Gold Bond: Profile of an Enigma

Posted July 15, 2002 · July 15, 2002

Hey all –

Being a sulfur-based medication neophyte, I have been left on the

sidelines as a sometimes passionate debate raged all about me.

I have read the posts, perused the archives and the highlights, all

in search of the pros and cons of sulfur. Dr. Nase mentioned in an

earlier post (of which the main topic was cea Ltd.) that most

skin with papules and pustules – which I still am prone to – responds

wonderfully to topicals with a concentration of .5% to 2% sulfur in

them. And many of you have indicated that it is (am I wrong in

stating this?) the sulfur component in Gold Bond

lotions/creams/whatever that has helped your skin. I also gleaned

from Dr. Nase's post that concentrations of 5% to 10% sulfur can be

counterproductive, and actually stimulate vasodilatation. And then

some users of the Ltd. disc have posted their hypothesis that the

yellow (sulfur containing) disc actually causes facial bumps, so I

have been confused…

I've been intrigued by the little Gold Bond soap opera which has been

played out in almost daily installments on our board; intrigued to

the point where I decided to seek out a little yellow red-capped

bugger to call my very own and take him out on a test drive. So

during my lunch hour today, heart thumping in anticipation, I trotted

into a nearby Eckerd's in quest of this most (recently, at least)

controversial and enigmatic of potions.

To my utter chagrin, I discovered that all the little yellow tubes

and bottles of Gold Bond contain menthol, which my face cannot

tolerate in any way, shape, or form. I considered buying a few of

them anyway, for a `spot test' to see if a miraculous decrease on my

sensitivity meter had transpired. Alas, an extended noon-time frolic

at a salad bar had left me unable to stand in line behind a lady

sporting what had to be 75 cans of assorted cat foods and a

fragrantly incontinent toddler in her shopping buggy.

Back in front of a computer, I hopped onto the Internet in search of…

" More than a Powder... It's Medication! " -- http://www.4goldbond.com

One plugged into the tackily put together Gold Bond website (dig the

little animated Gold Bond container, pirouetting clumsily like a leg

less ballerina, in the left-hand corner of the site) I was unable to

determine if any Gold Bond products are bereft of menthol. I did

find out, however, that the purveyors of Gold Bond hand out thrilling

free gifts, like Gold Bond T-Shirts, to random people who send them

glowing testimonials, much filled with exclamation points. Are you

listening, Mike?!!

Goose-bumped and giddy, I clicked on the " FAQ " button to find the

answers to the five (5) most frequently asked questions of Gold Bond.

This is the fifth most FAQ:

Q: Do you have T-Shirts available for sale?

A: Yes. Please check out the GB WeaR™ section on this website.

Official Gold Bond® merchandise can be ordered via mail-in order form.

So while I wait for my Gold Bond T-Shirt to pirouette gaily into my

life, do you guys have any suggestions for a non-menthol, .5% to 2%

sulfur topical that I can buy over the counter? I also can't

tolerate oatmeal-based stuff, or cornstarch. Any suggestions are

welcome, as usual.

-- Jillian

Posted July 15, 2002 · July 15, 2002