When every new year rolls around, I inevitably find myself asking the same questions. Which hobbies can I try out this year? What are my goals (and more importantly, overall vibes)? What do I want to spend more and less time doing? But really, all of these questions boil down to one thing: How can I elevate my life this year? And there is really no arguing that prioritizing self-care is one of the easiest ways to do so, especially when you look at it through the lens of getting yourself out of any “winter uglies” rut that comes your way.
We all know the basics: moisturize, self-tan if you feel like it, do a hair mask, treat yourself to a facial or a manicure, et cetera. But what about those beauty products and rituals that are truly unsexy in nature? I’m talking a regular old humidifier and air purifier, a heel file, Vaseline and Vanicream, and more. No fluff, just stuff that actually works.
I polled our team for the unsexy beauty products they swear by, especially during the winter season. Read on for nine unexpected items that will elevate your beauty routine in 2026.
1. A moisturizer and lip care that actually works
While I love to dabble in the hottest new skincare products as much as the next gal, I often find myself going back to the truly unsexy items that just work. And as a sensitive and dry skin girly, my skin needs true hydration in the winter more than anything else. I use Vanicream as body lotion after a shower, and Vaseline when my lips are extra dry. Our editor-in-chief loves the Weleda Skin Food as an overnight foot mask (with thick socks), or even on her face as a moisturizing reset.
2. A humidifier
There is truly nothing that disrupts the idea of “beauty sleep” more than waking up on a winter morning with dry skin, a dry throat, and clogged sinuses. Sleeping with a humidifier by your bed can significantly help with all of these issues. Our senior lifestyle editor shared her full review of the Canopy Bedside Humidifier here (Spoiler alert: it can be cleaned in the dishwasher?!). I personally love the Hey Dewy Portable Humidifier for my desk on cold winter days.
3. An air purifier
The second temperatures started to drop this year, I could feel a low level of congestion that just wouldn’t go away. And we all know that when you don’t feel good, you don’t look good either. Adding this highly-reviewed air purifier to my apartment seemed to help quite a bit and right away. Plus, you only have to change the filter every 6-12 months, so you’re set for the whole winter season.
4. Proper foot care
As much as I would love to get a pedicure every other week, that is simply not going to happen for me. Instead, at-home products like a foot file, foot mask, and foot-cream-plus-fuzzy-socks combo will have to do. While this is obviously a form of self-care, it also can prevent any sort of uncomfortable chafing on the bottom of your feet with certain socks or shoes.
5. Effective in-shower body care
If I know anything, it’s that an everything shower can cure almost all of my problems. But using any old body wash with just your hands or a crusty loofah isn’t cutting it anymore. That doesn’t mean you need to shell out tons of money on products, though. Our editor-in-chief swears by the Olay Super Serum Body Wash, which feels luxe but costs under $15. Complete the ritual with a silicone body scrubber or shower scarf, which will help truly exfoliate and brighten your skin.
6. Dry-scalp care
We’ve all been there: Combing through your hair just to be greeted with flakes and dead skin. This especially ramps up during the winter, and no one wants to deal with dandruff when trying to do a slick-back bun. Knock this issue out in the shower, with an unsexy (yet editor-favorite) dandruff shampoo like T/Sal, Jupiter, or Briogeo’s Scalp Revival line.
7. Dental hygiene
No one wants to think about it, but the bacteria build-up in your mouth can be a real buzzkill. Using extra oral hygiene tools like a water flosser and tongue scraper can not only help prevent bad breath, but it can also help boost your immune system and prevent cavities, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
8. Supplements
Of course, the supplements you take should be highly tailored to your personal needs, and you should always consult your physician before starting something new. I’m just here to remind you that outside of products that go on your skin, there are those products than can help you achieve a glow from within. Some of the buzziest supplements right now include fiber, probiotics, and colostrum.
9. An easy at-home tan
When I asked our team for their unsexy winter beauty products, multiple editors agreed that the Jergens Gradual Self-Tan Lotion should make the cut. While it might not be the fanciest self-tanner, it gives you that perfect back-to-life glow without all of the hassle of doing a full self-tan application.
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
Products included in graphic linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Nattapol_Sritongcom | Adobe Stock and Dule964 | Adobe Stock.
