01-05-2025
Do *Not* Click This Post If You're Squeamish: 17 Personal Care Products With Gnarly Before And After Photos
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
"I was both grossed out and strangely satisfied by this…" said one reviewer about the exfoliating mitt that removes dead skin.
1. A pair of stainless steel tongue scrapers that'll literally scrape the bad breath at least help get rid of it. This will leave your tongue looking and feeling fresh so no wincing comes your way.
They even come with their own convenient little case.
Btw, this comes from small biz Mouthology!
Promising reviews:"I recently purchased this tongue scraper, and I must say, it has made a significant difference in my oral hygiene routine. The scraper is easy to use and efficient in removing any buildup on my tongue. I have noticed that my breath stays fresher for longer, and my tongue feels cleaner throughout the day. The scraper is also easy to clean and store, making it a convenient addition to my daily routine. Overall, I highly recommend using a tongue scraper, and this one in particular is a great choice." — Kelsey
"Been using it for a week now, and I love it. You can see the difference between the before and after pics [on the right]. I always brushed my tongue, but nothing could make the white film go away. I'm so happy I got the solution." — Carolyne Omboto
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two styles, two colors, and multipacks).
2.
Demora's foot exfoliation mask to peel away dead skin, calluses, and buildup for baby-smooth skin. Sign. Me. Up. Simply slide these foot mask "socks" onto your feet and leave them on for an hour to let the gel soak in and work its magic. You should start to see the dead skin peel away within 6–11 days (with incredibly softer feet in two weeks!).
Check it out on TikTok!
Promising review:"I placed this order after seeing it everywhere on TikTok... and boy am I glad I tried it! I was initially skeptical of trying anything on my feet.. and let's be honest, the peeling feet pictures are not for the weak :) .. but oddly extremely satisfying. I soaked my feet in the bag for an hour as instructed (super easy to use) ... two weeks later, BOOM baby soft feet...10/10 would recommend!! " — Alma Elias
Get two pairs from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in five scents).
3. A bottle of Bio-Oil, a cult-favorite product that reviewers swear by. It has over 85,000 5-star reviewers full of people who use it to help fade scars, soothe dryness, and moisturize without clogging pores. And yes, you can use it literally anywhere on your body!
Promising reviews:"AMAZING PRODUCT! I am amazed! I wash my face with Cetaphil gentle cleanser while in the shower, and immediately after getting out of the shower put BioOil on my skin. That is all I do. I do have a spot treatment from Neutrogena with 10% maximum-strength benzoyl peroxide for those SUPER STUBBORN pimples, but hardly use it since starting with BioOil. I will forever use this product and recommend when I can. I have olive-toned, freckled, medium to dry skin with oily nose and forehead, adult hormonal acne and hyperpigmentation. BioOil has given me a literal GLOW! I feel confident with my face again. I hardly leave reviews, but this product deserves it! Good luck on your healthy skin journey." — Amazon Customer
"Bio-Oil is the BEST skin product on the market. I use it twice a day, morning and before I go to bed. Small lines have disappeared. My skin is very smooth and seems to glow. A doctor recommended this to one of my friends who told me about it. I have bought several bottles as gifts. Be patient. It will take a few months for you to see notice the changes." – Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $11.95 (available in three sizes, including 4.2 oz).
4. A piercing bump solution because those annoying keloids have got to go! This can slowly help reduce the size, hardness, and redness of the keloid around your piercing. After all, your new jewelry should be the star of the show, not the bump!
Of course, this is not an overnight miracle product. You should apply this 2–3 times a day and eventually, you may start to see results!
Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from Cleveland Clinic.
BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jordan Grigsby has used this and here's what she has to say:"Oh! BTW, I bought this. Last year I got a dermal piercing on my chest and since literally just about every piercing I've ever gotten has grown a keloid on it, I should have known my dermal would eventually, too. I got the piercing in February of 2023 and around May I noticed a nasty, stubborn little bump making a guest appearance on my piercing. 🙄 I had written about this stuff a few times so the light bulb went off and I immediately bought it. I consistently used it twice a day and it gradually disappeared, literally like magic within a month. Keloids are a serious nightmare and I'm so glad that I found this stuff. I even *accidentally* ripped it out in November and immediately grabbed this to prevent a keloid from forming cuz I just knew it'd get infected. To my surprise, no keloid, nada. This stuff always gets rid of keloids for me, it's such a life saver. You do have to be patient and consistent, this is NOT an overnight miracle but it's worth it. I also suggest that you continue to use it for like another week or two even after your keloid goes away juuust in case it tries to sneak back into your life."
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (also available in multipacks).
5. The TikTok-famous Medicube Turmeric Overnight Wrapping Peel Off Mask from viral K-Beauty brand Medicube, because is there anything more gnarly than "shedding" first thing in the morning!? This mask features ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen, vitamin C, and turmeric that work together to even your skin tone, clear acne, and improve elasticity. Put it on before bed and peel off the old you in the morning!
Amazon,
Promising review: "This is a fantastic product. I was really glad to see it on Amazon because I saw it on TikTok. I didn't have to wait for it and pay less. Can't go wrong with that. It is very moisturizing and easy to apply. Just a very thin layer. I went to bed, peeled it off the next morning, and my skin was super glowy. I love it." — Ramona L. Corona
Get it from Amazon for $19.
6. An antifungal Wonder Balm to help treat things like athlete's foot, jock itch, rashes, or even just dry skin. Essentially, if you've got an itchy skin condition, this is something you *need* in your bathroom cabinet. This wonder balm truly is wonder ful!
Read more about tea tree oil and how it can help with athlete's foot from Mayo Clinic and jock itch from Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review:"I cannot believe the difference this product has made. I've seen a dermatologist for a rash on my armpits for over a year now with no answers, no solutions, nothing. They've prescribed me topical creams, steroids, and antibiotics. I've even had two biopsies with no relief. I finally came across this stuff. The first day I used this I had relief. My symptoms were a red, EXTREMELY itchy rash in both armpits. I'm talking itchy, like to the point where I could not sleep at night. It was awful. The next day I could feel and see that it helped. I was still unsure if it would actually do anything to resolve the problem entirely, but I decided I'd do an experiment and continue to use it on one armpit only so I could test the difference. The relief was unbelievable. It has been awful to not put it on my other armpit as well, but I wanted to hold out until I got the stitches out so I could show the doctor the difference. If you have a weird rash that you can't seem to find relief from, I would recommend giving this a shot. I'm so glad I did." — Jackie
7. Truremedy Naturals Remedy Tea Tree Oil body wash that's stacked with effective ingredients like aloe, mint, and (of course) tea tree to help with those common skin irritations and rashes you haven't been able to escape since using the wrong laundry detergent one time. Reviewers say that it smells great too, thanks to the coconut, olive, and jojoba oils!
Learn more about the many uses of tea tree oil at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising reviews:"I usually use Dr. Bronner's, but I wanted to give this a try after seeing it on TikTok. I actually like this better and feel really clean after using. Love the fresh smell. Also helped an eczema breakout." — KJeanine ATL
"This is my favorite body wash ever! I was dealing with some serious postpartum BO, and this saved me! Results from first use!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
8. An ear washer bottle, a quick and easy at-home solution to cleaning those very important things used to hear sounds. This spray cleaner helps remove ear wax build-up, blockages, and impaction so that you no longer have to wake up with clogged ears — you're missing the chirping birds!
The kit includes the washer bottle and three disposable tips. Using it is simple: Fill the bottle with your preferred ear-cleaning solution, attach the disposable tip, and then spray the cleaner into your ear. This will loosen up wax and cause it to basically just fall right out of your ear!
Doctor Easy started 20 years ago with the invention of the Elephant Ear Washer by a doctor who saw the need for a better method of treating patients' earwax impactions.
Promising review:"Gross photos. My husband has had a lot of earwax impaction problems in his life, and up until this point, we have paid to have a professional take care of it. But recently, he suddenly lost about 80% of his hearing and just couldn't wait for an appointment, so we bought this item. From the reviews I have read, it was a particularly easy solution for my husband. Nasty huge chunks start falling out after just a couple of squirts. Cleared everything out, no problem. Highly recommend." — Tea
Get it from Amazon for $29.50.
9. A pack of cold sore healing patches that use hydrocolloid to get the healing process going way faster than just waiting for it to leave on its own. Not only can they help with pain relief, scabbing, and blistering, points! They're super thin and hardly noticeable, too.
Promising review:"I wish I had found these sooner!! These cold sores were probably the worst I've had and wouldn't clear up or stop itching/hurting. I googled cold sore remedies, and these happened to pop up. After reading the reviews, I immediately ordered them. They came right on time, and I put them on before bed last night. It's been less than 36 hours, and these cold sores are already healing beautifully. I plan to order another pack or three, so I can keep one at home, one in my purse, and one in my locker at work so if I ever feel the warning tingle/itching of a new breakout, I can slap one of these bad boys on and get rid of it quickly! Highly recommend for my fellow cold sore sufferers." — Jessica Hill
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $27.96 (also available as a pack of 15).
10. An exfoliating scrub mitt because it removes dead skin and leaves your body feeling the softest it's ever been. Some reviewers say it helps soothe skin conditions like eczema or keratosis pilaris, too. Use it in the shower to reveal super soft and super clean skin when you step out. Easy peasy!
Promising reviews:"These really work! No chemicals, lotions, or gels needed - just water and SO MUCH dead skin came off. I was both grossed out and strangely satisfied by this… my skin has honestly NEVER felt this soft and I'm very happy with my purchase." — Brooke Parent
"I have always used body scrubs, so many different kinds and brands. When using this mitt I didn't see much dead skin but I wasn't expecting to since I consistently use body scrub. After using this mitt my skin has never felt softer or smoother. I wish I found this sooner, I would have saved a lot of money not buying scrubs. This is a wonderful price for a wonderful product. If it is in your cart buy it now!!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in two colors; also available as a two-pack).
11. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel to help eliminate rough, dead skin on your feet in *minutes*. Many reviewers say it only took as long as two to three to see results! After applying this gel, simply scrub with a foot file, and your heels will feel brand new.
Promising review:"Best foot callus remover I have ever used! I read a lot of the reviews before purchasing this product. Most callus removers I have purchased in the past were not very effective. So I was encouraged by the reviews. I saw that a lot of reviewers mentioned to be very careful not to leave it on longer than three or four minutes. My feet were the softest they have ever been. Love love love." — Cheri whisker
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three scents).
12. A box of maximum-strength one-step wart-removing pads — medicated, waterproof bandages that will help protect your warts while also helping exfoliate them from your skin. Thousands of reviewers say they've received amazing results, and many after just one use!
Promising review:"More than six years with a large, sometimes painful plantar wart on the bottom of my foot. The doctor tried freezing. I tried apple cider vinegar, aspirin, freezing at home, over and over worked. Never showing the bottom of my feet, refusing to get a pedicure with the girls, and so, so felt like I was doomed to have it for forever; it was resistant to everything. Literally six years of fighting it and on a whim tried these because of the good reviews. ONE APPLICATION. I wore the bandage overnight. I didn't think it did anything, but a few days later the wart just came off. I know it's silly to be so emotional over a stupid wart, but I'm telling you, I nearly cried. I've never been so happy with a product in my life. Highly, highly recommend giving these a try if you've got stubborn plantar warts." — Liz Dube
Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $7.29.
13. And a pack of 24 corn remover pads because they're basically just extra-strength, salicylic acid-filled bandages that'll help remove the uncomfy corns and calluses on your hands and feet. Anyone who's on their feet for hours at a time every day should have these on hand, no matter what!
Promising review:"I get corns on the bottom of my foot. This has been going on for 30 years. I've tried all the pads sold in drug stores. None of those are anywhere as good as this brand. They stick to the skin very well, and the medication really works on the corns and the thickened skin around them. Well worth it." — Al Symbal
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in larger pack sizes).
14. A bottle of Tend Skin Solution that'll help treat *and* prevent painful razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and razor burn. Use this gem post-shave to make the worry about irritating sensitive areas go poof!
Rubbing alcohol-based products (like Tend Skin) can help prevent an infection of an ingrown, but can't prevent an ingrown itself, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: " After many years of razor burn on my face/neck, I finally broke down and bought this per a friend's recommendation. I have sensitive skin and had given up hope that anything could help. This totally changed my outlook on shaving. My neck especially would be the worst. I dab it on immediately after I rinse and dry, post-shave. It does burn a bit but that goes away pretty quickly. Totally worth it to not have razor burn/bumps anymore. I only apply it once after shaving even though the directions recommend repeat applications the following day. Go ahead and purchase, you won't be disappointed!" — bill nye
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).
15. A fungal nail renewal treatment to help with brittle, thick, or discolored toenails that you've been side-eyeing for way too long. Reviewers have seen the appearance of their nails improve in as little as two days — so get on it *now*!
Promising review: 'I tried EVERYTHING! I tried tree tea oil for years and various different products. Nothing worked. The reviews were so great on this that I decided to try to cure it one more time. But when you have had a condition for 35 years, you aren't too hopeful! I followed the suggestions of some of the reviewers and cut my toenails (I only had it on my big toes) everywhere that the fungus was present. I started applying this gel, which is super easy to use. I swear to you that I noticed a difference after one application. ' — WIAPilot
Get it from Amazon for $16.97+ (also available with a nail file).
16. A nose hair wax kit that'll remove the nostril hairs that seem to have a mind of their own. It comes with everything you need to keep those rogue hairs away for up to four weeks! Gross to look at? Maybe. But is it worth it? Oh, absolutely.
The kit includes 100 grams of nose wax beads, 30 wax applicators, 10 mustache protectors, a measuring cup, and 15 paper cups.
The hairs in your nose play an important role in filtering out any harmful debris. But of course it's your body and if you want to wax your nose hairs you're more than welcome to — just be careful as plucking nose hairs can lead to infection and ingrown hairs.
Promising review:"I highly recommend this product. The instructions were super easy to follow, and it worked perfectly! I was a little nervous to pull the sticks out once the two minutes were up; however, it didn't even hurt. I expected it to hurt momentarily and my eyes to water, but neither was true! If you wanna get rid of them pesky nose this product!!!" — Julie J.
Get it from Amazon for $15.29.
17. An itty bitty toenail brace for anyone dealing with the pain and annoyance of ingrown toenails. This baby is specifically designed to help lift the curved nail and relieve the pain and pressure it causes. Many reviewers say that they see results within days!
The kit comes with 10 toenail braces and the materials needed to apply it, including a nail file, solvent, and cotton swabs.
Promising review:"I never realized how curved my toenails were. I thought the pain I had was just normal and a fact of life. Only when I read about the Curve Correct product, did I realize that I had a major problem, and it could be resolved! Now I'm on the way to normal, flat toenails, that DON'T grow curved into my skin!" — Jamie H.
Get the kit from Amazon for $44.99.
