Unsexy Beauty Products Our Editors Swear by
The "Unsexy" Beauty Products PS Editors Swear By
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
We love a beauty trend, and the one where people share the "unsexy" products in their routines that work like a charm might just be one of our favorites. From body oils to tongue scrapers and everything in between, people are raiding their bathroom shelves to talk about all of the items they swear by but wouldn't necessarily take a shelfie of. These items are effective and get the job done — they just don't have the cutest packaging or Instagrammable results.
As editors, we get to try products that run the gamut from dirt cheap to extremely expensive. Due to the nature of our roles, it's our duty to try everything with a neutral lens and report back on whether they work. While we love aesthetically pleasing bottles and pretty formulas that make us want to snap a picture, sometimes the best products are the ones that just work – sans any other bells and whistles.
What's "unsexy" about a product can mean different things to different people. For some, it's the packaging that it comes in; for others, it can be what the item is used for. Still, the unifying quality of all of these items is that they deliver incredible results regardless of all that.
As such, we've decided to share our favorite unsexy beauty products that we can't live without and would recommend in a heartbeat. Our obsessions range from products like Aquaphor Healing Ointment to First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads — there are truly all kinds of options. From deodorant to dandruff shampoo, keep reading for the items we always keep in stock (and hidden within our medicine cabinets).
Best Microcurrent Gel
Aquasonic 100 Ultrasonic Gel ($6)
"You're probably thinking, 'What do you need ultrasound gel for?' Well, let me cue you into one of my biggest money-saving beauty hacks. I, like many people, love my Nuface Microcurrent Device and use it regularly. However, the gel that comes with the product is small and pretty pricey. I buy the Aquasonic 100 Ultrasonic Gel on Amazon for $7, which is 8.5 oz. It lasts for months, meaning I can keep sculpting my cheekbones daily." — JH
Best Multipurpose Ointment
Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($7)
"I use Aquaphor's Healing Ointment for everything — and I mean everything. I keep a tube in my bathroom and on my nightstand, so it's always on hand, and I put it on my lips, dry patches, cuticles, tattoos — the list goes on and on. It's not a particularly sexy product, but it works so damn well that I'll never let myself run out." — Jessica Harrington, senior beauty editor
Best Antiperspirant
Dove Men+Care 72-Hour Antiperspirant & Deodorant Stick ($10)
"I have a weird obsession with deodorant. It's likely because one of my biggest fears is being told that I smell bad. Because of this, I swear by my fiancé's favorite men's Dove deodorant. I didn't realize how much more superior it was until I had to buy one at a Target in a pinch. It kept me dry all day and had a light, clean scent that didn't clash with my perfume. I'd love to see a vanilla or amber scent in this Men + Care line (as well as less bulky packaging — men love to save space, too)." — AB
Best SPF Cream
Sun Bum SPF 50 Clear Zinc ($11)
"This is probably hands down the most unsexy beauty product ever because it makes my lips look like I just bit into a wet powdered donut. However, the zinc in this sunblock is the only thing that prevents my lips from getting sunburned at the beach. Unfortunately, I end up looking a little wild (and I can't really eat while I wear it), but it's worth it to keep my lips un-chapped and burn-free." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Nizoral AD AntiDandruff Shampoo ($15)
"I don't have dandruff but I do have extremely thin hair that I'm trying to thicken, and I learned from one of my favorite dermatologists on TikTok that the Nizoral AntiDandruff Shampoo can help with some forms of hair loss. Ever since coming across that video, I have used this blue-tinted shampoo once a week." — JH
Best Facial Moisturizer
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides ($16)
"I've been using this moisturizer lately, and it's really helped my skin through the dryness caused by tretinoin. Since I have combination skin, its light texture ensures I don't break out." — Balim Tezel, Shopping updates editor
Best Leave-In Detangler For Curly Hair
Knot Today Kinky Curly Leave-In Detangler ($16)
This detangler is perfect for thick, curly, and textured hair. Thanks to the aloe vera leaf juice and hydrolyzed silk protein, it's suitable for all hair types and can even be used to remove extensions.
Best Multi-Use Moisturizing Cream
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream ($17)
"Everything about this packaging is bulky and hard to store — plus the blue-and-white graphics leave much to be desired. Still, a dermatologist introduced me to Vanicream, and without fail, anytime I need a product that isn't going to aggravate my skin or I just need a reset, I reach for this. It's perfect for sensitive or dry skin, and the bottle is so big that I can also usually use it for my body too. This is a staple." — AB
Best Facial Radiance Pads
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads with Glycolic + Lactic Acids ($17)
"I sometimes get these tiny, skin-colored bumps under my neck — almost like a rash but without the accompanying itchiness. Whenever I have a flareup, I use these facial pads from First Aid Beauty, which are gone within a few days. I fully thought that a combination of lactic and glycolic acid would be too harsh on my skin, but it turns out that is exactly what I need to get rid of stubborn texture." — Ariel Baker, former associate beauty editor
Best Mouth Tape
Mute Mouth Tape ($20)
"I started mouth taping regularly over a year ago, and it's made such a difference in my life. I feel like my face looks slimmer, I wake up without a dry mouth, and my morning breath isn't as bad. Yes, I look a little funny when I go to bed wearing an eye mask and tape over my mouth, but the results are completely worth it. I sleep through the night and I never snore. It's a lifesaver." — RR
Best Body Ointment
CeraVe Healing Ointment ($21)
"The CeraVe Healing Ointment Skin Protectant comes in a huge tub, emphasizing the fact that this product is functional, not pretty, and I love it even more for that. I keep this next to my bed at all times and slather myself in it before bed after using my regular body lotion, which allows me to wake up feeling soft and moisturized. You know what the TikTok girlies say, 'The uglier you go to bed, the prettier you wake up.' This product helps me do that." — JH
Best Body Lotion
AmLactin Daily Nourish 12% Body Lotion ($33)
"Whenever my friends ask how I'm able to get buttery-soft skin or how my bikini line looks smooth, I pretty much credit it all to using AmLactin's Daily Lotion. It's my go-to for diminishing body acne, KP, and ingrown hairs. It also helps with evening out my skin tone, whether from dark spots, friction-induced hyperpigmentation, or even awkward-looking tans. With this, my 'strawberry skin' is practically gone. I even noticed that my underarms are lighter and more even-toned as well. Read my full review here." — Anvita Reddy, former assistant editor, shopping
Best Skin Salve
Sonage Laserine Botanical Salve ($36)
"I have sensitive, dry skin, and when my face is feeling extra parched, I go all in with products during my night-time routine. I slather on a thick layer of moisturizer, then put on the Sonäge Laserine Botanical Salve immediately after. It helps lock in the moisture so well. Even though I look super sticky when I'm headed to bed, I always wake up with glass skin." — RR
Best Fragranced Body Oil
Riddle Original Boujee Body Oil ($88)
"OK, some may find this controversial, but I find a stark white bottle with black lettering to be very unaesthetic. No matter what the item, it just sticks out like a sore thumb. Maybe it's intentional to make you reach for it more, and if that's the case, then Riddle is playing chess while the rest of us are playing checkers. I got to try this oil for the first time a few months ago, and I legitimately keep it at my bedside now — it's that good. Not only does the oil provide a delicious dose of moisture to the skin, but the original scent is a gorgeous wood musk that is the perfect nightcap to your body-care routine before you go to bed." — AB
Best Serum For Fine Lines
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum ($295)
"Its packaging couldn't get more straightforward if it tried and, yeah, it won't do anything for a flat lay or your vanity dresser — but damn, it is good. The formula features an advanced growth factor technology that someone without a biology degree (raises hand) might not fully understand, but the proof is in the pudding. Any time I use it, my skin looks firmer and more evenly textured." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director
— Additional reporting by Balim Tezel
Ariel Baker is a former assistant editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.
Balim Tezel (she/her) is a shopping updates editor at PS and the founder of Maison des Nus, a New York-based affordable luxury brand blending streetwear and elevated essentials, with a playful edge. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in 2019, and now lives in Flatiron.
