There was this little flat sponge that looked like a Catholic communion wafer that as soon as water hit it, it popped up into a sponge. I was more intrigued by this than the promise of the jar’s contents. I put the stuff on my face and waited for the recommended 2 minutes of drying-on-my face time. It was almost dry and I washed it off and went to bed. It didn’t smell, it didn’t tingle. Afterwards I did feel clean but not dry.

The next day I had forgotten about the soap in a jar and looked at my face and thought it looked ever so slightly better. So I used it again in the morning and evening letting it dry for 2 minutes before washing it off.

After 3 days I was a changed woman. No new zits. The previous zits were there and healing, but nothing new.

One week later, the old zits were on their way out and still no new zits.

After 12 days of using it I honestly kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was sure that this was all a trick and that I’d wake up just like when I was 13 and the zits would be back. But I stayed clear. OMG. My face was clear for over a week!!!!

I finally picked up the jar-with my perfect zit-free face-and looked at the name of the product: PCA SKIN pHaze 32 Blemish Control Bar.

I didn’t know and still don’t know what the ‘pHaze 32′ means. I don’t care. I only care that they keep making it.

It finally occurred to me to look for it and off to Amazon I went and discovered there was an entire product line to support this little jar.

I went hog wild and bought PCA up. Should I buy stock in the company? Panic: what if they don’t survive the recession? I bought a second jar just to have on hand. Should I install a vault in the wall and put it in there? Bank lock box?