Remember how we said salicylic acid gets all the acne-fighting love? Well, it's naturally found in this ingredient. "This makes willow bark extract good for exfoliating dead cells and revealing bright, fresh, skin," says natural beauty expert and founder of Purlisse, Jennifer Yen. It's also a top choice if your complexion veers towards oily; by regulating the pH of the skin, it also helps regulate sebum production, adds Wong.
Yen's favorite spot treatment for blemishes, sulfur touts both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It's even effective enough to help with cystic acne, adds Wong. The biggest downside? The scent is, shall we say, distinct (read: it smells like rotten eggs). But, if you can deal with that, it's a smart solution.
Image via Getty
Photo 7/13
Find It In...
Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment, $38. Three-percent sulfur is combined with soothing honey and rice bran extracts, making this creamy cleanser gentle enough for daily use. (Plus, it doesn't smell nearly as strong as other sulfur-based products we've used in the past.)
