A corner of the Internet known as beauty TikTok (or beautytok, for short) is usually filled with eye candy. Every day, my feed surfaces a sparkling jewel-toned fragrance under a sculptural cap, a celebrity-approved body cream perched in a pristine bathroom worth an architectural digest photo shoot, or a shimmering lip oil and body mist in front of a resort background. More recently, however, dermatologists, editors and everyday content creators have appeared on the my For You page, with products more commonly found under cvs's harsh fluorescent lights than carefully placed ring lights. Each refers to an armful of tested and approved creams, lotions, ointments, and tools, "non-sexy beauty products.""

For hundreds of thousands (and in some cases millions) viewers, TikTok's recommended videos now prefer simple product descriptions over the same zest flashy, photogenic design usually reserved for the latest luxury launchいPackage and purpose: Tongue-in-cheek "not sexy" Monica comes from two directions It's a good idea. From video to video, trend participants share item recommendations for treating common conditions such as dandruff, dry skin, eczema and rosacea.

As creator @haleyreidtay explained to more than 200,000 viewers in her summary, "For these [products], except for the fact that they are working, sexy and cool

To be clear: The products that define this TikTok move are not new. Some have existed on the market for longer than this magazine, like a bath of vaseline or a bottle of hydrocortisone cream. Others fall under the umbrella of "medical grade skincare," with a dermatologist-backed formula and studies proving the results.

The only difference from "non-sexy beauty products" is the terminology and tone of conversation. Openly discussing diaper ointments that treat irritation and drugstore face washes that remove breakouts is a refreshing twist on an app saturated with paid placements and sticker shock price tags.

"This is currently my favorite trend on TikTok," creator @_bousso told more than 179,000 viewers in her "not sexy" product review. "These are affordable products, but they may not look beautiful, but it just gets the job done.Her haul included a stick of dial soap and Dove Acne Clear cleanser.

Commenters who adjust without posting themselves also enjoy a change in perspective. "It's so refreshing to find a video that I actually trust because you're not sponsored by this or anything," one viewer wrote under creator@sarah in Kidwai's review of First Aid Beauty's Bump eraser scrub and a common hydrochloric acid spray.

The hauling of most creators' bathroom cabinets ends with a line like this: "Non—sexy products are actually sexy - because they work."

Marie Claire Beauty Editor agrees. So forward, we share the so-called "unsexy" element with the permanent respect of our beauty routine. Just like a person, you can not always judge the product on its packaging.