Hairy legs and slow-drying moisturiser top list of British 'beauty icks'
A new poll has revealed the beauty habits Brits find most off-putting, with overgrown leg hair and body lotion that takes too long to dry ranking among the top frustrations. The survey of 2,000 adults, conducted via OnePoll and commissioned by skincare brand Nivea to mark the launch of its new body serum range, found that plucking nose or ear hairs also ranks high on the list of so-called "beauty icks."
More than a third of respondents (36%) admitted they are guilty of at least one habit they would class as an ick themselves, with Gen Z identified as the biggest culprits. The findings were reported by the Daily Express and the Daily Star.
The sticky problem of moisturiser
A particular bugbear for many is the feeling of moisturiser that takes too long to absorb. One in 10 respondents said they hate how their body feels immediately after applying lotion, and the Nivea spokesperson acknowledged the annoyance: "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 that summer poses extra challenges: "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."
These sentiments echo the survey's broader findings, which suggest that hot weather is the most common trigger for a frustrating beauty moment, according to a third of those polled.
Morning routines and the quest for confidence
The poll also shed light on Brits' morning habits. Brushing teeth topped the list at 61%, followed by showering (40%) and applying face lotion (34%). Some people are so reliant on their finishing touches that 15% have turned back after forgetting perfume, and 11% have returned home because they hadn't moisturised.
Moisturising emerged as the step most likely to be skipped due to time constraints, even though a quarter of respondents (25%) said they feel more "put together" when they've applied body lotion. Overall, 35% feel more confident when they've completed their full body care routine.
When it comes to priorities, hydration ranked highest (37%), followed by fast-absorbing formulas (36%) and smooth-feeling skin (32%). Nearly half (48%) of those surveyed said they take more time on body care before a special occasion, while 27% step up their routine during the summer.
Nivea's take on self-care
The research was commissioned by Nivea to mark the launch of its new body serum range, and the brand's spokesperson framed the findings in terms of self-care and the right products. "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," the spokesperson said.
They 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."
"Having a routine can be mindful practice but the be empowered and help build a sense of reassurance as you're about to head out the door," they concluded.