Key Takeaway
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a natural sulfur compound shown in multiple clinical trials to improve skin firmness, reduce wrinkles, and strengthen hair and nails. A 2019 double-blind study found statistically significant improvements in hair and nail condition after 16 weeks of supplementation. A 2022 study confirmed MSM reduces visible signs of skin aging at doses as low as 1 gram per day. The mechanism is straightforward: sulfur is a structural component of both collagen and keratin, the proteins your skin, hair, and nails are built from.
What Is MSM and Why Does Sulfur Matter for Your Skin?
Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in the human body. Most people don’t think about it much, but it plays a central role in the structure of connective tissue, skin, hair, and nails. Without adequate sulfur, your body can’t produce collagen and keratin at the levels needed to keep these tissues healthy.
MSM – short for methylsulfonylmethane – is an organic sulfur compound found naturally in small amounts in foods like garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables. As a supplement, it delivers bioavailable sulfur in a form the body can use directly for tissue repair and protein synthesis.
The reason MSM has attracted so much research attention is that it’s not just a sulfur donor. It also has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties, which matters because chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the primary drivers of accelerated skin aging, hair thinning, and brittle nails.
What the Clinical Research Actually Found
The 2019 Hair and Nail Study
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Natural Medicine Journal in 2019 enrolled 63 participants and gave them either 1 gram or 3 grams of MSM per day for 16 weeks.1 The results were measured through expert clinical grading and participant self-assessment.
Both doses produced statistically significant improvements in hair and nail condition compared to baseline. The 3-gram group saw faster results – hair shine improved within four weeks at that dose, while the 1-gram group didn’t show the same improvement until week 8. By week 16, both groups showed meaningful gains.
The researchers attributed the benefits to MSM’s role as a sulfur donor for keratin. Keratin is the structural protein that makes up hair and nails, and sulfur cross-links are what give keratin its strength and resilience. When sulfur availability is low, those bonds weaken – and that shows up as brittle nails, dull hair, and increased breakage.
The 2022 Skin Aging Study
A follow-up study published in the International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research (PMID: 32083522) tested MSM’s effects on visible skin aging in a two-part trial.2 In the first phase, 20 participants took 3 grams of MSM daily for 16 weeks. In the second phase, 63 participants took either 1 gram or 3 grams.
The results showed statistically significant reductions in facial wrinkles and skin roughness compared to placebo. Instrumental measurements confirmed improvements in skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration. The conclusion: MSM is effective at reducing visible signs of skin aging even at the lower dose of 1 gram per day.
That’s a notable finding. Most beauty supplements require high doses to show any effect. The fact that 1 gram produced measurable results suggests the mechanism – sulfur supporting collagen synthesis – is fairly direct.
A 2024 Review Confirms the Pattern
A 2024 review published in PMC (PMC11672428) analyzed the accumulated evidence on MSM for skin, hair, and nail health.3 The review confirmed that MSM supplementation supports collagen and keratin production, reduces oxidative stress in skin tissue, and shows consistent benefits across multiple human trials. The authors noted that while more large-scale studies are needed, the existing evidence is strong enough to support MSM as a legitimate beauty-from-within supplement.
How MSM Works: The Collagen and Keratin Connection
To understand why MSM works for skin, hair, and nails, you need to understand the role of sulfur in protein structure.
Collagen – the protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity – relies on sulfur-containing amino acids like cysteine and methionine to form stable cross-links between protein chains. Without those cross-links, collagen fibers are weaker and more prone to breakdown. This is part of why skin loses firmness with age: collagen production slows and the structural integrity of existing collagen degrades.
Keratin, the protein in hair and nails, has an even higher sulfur content than collagen. The hardness and strength of a fingernail comes largely from disulfide bonds – sulfur-to-sulfur connections between keratin chains. When sulfur is in short supply, those bonds are weaker, and you get soft, peeling nails and hair that breaks easily.
MSM provides the body with a bioavailable form of organic sulfur that can be incorporated directly into these proteins. That’s the core mechanism behind the research findings.
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Based on the clinical studies, here’s a realistic timeline:
| Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | Subtle improvements in skin hydration; some people notice reduced nail brittleness |
| Weeks 4-8 | Visible improvement in hair shine and texture at higher doses (3g/day) |
| Weeks 8-12 | Measurable reduction in skin roughness; nails growing stronger |
| Weeks 12-16 | Full study-level results: improved skin firmness, elasticity, hair condition, nail strength |
The honest answer is that you need to give it at least 8-12 weeks to see meaningful results. Anyone selling you a supplement that promises visible skin or hair changes in two weeks is overselling it. The studies used 16-week protocols for a reason – collagen and keratin turnover is slow.
What Dosage Should You Take?
The clinical studies used doses of 1 gram and 3 grams per day. Both showed benefits, with the 3-gram dose producing faster and stronger results.
The FDA has classified MSM as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) at doses up to 4 grams per day. Most people do well starting at 1-2 grams and working up from there.
One thing worth noting: MSM is water-soluble, so it doesn’t accumulate in the body. If you miss a day, you’re not going to undo weeks of progress – but consistency matters for the long-term collagen and keratin benefits.
The Tarsul Difference: Why the Sulfur-Potassium Combination Matters
Most MSM supplements deliver sulfur and nothing else. Tarsul combines MSM sulfur with cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate), which adds a different dimension to the formula.
Potassium plays a direct role in cellular hydration and electrolyte balance. Skin cells that are well-hydrated at the cellular level hold their structure better and are more resilient to the oxidative stress that accelerates aging. Potassium also supports kidney function, which affects how efficiently the body clears the metabolic byproducts that can contribute to skin inflammation.
The combination isn’t just additive – it’s complementary. MSM provides the structural building blocks for collagen and keratin. Potassium supports the cellular environment those proteins are built in. Together, they address the problem from two angles.
This is different from taking an MSM capsule alongside a potassium supplement. Tarsul delivers both in a single, measured dose that’s been used consistently for years.
People Also Ask
Does MSM actually help with hair growth?
The clinical evidence supports MSM improving hair condition – specifically shine, strength, and reduced breakage – rather than dramatically increasing growth rate. The 2019 study showed significant improvements in hair appearance after 16 weeks. If your hair is thinning due to nutritional deficiency or oxidative stress, MSM may help. If it’s due to genetics or hormonal factors, it’s less likely to be a primary solution.
How much MSM should I take for skin and hair?
Clinical studies used 1-3 grams per day. Starting at 1 gram and increasing to 3 grams over a few weeks is a reasonable approach. The FDA considers up to 4 grams per day safe for most adults.
Can you take MSM every day long-term?
Yes. MSM is water-soluble and doesn’t accumulate in tissue. Long-term daily use at doses up to 4 grams has not shown adverse effects in clinical studies. Many people take it continuously as part of a daily supplement routine.
How long before MSM shows results for skin?
The 2022 study showed measurable improvements in skin firmness and wrinkle reduction after 16 weeks at 1-3 grams per day. Some people notice improved hydration earlier – around weeks 4-6 – but the structural collagen benefits take longer.
Is the MSM in Tarsul the same as standalone MSM supplements?
Yes. Tarsul contains MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) combined with cream of tartar. The MSM is the same organic sulfur compound used in the clinical studies. The addition of cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) provides complementary benefits for cellular hydration and electrolyte balance.
Does cream of tartar help skin?
Cream of tartar is a potassium-rich compound that supports cellular hydration and kidney function. While it hasn’t been studied as directly for skin aging as MSM, potassium’s role in cellular water balance means it contributes to the overall environment in which collagen and keratin are produced and maintained.
The Bottom Line
The research on MSM for skin, hair, and nails is more solid than most supplement categories. Two well-designed clinical trials – both double-blind and placebo-controlled – showed measurable benefits at doses of 1-3 grams per day over 16 weeks. The mechanism is well-understood: sulfur is a structural component of collagen and keratin, and MSM delivers bioavailable sulfur that the body can use directly.
If you’re looking for a supplement to support skin firmness, reduce hair breakage, or strengthen brittle nails, MSM has the clinical backing to justify the investment. The key is consistency – give it 3-4 months before evaluating results.
Tarsul combines MSM with cream of tartar in a single formula that addresses both the structural (sulfur/collagen/keratin) and cellular hydration (potassium) sides of skin and hair health. It’s a straightforward approach to a problem that most people try to solve with topical products that can’t reach the underlying tissue.
Order Tarsul and start your 16-week protocol today.
References
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
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Muizzuddin N, Benjamin R. “Beneficial effects of a sulfur-containing supplement on hair and nail condition.” Natural Medicine Journal, vol. 11, no. 11 (2019). Read the study summary ↩
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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. View on PubMed ↩
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Zhang J et al. “Dietary Supplementation with Methylsulfonylmethane and Myo-inositol.” PMC (2024). View on PMC ↩
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Butawan M et al. “Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement.” Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. View on PMC ↩