Pharmacist outlines affordable, ‘unsexy’ High Street products she always stocks

A Bexley-based dispensing pharmacist and aesthetician has shared a list of humble, low-cost products she keeps on hand for common skin and body concerns, saying they deliver practical results even if they lack glamour.

Posting on TikTok as @pharmaestheticsbyriya, Riya — who has attracted more than 40,000 followers — highlighted items she says work for scars, ingrown hairs, body acne, dry skin and excessive sweating in a recent video that has been viewed more than two million times. She told the Daily Mail she aims to cut through marketing noise by recommending straightforward, evidence-backed options people can buy on the High Street.

At the top of Riya’s list is Kelocote, a medical-grade silicone gel priced at £19.50. She described it as “great” for preventing and treating a range of scars, including keloid scars, and said it can be used after surgery, microneedling or radiofrequency treatments and to reduce raised acne scarring.

Riya also endorsed The Ordinary’s glycolic acid (£7.70) for managing ingrown hairs, back acne, softening rough skin and brightening dark areas. She recommended the product as an inexpensive chemical exfoliant that can help with a range of textural and pigment concerns.

For pre-shaving or waxing care, she pointed to Hibiwash antiseptic solution (£8.65), noting it can reduce bacteria that might cause problems after hair removal and can be used in treating body acne. A Boots own cracked heel balm (£8.99) made her list because it contains 25% urea, which she said is effective for dry, cracked heels and provides a cheaper alternative to pricier brands.

Other recommendations included Naturim’s KP Body Scrub and Mask (£21) to address ingrown hairs and rough skin and to prepare skin before self-tanning, and Purified Power Patches (£7.99) as spot treatments that use active ingredients to target blemishes. A tub of Vaseline (£2.99) was cited as a multi-use product useful for minor cuts, nose irritation, chafing, cuticle care and slugging — the practice of sealing in moisturiser with occlusive petrolatum.

Riya suggested a £3.85 tube of Bepanthen nappy cream for lip care, minor cuts and burns, dry or cracked skin, chafing and post-aesthetic-procedure care, saying, “it does so much more!” She also advised female followers to avoid perfume-heavy intimate wash products such as Femfresh and instead use QV Gentle Wash (£10.49), which she said contains no common irritants and is less likely to disturb vulval pH.

To address excessive sweating, Riya recommended Driclor (£8), a heavy-duty antiperspirant that she said should be applied at night for next-day protection when standard deodorants fail. “If your standard deodorants are not cutting it, this is what you need,” she said.

Followers responded positively to the product round-up in the video and accompanying social posts. One viewer commented: “I feel like the more aesthetic a product, the worse it is for your skin. Always second guess any product that looks good.” Another wrote that the recommendations offered hope after a year-long struggle with back acne.

Riya’s list reflects a focus on cost-effective, widely available treatments for everyday dermatological issues. Many dermatologists and pharmacists advise that simple interventions — occlusive moisturisers for barrier repair, topical antiseptics for post-hair-removal care, silicone gels for scar management and targeted chemical exfoliants for ingrown hairs and acne — can be effective first-line measures, though persistent or severe concerns typically warrant professional clinical assessment.

Her advice underscores a trend on social platforms in which healthcare professionals share practical guidance and product recommendations to help consumers navigate a crowded beauty market. Riya said her goal is to provide honest, practical advice about items that work rather than the most marketable or glamorous products.