So Dr. Roebuck’s No. 9 Serum changed its formula. And the internet is having a meltdown. The old version was basically a zit-zapping cult classic — think sulfur, clay, and zero mercy. The new one? Smoother. Less… barnyard. But does it still work? I’ve been testing it for three weeks on my chin (my personal hormonal war zone). Here’s the tea.
⚠️ **What Changed & Why It Matters**
It’s still a spot treatment, still $28 for 1 oz. The claim: “Clinical skin clearing” — which usually means sulfur nukes your pores. But the new formula swapped some ingredients to be less drying. Loyalists are pissed. I get it. The old version smelled like a hard-boiled egg and burned so good you knew it was working.
New Texture
Thinner. Spreads like a lightweight lotion instead of a thick paste.
Scent Level
70% less egg fart. Still there, but faint. You can actually sleep next to someone.
Drying Power
Milder. No more peeling flakes by day 2. But also slower to flatten cysts.
Photo: frank mckenna / Unsplash
🧪 **The Ingredients — What’s Actually Inside**
Hero move: they kept 10% sulfur (still the star), but swapped out kaolin clay for something gentler. Added niacinamide and zinc PCA — both anti-inflammatory, both smart. But here’s the kicker: no more salicylic acid. That’s the weirdest cut. Old version had it for deep pore clearing. New version relies on sulfur alone. Feels like a downgrade for blackheads.
- Sulfur 10%: Kills acne bacteria on contact
- Niacinamide 4%: Calms redness, fades marks
- Zinc PCA: Regulates oil production
- No salicylic acid: Missed opportunity for clogged pores
Photo: Aleksandrs Karevs / Unsplash
📊 **Texture & Real-World Testing**
First dab: thin, almost watery. Absorbs in 10 seconds — no white cast. I actually liked that. Old version was a chalky mask you had to rinse. This sinks in like a serum. Week 2: my cysts didn’t vanish overnight, but they never got worse. That’s the win. Unexpected observation: it works better as a *preventative* layer under moisturizer than as a spot treatment. Weird, but true.
Week 3: my chin is calmer. Not clear — but less angry. The old version would have dried everything into submission. This one negotiates.
💬 **The Verdict — Who This Is For**
Measurable change: fewer new breakouts. Same old scars still fading. The old version was a hammer. This is a scalpel. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you’ll prefer this. If you’re oily and stubborn, you’ll miss the burn.
✍️ **Final Call**
It’s not better or worse — it’s different. The reformulation trades speed for gentleness. I respect it, but I miss the old one’s aggression.