~~~~~~ Superdrug Tea Tree Spot Stick ~~~~~~

This spot stick is yet another thing I bought many moons ago! I have almost finished this one though as I've found it to be a useful little stick. When I bought it I'm sure it wasn't more than a couple of quid, but I can see it's currently selling for just £1.49, marked as 50% off from £2.99. It's also had an update to the packaging since I bought mine.


~~~ Ingredients ~~~

As you may suspect, this product contains '''tea tree oil''', which is a known antiseptic with healing properties - this is often used in spot fighting products, with the aim of minimising the spot and preventing redness and spreading or getting worse (especially if you squeeze or pick it!) by becoming infected. '''Peppermint oil''' is also in here and this is known to have therapeutic effects on the skin as well as a long list of other things (such as headaches, nausea and heartburn). Peppermint is also an anti bacterial and has anti inflammatory properties too. It gives you that lovely soothing cooling sensation on the skin and is used in products to treat many skin disorders.


~~~ First impressions ~~~

My very first impression of this is that it is like a lip gloss! It comes in an 8ml plastic transparent tube with a black screw on lid; this lid has an applicator wand attached which has a small sponge on the end, the very same as a lot of glosses.

The liquid itself is very thick and gloopy, in a vivid green shade as is typical for, and in keeping with, tea tree products. It smells exactly like you would expect a tea tree product to smell, but I can detect a bit of the peppermint too. It is a very strong scent and if you're not keen then you will really find it overpowering. I really like the scent of these things though, I think it smells like something that is going to work!

The tube has a label running around it, in bright green, displaying the product name and the directions on the back - you simply apply to affected areas morning and night. You should discard this once it has been open for 12 months, and as is usual for me, I haven't! I still have a little left and it's been open for considerably longer than a year. It has kept really well for me but I should mention that it's not been opened regularly as I have been generally quite lucky not to regularly get a lot of spots - a few at a certain time of the month and that's usually it. But if in doubt, chuck it out.


~~~ Use & results ~~~

Using this is so easy - although the liquid is gloopy, it doesn't drip off the applicator or run down your face or anything like that. I only ever use this when I see a spot appearing, or if I have just squeezed one (naughty!) I just remove the applicator and dab it on the area, finding that I can dab more than one area before the sponge is too dry. It doesn't sting my face, even if the skin is a little broken. It does feel a bit tingly and cooling though and the smell is very noticeable; even a while after I apply I can still smell it strongly. So as I said before if you dislike the smell of tea tree then you will likely find this too much.

It does a great job of reducing redness and spot size and it helps any squeezed spots heal quickly. I have definitely noticed a difference compared to when I squeeze a spot and _don't _ apply this. It seems to help dry the spot out too, which is what you want. It does leave a small shiny patch where it is applied, but I find this soon disappears as it dries. For this reason I would be happy to use it when I was out and about, so long as I didn't need to apply it to a lot of areas!


~~~ Recommend? ~~~

I certainly would, especially if you are prone to spots occasionally. I think if you were to suffer acne I would rather get something more fit for purpose, but this is great for a quick and effective little spot fight. Due to the small size of the tube it's very handy too, easy to take with you anywhere and easy to apply. At the full price of £2.99 I would say this is excellent value for me, as the product lasts me for a really long time and it does work. And at half price currently, I will be buying a fresh one in the next few days!

It's a great thing to have to hand in my opinion so I am giving it 5 stars, since I actually have no complaints!