Style Beauty 14 Beauty Products Our Southern Grandmothers Swear By The only things stronger than these products are the women who wear them. By Southern Living Editors Updated on February 22, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Beauty products in the South have to be tough. They must stand up to the sweltering heat, sticky humidity, surprise thunderstorms, and accidental sunburns. And yet, Southern women still look always beautiful – none more so than our Southern grandmothers. My grandmother has skin smoother than all of her grandchildren. Every time we visit her home, we wonder: How does she do it? To answer this burning beauty question, we've rounded up a few of our Southern grandmothers' tried-and-true beauty secrets. 1. Smith's Rosebud Salve For over 100 yeras, our Southern grandmothers have been using this Maryland-made cream to treat everything from chapped lips to minor burns to diaper rash. BUY IT: $6.73, amazon.com 2. Aveeno Oatmeal Bath Soak This soothing bath treatment has been sold since 1945, and was actually Aveeno's first consumer product. Used to relieve dry skin, eczema, and poison ivy, it's a must-have in every woman's medicine cabinet. BUY IT: $6.97, amazon.com 3. Velcro Rollers In the South, we've always done big hair. Achieve timeless volume without the damaging heat by using rollers overnight, like Conair Brush Self-Grip Rollers. BUY IT: $8.74, amazon.com 4. L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Volume Hairspray There's nothing new about Southern humidity. L'Oréal's legendary hairspray withstands even the steamiest Southern summer afternoons. BUY IT: $12.99, amazon.com 5. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice A Southern grandmother never leaves home without "putting on her lips." This timeless red lipstick is reminiscent of Hollywood glamour and Scarlett O'Hara. BUY IT: $4.78, amazon.com 6. Johnson's Baby Oil Original Regardless of whether there are baby grandchildren dropping by, every Southern grandmother has baby oil in her medicine cabinet. Why? It's the best budget-friendly makeup remover, and made by a company that's been operating since 1886. Just be careful not to get this in your eyes! BUY IT: $1.97, amazon.com 7. Johnson's Baby Powder The second part of a dynamic duo, Baby Powder tackles one of our major struggles: sweat. Use a sprinkle as dry shampoo, or as a shine-removing powder. A little goes a long way. BUY IT: $5.59, amazon.com 8. Noxzema Classic Clean This tingling cream cleanser with moisturizing soy is responsible for some of the smoothest skin we've ever seen. Bonus: This creamy miracle worker was invented in the South by Dr. Francis J. Townsend in Ocean City, Maryland. BUY IT: $3.97, walmart.com 9. Avon's Skin So Soft Original Shower Gel This list wouldn't be complete without an Avon pick. The brand's original Skin So Soft line features gentle and moisturizing jojoba oil. Here's a secret: Grandmother swears it also fends off mosquitos. BUY IT: $8, avon.com 10. Coty Airspun Powder This loose finishing powder has been around since 1925 because it really works. Coty Airspun Powder is an affordable, natural loose finishing powder that prevents shine. BUY IT: $5.97, amazon.com 11. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Pucker Up In the South, red never goes out of style. Neither do well-manicured fingernails. Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails provides both. BUY IT: $5.98, amazon.com 12. Goody Bobby Pins To beat the Southern heat in the days before air conditioning, Southern girls had to pin up their hair. Chances are, you will find loose pins in the bottom of most Southern purses. BUY IT: $3.21, amazon.com 13. Chanel No. 5 We know that Chanel is considered one of the most iconic perfumes across the entire nation, but we especially love it down South because of its jasmine and rose base. Grandmother suggests never leaving home without a spritz. BUY IT: $100.00, chanel.com 14. Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 For a classic look, apply a light layer of foundation with sunscreen. Grandmother suggests wearing a slightly lighter shade at night to illuminate your face in dim lighting. BUY IT: $27.00, sephora.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit More Must-Shop Products This Is The Best-Selling Maxi Dress At Amazon—And Shoppers Say It’s Perfect For Hot Summer Days Ward Off Bugs This Summer With These 8 Insect Repellents You'll Actually Want To Use Amazon Quietly Marked Down Tons Of Kitchen Must-Haves, And These Are The Best Deals To Shop