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    38 Effective Products With Before-And-Afters We Just Can't Stop Using

    "Hello darkness my old friend," —you when you see *that* tongue scraper photo.

    1. A teeth-whitening pen if you want a brighter smile without the irritation of whitening strips that slip and slide all over your teeth. You can use each pen ~20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten four to eight shades.

    Reviewer before and after showing the pen noticeably whitened their yellow teeth

    2. A jetted tub cleaner, because who knows when the last time you cleaned it was. (I hate to break it to you, but you're probably chillaxing in dirty water.) This cleanser is made to flush out soap scum, body oils, and those black flakes that gunk up your tub's jets.

    3. A foot file so your heels are in sandal-ready condition. Rub gently and watch the dead skin and calluses fall like shredded cheese to reveal baby soft heels.

    4. A stainless-steel tongue scraper for banishing bad bacteria your toothbrush can't lift. It should help improve stinky breath so you won't suffer the embarrassment of someone offering you a breath mint.

    before photo of a reviewer with a thick white film on their tongue
    the same reviewer's tongue with the white film scraped off

    Promising review: "I was a little unsure what to expect. I had never used something like this before, but my girlfriend says my breath stinks and she deserves better than that. I brush and floss, but there is still that 'thing'...that stank under the normal mouth breath. Using this has removed that. Not really sure how it works or why that layer of spit and stuff on your tongue has to smell so bad, but this removes it well and also feels kinda nice. Thank you!" —nick

    Get two from Amazon for $9.99.

    5. An eco-friendly hard water stain-remover that'll help you wipe away soap scum and residue in your shower in half the time it normally takes you to clean. It's biodegradable so the scent won't singe your nose hairs and make you gag, plus it's safe enough to use on just about anything — including shower glass, tile, granite, stainless-steel, marble, brass, and porcelain.

    Reviewer before and after showing the cleaner removed hard water stains on a glass shower door

    6. A jar of ear cleaner wipes to gently lift goop and gunk and prevent ear infections as well as wax buildup.

    7. And for humans, an earwax removal kit if you're tired of jamming your fingers in your ears to no avail. Good thing you don't need your ears to read the 7,400+ 5-star reviews this product has garnered.

    an ear canal that's coated with a thick hard layer of wax
    the same ear canal with all of the ear wax removed

    Promising review: "After messing around with a cotton swab in my left ear (never do this), I managed to fully block all hearing in it. I ran around like a headless chicken for about 24 hours because the pressure in the ear was so intense. One treatment of Debrox and the blockage immediately subsided. Trick is to let it sit in the ear for at least five minutes. Drain the ear, wait another five minutes, then irrigate with the bulb and warm water, never cold. Seldom does a remedy work as advertised; this one does!" —Chazmax1

    Get it from Amazon for $5.49.

    8. A tub of brightening, firming, and rejuvenating eye cream because you're tired of your mom constantly asking you, "Are you getting enough sleep?" on your weekly FaceTime even though she should darn well know that your dark circles are hereditary (thnx a lot Mom!).

    9. An immunity-boosting allergy supplement so your poor pup can find relief from itchy skin and allergies. These soft chews deliver a dose of probiotics and other nutrients to help improve immune function, aid digestion, promote healthy skin, and add shine to a dog's coat.

    Promising review: "Absolutely the best product. It saved my itchy goldendoodle! We tried changing food, Benadryl, medicated shampoo, fish oil, everything you can imagine... nothing worked long-term. He was itching his face so badly he would make himself bleed. Had sores and scabs all over his face and neck. I bought these because they had good reviews and I was desperate. It changed his life! He no longer scratches AT ALL! His coat looks great and all of his sores are healed. He’s the happiest he’s been which makes me a very happy momma. He is also very picky and never eats treats... he eats these every time so that’s an added bonus!" —Darcie Nation

    Get them from Amazon for $25.96.

    10. Some stain-removing tablets for lifting spills, set-in stains, and all the other mess you've made. Toss one in with a regular load and your whites will emerge dramatically whiter.

    11. A drain clog remover that'll conquer the hair monster in your shower drain, simultaneously impressing and disgusting you. Or you can let the hair glob remain in the pipes and at some point your shower will turn into a bath. Fun!

    before photo of the drain snake sitting inside a drain
    Reviewer holding the snake, which has grabbed a massive chunk of hair from the drain

    Promising review: "When I pulled the orange plastic spiked strip from the package, I was immediately skeptical and felt like all those 5-star reviews were from people who exist in an alternate universe. I was tempted to initiate a return on Amazon but decided that I might as well gamble on a piece of $9 plastic before gambling $200 on a plumber. I slipped the plastic strip down my shower drain and literally FIVE SECONDS LATER I was pulling up gobs and gobs and gobs of hair. HOLY COW!!!!!!!! OHMYGOSH. I can't believe I still have any hair left on my head. SO MUCH REPULSIVE GUNK!!!! I saved my prize hairball on the shower floor to show my husband because I knew he would be as skeptical as I was. We both agree it looks like a small raccoon or a large squirrel lying helplessly on my shower floor. It's a grisly, messy, smelly and oh-so-rewarding job." —Chocolate and Chips

    Get a six-pack from Amazon for $11.88.

    12. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets to clean your machine as it runs. No need to sigh in frustration every time you open your dirty dishwasher to remove your "clean" dishes.

    A dirty dishwasher with brown stains on the bottom
    The same dishwasher, which is now stain-free after using the tablets

    Promising review: "I rarely post reviews, but this stuff has completely changed our lives. Our dishwasher, utensils, plates, and glasses were covered with dry scale and nothing we tried came close to helping. After using the tablets three times our dishwasher looks like new; our glasses are sparkling like fine china and everything else looks fabulous. Highly recommend, worth every penny, best product BY FAR!!! One great advantage is you can use it with your dishes. Some other products are used to clean the dishwasher but not to clean dishes and glasses. Buy this, you will be blown away!!! It is astounding!" —Jenny

    Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $5.99.

    13. A denture cleaner if your retainer is coated in some weird white film. These fizzing tablets will blast away odor-causing bacteria, discoloration, and plaque from your Invisalign, retainers, dentures, night guards, and more.

    14. A nail repair pen because your discolored, dry, brittle fingernails and toenails aren't ready for manis and pedis just yet.

    Before and after of reviewer's toenail showing the pen got rid of their toenail fungus

    15. A high-voltage bug zapper so you can actually *see* all the pesky blood suckers who were planning on making you dinner. This handy gadget covers 1,500 square feet, killing not only mosquitos, but also gnats, flies, moths, and other insects.

    reviewer holding the bug zapper from its handle
    reviewer photo of the bug zapper tray full of dead bugs

    Promising review: "You will not be disappointed. I just moved out to the country and have been working out in the garage late at night. With the weather getting warmer, I've had the garage doors opened and mosquitos, gnats, and everything else have been finding there way into my garage, so I had to do something about it. I bought this and hung it next to my garage door opener because there's an outlet there and it is way better than expected. I have dead bees, stink bugs, gnats, mosquitos, and other bugs that I do not know what they are. My 8-year-old son keeps asking me to remove the bottom tray so he can see all of the dead bugs that got zapped. Again, you will not be disappointed, I'm extremely happy I bought this!" —Chris & Jenny

    Get it from Amazon for $36.99.

    16. An acne patch for those days when a pimple pops up at the *worst* possible moment. Hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, and calendula oil are gentle on the skin while still drawing out fluids and pus from your pimple.

    17. A liquid tartar remover that'll help clean your doggo's teeth, because lord knows they will not let you within 5 feet of them if they see you coming with a toothbrush. Think of this as doggy mouthwash! Just add this to their water and you'll notice your dog's plaque and bad breath subside.

    Promising review: "My dog's molars were turning black and he had a ton of buildup on his canines, and his gums were beginning to look inflamed. And, of course, his breath could kill a horse. After one week of constant use (a cap full for every bowl of water) you could see an obvious difference in tooth color. I was blown away. (Why can’t human mouthwash do such a good job on our teeth?) After three weeks, his molars were almost completely clean. After a couple of months of use, the plaque on his canines was soft enough to brush some of it off, which was totally impossible before. Plaque covered the canine approximately 70%. Obviously that's no longer the case. IDK what insane solvent this is made of, but it keeps his gross mouth clean as a whistle. Now I don’t have to worry about my picky priceless mutt losing his teeth because he can’t be bothered to chew anything." —BaconPancakes

    Get it from Amazon for $7.15.

    18. A tub of O'Keeffe's hand cream to replenish moisture in dry, cracked hands. It forms a protective layer around your hands, locking in hydration and preventing moisture from escaping.

    reviewer with ashy-looking hands
    the same reviewer's hands, which look moisturized and soft

    Promising review: "I have suffered from splitting and cracking fingers every fall and winter for years. I tried Eucerin, Lubriderm, and Gold Bond creams, but none seemed to relieve the splitting from reoccurring. I tried O'Keeffe's Working Hand Cream and within two-and-a-half days, the splitting and cracking were no longer a factor. Since using the cream, I have not suffered any more cracking or splitting. I am on a busy schedule and only use it at night when I go to bed. It says it's non-greasy but you can definitely feel a slick texture on your hands once applied. That's why I use it at night before bed when I don't have to open door knobs, touch smartphones, or shake hands. It has the texture of cake icing, goes on smooth and works into the skin quickly. It has no smell I can detect. I am so glad I found this cream, it has ended years of split and cracked fingers/hands." —T.H.

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    Our deep dive into O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream goes into more details, so be sure to check it out.

    19. A bottle of Tend solution if you're prone to angry, painful, itchy ingrown hairs after shaving. 

    Promising review: "I have tried many scrubs, lotions, spray, everything, and nothing quite worked as well as this did. I suggest testing it on a small area just to see how it does on your skin because you can tell this is some strong stuff. I started only using this right after I shaved and immediately saw results. It will sting once you put it directly onto your legs after shaving. Kind of like going into the ocean right after you shaved your legs. It has that sort of a stinging feel. It scared me at first because I was worried it was burning my skin but it really was just cleaning and cleansing it. This picture was taken after one use." —Abby Graeter

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

    20. A mold and mildew remover because you can set it, forget it, and come back in a few hours to see grout that looks like new. If your brain is filled with images of your dirty shower grout every time you close your eyes and try to relax...you definitely need this.

    Promising review: "You guys. I’m embarrassed to even show you this. The grout around our tub was DISGUSTING. It was never caulked right and it got gross very quickly. I would scrub. The cleaning lady would scrub. It would get worse. Well, I came across this in a BuzzFeed list, and this stuff made me curious. I don’t know why it doesn’t have 10,000 good reviews. Seriously. All I did was squeeze it on and walk away. I let it sit overnight. Check this out. Buy it. Like today." —KarynB

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    21. A cradle cap comb so you can gently remove loose flakes from your little one's head.

    No worries, new parents! Cradle cap — aka, seborrheic dermatitis — is a very common dry scalp condition that affects infants.

    Promising review: "The pictures posted here are legit. It makes removal so much easier and gives more consistent removal than my previous method of washcloths or just scratching the cradle cap off with my fingernails. It’s amazing and gross and wonderful. My babe doesn’t even flinch when I spend 10 minutes clearing his scalp of all the goo. It seems to be soothing to him. I just apply baby shampoo, then brush a little with the blue brush. Then I slowly start to comb in sections all in one direction. Then I go back and forth in multiple directions. It’s shocking the amount of dead skin that comes off. I’ve even used it successfully in his eyebrows (he gets some cradle cap there, too). This is a KEEPER!" —ZMomUtah

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

    22. A pumice cleaning stone for powering through tough rust, lime, and calcium streaks you have to explain to your S.O. are not poop stains — you swear! Give your tired arms a break and let this little guy scrub away discoloration with ease. This non-toxic cleaner is tough on dirt but gentle on porcelain so you can sit atop the listening throne you deserve.

    23. A box of cleaning K-Cups that'll get rid of residue in your machine and prevent flavors from transferring in just one cycle. Or have fun descaling it multiple times. Your choice!

    reviewer photo of the water that came out of their keurig after using the k-cup cleaning pod and you can see that the original brown water gets cleaner and clearer after each cycle of using the cleaning cup
    the cups, which look like regular K-cups

    Promising review: "Thought I was having problems with my machine. Used two cups to flush the entire coffee maker out and it started working like new. Totally satisfied!" —Dara Pazooki

    Get a box of six pods from Amazon for $9.95.

    24. A pack of Schick dermaplaning razors to take care of stray hairs the minute you notice them. Reviewers also say they're great for shaving peach fuzz so makeup applies more evenly.

    Promising review: "I'm a hairy gal. Hormonal problems ruled out by my physician; it's just hereditary. My cheeks, neck, forehead, and chin are covered in a fine ever-growing peach fuzz. If I cease shaving, I shall acquire a boat and thus forth be dubbed blonde beard. My mustache is darker and thicker, something I think a lot of women experience. I have been shaving for a while with a men's razor (Gillette Fusion ProGlide for reference) and shaving cream but it just couldn't give me a close enough shave. ENTER SCHICK SILK TOUCH-UP! Holy wow! I've been dry shaving my entire face and some of my neck with these and no irritation, plus it is the closest shave I have gotten. No pulling or scraping like other 'mini razors.' It's quicker than doing what I call a 'dad shave' in the shower, and I can see what I'm shaving because I'm at my makeup table and there's no shaving cream obstructing my view (I don't want to accidentally hack off the hair by my ears or forehead). Plus, I compared this to other (what I call) mini razors and it's twice the size. So very efficient for doing your whole face, easy for detailing those brows. I love this product and hope that they sell it forever. It works on my peach fuzz, mustache, and brows. If I ever get word that they are going to stop making them, I will hoard them all." —Dr. Eleanor Abernathy

    Get a pack of three from Amazon for $4.99.

    25. A foot peel mask if you want before and after photos that'll make you feel a bit queasy. I mean... *insert Will Smith tada meme*.

    Promising review: "Oh my gosh, can I just say I am COMPLETELY mind blown and AMAZED!!! I've always had super calloused feet because I walk around barefoot often, or without socks. Nothing ever seems to work for me. This product had me skeptical given my history, but I figured it was worth a shot. I'm getting married soon and, well, I'm sure he'd rather feel soft feet than nasty, cracked, calloused feet. So I used the 'mask' this past Monday. It is now Sunday, almost a week to the day later. I've been concerned that I once again wasted money. I was preparing for a second treatment tomorrow. My feet are BAD, so I figured nothing could help me, but I'd do what the company recommended and try re-treating one week after. But all of the sudden the dead skin is coming off!!! Folks, its WORKING!!!! Even the most awfully calloused feet WILL benefit from this!! Trust me!!" —JeepGirl78

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $27.95.

    26. A cruelty-free lip balm with SPF 25 because whoever you're locking lips with will definitely notice a difference.

    a split image of a reviewer's lips before and after using the balm

    27. A snout soother so your pup's snoot stays soft, moisturized, and oh-so boopable.

    28. Differin, a once daily topical retinoid for acne that hasn't responded to any other treatments. It contains adapalene, a retinoid that unclogs pores and speeds cell turnover so acne doesn't even have a chance to form.

    before photo of a reviewer's dark red and inflamed cheek and jawline acne
    the same reviewer after using the retinoid for a few weeks and their acne is almost totally gone

    I use Differin and it's great but I must warn you: it is strong. Unfortunately, I wrecked my skin the first few weeks after buying it because I applied it way too often and paired it with chemical exfoliators and a really drying face wash. Once I cut back my application to one to two times per week and switched to gentler cleansers, my skin flourished. The annoying bumps on my forehead (the ones that aren't acne but are literally just tiny little bumps) disappeared over time, my temples stopped breaking out, and my acne scars lightened. If you're dipping your toes in the Differin pool, it's not a bad idea to check with your dermatologist before starting!

    Promising review: "I've used this product about two months now and not only does my skin rarely have breakouts, but also other people are telling me how smooth and good my skin looks. I've always had moderate adult acne and I cannot recommend this product enough. It's not a quick-acting gel; it takes weeks to see results but it's worth it!" —Leann M Smith

    Get it from Amazon for $12.26+ (available in three sizes).

    29. A box of pore-tightening, skin-lifting face masks that'll truly terrify you, first because you'll look like a zombie once you've applied it, and second because it's so darn effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

    Promising review: "I wasn't a fan of this mask when I first tried it (I found it a little irritating and it didn't seem to make much of a difference). Then I used it multiple times a week, and I noticed a huge difference. My friends and family noticed it, too. My skin has a more even tone, the wrinkles around my eyes aren't as noticeable, and it really eliminated clogged pores and breakouts. I've never tried Hanacure, but I think this mask is great." —SpruceMoose

    Get a box of eight masks from Amazon for $21.95.

    30. A pack of canker sore patches to form a protective layer around those pesky bumps and speed up the healing process. Each patch also contains pain-reducing menthol to help reduce discomfort.

    They can stay on even while you're eating or drinking!

    Promising review: "Honestly this is one of the weirdest things I've ever done — but it worked. I put the patch on my canker sore (looks like a tiny pill) overnight and when I woke up the patch was all huge and felt like a sponge. IT WORKED! My canker sore was significantly smaller when I woke up and no longer rubbed up against my teeth. I did one more night with the canker patch and it was completely gone. This product works great for not just mouth sore, but tongue sores. Would highly recommend!" —LW

    Get a pack of six from Amazon for $12.40.

    31. A bottle of Burt's Bees dander-reducing spray because it'll help transform your cat's coat, making it soft, shiny, and free of dander and flakes. It also contains aloe vera and oatmeal to condition dry skin and reduce redness.

    Reviewer's before and after showing the spray got rid of their cat's dander

    32. And a box of wart-removing pads that you apply like bandages so you can be rid of your extra growth. Be gone, appendage!

    33. A cleansing wrinkle cream for squishy-faced breeds — like Frenchies, bulldogs, and pugs — which have a tendency to develop tear stains and infections in their skin folds. Long-haired breeds can also benefit from a good cleaning every now and then.

    before photo of a bulldog with dark brown stains in their skin folds and irritated skin next to an after photo of the same dog whose skin folds are now white like their fur and their skin is not red and irritated

    34. A cuticle oil that'll restore your shredded nails after a gel mani. A combination of sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and jojoba softens the cuticle and strengthens your claws so you'll be proud to show them off.

    Before and after of reviewer who used the oil, showing that it helped reduce nail breakage

    35. An anti-fungal antibacterial spray made with cooling aloe to treat a range of skin conditions, including allergies, cuts, hot spots, infections, rashes, and scrapes.

    36. A dandruff shampoo if you're looking to banish white flakes from your scalp. It's made with ketoconazole 1%, an antifungal ingredient that'll tell your dandruff it's no longer welcome here.

    Reviewer's before and after photos showing the shampoo got rid of their significant dandruff

    37. A pack of bottle-cleaning tablets because it's time to reclaim your favorite thermos from the pile of forgotten mugs. These tablets will lift old stains and odors so your cups are finally usable again.

    Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING!!!!!! It is completely worth the price. You will be AMAZED at how fast it works and how efficiently too. I admit, I was a little skeptical, even with other users posting pictures. For me, it was a try it to believe it. I did and I totally do. It works so well that it has made one of my tea tumblers look better than when I bought it. I would highly recommend this product!" —T. V. Henson

    Get a pack of 12 tablets from Amazon for $8.

    38. A tonsil stone remover for treating the root cause of your bad breath. This tool has a built-in LED light so you can easily locate the tonsil stone. Plus it also comes with a syringe to help you wash out the pocket the tonsil stone left behind. (OK, OK, it's not a before and after but I many of y'all in the comments have never heard of tonsil stones so today I want to introduce their existence.)

    The kit
    Reviewer holding a tonsil stone they removed using the kit

    Promising review: "I don’t think there’s anything more disgusting than tonsil stones! Let’s face it, they irritate the back of your throat, and they STINK! I cannot begin to tell you the amount of objects I’ve put in my mouth to try to get these things out over the years, often holding a flashlight in one hand, the aforementioned object in the other and straining to get a good view in the mirror. The smooth rounded semi-soft tip allows for quick and easy extrication of the stones with minimal discomfort, and the powerful light makes visualization a snap! If I could give it 10 stars I would have!" —Lee Oliver

    Get it from Amazon for $10.98.

    Me using before and after photos I know you hate: