For someone like me who is constantly battling erratic pesky pimples, I've gotten to know the spot treatment [1] market fairly well. And the newest product that I've tried and liked is called Espa Essential Tea Tree Gel [2] ($33). This gentle botanical gel contains lemon (to detoxify), thyme (to soothe), evening primrose (to balance) and tea tree oil [3] which helps attack bacteria and banish blemishes — all without drying out your skin.

Additionally, it is formulated with a blend of fragrant essential oils which calm break-out prone and hormonally imbalanced (aka premenstrual) skin.

I heard about ESPA from a friend and was really excited when I saw that a .54 oz travel size ($18) is available. This size is ideal since all you need is a small amount to get the job done. Simply dot a thin coat on the blemish, and you can either apply a mask over it or just let the gel dry for a few minutes before putting on your makeup. You'll notice a slightly cooling feeling and in time you'll see that area is less red and puffy and more even-toned. I've been using it for a week and I am very happy with the results. I also hear it's great for ingrown hairs, so I am going to test it out and see how it rivals my Arezoo Cream [4].