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34 Personal Care Items That Are So Wonderfully Effective, You’ll Never Be Caught Without ‘Em
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. When a product works *this* well, you always wanna have it on hand. Promising reviews: "So this product is completely worth the money. The quality is amazing. I didn’t notice any smell after a few seconds of using it. My skin was smooth and bright but not sticky. It works like magic. I have sensitive skin, so I can’t use this product too close to my nose, but in the rest, it's amazing!" —Isabela L "What is this miracle in a jar?! The way my skin is so smooth right after the first use is [wild]. I will buy these for the rest of my life as long as I am breathing. This is now my FAVORITE skin product besides my sunscreen. Love, love, loooove" —Ryan M. Get a 70-pack from Amazon for $18.90 (available in six other styles). See a TikTok review of the shaver! For best results, the brand recommends stretching your skin with one hand, laying the blade flat, and then shaving against the grain. Promising review: "I tell everyone about this! No nicks, cuts, or razor bumps! The battery life is surprisingly long, too! I use this ALL over my body. Trust me when I tell you it saves you time and pain compared to a normal razor!! Seriously, never going back to a plastic one after this!" —Holly BTW, this is cruelty-free! It's suitable for all hair types, too. Promising review: "I can finally skip a day or two between washes!! I’ve tried so many dry shampoos, from drug store to salon and none of them really worked for me. I can apply this product very sparingly along my part and easily skip a shampoo without being self-conscious or having an itchy scalp. Must have for oily hair." —Dino Get it from Amazon for $17.60 (available in two styles and in multipacks; more shades available here). Promising review: "For anyone who might be a skeptic, please allow me to put you at ease. If you have hyperhidrosis, meaning it can be 9 degrees outside and you're still sweating under your arms, this product has the potential to change your life. I would sweat THROUGH a sport coat before noon. Enter the Sweat Block product. I've had it for three weeks, and it is life-changing. I DO NOT sweat under my arms anymore. I'm still on the original box that I bought three weeks ago. I had to write a review after I was cleaning the garage today in 85-degree heat...I was sweating through my shirt on my back...BUT NOT MY UNDERARMS. It is amazing!" —Frosty McGee Get a 10-count box from Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in 20-count and 30-count boxes) Promising review: "I never thought I’d be excited about a tongue scraper, but here we are. This thing works like a charm — my breath is fresher and my tongue feels cleaner. I suddenly feel like I’ve got my life together. The stainless steel is top-notch, easy to hold, and comes with travel cases like it’s the VIP of oral hygiene. Comfortable, effective, and weirdly satisfying to use. Ten out of ten — my mouth has never been happier!" —Classy and Sassy Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.98 (available in two styles). Just swish a capful for a minute and gargle for 30 seconds after you're done brushing your teeth in the morning and night. Promising review: "I'm actually a dentist who often has bad breath, which is not a good combination. My oral hygiene is great (tongue scraping, brushing, flossing, etc.), but I have allergies and constantly have a bit of post-nasal drip, which contributes to the bad breath. While this stuff isn't perfect, and my breath doesn't stay fresh all day, it is definitely the longest-lasting product I have tried so far. It is the first thing I have tried that still gives me that minty feeling when I breathe deep 4–6 hours after using it. Will definitely be buying again." —Alex Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.34 (also available individually and in mild mint). And if you need more convincing, check out our in-depth review of TheraBreath oral rinse! Talk to your doctor before using this product if you're experiencing hair loss. Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on) and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever. I still use it twice a week and love it! I’m not in love with the way it smells but others love it when they smell my hair." —Diane J. Huff Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in three scents, four sizes and as a two-pack). Promising review: "I used this product years ago and had the most amazing skin, but I assumed it was mostly genetics. Now that my skin is showing signs of aging, I decided to give it another try — and I’m so glad I did. My skin is transforming daily. They say your skin can rebuild itself, and it really does — especially when you remove the buildup of dead skin cells. I’ve been using it morning and night, and I genuinely look younger. My skin feels polished, my pores are noticeably smaller, and I need much less makeup. Such a fantastic product — highly recommend!" —Sweet Caroline The kit includes 10 transparent braces, nontoxic brace adhesive, solvent, a nail file, and cotton swabs. Clean the area with solvent, then apply the adhesive to one end of the brace before bonding it to the nail. Ensure the length is correct before applying adhesive to the other end of the brace, then finish bonding it to the nail. Promising review: "I used to be in sports all through middle and high school, and it really messed up my left foot overall especially my big toe. I was always embarrassed by my big toe during the summer that I’d put a Band-Aid over it to make it seem like it was injured. Finding someone to fix your toe is expensive, and I don’t have that kind of money at the moment. Started doing research on ways to do so and this one was the best way. Found this product with all the things one needs — applied it as directed, and it does take some practice but once attached it should not move. Your toes will hurt for a day. Like a dense pain. Not sharp. I saw a difference in about two weeks. I’m a month in on the most severe toe and no more ingrown toenail!" —Sandra L. Promising review: "Right out of the box I could tell these mitts were going to be exactly what I needed. Excellent quality and easy to use! I’ve tried them twice already and my skin is now incredibly smooth! After I scrubbed my arm, I looked at the mitt and saw it was covered with dead skin cells. I’ll be buying more of these as gifts for girlfriends (in a fun spa gift basket)!" —Danielle Get it from Amazon for $11.39 (available in five colors and as a two-pack). Read our Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer review (#4 on the list)! Here's an excerpt: "I still don’t know how a $7 tube of concealer (I use the Neutralizer shade) beats out the more expensive ones I have stuffed into my vanity, but it does. It’s not too creamy or thick, yet it still gives solid coverage without the cake-y feeling. When I am done with my entire routine, my eyes look lighter and brighter, but not in a way that’s totally obvious — even when photos are taken and the flash is on. Basically what I am saying here is this is a staple beauty product that, IMHO, deserves a place in every makeup bag!" —Kayla Suazo, former BuzzFeed Shopping editor Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in many shades). Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind. Want to know more? Check out our full Lee Beauty Callus Remover write-up! Promising review: "I have the driest heels and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this, my heels had some pretty deep cracks and now they're almost baby soft again. BUT please follow the directions...left it on my super-dry thick-callused heels for only three minutes and the calluses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." —Kiki Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles and as a two-pack). Promising review: "Do not hesitate to try this product if you have a hard skin problem on your feet. It takes a few days to see a difference, but now I can see a change. Just like that, the skin on my pinky toe is not rock solid anymore. Bye bye, pain — and I am not joking." —Majda Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available as a two-pack). You can use these tablets on your Invisalign, night guards, retainers, dentures, and more. Promising review: "I really loved this product. I am currently waiting for a new Invisalign set. My old Invisalign needed to be cleaned. I read the reviews and decided to purchase. OMG it worked! There was a fresh taste and they were clean. I wish I had found this product sooner. I did let them soak overnight only because I had been wearing them for the last four months. Nothing happened to Invisalign; there was no weakness or anything. Just very clean and fresh. If I could have given the product 10 stars, I would have." —Lisa R. Get a pack of 120 tablets from Amazon for $22.80 (also available as a pack of 60 or 240 tablets). Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga had this to say: "I personally use this toothbrush and have been telling everyone in my life to get it — it's a game changer. I've always been prone to plaque build up and it's been very hard to get my teeth feeling fresh-out-of-the-dentist clean, but this toothbrush has done the trick! The first time I used it my mouth actually hurt a little like when you get a full cleaning done. It was kind of incredible. The bristles are super soft and not irritating but somehow, magically, deep clean my teeth better than any toothbrush I've had before." Promising review: "It’s so much easier to get around all sides of the very back teeth than with the bulky electric. I love the way it makes my teeth feel afterward. It really does feel like you’ve just left your dentist." —Vicki Perkins Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (also available as a four-pack and as a travel toothbrush). Mad Rabbit was started by college friends Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor after noticing a gap in the market for all-natural tattoo care products. The duo pitched their tattoo aftercare balm in season 12 of Shark Tank. Promising review: "Product was awesome. It rejuvenated a 5-year-old tattoo and made it look like new again. Mad Rabbit absorbed into the skin very easily without being greasy." —Janson Ward Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in three scents). BuzzFeed Shopping editor Amanda Davis tried these and says: "I've tried various (countless 😅) pimple patches in the past and The Mighty Patch definitely takes the cake. I stick it on and honestly forget that it's even there. The adhesive is strong, so it stays on during my tossing and turning at night, but I often wear it during the day, too! I work from home, and it's not noticeable during my video calls which I truly, truly appreciate. I begin seeing the gunk from my zits after 2–3 hours of having it covered, but I leave it on for at least the full six. When it's removed, it's like the healing time was sped up and what would've taken a couple of days took just HOURS." Be sure to read the full Mighty Pimple Patch review for more deets! Promising review: "I purchased these for my son, who suffers from cystic acne. He puts them on the pimples at night and in the morning, the pimples are dramatically reduced in size and his skin is 'flat' in his words. I highly recommend these to anyone who suffers from any type of acne. They were recommended by another mom on my son's basketball team. Her son was using them and I am so thankful that she shared how great the Mighty Patches are!" —Slade Salisbury Get a 36-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in larger multipacks). It comes with a spatula for removing the cream! Promising review: "I have been looking for a good hair removal for my sensitive skin & this one is perfect. It has a great odor and leaves my skin feeling smooth and silky. It does not burn my skin at all even when I leave it on for 15 minutes or more. This is definitely my new hair removal cream. I will recommend this one to everyone." —Crystal Promising review: "I’ve been dealing with a bad fungus nail for about 3 years. I’ve been trying to use products off the shelf and bought one here, you know the ones with the brush. It never worked til I bought this one. Let me tell you it only took just under a week to see GREAT results. It’s pretty much gone and it’s been less than 2 months. Buy it and don’t think about it! You won’t regret it!" —itslilac It's great for many skin types, including sensitive, oily, dry, and combination! It's recommended that you do a patch test 24–48 hours before applying this all over your face, as it's a strong, concentrated formula. After that, apply three to five drops once daily and follow with a moisturizer (ideally one with SPF if you apply in the morning!). Though the bottle looks small, reviewers say it'll last you several months with daily use. Promising reviews: "Best $20 ever spent!!! The results are unbelievable. I was a bit skeptical because all the reviews were from Caucasian women, and I was slightly worried that my skin would not respond as well, but I was quite mistaken. With or without makeup, my skin is bright and smooth, and my spots are disappearing. One other result I am sure a number of people have not noticed is that your palms get softer too; I guess the residue on the palms makes it soft and supple." —Mayowa O Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in two sizes). And yes, it's clean, vegan, and cruelty-free! Live Tinted is a South-Asian woman-owned beauty brand founded by beauty blogger and entrepreneur Deepica Mutyala. Her brand is built around diversity and inclusion with phenomenal multitasking products that address skin concerns like hyperpigmentation. Just peep their top-selling, color-correcting Huestick. Promising review: "I HAVE NEVER HAD A HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT. UNTIL NOW!! Literally SO effective. Tons of people have been complimenting my skin from my boyfriend (who doesn't always notice subtle changes) to my coworkers ONLINE VIA VIDEO! My skin literally looks visibly brighter and smoother. The only thing you have to be careful of is if you freshly wax or thread any part of your face. Wait a day or two to use the product in case you have sensitive skin to be safe!" —Ulta Customer Get it from Ulta or Live Tinted for $34, or Amazon for $33.50 Promising review: "I have extremely sensitive teeth from over-whitening in high school but this product has been such a lifesaver! I am a daily black coffee and red wine [drinker] so my teeth have taken a toll as far as staining goes. Seriously, I was very hesitant on getting this because of how sensitive my teeth are but I wish I got it sooner! This is such a great product!" —Mimi Doherty Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.25+ (also available in packs of four or individually). Promising review: "I bought these blades to try at home dermaplaning. I was nervous at first, but it’s almost impossible to cut yourself with these and it took the peach fuzz right off my face. In fact, as I was staring at my face in a magnifying mirror and removing the fuzz, I noticed my nose hair was a little out of control. I even used one of these in my nose (that’s right) and it worked great! I will be keeping a few of these on-hand at all times." —TKB Get a set of three from Amazon for $5.94 (also available as a set of nine). This shampoo was designed to work for sensitive scalps, color-dyed, and chemically processed hair, as well as for all hair types and textures, with reviewers with 3b–4c curls mentioning it worked for them. Promising review: "I saw this product from a TikTok video. I was hesitant. I have been dealing with dandruff for almost 10 years, fortunately not that heavy but enough to where it was embarrassing. I tried everything. Leave in conditioner, tea tree oil, Head and Shoulders, etc. One brand did work for a couple of days but that's it. But this product has worked EFFECTIVELY. Dandruff-free for two months so far. Can leave your hair feeling a little dry so just use conditioner and it will balance out. If other products aren't working for you with dandruff I can confidently recommend this one." —Martin C. Rubbing alcohol-based products (like Tend Skin) can help prevent an infection of an ingrown, but can’t prevent an ingrown itself, according to Cleveland Clinic. This can be applied after shaving and waxing to prevent bumps and burns. It can also be applied at night independent of shaving to help clear any existing ingrown hairs and bumps. Promising review: "I’m not one to leave a review about many products but I saw a review on this product that made me buy it and I thought it was only fair to pay it forward! I’ve dealt with horrendous ingrown hairs for years! I’ve tried everything to minimize them, expensive wax packages and expensive serums and creams, plucking, not shaving — you name it I tried it. This product has literally put everything I’ve tried to shame! For the price, it was so worth it! I’ve been using it for about a month every day after I get out of the shower (I saw someone say they put it in a spray bottle to get full use of the product rather than it seeping into a cotton ball, 10/10 would recommend) I haven’t gotten an ingrown since and the ones I had healed! The smell is kind of strong but so are the results. I also have pretty sensitive skin and I was worried about using it after I shave/wax, burns a lil' bit but it didn’t cause a flare-up. Can’t wait to not be insecure at the beach this summer!" —Jess Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two sizes). Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B. Promising review: So I have keratosis pilaris or goose-like bumps on my bum and have been always super self-conscious about it. I’ve used this product five to eight times and they are seriously like GONE. It’s soooo smooth now and I’m super happy. It does say to use once a week but I’ve just been using it every time I shower (which is almost every day lol). I only use a dime size amount and it’s able to cover my bum and some of my legs. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who also has pesky bumps on their body. Also, this product has no scent, which is a plus for anyone who has sensitive skin!!" —Ang M Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in five sizes). The kit includes the washer bottle and three disposable tips. Using it is simple: Fill the bottle with your preferred ear cleaning solution, attach the disposable tip, and then spray the cleaner into your ear. This will loosen up wax and cause it to basically just fall right out of your ear! Doctor Easy started 20 years ago with the invention of the Elephant Ear Washer by a doctor who saw the need for a better method of treating patients’ earwax impactions. Promising review: "Gross photos. My husband has had a lot of earwax impaction problems in his life and up until this point we have paid to have a professional take care of it. But recently, he suddenly lost about 80% of his hearing and just couldn't wait for an appointment so we bought this item. From the reviews I have read it was a particularly easy solution for my husband. Nasty huge chunks start falling out after just a couple of squirts. Cleared everything out, no problem. Highly recommend." —Tea BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Danielle Healy says: "The menstrual cup factor that freaked me out the most was the thought of having to get up there and break the seal to take it out. So when I saw the Flex Cup, which is specifically designed to make that process easier, I figured why not give it a try. This is a purchase I would definitely file under the 'life-changing' category. Yes, there is a learning curve, but by my second cycle with the cup, I felt like a pro. Even with the pull tab, taking it out can be a little messy (I tend to just do it in the shower), but it's definitely a more controlled experience than if it wasn't there at all. With my flow, I can leave my cup in for 12 straight hours without fear (can't say the same about tampons...), meaning the Flex Cup has made my period less awful. A true feat!" Promising review: "So very happy with my purchase!! Fits comfortably! Easy to insert and remove, just takes some getting used to. Save money on pads and tampons! Very, very, very happy with this purchase." —Evie Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (also available in a larger size). Promising review: "I had a wart on my finger that I had been trying to get rid of for a while. I used all different kinds of freezing medicines and wart removers and ended up with this as a last resort before going to a doctor. These had my wart come off my finger within a week — no pain, literally just came off when I decided to change my bandaid. Amazing!!" —K Pic This cruelty-free formula does not contain any sulfates, phthalates, or parabens. Promising review: "I’ve suffered with sweaty hands for all of my life. It’s an issue that has caused me embarrassment and anxiety where there should be neither. I’ve only just started using this lotion, but I can tell it’s making a difference. It definitely has a distinct drying effect and makes my hands feel smooth." —Gary Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in three scents and in multipacks). Intimate Rose is a small biz creating wellness products, like dilators, weights, supplements, and more that help treat issues and pain related to the pelvic floor. Promising review: "Since starting, my bladder control has significantly improved. I am now able to sneeze or cough without peeing myself. Yes, that's right. I am able to hold my pee longer, which means I can actually make it to the bathroom without dribbling on myself. The best part is that just a few short weeks into the program you will have results you can feel. I think every woman who has ever had kids should try this, out. The overall quality of my life has improved. Ditch your panty liners, stop the embarrassing dribbles, no more dashes to the restroom because of a weak bladder. Even my sex life has improved; I have control of those pelvic muscles now. Just remember to wash the weights before and after each use with an antibacterial spray, and allow time to air dry before putting them away. I say air dry because if you wipe them dry with a cloth you run the risk of giving yourself a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, and those are no laughing matter. Easy to use, easy to clean, stores away quickly." —Julie Tauber Get a set of six weights from Amazon for $49.99. Note: The hairs in your nose play an important role in filtering out harmful debris. But of course, it's your body and if you want to wax your nose hairs you're more than welcome to — just be careful as removing nose hairs can lead to infection and ingrown hairs. Read more about it at the Cleveland Clinic. You'll get 100 grams of nose wax beads, 30 wax applicators, 10 mustache protectors, a measuring cup, and 10 paper cups at your disposal. Promising review: "I highly recommend this product. The instructions were super easy to follow, and it worked perfectly! I was a little nervous to pull the sticks out once the two minutes were up; however, it didn't even hurt. I expected it to hurt momentarily and my eyes to water, but neither was true! If you wanna get rid of them pesky nose hairs...snag this product!!!" —Julie J. Here's why my BuzzFeed Shopping colleague Emma Lord loves this thing: "Hello, my toenails are problem children for two reasons: One is that they're kinda thick, the other is that I'm a long-distance runner, which doesn't play nice with toenails. I bought this recently and the difference it made immediately was ENORMOUS. Like I usually dread approaching my big toenails because they are so thick, but these painlessly and seamlessly lobbed the tops right off; I was also able to ~gently correct~ a toenail that was starting to get ingrown and help cut down a dead toenail that needed trimming but would have been painful to approach with a regular clipper." Promising review: "We bought this for our teen grandson to use for an ingrown toenail because he was not able to go to a nail salon that he trusted to fix this problem. It worked perfectly. He was so pleased with the result as it took care of his painful problem! Thank you for making a fantastic product. Every household should own one!" —T.S. Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Courtney Lynch has spent the last three years as a Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed covering a wide range of topics, including but not limited to must-have Amazon products, personal care, home and organization, and more.