by It’s really ironic. How is it that the least attractive skin care products are often the ones that make the skin look its best? An insider’s measure of trust, the brands that forgo celebrity affiliations and handsome packaging are surely the ones used by those who know them.
Long before “non-sexual skin care” was considered cool on TikTok (searches for the hashtag are up 108 percent in the past week alone), the world’s CeraVes were being hailed by dermatologists as an affordable alternative to prescription skin care. At least their mild, unsightly ingredients do no harm.
Before the pharmacy boom in France, (before online shopping) true skin care junkies would rely on barrier-boosting essentials like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Even from grubby-carpet American pharmacies, he suggested that substance was better than style even in the superficial world of beauty.
Reports suggest that 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 out of boredom and – let’s face it – a valid need to joke. This resulted in increased sensitivity. One of the key findings in Mintel’s 2024 beauty report is that shoppers are looking for products that prioritize efficiency over fancy packaging.
Consider then that “healthy skin” is the category that shows the most growth due to the damage caused by an overzealous routine. This is illustrated by the “Sephora Kid” trend where children under 12 are now using active ingredients at the expense of their skin’s protective barriers. As a result, it’s not hard to understand why “non-sexual skin care” is trending.
Enter Curel, Eucerin, CeraVe and the like – the worker bees of the skin care world that maximize skin health without the fuss of luxury creams. “Too many ingredients can disrupt the skin’s barrier, leading to skin irritation and possible skin allergies. There are so many products out there that messaging can confuse the consumer,” says dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite. “For a simplified skincare regime, I like to start with general products rather than ingredients per se. A basic skin care routine would include a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. These are the essential building blocks,” she says.
It is true that there are plenty of upscale serums that earn your investment through expensive active ingredients with clinical trials and expensive technologies such as encapsulation. And it would be naive to pretend that a nice bottle doesn’t look good – the products that line your bathroom shelf can say as much about your personal style as the labels that hang in your wardrobe.
But when your skin is red and blotchy or you’re fighting breakouts, non-toxic skin care is the best value for money.
11 non-sexual skincare heroes
Pure Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
£2.50, Boots
From family doctors to dermatologists and surgeons, doctors recommend Vaseline as a treatment for everything from post-surgical wound healing to atopic dermatitis. It is great for cracked feet, dry lips and even as an occlusive (which means it seals the skin) mask to lock in moisture when flying. A few caveats: make sure fingers are clean when applying, and don’t mistake any old petroleum jelly for Vaseline – theirs is distilled to remove all impurities including potential carcinogens.
Aveeno Calm+ Restore Moisturizer Oat Gel
£11.59, Boots
A non-greasy, fast-absorbing cream for normal-to-dry skin, Aveeno is formulated for sensitive skin types and is therefore hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. Molly-Mae Hague is a fan, if that sounds like you.
Dove Advanced Care Deeply Nourishing Body Wash
£4.50, Ocado
More skincare than shower gel, this under-five formula is 10 years in the making and features Dove Micro technology. It works by instantly renewing moisture post-cleanse which means less (or no) body lotion is needed.
Curél Deep Moisture Spray for Sensitive Skin
£19.50, Look Amazing
This ultra fine mist is packed with barrier sealing ceramides as well as squalene for hydration and glow. Their Firming Face Cream is legendary, too.
Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm
£10.12, Boots
A water-free ointment that provides a semi-occlusive barrier, this prevents water loss with its glycerin and panthenol base. Designed for cracked or irritated skin, it makes an excellent treatment balm for those on tretinoin acne treatment.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF50
£13.20, Boots
While the cleansers get the most attention, this day cream with SPF evens skin tone, hydrates and protects the skin barrier while protecting against aging UV rays.
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser
£12.60, Boots
Clinically proven to unclog pores, remove oil and make up, this creamy lathering face wash respects the skin’s natural PH, preventing the tight feeling that some cleansers give.
E45 Overnight Facial Cream Mask
£14.99, Super drugs
With 100% five-star customer 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 were a thing, there was Pond’s Cold cream to remove makeup, cleanse the skin and shave the legs without removing skin. Because it’s 50 percent moisturiser, it leaves you with a dewy finish that makes it great for menopausal skin.
Weleda Skin Food
£14.95, Boots
One of the first all-in-one skin healers (it’s 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 Skin Balancing Serum No7 Derm Solutions
£27.95, Boots
Slightly more expensive than other non-greasy creams, this treatment serum for oily prone skin floods skin with antioxidants to reduce inflammation.
