Got a zit? Chances are you use some kind of acne spot medication that has Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid in it. And most times they work to zap that zit to oblivion. BUT (there’s always a but), those treatments can sometimes do more harm than good. For example, you may ditch the zit, but get red, flaky skin that can’t hide under any concealer. Not cool.

It’s because Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid are harsh and drying to the skin. Instead, look for a milder product that will still get rid of the zit, but not inflame the skin. Spunt recommends products with willow bark and clay because they “calm inflammation and draw out impurities.” And just because they are considered gentler, don’t think they won’t solve your acne problem. They can still fight those pimples; they just do so “without drying out your skin and making it look worse during the process,” says Spunt.