Dewy or Doomed? The Internet’s Obsession with Using Lube as Skincare

You’re scrolling through Instagram Reels, and between the usual “5-minute paneer recipes” and “How to pose like Deepika at a wedding”, you stumble upon a video titled “Get Glass Skin with INR 200 Hack!” Intrigued, you click. The creator pulls out a tube of personal lubricant, squirts a blob onto their palm, and smears it across their face. The comments explode, “Yeh kya naya pagalpan hai?” “gharwalon ne dekh liya toh?” This is Lube as Skincare!

Welcome to 2025, where India’s beauty enthusiasts have swapped haldi-chandan packs for… lube. Yes, the exact product you’d awkwardly avoid eye contact with at the pharmacy is now the star of skincare routines. But why? Let’s slide into this slippery saga.

The Jugaad Logic: From Bedside Table to Vanity Table

In a country that repurposes coconut oil for hair, lips, and earwax removal, the leap to using lube as skincare isn’t entirely shocking. The trend hinges on two very desi priorities—affordability and multipurpose hacks. Many lubes contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, ingredients found in luxury serums. Translation: Why spend ₹3,000 on a primer when an INR 200 tube promises the same dewy finish?

“It’s like ghee for your face, but less… paratha vibes,” jokes a skincare enthusiast in a viral Reel. Others argue it’s perfect for India’s humidity, “No more coconut oil drip during monsoon!”

Dermatologists Facepalm: The Science (and Drama) Behind the Gloss

While the internet raves, dermatologists are clutching their Chandan malas. Products meant for intimate areas have different pH levels and formulations. Using them on the face can lead to breakouts, irritation, or rashes severe enough to make you look like you wrestled a chilli farm.

Silicone-based lubes? Clogged pores waiting to happen. Flavoured variants? A one-way ticket to “Why does my face smell like synthetic strawberry?” territory. Yet, the trend thrives, fuelled by Instagram aesthetics and the thrill of rebellion.

Why India’s Beauty Community Can’t Look Away

Let’s be honest: the shock factor is half the appeal. In a world where “500-calorie Maggi hacks” and “How to contour like Deepika” dominate feeds, a tube of lube on your vanity is instant clickbait. Comments sections rage with a mix of curiosity and concern: “Yeh kya naya pagalpan hai?” (What new madness is this?) and “Link, please? 👀”

The trend also taps into India’s obsession with multipurpose products. Why buy an INR 2,000 primer, highlighter, and makeup remover when one INR 150 tube claims to do it all? Brands have taken note. Homegrown intimate wellness brands now quietly market lubes as 24/7 hydration while Ayurvedic influencers side-eye the trend. According to Ayurveda, Kumkumadi Tailam has given people glowing skin for centuries; there is no debate. But if youngsters want to mix tradition with… whatever else they’re up to, at least wash it off with rosewater. Your ancestors are watching!

The Aunty vs. Gen-Z Divide

The generational clash is real. Grandmas are horrified (“Humare zamane mein multani mitti se kaam chal jata tha!”), while parents are side-eyeing bathroom shelves (“Beta, yeh night cream kyun tingling wala hai?”). The Gen-Z crowd defends it as innovation, along with weird electric masks.

Even Ayurvedic influencers are shaken. Since Chandan and rosewater have been giving glow for centuries, why trust something that belongs in the sanskaari aisle?

Kya Karein? Should You Try It?

Let’s break it down desi-style:

The Good:

• Cheap AF. INR 150 tube lasts longer than your mum’s tolerance for unconventional career choices.
• Gives that JLo-at-a-sangeet glow.
• Multitasking king: Use it as a primer or highlighter to silence creaky cupboard doors.

The Bad:

• Your family will find the tube. Prepare for awkward chai-time conversations.
• Risk of looking like a Tel Malish gone wrong.

The Ugly:

• Flavoured lube = guaranteed bee attacks during Holi.
• Silicone-based formulas could leave your face slicker than a politician’s promise.

Proceed with Caution If You’re Brave (or Bored) Enough to Try:

• Stick to water-based, fragrance-free lubes (no strawberry blast experiments).
• Patch-test behind your ear, not your entire face (Zomato delivery guys don’t need to see your rash).
• Layer over moisturiser (it’s a sealant, not a hydrator).

And if caught mid-experiment? Blame it on new pharmacy cream or aloe vera gel. 

The Bigger Picture: India’s Beauty Scene in 2025

Lube as skincare trend isn’t just about glowing skin; it mirrors India’s evolving beauty culture. From nani ke nuskhe to viral hacks, the quest for affordable glamour continues. But it’s also a cautionary tale. In the race for Instagram fame, even desi ingenuity has its limits.

India’s latest skincare hack involves cheap, glossy, and utterly chaotic lube. Dermatologists say, “Mat karo,” trendsetters say, “Try karo.” Influencers use lube for the dewy skin trend because it’s cheap, viral, and gloriously chaotic. One thing’s certain: when it comes to beauty trends, The ReelStars never fails to surprise!