Salicylic acid, retinol, charcoal—people who have acne like myself can rattle off a laundry list of ingredients that are formulated to prevent and treat pimples. I’ve not only memorized them, I’ve tried them all. And after almost a decade of testing, I like to think my anti-blemish regimen is a finely tuned machine.

One of the cornerstones of this routine is not a sci-fi gadget or a cream made from the tears of endangered catfish, but rather a humble face wash. That would be the Silver Clarifying Wash from Beverly Hills’ celebrity facialist Sonya Dakar—it blows all other cleansers out of the water.

At this point I’m guessing your marketing B.S. barometer is through the roof. Bougie products with “precious metals” are just another way for brands to charge more money for something that would be pretty basic otherwise, no? You are absolutely right to be wary, especially when a face wash comes with a price tag over $50. I’ve fallen victim to the “magical anti-aging gold flakes” spiel before. But put that healthy skepticism on pause for a moment while I walk you through this one.

The Silver Clarifying Wash checks all of the acne-fighting ingredient boxes: It’s got a salicylic acid complex to clear pores and a probiotics blend to balance out good and bad bacteria on your skin. There’s also some rosemary and sage in there to calm redness. But what makes it truly special is the inclusion of its namesake ingredient. The silver ions found in this wash have some serious antiseptic powers.

Where an antibacterial product kills off acne-causing bacteria, an antiseptic will prohibit the growth of that bacteria in the first place. So cleansing with the Silver Clarifying Wash means I’m not only erasing away the day’s dirt, oils, and dead-skin buildup, but also setting my skin up for fewer breakouts in the future.

I find the mistake that a lot of people with acne make is trying to use a cleanser that’s too harsh for your skin. I get it: You want to physically feel like everything gross on your face is being blasted into oblivion, where it can’t hurt your skin. The problem with that is while the bad stuff goes, so does the good, leaving you with stripped-dry, irritated skin that’s now even more susceptible to pimples.

This cleanser relies on those silver ions, a gentle acid complex, and probiotics to dissolve all of the gunk and grime without disrupting your skin’s delicate oil balance. You feel clean, but there won’t be that dry, tight, itchy feeling. I also love how this wash fits into my usual breakout-busting routine as it doesn’t disrupt or react with any of the more potent treatments I use.

So while it may seem like a gimmick, take it from one cynic to another: This stuff works like a charm.

Sonya Dakar Silver Clarifying Wash, $59, amazon.com

Related Stories:
–Why You’re Still Breaking Out in Your 20s and 30s
–7 Skin Care Ingredients You’re Not Using But Should
–This Gentle Serum Is Perfect for People Too Scared to Try Retinol

Source link