6 Smelly Beauty Products That Work Wonders for Your Skin
December 18, 2018
We all know those holy grail skin care products — the ones that receive 10’s across the board, have legions of dedicated fans and enough before and afters to make you take the leap. These high performance, super-effective products tend to have something in common though — a lot of them smell. There’s the cult-favorite serum with vitamin C, E and ferulic acid that is famous for its “hotdog water” scent, while organic Rosehip Oil is reminiscent of the fish oil supplements you likely have buried in your cabinet. And while this is often due to their lack of fragrance, it definitely takes some getting used to. Smell isn’t directly related to potency and stinkier products aren’t necessarily “better,” but there’s no denying the transformative powers of some of our stinkiest beauty buys. Ahead we’ve rounded up our favorite “smelly” skincare products — from the best-selling oil known for thickening lashes and hairlines to the face lotion you might have to hold your nose to apply.
Peep our picks, ahead:
Lauded for its ability to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles — C E Ferulic is a beauty editor fave. It’s perfect for brightening the complexion, helping with firmness, and is packed with antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radicals and photodamage. This one smells like the aforementioned hotdog water, but the results will help you forget its scent in no time.
Many swear by this reparative oil for its ability to brighten skin and fade acne scars and stretchmarks. It’s filled with fatty acids (omega 3 and 6 to be specific) and Vitamin A, which results in a lightweight, moisturizing oil that does wonders for the skin. In regards to scent profile, this has a slightly fishy, earthy scent and should be stored in a cool, dark place to avoid the product going rancid.
Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion
It’s no secret that French women are known for their luminous, “flawless” skin and that their medicine cabinets are chock full of serums and lotions that deliver stunning results. One such lotion is the P50 from Biologique Recherche, which is known for its highly unique smell, and stellar results. It’s also notoriously hard to procure, but if you’re ever in Paris (or lucky enough to find a spa using it near you — NYers, check out Daphne), be ready for it’s vinegar-y scent and luxe price tag. Here’s why it’s worth it: The toner is known for its ability to make pores appear smaller, brighten skin and improve your complexion overall. It’s pretty much a facial in a bottle, so if you can treat yourself, do it with this.
Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Few things are as transformative as Jamaican Black Castor Oil, an all-purpose oil known for its ability to thicken hair, brows and lashes. It’s also a great sealant and helps to lock in the moisture in skin and hair. Due to its organic nature, this thick, syrup-like oil has a natural, earthy scent that fades soon after application.
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+
It’s no surprise that this vitamin C serum doesn’t smell like roses, but its effectiveness helps us ignore the smell. In addition to vitamin C it contains kojic acid, vitamin E, vitamin A, retinol and antioxidants, an ideal cocktail for addressing everything from acne to insect bites.
UrbanSkinRX Renewal Body Lotion
You might associate body lotions with fragrant, fruity scents, but this lotion from UrbanSkinRX proves otherwise. Although the product is stinky, the ingredients make up for it — containing 15% glycolic acid, green tea polyphenols and COQ1 — which, according to brand founder Rachel Roff, is great for exfoliation and addressing skin concerns like Keratosis Pilaris.
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