5 Best Natural Ingredients For Acne

Woke up with an unwelcomed zit? The good news is, there's a whole arsenal of acne-fighting products in every beauty aisle. You might be familiar with the popular salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide, but they aren't the only things that work for acne! Besides, while they are effective, most acne treatments on the market are also known to be drying on the skin and not sensitive skin or pregnancy-friendly.

If you're wondering if there are other natural alternatives to the old acne standbys, we've listed out some of the most commonly used acne-fighting ingredients:

1. Tea tree oil

This ingredient is arguably the most widely recognised natural pimple fix. Many studies have shown that tea tree oil is an effective cure against acne, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It has also been proven that tea tree oil works just as well as benzoyl peroxide when it comes to treating acne, and with fewer side effects (e.g. dryness or irritation)!

We recommend checking out Some By Mi's 30 Days Miracle Tea Tree Clear Spot Oil, which is formulated with 15% tea tree oil to instantly soothe skin troubles and control excessive oil production. This tea tree oil is effective but gentle on skin, and is mild enough for daily use.

2. Charcoal 

Another commonly used natural ingredient to fight acne is charcoal, thanks to its skin detoxifying properties! Charcoal works like a magnet to suck up all the dirt and oil that are stuck in your pores and cause blockage, leaving your skin matte and clear.

If you want a major pore purge, try a charcoal cleanser like Klairs' Pore Gentle Black Charcoal Soap to effectively cleanse the pores and clear away dead skin cells.

3. Sulfur

Sulfur is a naturally occurring mineral that is commonly found around hot springs and volcanic regions. Several studies that shown its effectiveness at reducing redness and inflammation in the skin, as well as getting rid of acne-causing bacteria! 

We love By Wishtrend's Sulfur 3% Clean Gel, a hydrating gel containing collodial sulfur to help prevent acne, unclog pores, and control existing breakouts.

4. Willow Bark

Willow bark is a natural source of salicylic acid, which helps draw out skin impurities while minimising the appearance of pores for a porcelain-like effect on the skin. You can find this ingredient in plenty of Korean products, and some of our customer-favourites are the Son & Park Beauty Water, COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner and Benton's Snail Bee High Content Essence.

5. Green Tea

From your drinks to your skin care, the versatile green tea is everywhere. Studies have shown that green tea can help with skin conditions like acne and rosacea, among others. Not only is it antioxidant-rich, green tea is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and has high levels of amino acids, vitamins and caffeine to heal, hydrate, depuff and detoxify the skin.

A great way to detox at the end of the day is with a cleanser that features green tea, like Neogen's Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser. This cleanser contains fermented green tea extract, which helps calm inflammation and adds a lasting glow to your complexion.