Brits have named sticky moisturiser, plucking nose or ear hairs and overgrown leg hair among their most cringe-worthy beauty habits, according to a new poll. The survey of 2,000 adults found that body lotion that takes too long to dry or soak in is a major frustration.
Gen Z admit to guilty habits
More than a third (36%) admitted they are guilty of doing at least one habit they would class as an ick themselves, with Gen Z the biggest culprits. Respondents said they feel most “put together” with freshly washed hair, a spritz of perfume and moisturised skin, although one in 10 said they hate how their body feels immediately after applying lotion.
The research was commissioned by Nivea to mark the launch of its new body serum range. A spokesperson said: “We all want to look and feel our best, but there are some beauty habits which can be seen as more annoying or undesirable than others.”
Summer heat adds to frustrations
“There is nothing more annoying than showering and moisturising in the morning, only for it to still be greasy or sticky when you then want to get dressed,” the spokesperson added. “It can be especially challenging in the summer months with the heat to contend and there’s nothing worse than feeling sticky or uncomfortable, which is why the right products are so valuable to make your routine as easy as possible.”
When it comes to body care routines, 48% said they take more time before a special occasion, while 27% step things up during the summer months. Hot weather was named the most common trigger for a frustrating beauty moment, according to a third of those polled via OnePoll.
Morning routines and priorities
The non-negotiable morning routine starts with brushing teeth (61%), showering (40%) and applying face lotion (34%). Some people won’t leave the house without their finishing touches – with 15% saying they’ve turned back after forgetting perfume and 11% returning home because they hadn’t moisturised.
Moisturising was also the beauty step most likely to be skipped due to lack of time – even though 25% said they feel more “put together” when they’ve applied body lotion. Among the top priorities, 37% said they want hydration, 36% look for something quick-absorbing and 32% want skin to feel smooth. Overall, 35% said they feel more confident when they’ve completed their full body care routine.
Impact on confidence
A spokesperson for Nivea added: “The survey findings show the impact when it comes to selfcare and finding the right moisturiser.”
“Being equipped with the right tools can build on someone’s confidence, when products are tailored to our different skin types and solve any ongoing irritations, they can be the difference between a good day and a bad day,” the spokesperson said. “Having a routine can be mindful practice but it can also be empowering and help build a sense of reassurance as you’re about to head out the door.”
The top 20 beauty icks include deodorant leaving white marks on clothes, picking food out of teeth, dry or flaky scalp, overgrown leg hair, plucking nose or ear hairs, touching sticky nail varnish too early, make-up sweating off, chipping nail varnish, moisturiser which takes ages to soak in or dry, unblended foundation, sweaty upper lip, mascara on eyelids, running out of product unexpectedly, poking yourself in the eye with mascara, dry shampoo visible in your hair, patchy fake tan, lipstick smudging, plucking eyebrows, uneven or patchy beard hair, and filing feet with a pumice.
