Skin-wise, I’ve always been pretty lucky. I finished high school with nary a blemish, and got my first pimple as a sophomore in college. (I know…woe is me.) For the next couple of years, I had pretty consistent, but minor, breakouts. Compared with what a lot of people go through, acne-wise, it was very bearable—if annoying.
That being said, every month, like clockwork, I get one pimple on the left side of my chin as I’m getting my period. (Being a woman is fun!) When this happens, I use one—and only one—product to get rid of it fast: Burt’s Bees Herbal Complexion Stick.
For just $5, this liquid dispensed via rollerball is made from ten herbal ingredients including tea tree and juniper oils, which are known for their astringent qualities (which means they’re used to remove irritants from the skin's surface and even out skin tone).
When I feel a spot rearing its ugly head, I apply a little of the Complexion Stick to clean skin and wait. How long? Umm, less than 24 hours. It’s magic. Within 12 hours or so, there’s a noticeable difference in how red and raised the spot is. A few hours later, it’s pretty much gone.
A few words of warning: This stuff is strong. If you apply it too close to your eyes, they will sting a little. It’s also pretty drying, so if you have super sensitive skin, I’d recommending something gentler. Still, since it works so quickly, you only need one or two applications per spot, meaning you’re not drying your face out too much. After I apply it, I use one of my heavier moisturizers (I’m obsessed with Susanne Kaufmann’s Face Fluid Line F) to overcompensate in the hydration department.
Still, if a little residual dryness—and just $5—is the price to pay for a blemish cleared in a matter of hours, I’m cool doubling down on moisturizer for a couple days.
