If you ask me what’s the one thing that we took for granted before the pandemic hit, the answer would have to be personal care. Before the COVID era, most of us barely thought much about sanitisers and cleansers. We didn’t care for our hands and feet the way they needed. But when things shut down, it was only natural for us to turn our focus to those much-ignored (and sometimes outsourced) parts of our beauty routines. Some of us found comfort in a weekly body scrub, some realised the liberating joys of shaving over waxing, and all of us, barring none, were dousing our hands in sanitisers and disinfectants. So, it’s not much of a surprise that personal care was one of the top-selling categories in 2021.
While the classic sellers like Whisper sanitary napkins and Dove shower gels stayed on the scoreboards, we saw quite a few newcomers too. Electric toothbrushes boomed like never before and at-home footcare became the new trend of the year. Indian labels like Sanfe, Sirona, Mamaearth and Nykaa Naturals were among the top-performing brands in the category.
Ahead, we’ve listed out the buys that customers couldn't get enough of in 2021. Which of these do you have in your cabinets right now?
1. MCaffeine Naked & Raw Coffee Body Scrub
Body pampering at its finest, this tub of goodness can be seen at almost every third or fourth household. The energising coffee aroma still doesn’t get old.
2. Gillette Venus Breeze Hair Removal Razor for Women with Avocado Oils & Body Butter, Freesia Scent
Who doesn’t like easy options for hair removal? This razor is an affordable stroke of genius.
3. Nykaa Wanderlust Shower Gel - Japanese Cherry Blossom
Imagine the softest, freshest and most fragrant cherry blossoms plucked off a tree and added to your bath.
4. Whisper Ultra Clean Xl+ 50s Sanitary Pads for Women
The one classic sanitary pad that we’ve all used and sworn by at some point in time or other. This pack of XL+ pads is a forever placeholder in every woman’s cupboard.
5. VWash Plus Expert Intimate Hygiene Liquid Wash
A happy surprise, this pH maintaining, deep cleansing and gentle intimate wash is amongst the top sellers at Nykaa.
6. Plum BodyLovin' Vanilla Vibes Body Oil
This sweet-smelling, non-greasy and instantly glow-boosting body oil became a customer favourite this year.
7. VLCC Pedicure-Manicure Hand & Foot Kit
Ever since we’ve reduced stepping out, our regular mani-pedi sessions have become more relaxing and effective, especially with this ultra-hydrating combo.
8. Oral-B Vitality 100 Cross Action Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush (White)
It felt like a personal revolution, with me, my friends and my family all switching to electric toothbrushes this year. Seems like a whole lot of other people were with us!
9. Pee Safe US FDA Approved Reusable Menstrual Cup with Medical Grade Silicone for Women
Moving from pads to tampons to menstrual cups has been another big journey this year - whether due to convenience or sustainability. Pee Safe's offering ticks off all the right boxes.
10. Lifebuoy Alcohol Based Germ Protection Hand Sanitizer
This has been in all of our bags, and we’ve all used up quite a few bottles through the year.
