MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), commonly known as Dimethyl Sulfone, is an organosulfur compound used in cosmetics and personal care products for its soothing, antioxidant, and conditioning properties. It is known for improving skin and hair health by promoting elasticity and hydration and is widely appreciated in medical applications for its regenerative benefits.
Chemical Composition and Structure
Methylsulfonylmethane is an organic sulfur compound with the chemical formula (CH₃)₂SO₂. It is characterized by two methyl groups attached to a sulfonyl group, contributing to its bioactive properties and ability to penetrate tissues.
Physicochemical Properties
- Appearance: White crystalline powder or colorless crystals.
- Solubility: Soluble in water and polar solvents.
- Odor: Neutral or slightly sulfurous.
- Stability: Stable over a wide range of pH and temperatures.
Production Process
Methylsulfonylmethane is synthetically produced through the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) using oxygen or other oxidizing agents. This process ensures a pure compound free from contaminants, suitable for cosmetic and medical applications.
Applications
Medical:
- Used in topical treatments and supplements to support joint health, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration.
- Applied in dermatology to improve wound healing and alleviate skin conditions.
Cosmetics:
- Skincare: Included in creams and serums for its soothing and hydrating properties. It helps improve skin elasticity and reduce irritation and redness.
- Haircare: Found in shampoos and conditioners to strengthen hair, enhance shine, and prevent breakage.
- Makeup: Enhances a smooth texture and improves the application of foundation and other products.
INCI Functions
Solvent. It is the substance for dissolving or dispersing surfactants, oils, dyes, flavourings, bactericidal preservatives in solution.In fact, it dissolves other components present in a cosmetic formulation. Solvents are generally liquid (aqueous and non-aqueous).
Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts, Increasing or decreasing, viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Dimethyl Sulfone is considered safe for cosmetic use and is biodegradable. It has a low environmental impact and is generally well-tolerated by skin and mucous membranes, with rare cases of sensitization.
Conclusion
Dimethyl Sulfone is a multifunctional ingredient widely used in medical and cosmetic fields for its soothing, regenerative, and conditioning properties. Its stability, safety, and compatibility with natural and synthetic ingredients make it an excellent choice for high-quality products.
Studies
Methylsulfonylmethane or Dimethyl sulfone or MSM is an organic compound sulphur-containing that belongs to a class of chemical components called sulfones and is used as a dietary supplement to improve the signs of aging.
It's a metabolite found in human cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma. It comes from food sources such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk, the metabolism of human endogenous methanetiol and intestinal bacterial metabolism (1).
This study has shown that methylsulfonylmethane is effective in reducing visual signs of skin aging even at low doses of 1 g/d. (2).
It is a potential drug for the inhibition of cortisol (cortisol is a hormone involved in stress during exercise) in the skeletal muscle cells of racehorses (3).
Methylsulfonylmethane could promote differentiation and osteogenic potential of stem cells from exfoliated deciduous human dental cells. This osteogenic property is most evident in the presence of mineralized bone particles (4).
MSM in a low dose (200 mM) is able to reduce the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells (5).
Molecular Formula: C2H6O2S
Molecular Weight: 325.4 g/mol
CAS: 67-71-0
EC Number: 200-665-9
DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID4043937
UNII 9H4PO4Z4FT
Synonyms:
- Dimethyl sulphone
- methylsulfone
- Sulfonylbismethane
- Methane, sulfonylbis-
- sulfonyldimethane
- 2-Thiapropane2,2-dioxide
- 2-methylthioacetic acid ethylester
References_________________________________________________
(1) Engelke UF, Tangerman A, Willemsen MA, Moskau D, Loss S, Mudd SH, Wevers RA. Dimethyl sulfone in human cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma confirmed by one-dimensional (1)H and two-dimensional (1)H-(13)C NMR. NMR Biomed. 2005 Aug;18(5):331-6. doi: 10.1002/nbm.966.
(2) Muizzuddin N, Benjamin R. Beauty from within: Oral administration of a sulfur-containing supplement methylsulfonylmethane improves signs of skin ageing. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2022 Jul;92(3-4):182-191. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000643. .
Abstract. Background: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound with known benefits for joint health, sports nutrition, immune function, and anti-aging formulations and is gaining popularity as a nutritional supplement for the support of hair, skin and nails. Methods: The study was conducted in two steps; in Part I (pilot study) a panel of 20 participants ingested either 3 g a day of MSM or placebo capsules for 16 weeks. Visual and subject self assessment of wrinkles and skin texture as the predominant sign of ageing was observed. In Part II (dose-response study), 63 participants ingested either 1 g or 3 g per day of MSM for 16 weeks. Expert clinical grading, instrumental measurements and consumer perception was used to evaluate skin conditions like lines and wrinkles. Additionally, instrumentational analysis was conducted using corneometer and cutometer for investigation of skin hydration, firmness and elasticity. Results: Part I of the study clearly indicates that oral ingestion of MSM (3 g/d) reduces signs of ageing like facial wrinkles (p < 0.05) and skin roughness (p < 0.05) as compared to placebo. Detailed analysis in Part II instrumentation assessments showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement from baseline in the severity of facial wrinkles, as well as improved skin firmness, elasticity and hydration with MSM. Some of these parameters exhibited a good dose-response indicating that the higher (3 g/d) of the supplement was more effective than the lower dose of 1 g/d, but generally the lower dose of 1 g/d appeared to be sufficiently effective in reducing the facial signs of ageing. Conclusion: This study indicated that MSM is effective in reducing visual signs of skin ageing even at a low dose of 1 g/d.
(3) Sp N, Kang DY, Kim DH, Lee HG, Park YM, Kim IH, Lee HK, Cho BW, Jang KJ, Yang YM. Methylsulfonylmethane inhibits cortisol-induced stress through p53-mediated SDHA/HPRT1 expression in racehorse skeletal muscle cells: A primary step against exercise stress. Exp Ther Med. 2020 Jan;19(1):214-222. doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.8196
Abstract. Cortisol is a hormone involved in stress during exercise. The application of natural compounds is a new potential approach for controlling cortisol-induced stress. Tumour suppressor protein p53 is activated during cellular stress. Succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1) are considered to be two of the most stable reference genes when measuring stress during exercise in horses. In the present study cells were considered to be in a 'stressed state' if the levels of these stable genes and the highly stress responsive gene p53 were altered. It was hypothesized that a natural organic sulphur-containing compound, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), could inhibit cortisol-induced stress in racing horse skeletal muscle cells by regulating SDHA, HPRT1 and p53 expression. After assessing cell viability using MTT assays, 20 µg/ml cortisol and 50 mM MSM were applied to horse skeletal muscle cell cultures. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis demonstrated increases in SDHA, HPRT1 and p53 expression in cells in response to cortisol treatment, which was inhibited or normalized by MSM treatment. To determine the relationship between p53 and SDHA/HPRT1 expression at a transcriptional level, horse gene sequences of SDHA and HPRT1 were probed to identify novel binding sites for p53 in the gene promoters, which were confirmed using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The relationship between p53 and SDHA/HPRT1 expression was confirmed using western blot analysis following the application of pifithrin-α, a p53 inhibitor. These results suggested that MSM is a potential candidate drug for the inhibition of cortisol-induced stress in racehorse skeletal muscle cells.
(4) Aljohani H, Senbanjo LT, Chellaiah MA. Methylsulfonylmethane increases osteogenesis and regulates the mineralization of the matrix by transglutaminase 2 in SHED cells. PLoS One. 2019 Dec 5;14(12):e0225598. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225598.
Abstract. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring, sulfate-containing, organic compound. It has been shown to stimulate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblast-like cells and bone formation. In this study, we investigated whether MSM influences the differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) into osteoblast-like cells and their osteogenic potential. Here, we report that MSM induced osteogenic differentiation through the expression of osteogenic markers such as osterix, osteopontin, and RUNX2, at both mRNA and protein levels in SHED cells. An increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and mineralization confirmed the osteogenic potential of MSM. These MSM-induced effects were observed in cells grown in basal medium but not osteogenic medium. MSM induced transglutaminase-2 (TG2), which may be responsible for the cross-linking of extracellular matrix proteins (collagen or osteopontin), and the mineralization process. Inhibition of TG2 ensued a significant decrease in the differentiation of SHED cells and cross-linking of matrix proteins. A comparison of mineralization with the use of mineralized and demineralized bone particles in the presence of MSM revealed that mineralization is higher with mineralized bone particles than with demineralized bone particles. In conclusion, these results indicated that MSM could promote differentiation and osteogenic potential of SHED cells. This osteogenic property is more in the presence of mineralized bone particles. TG2 is a likely cue in the regulation of differentiation and mineral deposition of SHED cells in response to MSM.
(5) Kowalska K, Habrowska-Górczyńska DE, Domińska K, Urbanek KA, Piastowska-Ciesielska AW. Methylsulfonylmethane (organic sulfur) induces apoptosis and decreases invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2018 Dec;64:101-111. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2018.10.001.
MSM 
Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) 
