Zap, Zap and Away? (T-Zone Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment Stick)

Member Name: MizzMolko

Product:	T-Zone Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment Stick
Date:	15/05/09 (332 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It really does reduce the redness and size of spots, draws out blackheads

Disadvantages: A little pricey, the smell isn't the greatest thing ever

Spots and acne get even the best of us down; sometimes, it doesn't matter just how well you take care of your skin, a spot or two are bound to pop up every once in a while. Recently, I've been really impressed with T-Zone and their spot reducing products, ranging from cleansers to gel and foaming facial washes so I didn't hesitate to try their Spot Zapping Stick. I was looking for a product that I could use in severe situations where over the course of one to two weeks a month when my spots are particularly red and angry looking (sounds like my Dad...don't think he can really be the one to blame here though...)

WHAT IS T-ZONES SPOT ZAPPING STICK ALL ABOUT?
According to the snazzy green, blue and orange box (the packaging has been remodelled since Dooyoo added the picture), the spot zapping stick is meant to provide an 'effective targeted action to help combat the causes of spots and blackheads' which you could say is a reasonable estimation; the stick itself is 10ml so the impression is that you will only reach for the little tube in dire conditions and when your spots are at their most vile. The stick itself is made of a tough, plastic material which in spite of being dropped a time or two doesn't break...phew!

The stick is a fairly good design; I like the fact that it's made from a see through plastic so that you know exactly how much you have left because it would be typical that you'd run out of the stuff when you'd need it most, or is that just me? Anyway, to get the blue liquid from out of the tube and onto your face, there is a roller ball and the tube in that sense looks a lot like a roll on deodorant and you use the spot zapping stick in exactly the same way. The only disadvantage with the stick is that once the liquid is nearly spent, it can be a little troublesome to get the remainder out because the plastic doesn't allow for you to 'squeeze' the tube, like you would with some deodorant bottles. Also, once you are running low on the liquid, you have to some times roll the ball more times than you'd normally have to in a bid to release the rest of the fluid and, as a part of the act, you may need to hold the tube at a funny angle to try and get the most out of it!

However, when the tube is a little fuller, you'll find that the fluid is released in a steady flow and the roller ball allows you to add as much - or as little - of the zapping liquid as you want. Although the liquid is quite runny, I've never experienced the problem of it dripping from the stick into the screw cap which is a little surprising because its consistency is like water.

APPLICATION, SMELL AND WHEN TO USE
One of the first things you'll notice about T-Zone's Spot Zapping Stick is just how over powering the aroma is; this is not overtly obvious until you apply the liquid to your face but when you do, it seems to hit you in the same manner that TCP does which isn't what you'd describe as pleasant but by the same token it's not nasty either. The liquid has a fairly chemicalish smell to it but there is a rather distinctive scent of tea tree oil lurking beneath the surface too.

T-Zone recommend that before using the spot stick, you use either their brand of gel face wash or their foaming facial wash...how generous of them to recommend their own products to us! After using one of the aforementioned, T-Zone ask that you pat your face dry with a towel and apply the spot stick directly to the problem areas on your face or where spots normally appear. T-Zone recommends that you use the stick both morning and evening after washing your face (with one of the aforementioned products, of course...) but from personal experience I think that's a bit excessive; whilst the stick doesn't dry your skin out, if you're already using T-Zones cleanser and facial washes on a daily basis, it can seem as if your skin is a bit too oil-less. The aroma does tend to cling a little to the skin so if you're going out for the day or in the evening, it's perhaps not a good idea to use this before leaving the house or at least not to excess because the smell is a little odd to say the least.

I tend to use the zapping stick after wearing make-up or during those days of the month when my skin is in need of a little TLC. After wearing make-up, it's a good idea to clean your skin properly anyway so with the spot zapping stick, and its promotion of specially formulated extracts, you would assume that the liquid will only help to cleanse your skin and to reduce and excess bacteria, dirt and oil plaguing your pores. This is something I think the spot zapping stick does particularly well as when you're using it, you'll notice a tingling sensation on the area of your skin that you've applied the liquid to. Unlike some products, the tingling isn't something that decreases after using the product several times so, again, you assume that the properties inside the fluid are doing something to aid your spots in their hour of need.

But now onto the big question: Does T-Zone's Spot Zapping Stick reduce spots effectively? For the most part, yes, I would say it does; since I started using this particular treatment six weeks ago, I've noticed that my spots have become paler and nowhere near as noticeable. Of course this is dependable on hormones and other changes too but for the most part, there really has been a vast improvement. At first, when you have just applied the fluid, the spots do go slightly redder but this is only a temporary reaction to the liquid. When my spots are a little harsher in appearance than normal, I will often reach for the TCP (in all of its antiseptic smelling glory!) but with this particular solution, I've noticed that to get the same effect as using TCP, it's a good idea to cover the problem area twice instead of just the once like I would normally do so that you can really make sure that the area is clean and being treated properly.

The only problem with the actual liquid itself is that, due to its somewhat overpowering aroma, when you apply it near your nose or even half way down your cheeks, you'll find that your eyes become watery because of the smell. You do get used to this after a couple of uses, and your eyes won't water as much, but it is something to be cautious about when applying the spot zapping stick anywhere near your nose and eyes, as the packaging advises.

After buying the spot stick six weeks ago, I've only just used all of the liquid. As I mentioned, I never use the spot stick twice a day - or even everyday - but if you did decide to do that upon purchasing this, I'd imagine each bottle would last you approximately three to four weeks, which isn't too bad, but as you'll learn about the price in a few moments, it might be a case of everything in moderation...

INGREDIENTS AND OTHER INFO
I'm not going to list all of the ingredients here but one of the things T-Zone are keen to highlight is the fact that the Spot Zapping Stick has been formulated with 'natural fruit extracts', instead of using chemicals in the product. Among those fruit extracts, there is a healthy mix of 'Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Extract (or 'orange'), Citrus Medica Limonum Extract (lemon) and Vaccinium Myrtillus extract (bilberry) as well as sugar cane, sugar maple, rosemary and tea tree extracts. There are other properties, such as Aqua, lactic acid and alcohol denat. to take into consideration, with the latter perhaps being the culprit for the smell being so strong.

The product itself is also 'naturally anti-bacterial' which leads you to the conclusion that it really will help your spots to become less apparent. T-Zone also states that they've not tested their products on animals, for those of you who were wondering.

However, one of the downsides to this product is the fact that it is quite expensive, considering the miniscule amount that you do actually get in a tube; although I first managed to purchase the stick in a Tesco's Extra where they had this on offer for £1.99, if you purchase the spot zapping stick when it is not on a special offer, you can find yourself paying £3.68 for it in Superdrug stores, which does sound a bit extortionate. There are cheaper versions on the market, for example Tesco's do a cheaper Spot Clearing Stick which costs a fraction of the price of T-Zone's product (if purchased at normal store price) for £1.99. However, I am reluctant to try Tesco's own brand; I've used their facial wipes before and they've done nothing for my skin so, in spite of the price perhaps being a little excessive, I'm eager to stick to T-Zones version because it does actually work for me.

OVERALL...
I would certainly recommend T-Zones Spot Zapping Stick; sure the smell is a little overpowering and it's not the cheapest emergency spot treatment you'll find on the market. However, it's a quality product; it really has reduced both the colour and size of any last traces of spots since I first started using it and I would fully recommend it to anybody suffering from blemishes. It can also be used to draw out blackheads very well so it would be worth giving this stuff a try if your skin is more prone to blackheads as opposed to acne or spots and the bottles size is perfect to fit into a handbag if you're staying elsewhere overnight.

Because there is nothing less attractive than pulling out several bottles of acne solutions from your bag and placing them in your new lover's bathroom, is there?

www.t-zone.co.uk

Summary: T-Zone's easy to use and effective Spot Zapping Stick!