Amidst the cacophony of brands screaming promises, wonders, and miracles for your skin, there are some humble yet potent products that sit quietly in drugstore shelves, picked up by people who seem to have just as good a complexion as those who haunt the beauty counters at department stores. Maybe they have naturally good skin. Maybe they know a secret you don’t.

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Before the burst – pardon me – explosion of products onto the male skincare market, our dads used the simplest of methods: soap and lotion. Or sometimes, your mom’s cleanser. These basic elements may have morphed and multiplied into billion-dollar industries, but household remedies and natural formulae have withstood the test of time, even if they haven’t won the marketing battle.

So, in honor of these unsung heroes, we’re listing some no-frills cheap thrills that have proven to save the worst of skins throughout the generations.

1. Witch Hazel 

Affordable and available in most pharmacies, witch hazel is one of nature’s wonders when it comes to skincare. If you are an acne-sufferer, try some witch hazel before shelling out the dough for often harsh, ineffective, and exorbitant acne medicine. As a natural anti-hemorrhoidal, it reduces puffiness, redness and inflammation – things to love especially if you have cystic acne. Furthermore, it is both an anti-bacterial and an astringent, meaning to say it takes out the pimple-causing germs while minimizing your pores and evening out your skin’s texture. It also primes your skin for moisturization. Witch Hazel 16oz, T. N. Dickinson’s, USD9. 

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What’s best about witch hazel is that it does all this gently, without over-drying your skin. Apply it all over your face with a cotton pad after cleansing, and let dry before slapping on your moisturizer. Get one that has 86% witch hazel – alcohol is naturally-occurring so don’t worry if you see that on the ingredients label. You can use witch hazel on minor cuts, insect bites, and also to soothe sun-exposed skin. A true wonder, isn’t it?

2. Jojoba Oil

Many skin imperfections are related to sebum: too much and you get clogged pores and acne; too little and your skin looks dull at best and flaky at worst. Pronounced ho-HO-ba, this godsend is in fact not oil, but a wax that’s very similar to sebum. Safe to use on problem skin, it balances sebum production while its antimicrobial properties work gently to clear and prevent pimples. Your body absorbs minerals and vitamins from natural sources best, and the good news is jojoba oil also contains these skin-loving goodies: vitamin E, vitamin Bs, zinc, copper, and more. Not only will you be attacking nasty germs, you’ll be nourishing your skin too.

For best results on acne, add a few drops of jojoba oil to an equal amount of 100% aloe vera gel (another must-have for good skin), and apply all over your face after cleansing it. You can also apply a few drops directly onto your face, but it may be too strong for some. Dab away excess to reduce the shine. It should absorb easily into the skin.

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Always choose a cold-pressed, untreated, organically sourced jojoba oil. It may seem expensive at first, but remember you’ll only be using a few drops at a time, and it lasts for years on the shelf without degrading. Use it on your hair either as a leave-on conditioner, or as protection from chlorine and saltwater when swimming. Use directly on your scalp if it’s dry and flaky. You can leave it in your beard as an aftershave too. Organic Jojoba Oil, Desert Essence, USD15. 

3. Vaseline 

This gem may not be natural, but it’s been around since 1870 for a reason. Tyra Banks swears by it, and so did Marilyn Monroe. Don’t worry – Vaseline doesn’t make you feminine, but it sure makes rough hands smooth. Vaseline’s 100% pure petroleum jelly doesn’t clog pores nor irritate skin, and works to trap moisture by creating a moisture barrier over dry skin.

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Hands, Vaseline, YEAH. Source: Giphy.com.

 As a remedy for working hands calloused and roughened from working or pumping iron, put a glob of Vaseline in your palms after exfoliating and warm it all over your hands, focusing on dry areas between fingers and around joints. Wear some cotton gloves (easily substitutable with clean socks) and go to bed. Repeat over a few nights and see your hands get softer. Don’t say we didn’t tell you how important your hands are when it comes to first impressions!

Besides moisturizing benefits, Vaseline also can be used for exfoliation. Well, not by itself of course. Add some rough sea salt or sugar to Vaseline and rub the mixture gently over knees, elbows or anywhere that needs a buffing. Don’t do this midway in your shower as the Vaseline’s just going to slide off your wet skin. Alternatively, add sugar to some liquid body soap, exfoliate, and shower it off. 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly, Vaseline, USD4. 

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4. Tapping your face

If you’re not in the mood for buying something new, you’ll be happy to note that your fingers may be all you need. Massage has been known to promote blood circulation and therefore aiding your skin in its natural process of draining toxins and replenishing essential nutrients. Invigorating your skin with a light massage daily will definitely count towards keeping it youthful.

Remember, however, that the skin on your face is thinner, particularly around the eyes. The best way to massage the face is therefore to use your fingertips to gently tap all over – forehead, temples, the bottom eye contour, cheekbones, down to your chin. The directions you start in and end with don’t matter – as long as you get stimulate every part of your face. Do this for fifteen minutes a day, making sure your fingers are clean. Best time to do it? When you’re lounging in front of a screen passively. If you use serums, tap away at your face right after applying it for best results.

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Your face’s new best friends. Source: Bitrebels.com.

While these drugstore products may not have impressive (or, overblown) claims on their labels, they have the stamp of approval from deceivingly young-looking yentas, babushkas and grannies all around the world. Also, they have the simplicity of nature. And sometimes a simple strategy is the best strategy.