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    I’m Sorry But If You Don’t Own These 31 Products, You’re Doing Winter Wrong

    Listen to your crusty nose and just get the desktop humidifier already.

    1. A UV-free sunlight therapy lamp because less daylight can take a toll on your mental health, and a little sun simulation can go a long way toward helping you not feel so utterly drained before, during, and after the workday.

    a reviewer photo of the unlit light
    a reviewer photo of the light turned on

    Read more about how light therapy can potentially help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) from Cleveland Clinic

    Promising review: "I was extremely skeptical if this light would do anything. I live in the Chicago area where during the winter we often do not get any sun. After about 10 days passed with no sun, I felt like I needed something to make me feel better. After using it for a few days now I actually do feel better and I had VERY low expectations that it would do anything. I'm pleasantly surprised and highly suggest it. It's small and sits on my desk, and is very easy to work." —Jeff S. Katz

    Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in four colors).

    2. A battery-operated fabric shaver to help rescue well-loved knits from the horrors of aging — lint, matted fibers, and pilling, oh my! It's like a tiny vacuum; just empty the detachable lint catcher when you're done and enjoy your revitalized sweater.

    Also, be sure to pick up two AA batteries! They're not included.

    It kills me inside when I see a favorite sweater start to pill, so I bought this exact shaver to spruce up some of my older knits. It's great and weirdly relaxing. When I first got it I was de-pilling everything, from the intended sweaters to the throw pillows on our couch. It's a little loud so your roommates may or may not come out of their rooms to see what you're doing...but it's totally worth it to make any pilled fabric look years younger. 

    Get it from Amazon for $11.97+ (available in six colors and two styles).

    3. An anti-slip steering wheel cover if you long for a future where your hands aren't freezing for the first 10 minutes of your commute. This universal design works in most vehicles, and is made from a combination of mesh and microfiber that is anti-slip and keeps your wheel warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

    Promising review: "First of all I love the way it looks. Very comfortable on my hand. The mesh and leather combination gives it a unique look and makes it comfortable to hold in cold or hot weather. It wasn't too hard to put on. I managed to put it on on my own without any tools but it is still gripped onto the steering wheel." —Cesar Vargas

    Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in four colors). 

    4. A pair of thick fleece-lined joggers for perpetually cold snuggle-bugs searching for an incognito wearable blanket. And you thought sweatpants couldn't get any cozier!   

    a reviewer wearing the light gray sweatpants
    a reviewer holding the pants and showing the fluffy interior lining

    Most reviewers recommend sizing up! AND you can snag a matching fleece-lined zip-up hoodie here.

    Promising review: "If you're thinking about buying these, DO IT. They are thick-thigh approved!! They fit and feel amazing. The inside is so soft and cozy but they still have some stretch to them." —Cecilia

    Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 20 colors).

    5. A pair of heavy-duty escape tracks that are a lifesaver when your parked car greets you with spinning tires thanks to copious snow.  No pushing or towing required thanks to "teeth" that'll help your car gain traction and get moving. 

    A car using the escape tracks in the snow
    Amazon

    Maxsa is a family-owned small business on a missions to create products that make people's live's easier, including auto accessories, home electronics, replacement parts, and more. 

    Promising review: "Bought these a few months ago and have since used them twice in a situation where I had gotten stuck; both were in deep snow and they did their job and held up fine. Definitely happy with my purchase and would buy again" —Josh Newland

    Get them from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in four styles and in three colors).

    6. A moisturizing saline gel so you can put an end to the frequent nosebleeds and restore some desperately needed moisture to your dry, irritated nasal biome. If you use a CPAP machine or get dried out on long-haul flights, I'd add this to cart STAT. 

    Promising review: "My girlfriend had recommended this product to me and I only purchased a very small tube not knowing if I would be satisfied or not. It really IS a good product. It helps put moisturize your nose. In the winter my nose gets dry from the heat and humidity, and I needed something to moisturize it. This product really IS excellent. I purchased a small tube not knowing if I would like it or not and I do. It's not costly, helps you, and is well worth the price." —SB

    Get it from Amazon for $3.62.

    7. A customizable door draft stopper because you're paying top dollar for heat and not about to let any of that money go to waste. This works to plug up gaps that prevent your home from being cooled or heated with max efficiency. Simply cut to size, slide under your door, and enjoy a little extra $$$ in your pocket. 

    a reviewer photo of the under draft stopper installed on a door
    a reviewer installing the door draft stopper

    Promising review: "It’s saved us so much money on our energy bill we’re definitely buying more and I encourage you to buy more if you want to save on your energy bills." —Kellykelly

    Get it from Amazon for $25.99

    8. Plus some self-adhesive insulating weather strips to apply to the edges of drafty windows and doors to help keep cold air in, hot air out, and even dampen the sound of your roommate's three-hour-long Zoom meeting.

    A reviewer's door with the strip already installed on the edges
    A close up of what the strips look like in the middle that shows the foam part

    Promising review: "Can't beat the price! Great adhesive strength. Using in Texas weather on doors to seal air leaks. The weatherproofing material itself is very pliable and soft, presuming it weathers the heat and humidity. Can split a roll into two thinner strips doubling your coverage or can double insulate using the entire roll offering a lot of flexibility." —Paul K.

    Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in two sizes and in four colors). 

    9. An exfoliating mitt if you know that winter means more hot chocolate *and* more dry, bumpy skin. This buffs dead skin away right before your eyes, which is delightfully disgusting especially when you get to feel just how SMOOTH your skin is after. 

    a reviewer photo of the mitt covered in dead skin
    a reviewers leg covered in rolls of dead skin

    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 $8.99.

    10. A small-but-mighty portable air compressor with real-time pressure monitoring for easily inflating flat car and bike tires wherever you are. It's got a built-in LED light for easy nighttime use, and ultra-fast one-minute inflation to get you back on the road in practically no time at all. 

    a reviewer holding the tire inflator
    a reviewer phot of the tire inflator with the hose attached to the tire

    Promising review: "Words cannot describe how much I hate dealing with gas stations — whether it’s getting gas, car wash, or air for my tires, I really hate being at the gas station for any length of time. I live in the Pittsburgh area so the up-and-down weather wreaks havoc on my tire pressure and I am TRULY GRATEFUL to be able to check my tire pressure and fill them up from the comfort of my home. This device couldn’t be easier to use and the fact that you can lock the nozzle in place and fill the air hands-free is just wonderful. I never leave reviews but chef’s kiss on this product. Can’t recommend enough." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $25.59+ (available in four colors). 

    11. Cozy Ugg ankle boots that can play the part of supportive slippers or cozy going-out shoes with equal success. They've got all the comfort you've come to know and love from Uggs in a shorter style that won't weigh you down.

    a reviewer holing the short Ugg boot in brown
    a reviewer wearing the boots in black with black leggings

    My fellow BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga already loves these Uggs: 

    "I recently got these Ugg minis and have been wearing them as my 'work shoes' now that I WFH full time. They're the perfect mix between a slipper and an actual shoe, so I can continue to wear my comfiest clothes to 'the office' (my kitchen table) but also feel like I've somewhat transitioned into work mode for the day. They're super soft, as all Uggs are, and honestly just make me happy! They are true-to-size so no worries about sizing up or down."

    Get them from Amazon for $149.95 (available in women's sizes 5–12 and in 27 styles).

    12. Plus, a suede and nubuck cleaning brush because winter weather tends to wreak havoc on your suede shoes. This brush will diminish the look of water stains with no additional cleaners required so you and your favorite shoes can reunite for another (hopefully drier) outing.

    a reviewer photo of a pair of black suede boots covered in dirt
    a reviewer photo of the same boots now clean

    Shacke is a small manufacturer based out of Baldwin Park, California creating useful travel products like packing cubes and luggage tags.

    You can totally use it with another cleaner or spray if you want, but it seems like reviewers have success without it! It just takes some elbow grease.

    Promising review: "I am very impressed with this product. I was new to suede shoes and instantly regretted buying a gray-colored shoed once I got them dirty. Luckily I found this lovely thing. Very easy to use, straightforward packet comes with it that tells you which sides to use and when. I would definitely recommend this since you invest so much in those shoes you might as well keep them nice and clean!" —Celeste

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in three styles).

    13. A plush self-warming pet bed so your perpetually cold chihuahua or picky kitty has a cozy spot to nap when you're not available to be their personal space heater. It's lined with a Mylar interior that reflects your pet's body heat for top-tier coziness without any electricity. 

    two cats in the red aspen self warming cat beds
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes swears by it: "This is THE cat bed, y'all. Neither of my cats have ever really taken to a cat bed and much preferred to doze on their cat tree or curl up on a regular blanket — until I finally caved in and bought the Aspen self-warming bed a while back. IMMEDIATELY upon placing it on my couch, one of my cats crawled into it and happily began napping. As soon as he moved away, my other cat jumped in to take it for a test run as well. After about a week of them taking turns using it (literally, the cat *not* in the bed would lay next to it waiting for the other to leave — my polite boys 🥹), I realized I needed to buy a second one. They immediately took to that one as well, and now, they both have access to their favorite bed whenever they like!

    "Whenever I put my hand underneath them, I can definitely feel how warm they are underneath, so the bed's self-warming feature seems to work well. I think what they love most about it is the shape and how unbelievably cushy it is. And the sides of the bed are supportive enough for them to put their heads on, but still flexible enough for them to stretch out however they like. While the listing recommends this bed for cats under 10 pounds, larger cats will be just fine, as Sneaky is quite large (his affectionate nickname is 'Chonky'), and he adores this bed. Most of all, I love knowing they won't be cold at night, especially when I'm away from home. Knowing I'll never have to waste money on another cat bed that sits unused is just the cherry on top. Highly recommend!!"

    Get it from Amazon for $23.29

    14. A pack of slow-cooker liners if you love ringing in soup season with the set-it-and-forget-it ease of a slow cooker, but hate all the scrubbing usually involved once meal time is over. With these liners, cleanup is a breeze and you can even experiment with multi-dish cooking. 

    Promising review: "I use these every single time I make something in my crockpot. It cuts down (A LOT) on the time I spend cleaning up after dinner and when I have been at work all day, that’s really nice. I have bought them four times in the past three years and the quality has never decreased, they are just great." —Julia Montoya

    Get a six-pack from Amazon for $3.48

    15. Plus, a Shark Tank-approved Souper Cubes freezer tray so you can freeze and reheat said servings of soup or sauce without defrosting an entire container and committing to the same meal for days on end. 

    A reviewer's trays full of stew, one with the lid on and one with it off
    a reviewer photo of four cubes of frozen soup

    Souper Cubes is a family-run small business with a passion for better frozen meal prep and food waste reduction!  Plus, their products are BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and it have fill lines on the side of the compartments for half and full cups. 

    Each cube holds one serving, or one cup, of soup or sauce! Plus, each tray comes with a lid that makes it easy to stack in the freezer even if you're short on space. 

    Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE. My freezer is so much more organized now. Gone are the days of having to defrost an entire bag of chicken broth for one cup for a recipe. I now have perfectly portioned 1/2-cup and 1-cup blocks ready to go. They fit easily in freezer bags, take up less space, and make me incredibly happy. There was a lot of attention to detail put into the design and I particularly appreciate the wire inside the rim that holds everything steady — no more worrying about spilling all the liquid on the way to the freezer. Just a fantastic product all around. I purchased this and a cheaper version from another manufacturer at the same time but returned the other product. This one is definitely worth the added cost." —Kate

    Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack).

    16. The ever-reliable O'Keeffe's Working Hands cream to treat your perpetually dry, cracked human hands to something a little stronger than the average moisturizer. This famous formula locks in hydration, while creating a protective barrier to prevent future moisture loss.

    For best results, you should apply the cream after washing your hands, after showering, and at bedtime.

    Promising review: "I live in a dry climate, which often leads to small painful cracks on my fingers almost all year round. This product is unlike anything I’ve used in the past. If you have dry, sensitive, thin skin on your fingers and hands, I highly recommend using this item to avoid experiencing this problem." —dlswimmer

    Get it from Amazon for $9.47.

    17. A compact personal heater for bringing the heat wherever you need it most, like your desk by the world's draftiest window where you spend entirely too much of your time. 

    Promising review: "My office was FREEZING due to unfixable circumstances. This little heater is great. It does not have to gear up; it immediately starts putting out heat when turned on. The top and sides remain cool while the device is on. I sit directly in front of the heater, and I’m not too hot or too cool; it’s perfect. I sit underneath an air vent, and this little thing cancels out the freezing air much to my liking. My office is small and enclosed, so the heat fills the entire space after a while (maybe 45–60 minutes). Good buy! I recommend it!" —BB.J

    Get it on Amazon for $17.90+ (available in four colors).

    18. Plus, a mini desktop humidifier that'll help combat dry winter air with a constant (and silent) stream of on-demand moisture. I can practically hear your flaky skin sighing with relief. 

    My skin gets flakey patches whenever the seasons change and my nose becomes downright painful in the winter from dryness. Not only did this little humidifier totally solve those problems, but it's still going strong a full year later after many, many hours of use. The bottom screws off, so it's a breeze to refill and it's all but silent, so no worries if you leave it running during a meeting. Occasionally, the mist hole on top gets a little clogged since I just fill it with regular tap water (if you're ambitious enough to use filtered water this may not happen?), but after wiping it out with a swab it's good as new. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who spends way too much time sitting at a desk. 

    Get it from Amazon for $22.97 (available in black and white). 

    19. A lil' polar bear hydrating eye stick so you can give your puffy, aching eyes some relief in the morning when they're as heavy as cinderblocks. Kickstart your routine with sweet, sweet relief thanks to this hydrating formula, which is blended with Iceland glacial water to help relieve puffiness, tighten skin, and tackle dark circles. 

    The small polar bear shaped eye stick in a reviewer's hands
    Before and after pic of reviewer with dark under eyes that are gone in the second pic

    Promising review: "I have always had serious dark circles and bags under my eyes and this has really changed this for me. The results are incredible. The puffiness is gone. The dark circles are hardly noticeable. My sensitive skin has not broken out. I never write reviews, but this was so good that I had to write a review. This actually works." —Ben

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99

    20. Some chic leather car hooks because now you can focus on driving instead of rescuing your fallen bag from the muddy, slushy floor. Purses, shopping bags, and backpacks now have a designated spot to call home that blends in seamlessly with your car's interior.  

    a reviewer photo of a pair of tan leather hooks mounted on the back of a passenger seat headrest
    a tote bag hanging from a black headrest-mounted hook

    Promising review: "Close match for my car’s interior. Fit snuggly in headrest and look elegant. Don’t stick out enough to bother the passenger so they don’t have to be removed when someone climbs in, which could have been a hassle and a deal breaker! I hang my purse and take out bags on them so no fear of spills. Could turn one around to face the back to hold trash or travel extras that clutter up the glove box. Very handy. Might get another set." —Ldy

    Get a pair from Amazon for $11.74+ (available in six colors). 

    21. An oatmeal-scented paw butter to apply before and after walks that'll help nourish your furry friend's chapped paw pads (and snoot), since you're not the only one whose skin feels extra dry this time of year. 

    Promising review: "This product delivers. The scent is delicious and irresistible even for humans. The dog felt pampered and special and his paws felt smooth. This item is a must-have for dog owners who take their dog into the woods, or running, etc. Great product!" —South Kakalaki Family

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    22. A roll-on blister-preventing balm if you've got new booties to break in, but zero time to waste limping around because of painful blisters. 

    a model applying the balm on their heel
    Amazon

    Promising review: "My family goes to Disney World every year, and even with rotating shoes every other day, we still get blisters. I bought this before our trip two months ago, and it was worth every penny. We rubbed it all over the top, bottom, sides of our feet and toes each morning, and our feet did not blister! I highly recommend this product for long Disney days or any time you will be on your feet for a long period of time." —Cari Sanders

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

    23. windshield cover with a thermal protective layer for defending your car from snow and frost before it ever has a chance to settle in and delay your travels. You'll be happy to skip the scraping, and your boss will be even happier when you actually roll in on time for once. 

    Reviewer's car completely covered in snow with the windshield protector on
    The car without the cover on revealing a completely snow-free windshield

    Promising review: "I decided I wanted a windshield cover this winter for my 2012 Dodge Journey — let me just tell you — best investment ever! I live in Lincoln, Nebraska and our winters tend to be pretty harsh. Right now our weather is mild, but I have saved minutes of scraping in the morning when there was frost. Best thing about this product is it has elastic to go over mirrors and then flaps to go inside the car to prevent theft. It has worked fantastic. I put my windshield wipers over the material just to help it stay in place, especially when windy, and that has worked great!!" —Katherine K.

    Get it from Amazon for $29.98 (rear window cover is also available).

    24. A sleek touchless forehead thermometer with an intuitive design that you'll want around with flu season in full swing. It delivers a quick and quiet reading so you can get in, take your kid's temperature, and get out before they even have a chance to cut naptime short. 

    Promising review: "This is a game changer for our medicine cabinet!!! Works so fast and is much easier than having to put a thermometer under the tongue, etc. especially helpful with a baby and young child!!" —R M

    Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in white and black).

    25. magnetic phone charger/hand warmer set with four warming settings so you're always prepared for a frigid outing AND a dead phone battery. The two pieces come apart so you can have a bit of cozy in each pocket, and a full charge can juice up your phone over three times. 

    Reviewer dividing up two pieces of a small square hand warmer and pressing the control buttons
    Reviewer holding the pieces together and divvied up on a gray model

    Check out a TikTok of the hand warmer/phone charger in action. 

    It has four warmth settings, so you can pick one that's perfect for the conditions too! 

    Promising review: "I was skeptical, but this product amazed me. I plan to buy a bunch for Christmas presents. Quality materials and function beautifully. I purchased for a winter trip but started using immediately during a cold snap. I walked around a lake in freezing conditions. Turned these on in my pockets and couldn’t believe how well they work. Things I love: You can adjust the heat settings easily with a rubbery push button that isn’t easily triggered. You can see which setting it’s on with 1 to 4 red lights. I did not wear gloves and tried out each setting. They warm up quickly. Lowest setting was not lukewarm but warm enough for cold pockets. The highest setting gets really hot. Almost too hot to hold directly without a glove but not so hot you’ll get burned. I love that you can take your hands out of your pockets and hold them easily because they have a grippy side. I walked around for a bit with my hands out of pockets, and they didn’t get cold." —Angela Gil

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in nine colors). 

    26. A wildly popular Bio-Oil because real-life magic (aka science) has gifted us this powerful blend of nourishing oils and vitamins that can be applied virtually anywhere to help fade scars and lock in the moisture your skin so desperately needs in the colder months.

    a reviewer selfie of their face dotted with acne and acne scars
    the same reviewer with the look of the scars improved

    Promising reviews: "Love this oil — new favorite for the fall/winter. It smells nice like a chai latte!" —kk078

    "After just about three weeks of use I’ve seen such a positive change in both the evenness of time and of the texture of my skin. Melasma and acne scarring have faded pretty dramatically — I don’t even bother putting on foundation when I do my makeup in the morning. The oil is so lightweight and doesn’t exacerbate my already oily complexion." —L T C

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizess).

    27. A bestselling cool mist humidifier if seasonal dry air is wreaking havoc on your skin, hair, and sleep. Thanks to the high-capacity water tank, this near-silent humidifier can keep misting for over 24 hours and has a timed shut-off feature so you can set it and forget it. 

    Promising review: "It makes absolutely no noise. I'm in Arizona and we need the humidity Mother Nature doesn't bring us. Within minutes the humidity in the room increases. My thermostat shows the humidity and when it has a frowny face I turn on the humidifier and in no time I have a smiley face. It's so easy to fill and is a no-brainer to use. One of the best buys for me from Amazon." —Gary P

    Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in two sizes).

    28. Plus, a genius humidifier cleaning cartridge to prevent stanky mold and mildew buildup in your tank for a whole month with no harsh chemicals. We're trying to solve problems, not create more of them. 

    the blue plastic fish filled white white balls that sanitize the water
    the fish swimming around a humidifier

    Promising review: "Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew and mold free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe. I have already repurchased and given a few to other people as well." —Kristine

    Get it from Amazon for $5.98.

    29. A salt-free Safe Paw ice melt for a melting solution that skips out on the harsh chemicals that can prove harmful to pet paws and children. This vet-recommended formula is non-toxic and biodegradable while still delivering the fast-acting, ice-melting results you need. 

    a bottle of safe paw salt-free ice melt
    Chewy

    Promising review: "I have used this product for 10 years now. I always use it because it works, it's safe for my kitties, and it is easy to use straight from the container. I have used it in Michigan winters and am now using it in North Idaho winters. It works just great. One more thing — you do not need to use a lot to get wanted results, so an 8 lb. container goes quite far." —Gail L. Crutcher

    Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in three sizes). 

    30. A microfiber EasyWring spin mop with a hands-free wringer that'll make it easier than ever to wipe away all the mud, slush, and snow getting tracked in from outside. As if that wasn't tempting enough, this mop is designed to get into tight corners *and* is made with microfiber fabric that is machine washable and able to trap dirt with just plain ole water — no harsh cleaners needed. 

    Model using the foot pedal on a water basin to wring out a small mop
    O-Cedar/YouTube / Via www.youtube.com

    Promising review: "The mop is perfect for my 1,000-square-foot apartment. The bucket spinning feature prevents the mop from being too wet when you use it so the floors dry fast. The mop collapses down super small so storage is easy and the machine washable feature is perfect. The only bump is that if you aren't pushing down on the mop hard enough when dragging it around it will sort of roll over itself, but its a simple problem to fix." —Michael Schnese

    Get it from Amazon for $34.97

    31. A beloved Carhartt beanie so you can join the legions of people who already love this toasty rib-knit cap. It comes in loads of different colors, so you never have to compromise your style for head warmth.

    Reviewer in brown/beige color of hat
    Reviewer in a gray foldover beanie with the Carhartt logo stitched in front

    Promising review: "This beanie is absolutely perfect for the upcoming cooler temps. The thickness of it keeps your head warm and cozy but the material is somehow also breathable so that you don't end up with a sweat up under it. The stretch is great as well and even allows for our kids to wear it when we can't find theirs!" —Dakota

    Get it from Amazon for $18.50+ (available in 40 colors).

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.