The Least Aesthetic (But Most Necessary) Beauty Products Everyone Should Own

Apple Cider Vinegar


Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

I’ll admit, I was very put off by the smell at first. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) smells, well, like vinegar. It’s a little gross at first. BUT the benefits of using ACV outweigh its scent. ACV contains alpha hydroxy acids which means its power ranges from helping reduce age spots, breakouts, balancing your pH levels in your skin, fight future wrinkles, and helps remove toxins from your pores. What I do is dilute ACV with some water first — its recommended to make it half and half, because putting it directly on your skin might burn a little bit — then I put some on a cotton pad and dab it all over my face, followed by rinsing with cold water. Voila. I’m beautiful now.

Head & Shoulders Shampoo

Head & Shoulders Shampoo

Look, I don’t even have dandruff, but this stuff is amazing. And it smells good (the only factor I care about when buying hair products). It’s not the most glamorous nor the most high-end hair product, but Head & Shoulders shampoo is definitely something everyone should have stocked in their showers. It’s zinc-based, which means that it will calm and prevent any and all itchiness and dryness on your scalp. It controls oiliness and helps with split ends and dry hair — which are huge problems for me in the colder months. Even using it just once a week can show drastic improvement in overall health and appearance of your hair.

Witch Hazel

Dickinson’s Witch Hazel

Witch hazel sort of smells like alcohol or poison, but the tannins found within it are a natural astringent, and remove excess oil from your skin without completely drying it out. My skin is so stupidly sensitive and this is the only thing that doesn’t make it fall off my face in shreds of dry, dead flesh. Chic. It’s one of the most popular choices for an acne treatment, and naturally contains a high level of polyphenols which help prevent wrinkles. If you deal with puffy eyes in the morning, witch hazel also tightens the skin and can reduce all the puffiness within a couple of minutes. It’s just an overall really refreshing toner and costs only $12 for a huge bottle. I’ll go to my grave advocating for this stuff.

Tongue Scrapers

Tongue Scrapers

Brushing your teeth alone only does so much. Tongue scrapers clear bacteria from your tongue (which enhances your sense of taste!!), helps with your overall oral and digestive health, and really removes the coating on your tongue that causes bad breath — something that’s very hard to achieve with just a toothbrush and floss. Also it’s just a weird and fun experience scraping your tongue in the morning, I highly recommend it.

Vitamin E Oil

Jason Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil can do amazing things for your skin, hair, and nails. I apply it at nighttime because of how greasy it can make me look and feel, but it’s an absolute must-buy for all of its benefits. It’s a nutrient and an antioxidant and nourishes your skin, can treat stretch marks or other scarring, and works as a very powerful moisturizer for dry and damaged skin because it’s more easily absorbed than most creams. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

January Nelson is a writer, editor, and dreamer. She writes about astrology, games, love, relationships, and entertainment. January graduated with an English and Literature degree from Columbia University.

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