly confident in that function.

Methylsulfonylmethane or dimethyl sulfone

White crystalline powder

Ingredients to Die For: 2–12%

The product I have doesn’t smell like anything.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is water soluble.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is not terribly well studied for skincare, but it does seem to have skin-softening, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

No.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) only exists as a refined product.

Relatively inexpensive ingredient that seems to be well tolerated in skincare; it seems worth trying, especially if you’ve used and loved commercial products that use it.

Data/research on its topical use is pretty thin.

Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and Allantoin both have well documented skin-soothing, moisturizing, softening benefits.

Include Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the water phase of your formulations.

Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry,

Methylsulfonylmethane is the third ingredient in the highly rated Supple Preparation Facial Toner from Dear, Klairs as Dimethyl Sulfone. It has just shy of 5 stars with nearly 5000 reviews on YesStyle as of this writing!

Dimethyl Sulfone/Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is not the same thing as Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO).

2oz (60g)

Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier; mine is from Voyageur Soap and Candle Co. (Canada), and in the USA it can be purchased from Ingredients to Die For.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) can also be purchased as a food grade supplement; be certain to check the ingredient list to ensure it is pure Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and doesn’t have anything else added.