18 Unsexy Beauty Products That Look Boring But Deliver On Their Promises

“When I noticed my hair was thinning, I took to TikTok to find out what I could do, and a bunch of dermatologists recommended using Nizoral. I instantly noticed way less shedding. When I actually went to my own dermatologist to get answers, she prescribed me a prescription ketoconazole shampoo (a stronger version of what Nizoral is), and said it basically just makes your scalp super happy and healthy. It feels like I’m stealing my dad’s Selsun Blue from back in the day, but who cares?” — Katie McPherson, Associate Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

“A couple of years ago, I had horrible, itchy skin for no reason at all. I could not deal with the itchiness, especially after my skin would dry out after a shower. This Eucerin cream helped so much with calming down my skin and relieving some of that itch. I still use it today!” — Katie Garrity, Social & News Editor

“If you also have dry skin, you have to try this trick I learned from TikTok: Keep body oil in your shower and, when you turn the water off, slather it all over yourself before you even dry off. It sounds like it won’t work, but I swear it locks in so much hydration and my skin is so happy and soft when I do it.” — Katie McPherson

“I realize even Thayers offers fancier versions now like milky toners and jelly toners, but I always default to the OG. I've used far more expensive toners that don't feel as good or do as much for my complexion as this one does.” — Julie Sprankles, Deputy Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment

“You can keep your $50 fancy-bottled cleanser and your supermodel marketing, I'll be over here clutching my bottle of Cetaphil, which I swear is the only cleanser that makes my face feel moist and soft instead of dry and red afterward.” — Sarah Aswell, Deputy Editor, News & Social

“I have very dry skin, particularly my back. This stuff is genius: You spray it anywhere you need moisture, so for me, I just reach around my shoulders and spray my back. It's cheap, it lasts forever, and I can't believe I haven't been using it my whole life.” — Kate Auletta, Editor in Chief

“I use this to dye my eyebrows for an instant boost and easy upkeep. Quick, simple, affordable... what's not to love?” — Julie Sprankles

“I have been wearing this lipstick forever — and even when I find some new fancy fad, it isn't long until I'm back in the arms of this drugstore classic. I love many of the 22 available colors, and it truly, truly, truly does last all day, even if you eat a hamburger. Ask me know I know.” — Sarah Aswell

“I had braces as an adult and they’ve been off for less than a year, so I’m still in the throes of really loving and wanting to show off my smile — which means I want it to be sparkly white. As someone who drinks coffee and dark soda, that takes work. I’ve tried all the major brands’ whitening toothpastes, and Arm & Hammer’s just does the best job. I don’t need to supplement with whitening strips or mouthwashes. This stuff twice a day does the trick.” — Katie McPherson

“After I shave my armpits, I apply Tend Skin with a cotton pad to help with razor burn and ingrown hairs. I've used this product for years, and it actually works. A small bottle will last you forever!” — Katie Garrity

“I wax poetic about how much I love this product any chance I get. It single-handedly helps me keep body acne at bay with a few spritzes before and after a workout. I keep one in my bathroom and one in my gym bag, and they last forever.” — Katie McPherson

“Castor oil is a workhorse when it comes to beauty. I put it on the ends of my hair, on my eyelashes (best thing I've used for growth, and it doesn't cause undereye hollowing like a lot of popular serums out there), on rough patches of skin, and in my belly button. I like all the essentials from this brand!” — Julie Sprankles

“I’ve been using this brand of top coat exclusively for nearly a decade. It applies nice and thick so it fills in any little imperfections on the surface of your nails, giving you a gel look with regular polish. And no matter how thick you layer it up, it dries insanely fast. I can tell a difference in how my nails look and how long they last when I use other top coats, which is rare anymore.” — Katie McPherson

“Listen, I am not above getting Botox someday, but as a working mom with kids in expensive extracurriculars, I just can't justify the cost right now. So, I slap these suckers on my face every night, and while I look mildly ridiculous, I don't care — I swear they make a big difference in keeping deep lines at bay.” — Julie Sprankles

“I have a bottle of this lotion by every sink in our house, plus a travel size in my purse. Aveeno lotion keeps my skin feeling moisturized and soft without that greasy feeling.” — Katie Garrity

“As a kid, I had awful keratosis pilaris, aka chicken skin. When I discovered Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy, my arms were soft and smooth almost immediately!” — Katie Garrity

“Yes, the bottle is pretty plain and straightforward, and it's not developed by a celebrity, but Murad comes through with a real workhorse of an overnight serum here. I wouldn't have it any other way.” — Sarah Aswell

“I’m fairly confident enough that Aquaphor will fix anything. I put it on dry patches of skin, on my lips, and in a thin layer on my face at the end of my nighttime skincare routine, if my skin is super dry. I’ve used it to soothe my baby’s diaper rash and to keep my new tattoos hydrated while they heal. I’ve even seen people online use it in place of mascara. Every house should have a tube.” — Katie McPherson