Suki Concentrated Balancing Toner with White Willow Salicins

I recently gushed about Suki's Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, which has quickly become my favorite face wash. I'd like to now wax enthusiastic about its Concentrated Balancing Toner, which I've also been using the past month. These two products have transformed my skin from acneic-oily to combo-normal. Here's why the toner is amazing:

Pretty factor: First, Suki products are ultra pure and free of all these irritating and potentially pore-clogging ingredients. This toner's star ingredient is white willow bark—a natural form of salicylic acid—which exfoliates and cleans out pores without irritation or dryness. It additionally contains organic chamomile and aloe vera to reduce inflammation and redness, and vitamin C to repair via boosting new collagen production.

Eco factor: Suki products contain organic ingredients and are packaged in eco-friendly materials like recycled stock, vegetable ink and glass (never plastic). The company supports fair trade, organic and biodynamic processing and local suppliers. It's an active member of numerous organizations including the Organic Consumer's Association, Breast Cancer Action and the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics for Responsible Medicine. Absolutely no animal testing.

To buy: $24 at Whole Foods, sukipure.com and futurenatural.com

Ingredients

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

I recently bought Suki's Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser due to its rave reviews on Makeup.com—where it's 5-star rated and the No. 1-selling skin care product on the entire site. But I didn't buy confidently: Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser contains saponified olive oil (soap), and soap is often drying.

But not this cleanser. Like many reviewers, it left my face surprisingly soft and fresh-looking, and the pores on my nose were visibly smaller.  In the two weeks I've used this cleanser-scrub, my skin has been smoother, more even-toned and blemish-free. Here's why:

Pretty factor: Suki products are 100% natural—there isn't one synthetic ingredient in them. As a result, there is a decreased risk of irritation/reaction.  Rice flour and cane sugar, a natural alpha hydroxy acid, gently remove dead skin cells and increase cellular turnover to reduce zits, fine lines and acne scars.  Fresh herbs like soothing chamomile and pure, steam-distilled essential oils help to rejuvenate and heal the skin.

The cleanser comes in solid form.  To get it to foam up nicely, rub a quarter-size amount between your palms with a little warm water. Then gently massage it onto your face.  It's smells like fresh-squeezed lemonade and will leave your bathroom reminiscent of an organic juice bar!

Eco factor: Suki products are packaged in eco-friendly materials like recycled stock, vegetable ink and glass (never plastic). Suki supports fair trade, organic and biodynamic processing and local suppliers. Suki is also a member of numerous organizations including the Organic Consumer's Association, Breast Cancer Action and the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics for Responsible Medicine. All products are free of these these ingredients. No animal testing.

To buy: $24.50 at Whole Foods and sukipure.com

Ingredients