These beauty products may not be sexy, but they are still worth taking home

1. Cetaphil Moisturising Cream ($28 for 550 grams). This rich, non-greasy formula comes in a big tub and is the absolute bomb for dry or sensitive skin, both body and face. It contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), glycerine and almond oil and is the perfect slugger to help protect the skin barrier.

2. Dermal Therapy Lip Balm ($5.50) contains clove oil, camphor and urea to exfoliate and soothe chapped, flaky lips. The urea acts as a humectant and emollient and exists in skin to help it retain water and keep the barrier healthy and intact. And while urea is also present in urine, putting wee on your face to treat pimples, as some suggest, is neither safe nor hygienic.

3. To enhance stress-release facial massage, try cleansing with Palmers Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil for Face ($17). With grapeseed, rosehip, jojoba and vitamin C, it has great slippage and gently dissolves dirt, oil and make-up without stripping the skin. This is a keeper.

4. Floss picks are an essential dental tool. I use them before brushing in the morning and at bedtime and have one in my bag for when I’m out and about. Try Piksters Eco Floss Picks ($3.50 for 30). Did you know that if you don’t floss, 30 per cent of the surface of your teeth goes uncleaned?

5 Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.69 each) have been tackling flaky scalps for many years: dry-skin dandruff presents as small and white; oily-skin flakes are bigger and yellow; fungal dandruff is usually large and white.

6 Beauté Pacifique Instant Hydrating Mask ($73) is a hero product from this hard-working Danish brand. This mask is great as a leave-on night cream to lock in moisture and maintain optimal hydration. Wake up with a happy face.

7 DU’IT (pronounced “Do It”) Foot & Heel Balm Plus ($12), is chock-full of fast-acting AHAs to exfoliate and eliminate dead skin cells and help repair cracked and calloused heels. It also contains vitamin E, glycerine and dimethicone and is 25 per cent urea (there’s that ingredient again). Apply every day.

8 Dove Beauty Care & Protect Hand Wash ($13) has a light and foamy lather that leaves hands feeling super soft. If you find the packaging noisy, source a more aesthetically pleasing pump dispenser (try Etsy.com) and off you go.