21/01/2026
DMSO: A Substance That Demands Discernment
DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a substance that refuses to sit neatly inside a single category.
It is not a folk remedy, nor is it simply a pharmaceutical agent. It has been studied, restricted, praised, abandoned, reintroduced and quietly used for decades. Its history runs through emergency medicine, veterinary care, high performance athletes, clinical research, industrial applications and alternative health spaces.
At a chemical level, DMSO is a sulfur-containing compound derived from lignin, a byproduct of wood pulp processing. It is a powerful solvent with a unique ability: it penetrates skin and tissue barriers rapidly and deeply. This single characteristic is the reason DMSO has drawn so much medical interest and so much caution.
DMSO entered medical research in the mid-20th century. Early studies explored its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, as well as its ability to reduce swelling, improve circulation and preserve tissue.
It has been used in:
At the same time, inconsistent outcomes, misuse and a lack of standardised protocols led to restrictions in many countries. In some places it became tightly controlled; in others it remained quietly available.
This uneven history is part of why DMSO exists in a grey zone – not banned, not embraced, not simple.
DMSO is non-selective. It does not choose what it carries.
Anything present on the skin - residues, fragrances, environmental toxins can be transported along with it. This makes cleanliness, sourcing, formulation and context absolutely critical.
An example: applying DMSO to skin that has been exposed to household cleaners, synthetic fragrance, or industrial residue can unintentionally introduce those substances into deeper tissues. The issue is not DMSO itself but it’s what it may bring along with it.
This is why casual use, poor formulation, or internet-led experimentation is where problems arise.
When handled correctly, DMSO has demonstrated:
These properties are why it has continued to resurface in medical and research contexts, even after periods of restriction. It works but it demands discernment and respect.
Understanding DMSO changed the way I think about skin entirely.
The skin is not a decorative surface. It is a living, responsive organ connected to the immune system, nervous system and internal terrain. What we place on it matters far more than most people realise. Or perhaps you do.
My formulations are built around this awareness and deep respect for this solvent. Not to force results but to reduce burden and have something that actually truly works and makes a difference.
Ingredients are chosen for compatibility, simplicity and integrity. Nothing but clean, organic and the highest quality. I work through the frameworks of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda to ensure harmony at the deepens level of the skin.
DMSO is a godsend in this context because anything that enhances absorption raises the bar. It asks for precision, restraint and a deeper respect for what the skin actually is and it shows.
Please as there has not been adequate testing on pregnancy and breast feeding it is advised against using
This is also not ideal to be applied to areas of injectable’s or medicines as this may carry further imbalances and toxins into the bloodstream.
Please always apply to clean skin and remember less is more with this product.
It isn’t here to convince, convert, or promise. It exists as a reminder that the skin is intelligent, that absorption is real and that potency without care is rarely supportive. Working with something like this asks for maturity, restraint and a willingness to slow down with patience and devotion to our body as an ecosystem.
I’m proud of the work that’s gone into my skincare formulations and I’m always grateful for the messages from those who’ve felt real support and change through using them.
