Addressing Acne and Pores with Your Toner

It sounds like you're dealing with clogged pores and acne around your nose and cheeks, which is a common concern. Your current toner uses a good combination of ingredients:

• Willow Bark Extract: Contains salicin, which the skin can convert into salicylic acid. It offers mild exfoliation and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Vitamin B6: Can help regulate sebum (oil) production.
• Witch Hazel (Alcohol-Free) + Allantoin: Witch Hazel is an astringent that can help tighten pores and reduce inflammation, while Allantoin is soothing and helps protect the skin.

The type of acne you described, which comes out as a thread, is often related to clogged pores, such as sebaceous filaments or comedones.

Willow Bark Extract vs. BHA (Salicylic Acid)

While Willow Bark Extract provides some benefits similar to salicylic acid, BHA (Salicylic Acid) is the direct form of the acid. BHA is oil-soluble, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the pores to help dissolve the oil and dead skin cells that cause blockages. This makes BHA generally more effective than Willow Bark Extract for clearing clogged pores and treating the type of acne you're experiencing.

Recommendation:

Given that your current toner has helped but not fully resolved the issue, switching from Willow Bark Extract to a formulation containing BHA (Salicylic Acid) is a good option to consider. BHA is specifically known for its ability to exfoliate inside the pore, which is key to addressing clogged pores and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores.

• Look for products with BHA (Salicylic Acid) in concentrations typically ranging from 1% to 2% for effective over-the-counter treatment.
• Start by using the BHA product a few times a week to see how your skin tolerates it, as it can potentially cause dryness or irritation, especially when first introduced.
• You can potentially continue using ingredients like Vitamin B6 and Witch Hazel/Allantoin in your routine if you find they help with oil control, soothing, and pore tightening, perhaps in separate products or a new combined formulation with BHA.

Switching to BHA should provide a more targeted approach to clearing the specific type of pore blockages you're experiencing.