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.
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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.)
"Clays draw out impurities, purifying pores and detoxifying the skin," explains Yen. There's no shortage of different kinds out there -- red, white, green, and kaolin are all super common, notes Wong -- but their method of action is standard across the board. A smart pick to help with congested pores, clay can also help remove excess oil, ideal for anyone looking to tamp down unwanted sheen. Just remember that while it does pull gunk and grime to the surface of the skin, it doesn't necessarily remove it, explains Wong. A thorough washing after using any clay-containing product will whisk away all those nasties.
