Aquaphor
15-ish years ago, I had a really bad eczema flare-up on my forehead right before an out-of-town wedding. I tried desperately to find a dermatologist in the area who could squeeze me in last minute to give me a prescription cream, but no luck.
A kind employee at one of the offices I called suggested that maybe picking up some Aquaphor at the drugstore would help.
I did that, and sure enough, it did help the flare-up …
Then I started using it on my lips, and discovered the best chapstick ever.
Then on a whim tried it as a highlighter, and it looked surprisingly good.
And it’s the only thing that I’ve ever found to keep my dry winter hands under control.
I thought I was a genius, only to learn I’m late to the party, and everyone from Beyoncé to Nicole Kidman to Megan Markle’s makeup team was already onto the magic of this cheap little product.
In addition to being insanely versatile, it’s also inexpensive. I use it every single day for all sorts of things, and it still takes me more than a year to go through a tub that costs less than $20 ( though I also have the smaller sizes stashed all over the place and in my purse.)
In winter I put it all over my face atop of my night cream. It’s the world’s best lip balm and gives a nice glossy sheen. I dab a little on my cheekbones over my foundation if I’m feeling dull. It’s my hand cream. My cuticle oil. My paper-cut curer. I’ve even used it in (sparingly) on the ends of my hair if I’m behind on a trim to keep the ends from looking too frayed.
