2024 brought unimaginable challenges, from being diagnosed with cancer to spending weeks in the hospital, stem cell harvest and transplant, learning to walk again basically…when I look back, I can’t quite believe everything I’ve been through.
All 2024, I saved my empty product bottles as a reminder of the things that carried me through. Whether it was a heavenly scented body wash that made hospital showers bearable, or a nail gel that lasted for almost a month when I wasn’t able to do my best self-care, or shampoo that felt good and kept my scalp clean when my hair was falling out, I kept it to remember and share at the end of the year. This is a list of my Best in Beauty, the tried, tested, and worthwhile products that stood me in good stead during some of my most difficult days. I hope if you try these products, it will be under easier and brighter circumstances!
Best Beauty Products 2024
The beauty and self care products that got me through last year
Hair
Aveeno Apple Cider and Vinegar Blend Clarify and Shine Shampoo – I repurchased this a few times, I just love how clean (but not squeaky clean) it makes my hair and scalp feel!
Ouidad Coil Infusion Cleansing Conditioner – Ouidad products are generally awesome in my book and I really love how this cleansing conditioner makes my hair feel, soft and clean. It’s incredibly gentle and does the job well.
Suave Daily Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo – For a notably deeper cleansing after using heavy styling products, or if my scalp has flakes and build-up, I turn to Suave. The daily clarifying cleanser has the power to strip through that buildup with no issue.
Mizani Moisture Fusion Deep Conditioning Hair Mask – Mizani products have never done me wrong, and my hair really responds well to their moisture fusion line. This conditioner gave my hair the extra love it needed in a challenging year and made detangling easy (when my hair was long enough to need it).
DevaCurl Leave In Decadence – I’ve been using DevaCurl products for years and this is the kind of leave-in I can believe in. Regardless of my hair’s length, this thick, moisturizing styling agent gives my coils life and the right amount of shine.
Skincare
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil – My passion for oil cleansing continues and this cleansing oil from popular K-beauty brand Anua is great for inflamed, acne prone, sensitive skin. Supremely gentle and highly effective, in my experience.
Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub – Every product I’ve ever used from Cetaphil has delivered. There’s a reason the brand is widely recommended by dermatologists — it works for a variety of problem skin needs. This is one of the gentlest scrubs I’ve ever tried, the granules are miniscule but just gritty enough for effective manual exfoliation.
Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel – I absolutely love this cleanser, it’s effective and the combination of pineapple and rosewater smells amazing! It’s gentle enough for daily cleansing, it smells wonderful and gives a great morning pick-me-up for that first face wash of the day.
Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Extra Gentle Face Wash – This whole Pacifica line is a win in my book, made for barrier protection which has been a concern for me this year. The cleanser is super gentle, made with vegan ceramides, and without any parabens, phthalates, SLS, or mineral oil.
Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Moisturizer with SPF 25 – Neutrogena’s Hydroboost line is amongst my faves for gentle cleansing and moisturizing, and this water gel moisturizer is one of the most popular for a reason. Supremely light, extremely moisturizing, plus sun protection? A winner.
Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea and Spinach Superfood Cleanser – YTTP is a solid skincare brand and this is amongst my favorite cleansers. A little goes a long way and it leaves my skin feeling clean, but not stripped. I especially love it after using a cleansing balm or oil cleansing, it helps to wash that heavy makeup-removing grease away.
Bodycare
Dove Deep Moisture body wash – This is the one body wash my husband and I turn to in the winter months to keep our eczema-prone skin from feeling itchy and dry when temperatures really drop. Dove to the rescue every time! We use the bar soap and the body wash. Speaking of which…
Dove Hydration Boost body wash – This made it to my year-end list because it made such a difference in my skin’s overall feeling of moisture during the winter. It’s made with a hydrating serum and hyaluronic acid, truly made for a lasting moisturization when layered with my usual post-shower body lotion.
Method Body peony rose water and pink sea salt pure peace body wash – I really like Method products in general, from home cleaning to body care, everything is effective and with ingredients intended to be safe and non-toxic. This body wash came with me to the hospital for in-patient stays and it’s so wonderful, the fragrance, the lather, it really did give me a feeling of peace in a difficult time for self-care. Worth a try if you haven’t tried Method’s body washes before.
Those were my top beauty empties of 2024, products that worked for my needs and stood me in good stead in a rough year. Here’s to a bright new year and new things to discover, hopefully a less challenging and more steady 12 months to come!
