It’s actually ironic. How can the least attractive skincare products often be the ones that make skin look its best? As a measure of inner confidence, the brands that forgo celebrities and fancy packaging are inevitably the ones used by those in the know.
Long before “unsexy skin care” was considered cool on TikTok (searches for the hashtag are up 108 percent in the past week alone), the CeraVes of the world were recommended by dermatologists as an affordable alternative to prescription skin care. At the very least, their bland, unkind ingredients don’t do any harm.
Before the French pharmacy boom, (before online shopping), true skincare enthusiasts would stock up on basic barrier-boosting products like Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser. Even from the grimy carpeted American pharmacies suggested that substance trumped style, even in the superficial world of beauty.
Reports suggest the rise in rudimentary skin care goes back to the pandemic, when we stripped our skin of protective lipids with layers of acids and retinoids. We did this both out of boredom and – let’s be honest – out of a legitimate need for pampering. This resulted in an increase in sensitivity. One of the key findings in Mintel’s 2024 Beauty Report is that consumers are looking for products that prioritize efficacy over extravagant packaging.
Then consider that “healthy skin” is the category showing the most growth due to the damage caused by overzealous routines. The ‘Sephora Kid’ trend is an example of this, where children under the age of 12 are now using active ingredients at the expense of their protective skin barrier. As a result, it’s not hard to see why “unsexy skin care” is popular.
Enter Curel, Eucerin, CeraVe and the like – the worker bees of the skincare world that maximize skin health without the adulation given to luxury creams. “Too many ingredients can cause the skin barrier to be compromised, which can lead to skin irritation and possibly skin allergies. There are so many products on the market and the messaging can be confusing for consumers,” says dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite. “For a simplified skin care regimen, I would start by limiting general products rather than ingredients per se. A basic skin care routine includes a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. These are the essential building blocks,” she adds.
It’s true that there are plenty of luxury serums that earn your investment via expensive active ingredients with clinical trials and expensive technologies like encapsulation. And it would be naive to pretend that a beautiful bottle doesn’t matter: the products on your bathroom shelf can say as much about your personal style as the labels hanging in your wardrobe.
But if your skin is red and blotchy or you’re struggling with a breakout, non-sexy skin care really is the best value for money.
11 unsexy skincare heroes
Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly
£2.50, Boots
From general practitioners to dermatologists and surgeons, doctors recommend Vaseline as a treatment for everything from postoperative wound healing to atopic dermatitis. It’s great on cracked feet, dry lips, and even as an occlusive (meaning it seals the skin) mask to lock in moisture while flying. A few caveats: make sure fingers are clean when applying, and don’t confuse old Vaseline with petroleum jelly; which is triple distilled to remove all impurities, including possible carcinogens.
Aveeno Calm+ Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer
£11.59, Boots
A fast-absorbing, non-greasy cream for normal to dry skin. Aveeno is formulated for sensitive skin types and is therefore hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. Molly-Mae Haag is a fan, if that interests you.
Dove’s Advanced Care deeply nourishing body wash
£4.50, Ocado
More skincare than shower gel, this under-a-five formula features Dove’s Micro Moisture technology that’s been 10 years in the making. It works by renewing moisture immediately after cleansing, meaning less (or no) body lotion is needed.
Curél Deep Moisture Spray for sensitive skin
£19.50, Look fantastic
This ultra-fine mist is packed with barrier-sealing ceramides and squalene for hydration and shine. Their Intensive Moisture Facial Cream is also legendary.
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm
£10.12, Boots
An anhydrous ointment that provides a semi-occlusive barrier, preventing water loss thanks to its glycerin and panthenol base. Designed for cracked or irritated skin, it is an excellent balm for those treating acne with tretinoin.
CeraVe AM Moisturizing Facial Lotion SPF50
£13.20, Boots
While the cleansers get most of the attention, this day cream with SPF evens out the complexion, hydrates and protects the skin barrier and protects against aging UV rays.
Cetaphil Moisturizing foaming cream cleanser
£12.60, Boots
Clinically proven to unclog pores and remove oil and makeup. This creamy foaming facial cleanser respects the natural PH of the skin and prevents the tight feeling that some cleansers give.
E45 Overnight facial cream mask
£14.99, Super drug
With 100% five-star reviews on Superdrug, this vegan, fragrance-free night cream is a soothing moisturizer for sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser
£13.87, Amazon
Before cleansing balms existed, Pond’s Cold Cream existed to remove makeup, cleanse skin, and shave legs without stripping skin. Being 50 percent moisturizing, it gives it a dewy finish, making it ideal for menopausal skin.
Weleda skin food
£14.95, Boots
One of the first all-over skin saviors (been around since 1926), this natural cream uses beeswax and lanolin to lock in moisture with chamomile and calendula to soothe dry patches of skin.
Boots No7 Derm Solutions Skin balancing serum
£27.95, Boots
Slightly more expensive than other non-sexy creams, this treatment serum for oily, blemish-prone skin floods the skin with antioxidants to reduce inflammation.