Applying a stick to my face usually irritates my skin and causes me to break out. I don't see any difference between a stick and swirling your brush over a puck and face lathering. The only difference is the extra step of rubbing the harsher stick over my face. Tub loaded brushes don't bother my skin nearly as much. I'm a tub guy. When i use the Arko stick it has been smushed into a tub.