I Finally Tried My Grandma’s Skin-Care Tips and Realized She Was the OG Beauty Editor of the Family

When they’re not invasively asking us about when we’re getting married or having children, grandparents are great for sharing little pieces of wisdom every now and then. Way before I was ever a beauty editor, my grandma had been sharing her beauty secrets with me to help me get beautiful, smooth and blemish-free skin. Like most stubborn grandchildren who think they’re too cool, though, I simply rolled my eyes and overlooked her probably-trusty recommendations. Recently, I finally decided to put all her old tricks to the test. Ahead, read on to see what happened after I tried all the good, the bad, and the downright confusing DIY skin-care tips I’ve been told to try my entire life by my ever-so-wise grandmother. 

Home Skin-Care Tip #1: Use Tea Tree Oil for Pimples

Ever since I can remember, my grandma has always carried around a tiny bottle of tea tree essential oil everywhere she goes. From headaches to nausea, she swears it’s her secret weapon for literally everything. What really made me a believer was when she would apply a small amount on my already-there or newly forming blemishes. I don’t know what it is, but I swear the next day the pimple was either seriously reduced in appearance or completely gone. It wasn’t until I was older when I realized her advice was pretty spot on and backed by science. Now, there are so many skin-care products that infuse tea tree oil in their formulas – to make formulas that can be used as spot treatments or way to keep blemishes at bay. 

Home Skin-Care Tip #2: Use Lemon As a Makeshift Deodorant 

I think what I have always appreciated about my grandmother is the fact that she has always been super conscious about what she puts on and in her body. From the food she ate to the products she used, she was on this clean beauty movement since the day I was born, literally. Enter lemon deodorant. Now, this isn’t her everyday option but she says if you’re ever in a position where you don’t have deodorant, rub lemon on your underarms to keep you smelling fresh during the day. While I’m all about the natural deodorant trend, this is one skin-care tip where she and I agree to disagree.  

Home Skin-Care Tip #3: A Petrolatum-Based Product Is Better Than Any Overnight Mask 

In the winter, my skin becomes incredibly dry — go figure. To help with any dry patches or flaky skin, grandma recommends slathering a petrolatum-based product all over your face before bed. It’s not the most comfortable sensation because most formulas are thick and difficult to spread, but man, does it work. The next morning after trying this tip, my skin absorbed the healing ointment and felt way less dry than it did the day before. If you’re not willing to slab on this thick, goopy formula on your face, we recommend trying the CeraVe Healing Ointment as it’s formulated to temporarily protect, soothe and hydrate skin as it recovers from cracking, chafing and extreme dryness.

Home Skin-Care Tip #4: Sleep with a Sock Full of Lotion to Combat Dry Heels 

This isn’t as uncomfortable as it sounds. When I was first told to do this, I probably looked at my Grandma as if she had three heads because I envisioned filling a sock with lotion and then sticking my foot inside and, well, ick. But, it’s not what you think. Grandma simply means lather — and I mean heavily lather — your feet in a moisturizing lotion, like the Carol’s Daughter Lavender Mint Foot Cream (or if you’re Grandma — Aquaphor) and then put your socks on before you go to bed. Repeat every night until your dry, cracked heels feel soft and supple. All I can say is, don’t knock it ’til you try it. 

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