An evidence-based examination of methylsulfonylmethane—the organic sulfur compound gaining attention from dermatology researchers and skincare formulators
Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in the human body, concentrated primarily in muscles, skin, and bones. It serves as a structural component of collagen, keratin, and connective tissue—the very proteins that determine skin's firmness, elasticity, and resilience. Yet despite sulfur's fundamental importance to skin health, supplemental delivery has proven challenging until recently.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has emerged as an effective vehicle for delivering bioavailable sulfur both orally and topically. What began as a supplement for joint health has expanded into skincare, where peer-reviewed research is documenting effects on inflammation, collagen synthesis, and visible signs of aging.
Understanding MSM: The Basics
MSM is a naturally occurring organosulfur compound found in small amounts in many foods, including cruciferous vegetables, garlic, onions, and some dairy products. Chemically, it consists of two methyl groups attached to a sulfone—a structure that makes it both highly stable and readily absorbed.
The compound first gained scientific attention as a metabolite of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), which researchers in the 1950s through 1970s studied extensively for its remarkable biological properties, including membrane penetrability, antioxidant capabilities, and anti-inflammatory effects. Scientists eventually recognized that some of DMSO's therapeutic benefits might actually be mediated by its metabolite, MSM.
Today, MSM holds Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the FDA and has been extensively studied in animal models and human clinical trials. Research published in PMC describes it as "a naturally occurring organosulfur compound utilized as a complementary and alternative medicine under a variety of names" with documented effects on inflammation, joint pain, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity.
The Anti-Inflammatory Evidence
The most thoroughly documented property of MSM is its anti-inflammatory activity. This isn't marketing language—it's a research-supported mechanism with clinical implications for skin health.
Inflammation underlies virtually every chronic skin concern, from acne to rosacea to eczema to premature aging. UV exposure triggers inflammation. Pollution triggers inflammation. Stress triggers inflammation. Even the natural aging process involves chronic low-grade inflammatory signaling that degrades collagen and accelerates skin deterioration.
Research has illuminated MSM's anti-inflammatory mechanisms at the molecular level. A 2017 review published in PMC described how MSM affects the NLRP3 inflammasome—a cellular complex that senses stress signals and orchestrates inflammatory responses. MSM "downregulates the NF-κB production of the NLRP3 inflammasome transcript and/or blocks the activation signal in the form of mitochondrial generated reactive oxygen species."
In practical terms, MSM appears to interrupt the inflammatory cascade at multiple points, reducing the cellular signaling that leads to visible skin inflammation.
Clinical research has validated these mechanisms in human skin. A study published in PubMed examined a topical treatment combining silymarin and MSM for erythematous-telangiectatic rosacea. After one month of use, researchers observed "statistically significant improvement" in skin redness, papules, itching, hydration, and skin color. The effect size was described as significant at p < 0.001.
For individuals whose skin seems to react to everything—who experience persistent redness, sensitivity, or unexplained irritation—MSM's documented anti-inflammatory properties offer a research-supported intervention strategy.
Collagen Synthesis and Skin Structure
Sulfur is essential for collagen production. The amino acids cysteine and methionine, both sulfur-containing, serve as building blocks for collagen synthesis. Without adequate sulfur availability, the body cannot produce collagen efficiently regardless of other nutritional inputs.
Research has demonstrated that MSM supplementation increases collagen synthesis. A study examining MSM's effects on wound healing, published in MDPI Applied Sciences, found that MSM combined with sericin "facilitates cell proliferation, collagen type 1 production, and wound healing."
The mechanism involves MSM's contribution to the sulfur pool needed for synthesizing collagen precursors. Additionally, MSM appears to protect existing collagen from degradation by reducing inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress—the two primary drivers of collagen breakdown.
A 2020 clinical trial published in PubMed examined oral MSM supplementation for skin aging. Participants ingesting 1-3 grams of MSM daily for 16 weeks showed improvements in wrinkles, firmness, and hydration. The study utilized both expert clinical grading and instrumental measurements (corneometer and cutometer) to document changes in skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity.
While this study examined oral supplementation, the implications extend to topical delivery. MSM's molecular structure allows it to penetrate the skin barrier, potentially delivering sulfur directly to dermal fibroblasts where collagen synthesis occurs.
Antioxidant Properties and Photoaging Protection
UV radiation damages skin through multiple mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that attack cellular structures and degrade collagen. MSM has demonstrated antioxidant properties that may protect against UV-induced damage.
A 2022 study published in PMC examined MSM's protective effects against UVB-induced skin damage in a hairless mouse model. Mice treated with MSM showed reduced wrinkle formation compared to controls, with wrinkle scores of 1.8 versus 2.5 in the UVB-only group. The researchers concluded that "injection of MSM in mice subjected to UVB-induced skin damage reduces the wrinkle score and protects against photoaging."
The study also examined histopathological changes and found that MSM-treated skin showed better preservation of structural proteins including tropoelastin and fibrillin-1—components essential for skin elasticity.
For individuals concerned with photoaging—the premature aging caused by cumulative sun exposure—MSM offers a research-supported strategy for protecting and potentially restoring skin structure.
MSM and Skin Conditions: What Research Shows
Beyond general anti-aging applications, research has examined MSM for specific skin conditions:
Rosacea: The previously mentioned clinical trial demonstrated significant improvements in rosacea symptoms including redness, papules, and itching. MSM's anti-inflammatory properties appear particularly relevant for this condition characterized by chronic facial inflammation.
Acne: By reducing inflammatory signaling, MSM may help address the inflammatory component of acne. Research suggests that MSM can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines that contribute to acne lesion formation.
Eczema and barrier function: MSM appears to support skin barrier repair, potentially benefiting conditions characterized by barrier dysfunction like eczema. Its anti-inflammatory effects may help reduce the itch-scratch cycle that perpetuates eczema flares.
Wound healing: Research has documented MSM's role in wound healing processes, likely through its contributions to collagen synthesis and inflammation modulation.
Topical Versus Oral: Delivery Methods
MSM can be delivered both orally and topically, with research supporting both routes.
Oral supplementation at doses of 1-4 grams daily has shown skin benefits in clinical trials, with the compound reaching skin tissue via systemic distribution. The FDA's GRAS designation confirms safety at these doses.
Topical delivery offers the advantage of direct application to target tissue. Research published in Cellular & Molecular Biology examined topical MSM application and found that MSM demonstrates membrane penetrability—the ability to cross the skin barrier. This property, inherited from its parent compound DMSO, allows topically applied MSM to deliver sulfur directly to skin cells.
The ideal approach may involve both delivery methods: systemic support through dietary intake or supplementation, combined with targeted topical application to address specific concerns.
Synergistic Combinations
Research suggests MSM may work synergistically with other ingredients:
MSM and glucosamine/chondroitin: These joint-support compounds have demonstrated enhanced effects when combined with MSM. For topical formulations targeting joint comfort, the combination may offer advantages over single-ingredient approaches.
MSM and arnica: Anti-inflammatory synergy may occur when MSM is combined with arnica, another botanical with documented anti-inflammatory properties.
MSM and colostrum: Both ingredients support skin repair and regeneration through complementary mechanisms. MSM provides structural sulfur while colostrum delivers growth factors—a combination that addresses multiple aspects of skin health.
MSM and goat milk: The natural fatty acids in goat milk enhance MSM absorption while providing additional barrier-supporting benefits. This combination allows MSM to work within a moisturizing matrix rather than in isolation.
Safety Profile
MSM has an extensive safety record. The compound's LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of test animals) exceeds 17.5 grams per kilogram of body weight—indicating very low toxicity.
Human studies using doses of up to 4 grams daily have reported few and generally mild side effects. The most common complaints involve gastrointestinal symptoms in some individuals using oral supplementation.
For topical use, MSM is well-tolerated by most individuals. As with any skincare ingredient, patch testing is advisable for those with known sensitivities.
What This Means for Skincare Selection
The research on MSM supports its inclusion in skincare formulations targeting inflammation, aging, and barrier function. However, not all MSM-containing products are equivalent.
Concentration matters. Products with MSM listed near the end of the ingredient list contain minimal amounts unlikely to deliver meaningful benefits.
Formulation matters. MSM works best within well-designed formulations that support its absorption and combine it with complementary ingredients.
Quality matters. Pharmaceutical-grade MSM differs from industrial grades in purity and consistency.
For consumers seeking evidence-based skincare ingredients, MSM represents a compound with genuine research support—not merely marketing claims. Its documented anti-inflammatory, collagen-supportive, and antioxidant properties address multiple mechanisms of skin aging and damage.
The fact that it remains relatively underutilized in mainstream skincare—while well-established in the supplement industry—may represent an opportunity for consumers willing to look beyond mass-market formulations to find products that incorporate this research-backed ingredient at meaningful concentrations.
Research Summary
| Property | Evidence Level | Key Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory | Strong | Multiple human and animal studies; molecular mechanism documented |
| Collagen support | Moderate | Cell studies and clinical trials showing improved firmness |
| Antioxidant | Moderate | Animal studies showing photoprotection |
| Rosacea improvement | Moderate | Randomized controlled trial showing significant improvement |
| Safety | Strong | GRAS status; extensive human use data |
References
- NIH/PubMed: "Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement" (2017)
- NIH/PubMed: "Effects of Methylsulfonylmethane on UVB-induced Skin Damage" (2022)
- PubMed: "Beauty from within: Oral administration of a sulfur-containing supplement methylsulfonylmethane improves signs of skin ageing" (2020)
- PubMed: "Combined effects of silymarin and methylsulfonylmethane in the management of rosacea" (2008)
- MDPI Applied Sciences: "Effect of a Silk Sericin and Methylsulfonylmethane Blends on Inflammatory Response and Wound Healing" (2022)
