We’re talking ingrown hair serums, slugging jellies and all the other unsexy products that make you sexier…
While we love an artfully set-up Instagram post or Reel showing our favourite content creator’s skincare routine, complete with face masks from cute jars, scented candles, and a glass of wine, we know it’s seldom that pretty. Skincare can mean unsightly patches, bulbous jars of creams, and so much more that fail to make it to the final cut of the Sunday self-care posts. However, a recent online trend is shining light on the unsung heroes of our beauty kits. Have you heard of the ‘Unsexy’ Holy Grail Beauty Products?
The ‘unsexy’ holy grail beauty product trend originated on TikTok when beauty content creators like Sarah Kidwa began sharing their secret skincare heroes with their followers, amassing millions of views within hours. Soon, creators across social media platforms began sharing their go-to unglamorous products that are amazingly effective. Dermatologist Dr Geetika Srivastava calls this trend a “refreshing departure” from the usual stuff that populates the beauty side of the Internet. “The skincare market is growing rapidly, but many new products focus more on aesthetics than functionality. As consumers become savvier, there’s an increasing demand for products that actually work rather than those that look good on a shelf.”
The trend is an extension of the practice of transparency that many beauty content creators and influencers have adopted in recent times. Whether it’s Hailey Bieber sharing about her struggles with perioral dermatitis with her followers or Kendall Jenner and Masaba Gupta opening up about their acceptance of their acne scars, it’s the era of keeping it real on social media.
While everyone has their own unsexy holy grails when it comes to beauty and skincare, some are popular across the board for their versatility and effectiveness. While these work for a majority of people, it’s safe to say that you should consult your dermatologist before adopting any of the following in your routine.
When it comes to no-frills skincare essentials, hydrating moisturisers like Cera Ve or Emolene are a no-brainer. These creams do exactly what they say and are a game-changer for dry skin. A proponent of Emolene cream, Dr Geetika says, “It may not have luxurious packaging, but its hydrating properties make it indispensable in any routine.”
A mild cleanser, like the cult-favourite Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, is a must-have in your beauty routine. “The formula cleans the skin without stripping away essential oils, making it ideal for those with sensitive or dry skin. There’s nothing glamorous about it, but it’s a reliable workhorse that gets the job done.”
While we are not discounting the appeal of the brightly coloured lip balms that come in increasingly adorable packaging, the classic Vaseline remains a global favourite when it comes to effectiveness. The iconic yellow and blue skincare saviour is a staple in most of our households. Whether it’s to heal chapped lips, cracked heels, dry elbows, or improve the overall hydration of your skin, the classic Vaseline is the answer.
While there’s nothing wrong with the Gen Z-approved bright and bold stickers doubling as pimple patches, the true beauty girlies know the value of the discreet patches that blend seamlessly with your skin and work overtime to reduce acne spots.
Whether you’re going for a high-end virgin cold-pressed option or the Parachute version that comes in the familiar blue bottle, coconut oil is a popular unsexy holy grail of beauty products. From haircare to skincare (to even doubling as a make-up remover), coconut oil is the unglamorous essential most of the Internet swears by.
You don’t need to see or use these to know that there’s nothing sexy about heel socks that come equipped with hydrating properties. But if you want smooth heels that remain soft and smooth throughout the dry winter months, slipping on a pair of moisturising heel socks under your regular socks can be a genius hack.
Whether you use serums or wipes to take care of ingrown hair on your body, the products that are going to work are going to be far from pretty. But it’s no surprise that some of the most popular unsexy holy grail products in skincare and beauty feature ones that combat ingrown hair!
The multi-purpose and highly effective skincare ingredient gained popularity when it became the hero of the beauty side of the Internet in 2022. The love is not unfounded as it can act as an exfoliant, humectant, and anti-bacterial agent and can help deal with a number of skincare issues like hyperpigmentation, underarm odour, dandruff, etc.
Salva Mubarak is the Digital Editor of Manifest. In her free time, she likes to read murder mysteries, discover new KitKat flavours, and rank movie makeovers (not necessarily in that order). View Profile