Product Review

Today I'll be reviewing my newest favorite acne control product. It's Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick.


It might come as a big surprise to many of you, but I suffer from crappy adult acne. I mean, come on, Lord. I'm fat, okay, I get that. I'm slightly perverted and crass, cool. I have moderate to severe depression, depending on the day, I can deal with that. But then I have to have freaking zits at 33 years old, too! Give me a freaking break! Freak!

I have struggled with acne since I hit puberty, and have been miserable about it ever since. I distinctly remember refusing to go into church one Sunday because I was so embarrassed about my zits. I'm sure I was making it worse than it really was, but it was so disgusting to me, I couldn't bear the thought of someone seeing me like that.

Not long after that incident my parents started taking me to the dermatologist. This was a pretty big deal, since we didn't have insurance and it must have cost them a fortune. Of course, I didn't realize this until adulthood when it was too late to offer a "thanks" without coming across like a jackass. But nevertheless, I began taking Erythromycin, and did so for a couple of years. It never really took it away, but I think it took the edge off. When I graduated from High School, I started taking Birth Control pills to help with the acne, but I hated (and still do!) the idea of changing my entire body chemistry for aesthetic purposes, so I quit those. Then I started on Accutane. Turns out, you have to take Birth Control pills with Accutane, so I had to start them again. This time I actually had clear skin! It was amazing! But it came at a price. Not only financial, which again my parents took care of, but also physically. This medicine dries out everything. Your skin, lips, eyes, ahem, everything! It was so uncomfortable, but I held on for the 9 months they ask you to use it. After that 9 months, they said I should have out grown my acne, and should be cured.

And I was.

For like a day.

Then it came back. And ever since, I've been fighting what seems like an uphill battle. I've tried everything. Acne Statin, remember that? Yep, did it. ProActive? Yep, done that too. Every commercially available acne product, tried them all.

Over the years I've found a few things that really help. First is hydrocortisone cream. If I feel a bad batch of zits coming on, I can usually spread a little on over my whole face at bed time, and in the morning they feel much less harsh. Also, Cetaphil for oily skin is my friend. It doesn't take off my eye make-up very well, but I can live with that.

Finally, the Burt's Bees Blemish Stick. This is wonderful! I love that it's natural, because I'm kinda granola-y like that. Not. But I do like the natural thing because I put enough crap into my body, I don't need it on my face too. Really though, it is a little tingly, in a good way, and it's super easy to put on. I don't have to touch my face with a greasy finger, which is one of my all time pet peeves, btw. I can just roll it on, and it dries quickly with no shine or residue. It also helps for when I get my eyebrows waxed or threaded to keep the irriation at bay.

So if you're like me, and you hate your skin, give this a try. It's worth it, I promise.