You would think that it’s totally fine to use your mascara until you finish the entire tube (especially if you’re spending a lot of money on a luxury mascara). But ask a dermatologist or makeup artist, and they’ll tell you that’s not the case. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, once you’ve opened your mascara, you have three months to use it before a type of bacteria, which can cause infection, begins to develop. So, rather than throw away money on full-size mascaras, try a mini version instead. Not only does a smaller mascara, like this e.l.f. Volumizing Mascara, mean you’ll be less likely to keep a tube past its expiration date, but it’s also a less expensive way to try out a new brand.

Whether you’ve decided to transition from antiperspirant to natural deodorant or you feel like you tend to sweat more than most, this under-arm scrub was designed to eliminate odor from the very first use. Walnut shell powder helps to unclog pores and buff away dead skin cells, while aloe vera and peppermint extract work to soothe and impart a fresh scent. Though the creamy formula was specifically created to treat under-arm odor, the brand notes that its cruelty-free and vegan scrub can also be used to gently exfoliate skin anywhere on the body.

This may come as a bit of a surprise, but dermatologists hate when patients rely on makeup wipes as their only form of cleansing. Why? Individual wipes aren’t going to fully remove your makeup, and they can even cause irritation or micro-tears in the skin. Instead, get in the habit of a double-cleanse routine, which helps to more thoroughly and gently remove makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime. This set from The Face Shop comes with everything you need for your evening double cleanse. First, use the cleansing oil, which gets applied to dry skin and breaks down all your oil-based skin care products (like sunscreen) and makeup. Then, to remove any remaining trace of makeup, the set includes two cleansing foams (the same formula in two different sizes), which lather into a rich foam that moisturizes and brightens with rice water, vitamin E, and ceramide.

Spend enough time scrolling through the beauty advice on TikTok, and you’ve probably come across at least one video letting you know that those “fuzzies” in your hair brush aren’t fuzzies at all. They’re actually a pretty gross reminder that it’s time to clean your brush, as the fuzz-like accumulation is a combination of dust, dead skin cells, oil, and hair products. In addition to regularly soaking your brush in warm water and soap, this mini brush cleaning tool can be used as your first step to remove loose hair and buildup before you disinfect. Compatible with any brush you have, the stiff bristle brush features a pointed tip on one end and a mini brush on the other to help lift away hair, dirt, and dust.

Rather than wait to treat stains once they’ve already settled onto your teeth, try eliminating them from the start (and saving yourself some time and money in the long run) with these on-the-go wipes. Individually wrapped so that you can keep one of the single-use sheets at your desk, in your purse, and in your workout bag, the stain-removing wipes are infused with baking soda and cranberry extract to wipe away surface stains on the spot.

As tempting as it is to squeeze out blackheads, you could be making the problem worse by introducing bacteria and oil into the area or even causing damage in the form of scarring. If you’re still set on extracting your own blackheads, use this spatula-like device the next time you’re cleansing, which works by turning water into steam that helps to draw out blackheads without any aggressive squeezing. The device uses an automatic five-minute timer to reduce the risk of overusing the facial scrubber, and it also features a massage mode to help with applying your skin care products once you’re done cleansing.

• Available colors: 3

Sometimes in beauty (and in life), things have to get worse before they get better. Case in point? These at-home foot peel masks, which work to leave your feet just-back-from-the-salon levels of smooth by quite literally peeling away all of the dead skin and calluses over the course of two weeks. You only need to leave the disposable foot masks on for 60 minutes for the exfoliating solution to be activated, and more than 50,000 five-star ratings on Amazon confirm it’s quite the transformative process.

• Available options: 9

Not washing your makeup brushes frequently enough could be the culprit behind skin conditions like acne, and it can even cause an infection due to bacteria. While the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends washing your makeup brushes every seven to 10 days, that can be a time-consuming chore if you’re hand washing multiple brushes each week. To speed up the process (and save yourself from pruney fingers), this brush cleaning machine automatically washes and dries in seconds. The chargeable tool uses various-sized rubber adaptors to attach to your makeup brush and spin it through a bowl of warm, soapy water with the press of a button (you can lift the brush from the water and hit the spin cycle to dry your brush, too). In addition to the brush spinner, bowl, eight rubber adaptors, and a charging cable, the set also comes with a bottle of brush cleansing liquid so that you have everything you need to get started.

• Available colors: 2

Your makeup sponges need a good cleaning, too, which is precisely why Beautyblender introduced this gentle liquid cleanser to kill germs and remove makeup stains. The lavender-scented solution is free from harsh cleansing ingredients like sulfates, but the brand notes that it’s so effective, that it helps to protect against 99.7% of germs for 24 hours after cleansing. For tougher makeup stains that have been sitting for a while, try throwing your makeup sponge into a small bowl with warm water and massaging the liquid cleanser into a lather before letting it soak overnight and rinsing it clean in the morning.

A smooth lipstick application that lasts throughout the day without peeling or flaking comes down to the proper prep. Sure, it’s faster to just swipe your lipstick on and go, but taking a few extra minutes to exfoliate and moisturize your lips will give you better (and more comfortable) results. This cruelty-free lip scrub uses sugar crystals to gently buff away dead skin cells, while nourishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and Hawaiian kukui seed oil leave lips moisturized and soft. Once you’ve wiped away your lip scrub, follow up with a light layer of your favorite moisturizing balm and let it sit while you go about the rest of your makeup routine. When you’re ready for your lip color, gently wipe away any excess balm and line and fill your lips with a lip liner in a similar color to your lipstick before your actual lipstick application for more pigmented color that won’t budge.

Not only does throwing your makeup sponge in your cosmetic bag create a mess of foundation transferring onto other products, but it also guarantees your sponge is picking up more dirt and germs that you’ll later transfer onto your face. That’s where this silicone makeup sponge case comes in. The mini size was designed to store your sponge without taking up extra space, and it seals out germs while still allowing for some ventilation so that you don’t end up with a moldy sponge.

• Available options: 23

If you follow a full oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing but still feel like you’re noticing bad breath, your tongue could be to blame. For a more effective clean, consider using a tongue scraper after brushing to scrape away the bacteria that can coat your tongue and contribute to bad breath, plaque buildup, and even a decreased sense of taste. This set of two stainless steel tongue scrapers was designed to cover your entire tongue so that you can easily scrape the area. This reusable tool currently has more than 75,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and it includes two travel cases for storing each tongue scraper.

• Available options: 5

Given that your bath towel can harbor bacteria, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to go through a lengthy double cleanse only to dry off your face with a dirty towel after. Rather than add to your laundry load, consider keeping a box of these disposable face towels on your bathroom counter. Made from a USDA-certified biobased viscose fiber, the towels are fully biodegradable, but don’t compromise when it comes to being ultra-soft and absorbent.

• Available options: 6

As nice as a jar of face cream looks on your vanity, using your fingers to scoop out your moisturizer every night (and morning) isn’t very hygienic. To ensure you’re not introducing germs into your moisturizer or causing its active ingredients to degrade faster through oxygen exposure, opt for products that are packaged in tubes or pump-top bottles instead. While there are plenty of great, pump-top moisturizers out there to choose from, this one from Cetaphil is less than $15, and its hyaluronic acid-infused formula is both oil-free and fragrance-free, making it a suitable for all skin types, include acne-prone and sensitive.

Dry shampoo is a lifesaver when it comes to extending the time between wash days and adding volume to your hair. But if you’re not properly removing that product, it can lead to buildup that causes scalp irritation like itchiness and flaking. If you’re not willing to give up the dry shampoo (or your other styling products for that matter), incorporate a buildup-busting product into your weekly wash routine. For example, this scalp detox tonic uses apple cider vinegar, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid to clarify and exfoliate, as well as anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients like rosemary leaf extract, niacinamide, and panthenol. You only need to let it sit on the scalp for three to five minutes to break up debris, and it can be used once each week (or less frequently depending on your dry shampoo usage).

Ingrown hairs are not only annoying, but they can be painful as you wait for them to heal. Rather than perform your own game of Operation and increase the risk of infection, put down the tweezers, take a break from shaving, and reach for one of these exfoliating pads. Each single-use pad is saturated in a solution that uses glycolic acid and salicylic acid to exfoliate away the dead skin cells that trap hairs in the first place. These same chemical exfoliants also help to prevent new ingrown hairs from forming if you swipe them over ingrown-prone areas the day after shaving or waxing. The pads are free from fragrances and drying alcohols to make them more sensitive skin-friendly, and they include skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera and witch hazel.

Sometimes even a double cleanse can’t get rid of stubborn mascara, but since leftover makeup can lead to eye irritation, that doesn’t mean you can just give up and go to bed. When you’ve layered on the mascara or turned to a waterproof formula for more staying power, start your removal process by combing this Speedy Mascara Remover through your lashes. The fragrance-free and dye-free remover uses ingredients like argan oil, almond oil, and royal jelly extract to help cut through mascara without damaging your lashes. It’s also simple to incorporate into your usual cleanse, as you can swipe the solution onto dry lashes, let it sit for two minutes, and rinse right off with your go-to cleanser – no scrubbing or rubbing at your eyes needed.

If you’re experiencing dry, irritated eyes, the solution could be as simple as using a cleansing wipe specifically developed for the sensitive eye area. These individually packaged wipes use tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic that, according to the brand, can help soothe irritation and clogged meibomian glands as well as eliminate demodex mites that live in hair follicles and can cause itchiness (upsetting, I know). The multi-purpose cleansing wipes are also great for getting rid of any eye makeup that your cleanser may have left behind.

Whether you hate spending the money on pricey razors or you find yourself forgetting to replace your razor until you’re mid-shower attempting to shave, it can be a struggle to replace your blades in a timely manner (every five to seven shaves is what’s recommended). But being on top of your razor replacements can help you avoid irritation, razor burn, and bumps and get a closer shave. For less than $20, this beauty award-winning razor set comes with a matte rubber handle, magnetic holder for in-shower storage, and four replacement heads — each one containing five blades that are surrounded by an aloe vera moisturizing strip for a smoother shave.

• Available colors: 5

Painting over chipped nail polish never gives you the results that you’re after, and it also makes it harder to remove your polish when the time comes — sometimes, you’re even left with stained, discolored nails. That’s why it’s better to break out the nail polish remover at the first signs of chipping. But unless you’re soaking off a gel formula, skip the drying acetone removers in favor of an option that’s gentler on your nails. This acetone-free polish remover has more than 50,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for being tough enough to wipe away your darkest polish colors without stripping your nails. You can opt for a traditional liquid formula that’s meant to be applied onto a cotton pad before using, or try the individually packaged wipes for a remover that’s ready to go (and also super convenient when traveling).

• Available options: 2

For a more thorough in-shower clean, consider this exfoliating back scrubber, which was designed to make it easier to reach every part of your back. Especially helpful if you’re trying to tackle back acne with a benzoyl peroxide wash or evenly exfoliate away a spray tan, the back scrubber is essentially a long towel with handles on opposite ends that allows you to reach the entire area without any acrobatics.

• Available options: 10

It’s easy to brush off your manicurist’s suggestion that you use a cuticle oil daily, but it really is helpful when it comes to improving your nail health (aka nails that are stronger and grow longer). This cruelty-free and vegan oil combines nourishing oils like sesame seed, safflower, soybean, and evening primrose with antibacterial tea tree oil to help with nail discoloration, fungus, bruising, and more. You can use this on your finger nails and toenails, painting the moisturizing oil directly onto your nails and massaging it in.

Whether you’re guilty of not flossing often enough or, despite your best efforts, you find that you’re not getting your teeth entirely clean, a water flosser can really help. For those not familiar, a water flosser uses a stream of water to remove plaque and debris from your teeth and gums, which provides a more thorough clean than traditional string floss and is gentler for those with sensitive gums. While there is a bit of a learning curve involved, this water flosser was designed to simplify the process, as each cleaning session can be personalized with three modes (clean, massage, and jet) and five levels of intensity. The travel-friendly device also uses a wider reservoir to make it easier to clean, and it comes with five replaceable nozzles and a tongue scraper.

• Available colors: 8

If you swear by the skin-smoothing benefits of at-home dermaplaning, you’re probably also familiar with the fact that those mini razors don’t last very long. That’s because these disposable razors aren’t as sharp as in-office tools, which means you’ll probably need to replace them after every use to guarantee the closest shave and prevent any cuts. To minimize costs without compromising on results, this colorful set includes 66 disposable razors for $10. Each razor uses a netted blade that’s gentle on sensitive skin, and each one has its own transparent protective cover to keep the razor clean and make it more travel-friendly. If you do plan on using the same razor more than once, be sure to disinfect with a rubbing alcohol pad between uses.

• Available options: 3

This genius lotion makes dealing with boob sweat — whether during a tough workout or just a super-hot day — a thing of the past. The talc-free formula applies like a traditional cream, but dries down in about 45 seconds to a powdery finish that eliminates sweat and odor. In addition to applying this on your chest, the lotion, which includes tapioca starch to absorb sweat and aloe vera to soothe skin, can also be used on your inner thighs to prevent chafing.

Lash extensions may seem tempting, but the American Academy of Ophthalmology points out that lash extensions can lead to irritation and allergic reactions from the lash glue or not cleaning your faux lashes effectively, and the procedure can even cause infection when lashes are not applied properly and hygienically. Instead, consider speaking with your dermatologist or ophthalmologist about swapping extensions for an at-home lash enhancing serum. This cult-favorite pairs the prostaglandin analogue isopropyl cloprostenate with nourishing ingredients like radish root ferment, grape seed extract, and amino acids to support stronger, longer lash growth after three months of daily use.

If you’re using brow gel, pencils, or powders on a daily basis, but not giving your brows a thorough cleanse, you may start to notice product buildup and flaking. This foam cleanser was specifically developed for the brow and lash area, as it works to makeup without causing irritation or stinging your eyes. It’s so gentle that you can use it after a microblading treatment, plus, if you’d never dream of giving up your lash extensions, this cleanser is a lash extension-safe choice.

You (hopefully) already know not to store your makeup brushes in your bathroom, as the damp environment can contribute to bacteria and mold growth. But considering how germy your bathroom counter can get, you probably don’t want to place your makeup brushes there as you go about your routine, either. Instead, pop this silicone sink cover over your bathroom sink, which is not only easy to clean but also creates extra space for your hair and makeup setup. The mat can hold up to 7 pounds, and because it’s heat resistant up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, you can place your heat styling tools on the mat, too.

• Available colors: 3

We’ve already touched on the importance of using a clean towel to dry your freshly cleansed face. But if you’re not into the disposable towelette idea, invest in a larger set of washcloths that will see you through the week in between laundry days. This set of 12 cotton washcloths from Amazon were designed to be soft and absorbent, but they won’t cost you more than $25.

• Available options: 22

Even with regular washing, makeup sponges should still be tossed every three months or so (depending on how often you’re applying makeup, of course). Since that can add up quickly if you’re spending $20 per sponge, save yourself a solid $60 each year by opting for a makeup sponge set, like this five-piece pack that’s less than $10. These latex-free sponges have more than 70,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for their ability to seamlessly blend in makeup at a fraction of the cost of their name-brand counterparts, and they’re just as easy to clean, too.