When it comes to skincare, it’s easy to get caught up in celebrity beauty lines and TikTok trends (are you also being trolled by those Quasi collagen masks?!). Plus, it’s practically impossible not to be dazzled by all the beautifully packaged products in the aisles of Sephora or Ulta, promising skin smoother than a baby’s bottom and with the sheen of a glazed donut. We’re all for splurging on some of the good stuff, but not all skincare products need to be flashy or expensive to work—and nobody knows this better than a dermatologist.
Our resident tween and teen skincare expert, Dr. Brooke Jeffy, has long been the champion of simple products that produce glowing, healthy skin, regardless of whether they’ve been featured in an influencer’s latest GRWM. In a recent TikTok, she shared a few “unsexy” skincare products she uses every day to great ends.
@brookejeffymd Not every skincare product needs to be cute, trendy, or viral to earn a spot on your shelf. These are the unsexy staples that actually work—no fluff, no filters, just results. #SkincareThatWorks #NoNonsenseSkincare #DermApproved #SkincareStaples
Dr. Brooke Jeffy’s 5 ‘unsexy’ skincare product must-haves:
Minoxidil
This OTC topical treatment is used to slow hair loss, and you can find it at CVS, Costco, Target, Walgreens, and other places you already visit on the regular. You may also know it as Rogaine. “Use it on your scalp, use it on your brows, even rub it into those nails. What won’t it grow?” says Jeffy.
Vaseline
Your grandma’s solution for just about everything has been around for 150 years for a reason. Jeffy is a big fan, explaining how versatile this household staple is: “Use it on scrapes, scabs, shaping skin, dry skin, and dry lips. Take your makeup off with it, use it for slugging, and hydrate your nails. What doesn’t it do?”
Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Don’t let the “acid” in this product throw you. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that helps keep pores clean, get rid of dead cells, and keep oily skin in check. This version is gentle enough for sensitive, acne-prone skin, and according to Jeffy, “it’s simple, inexpensive, and it works.”
Cetaphil Exfoliating Rough & Bumpy Cream
If you haven’t figured out that Cetaphil is one of the best skincare brands out there, here’s another product to help you see the light. This moisturizing cream is formulated with 20% Urea, which loosens dead skin and gets rid of excess keratin, while it also helps to reduce redness, and since it contains glycerin, it hydrates the skin and improves its moisture barrier. “Keep those heels hydrated to match those pedicured summer toes,” says Jeffy.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Lotion
Hyaluronic acid is the star player in this tried-and-true lotion, as it helps draw water from the air and retain it in the skin. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue, and it’s great for sensitive skin. “Light. Effective. Love it,” says Jeffy.