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31 Products Under $20 That Are Downright Life-Changing
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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. You’ll barely remember what life was like before owning any olive oil spritzer. Scoring an affordable product is exciting enough as it is, but what if I told you some of the most life-changing products are under $20?! That's right — from shockingly effective skincare and cleaning must-haves to travel essentials and kitchen faves, prepare for your life to change after discovering these gems. Here's what one of our BuzzFeed Shopping writers, Emma Lord, has to say: "I love it just after the first few days of use! I use an electric toothbrush usually, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively." Promising review: "I'm amazed at how well this toothbrush cleans my teeth — it definitely gets between the teeth and also, more importantly for me, gets in the small, deep crevices in my molars where I always have food stuck, and regular toothbrushes couldn't get stuff out. I brush more often (after meals/snacks) because of how effective it is. As stated, definitely go easy around the gums. The bristles feel soft, but will cause your gums to bleed if you use regular pressure. Nice and easy does the trick, SO WELL!" —Jason A. Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans that even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. Promising review: "I travel frequently for work and keep this in my suitcase. Works great; I no longer carry a lint roller." —Liza Przekop Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four colors and also in packs of two or four). Promising review: "This works incredibly well. After trying other oil spray containers that were disappointing, it was great to find this one. It has worked perfectly for cooking, spraying easily and predictably, and the option to pour makes this my go-to vessel for cooking oil. I'm looking forward to never buying aerosol spray oils again." —Geoff M. Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in nine colors and in sets of two). Read more about essential oils and morning sickness at Mayo Clinic, peppermint oil and nausea in one small study at the National Library of Medicine, and aromatherapy at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "Took this on my first cruise. Anytime that I started to feel woozy, I'd reach for it. I'm sure the required act of deep breathing helped a lot — and breathing in the fragrance of the essential oil is very calming and effective. Worked for me! Wonderful!" —Willy&Lilly Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a pack of four). Although, gray hair is honestly pretty fierce, so feel free to let those silvery strands shine! Promising reviews: "This product is awesome. Covers the grays/roots. Stays on all day. Also, if you have thin hair, it will fill in the spots nicely. Comes with a sponge that you unscrew off the bottom. This will last a very long time. This is much easier to use than the spray that doesn't always get the right spots and tends to get on your clothes. A good selection of colors. Great price. Will re-order when the time comes." —Amazon Customer "LOVE! so easy to use and perfect for helping my thinned hairline from postpartum hair loss. I tried a more expensive brand and liked this one more. Definitely recommend it for helping the hairline look fuller. I toss it in my makeup bag and apply quickly ." —Catie B. Get it from Amazon for $17.95 (available in two sizes and 14 colors). BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and make a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny." Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants, roll up nicely, and stay wrinkle-free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or clothes with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." —BigSkinny Get a set of eight from Amazon for $9.28. Promising review: "My dry neck and the annoying itchiness I used to experience have completely gone away after using this cream. It’s not only soothing, but it also feels like it’s really nourishing my skin. The firming benefits are a bonus! I highly recommend this product to anyone dealing with dryness or discomfort in their neck and chest area. It’s become a must-have in my skincare routine." —JAcosta Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (also available in a two-pack). Promising reviews: "This product is amazing! It makes cleaning so much easier and takes way less time! I used to hate cleaning my baseboards, but this product has made cleaning it so easy that I actually don't mind doing it anymore! It is also great for blinds as well! Definitely worth it!" —Julia "I rarely review products, but this little sponge literally changed my life! It picks up EVERYthing in one swipe! Hard water marks on your bathroom mirror, no problem! Hair clippings on your sink and counter, one swipe and they are gone! Dusty blinds? Swoosh, swoosh, swipe! And ala-presto ka-bam, like magic, they are perfect and dust-free! I just need one of these for my floors! I love, love, love how the sponge picks up everything, and with a little running water, all the dust, hair, muck, and guck just rinsed away! This will not disappoint! Thank you!" —DayDreamer Get it from Amazon for $9.99 for a pack of four (available in six color packs and also in packs of two and eight) Promising review: "Love, love, love these!!! I have a lot of medications that I have to travel with, and some of them are very expensive or very important, and I get so worried I will lose some. These hold so many pills and have labels for each, and they are so easy to open and fill, but they also stay closed and seal well!" —Britney Get a pack of four from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in five colors). Promising review: "I could kick myself for not trying this sooner! It is my new favorite lotion... After one night of using this, I woke up to smooth, soft moisturized skin that wasn’t itchy at all. This lotion goes on and absorbs beautifully. It’s not too thin or thick, and the scent is sensational... It’s not greasy or slick and does not have a residue that pills or transfers." —TickTokAlice Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in two-pack). Promising review: "I bought this rinser cup after struggling with my toddler’s bath time, especially when it came to rinsing out shampoo. The design is incredibly user-friendly — its shape helps control the water flow, preventing any excess water from getting into my child’s eyes. My little one has become much more comfortable during rinsing sessions, which has made bath time much more enjoyable for both of us." —Chi Hoang Promising review: "Hate dragging out the old hotel iron and board, so I just spray my wrinkled clothes with this, and viola! Takes the wrinkles out, and off I go — no wrestling while putting the iron and board away. I even have a small travel iron or use my hair styling irons if I want a better finish, but this usually does the job nicely." —Audie BTW, these work best on open, draining pustules (rather than blackheads or pimples that haven't come to a head yet). You can read more at Cleveland Clinic! Promising review: "I never had acne when I was younger, I got acne when I was in my twenties, and I have no self-control to not pop and pick them. My skin takes forever to heal, like 2–3 weeks of a scab because I pick it all the time. THESE ARE LIFE CHANGING. They hydrate and heal my scabs in 2–3 DAYS. They pull gunk out, even if I pop a zit and wash my face, but these on, it’ll continue pulling the rest of the stuff out. Truly I’m in love with these. When I first heard of acne patches, I thought, 'I’ll never pay money to make a zit go away,' but these are affordable and effective. I went through the 36 in less than a week because I had some scabs to heal that took a majority of my patches, but I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to heal their face faster. I also used this on a zit on my bum, and it’s healed that one quick for me too!!" —chipper2 Hero Cosmetics is an Asian woman-founded brand and home of the popular Mighty Patch. Ju Rhyu launched the brand in 2017, and it's since evolved with products such as cleansers, toners, nose strips, and more! Get a 36-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in packs of 24 and 72). Promising review: "I wish I had found these sooner!! These cold sores were probably the worst I’ve had and wouldn’t clear up or stop itching/hurting. I googled cold sore remedies, and these happened to pop up. After reading the reviews, I immediately ordered them. They came right on time, and I put them on before bed last night. It’s been less than 36 hours and already these cold sores are healing up beautifully. I plan to order another pack or three, so I can keep one at home, one in my purse, and one in my locker at work so if I ever feel the warning tingle/itching of a new breakout, I can slap one of these bad boys on and get rid of it quickly! Highly recommend for my fellow cold sore sufferers." —Jessica Hill Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $12.97 (also available in a pack of 30). Promising review: "My natural nails are horrible! They are and thin and brittle, and have a tendency to split, peel and break. Consequently, I wore acrylic nails for several years until I got tired of leaving so much money at the nail salon. When I soaked off the acrylics, my nails were, of course, worse than ever, and nothing I tried seemed to restore them to even their original condition until I found Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream. I rub this into my cuticles and nail beds several time a day and after two months my nails are hard and much thicker with no breaking or splitting. For the first time since I took off the acrylics, my nails are growing past my finger tips. This cream is a keeper, just ordered my second jar and I'll never again be without it." —M. Hill Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in unscented, cherry almond, and shea butter formulas). Promising review: "Embarrassingly gross. Never had any idea what I’d pull off my tongue each morning… I’ll save you the details – but surprised it took me into my mid-40s to discover. Every human who brushes their teeth needs one… has already helped on breath." —L. Utton This is a mildly abrasive cleaning paste, so use with care and go slowly when testing on new surfaces. Simply apply it to the surface with a damp sponge or cloth, give it a few scrubs, and then rinse away with hot water. Promising review: "My kitchen white porcelain sink looked horrendous. It was covered in grime and rust stains that I have been trying to get rid of for a year. I tried everything that I could find to get it clean. I used every kind of scrubbing agent, cleaning solution, and even tried steel wool, and none of those things would clean the sink like I wanted. I was resigned to just having a gross looking sink and hoped that a guest never ventured into my kitchen. Pink Stuff seemed cheap enough to try, so I bought it to do some other cleaning up around the house. I decided to give it a try on my sink, not really expecting any results. As soon as I used it on one of those nasty rust stains, the stain came up immediately with just a little bit of scrubbing. So I used it over the entire sink and now my sink is a brilliant white and looks brand new!... This is life-changing stuff, and I'm not saying that lightly!" —Peter G. Get it from Amazon for $5.34 (also available in a bundle with a scrubber sponge). It's suitable for all hair types! Reviewers with everything from straight, fine hair to thick, curly hair said it worked for them. According to the brand, this was the top-selling hair serum in Korea from Nielsen sales data collection from 2012–2022. Promising review: "I love how my hair feels when I apply this serum. It feels soft and manageable and the best thing is, no matter how many times I reapply, it never feels heavy or greasy. Not sure how it achieves this magic, but it is great for when you want shine and softness on an easy hair day or protection on a heat day too." —Lorraine Shin Yoo Fellow BuzzFeed Shopping writer Heather Braga is a huge fan of this spray: "My 1-year-old is a big ice pop fan, so I've got a long life ahead of me to be filled with stain removal. I held her while she sucked down a red ice pop on a 90-degree day. Naturally, it dripped all over my white tank top (note to self: stop wearing white around these kids). I was actually kind of excited because it meant I got to put my newly purchased bottle of Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray to the test! I followed the directions on the bottle that said to dampen the stained area, spray it with the stain remover, then pop it into the washing machine as usual. What do ya know — it really worked! Completely cleared away all the red stains! Not sure what witchcraft has been used to make this product, but I'm here for it." Promising review: "My 1-year-old has taco meat stains ALL over the sleeves of his shirt. The stains were 2–3 days old, too. I sprayed the shirt, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then washed the shirt with regular laundry soap. Almost every bit of the stains came out. Definitely buying bulk in this product!" —Sloan Avery Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in three sizes and multipacks). Check out a TikTok of the acne-banishing body spray in action. Promising review: "This body spray has helped clear up stubborn back and shoulder breakouts better than anything I’ve tried. The 360-degree spray makes it super easy to apply, even to hard-to-reach spots. It dries quickly, doesn’t stain clothes, and has a clean finish. After a couple of weeks of consistent use, I saw smoother skin and fewer breakouts. It’s also lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky. Definitely recommend for anyone dealing with body acne." —Rosiemelisa Promising reviews: "Anyone with dark under eye problems like myself needs to have a brightener! I used to spend $40 on Becca, but this one is better in my opinion!! It’s very pigmented and covers blue hues in the corners of my eyes. It can be worn alone, but I prefer it under my concealer. It blends incredibly well, and it's very creamy and easy to apply. It will probably last me six months — a little dab goes a long way. It’s extremely buildable, too. I am just so in love. I’m a sucker for saving money, and this purchase just saved me over $30. I will recommend to all my friends and family. Just BUY it!" —Caitlin Newcomb "Bought this after seeing an influencer use it on TikTok. This works really well. I can instantly see a difference when I use it under my eyes. For the price, this is a win-win. I had never heard of this brand, but I will be using their products more often." —Kerry C Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). It's designed to last for up to six weeks. 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 Check out a TikTok of the biotin shampoo in action. Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Promising reviews: "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." —Diane J. Huff "This shampoo is like NOTHING I've ever tried in the past. The way my 4C hair comes out after using this is INCREDIBLE. Soft, easy to comb, and super manageable. I've been using it for two years!" —Jae Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (available in three scents and four sizes). Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. Pro tip: pair it with a portable washing machine bag in case the sinks in your hotel are shallow or don't have a drain stopper. Promising reviews: "Game changer for travel! We were gone for two weeks, and I was able to wash all the clothes I had packed! Helped with using only a carry-on for the trip and kept my clothes fresh and clean! So easy to use and smelled nice! Will never travel without them again!" —Kristy "I don’t travel without these. So convenient for washing out undies in a sink, but can even be used in a machine." —Amazon Customer Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.01 (also available in packs of three and six). Promising review: "I have seasonal allergies and live in a dry home. I purchased this to help relieve scabs and pain from dry sinuses and frequent small nose bleeds. The gel stays put and does not drip. I was worried about that. The smell is very pleasant. I was busy with work and a little over half an hour after application I realized my nose wasn't hurting! The scab had softened and I could move my nose without pain." —Peggy C. Plus, reviewers say it's similar to the more expensive Tower 28 Daily Rescue spray, so now you'll have more money for all the iced matcha lattes that are calling your name. People also love this for helping heal piercings. Promising reviews: "Just an FYI, this product has the exact same ingredients as the Tower 28 spray! It's been absolutely amazing at reducing acne and texture! It's also so refreshing and gives a lil glow. So in love!" —BK Get an 8-ounce bottle from Amazon for $14.39 (available in four sizes and in packs of two and four). Plus, removing all that excess dead skin can help with everything from preventing razor bumps and ingrown hairs before shaving, smoothing away bumps caused by Keratosis pilaris, and prepping your skin for the perfect streak-free self-tan. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, for physical exfoliation like this, you should use gentle circles and moisturize afterwards. Read more about safe exfoliation at AAD. 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 $10.99 (also available as a two-pack). This works by suctioning up insect venom, saliva, and other irritants under the skin, which in turn prevents your body from producing a reaction to said irritant. You can also use it to treat bites from bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, and sea lice. Promising review: “You need this! I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times – so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. I used this little tool (3x per the instructions) and documented it with photos. Immediately after using it, [my bite] stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later, the bump/bite was gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing, but it is a small price to pay, IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!” —Rebecca Bug Bite Thing is a small business specializing in bug bite relief and tick removal products. Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in one-, two-, or three-packs and in five colors). Just be sure your devices support wireless charging! Promising review: "I love this charging station! I‘m one of those people who has all the Apple things, so being able to charge my phone, watch, and AirPod Pros at the same time is a total game-changer for me. I can’t even guess how many times I’ve misplaced my AirPods because I didn’t have a dedicated place for them. Now, there’s no question where they are every morning. Not only that, but the charger is pretty fast (especially for the watch and earbuds), and the station itself is easy to set up and use." —Anonymous Get it from Amazon for $17.84+ (available in seven colors). Promising review: "First, let me start with the price. My favorite thing about this product is its price vs. its quality. Most times, we find a low or responsible-priced product...well, let's say you get what you pay for, so usually you're left disappointed, BUT this stuff is wonderful. The smell, the de-tangling ability it has, plus I love how soft my hair is and my curls. No stiff hair and, on the days I want a little more hold or crispness, I just mix some of my firmer hold mousse in with this in my hands before I apply it. Wish I knew bout this product sooner. Thanks, TikTok." —Angelia Taggarrt Get it from Amazon for $4.22 (also available in a pack of two). Psst — parents really love this as a "calm down" moment for their kiddos! Promising review: "This little cloud guy is adorable and squishy! His face is very sweet, and the color morphing is great. I really like [that] it’s calming, and even if you don’t use it for meditation, it’s a cute night-light." —RgHound 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. Daniel Boan is a Shopping Editor who uses his passion for hitting "add to cart" (and his 8+ years in media) to curate the best products on the web — he's particularly passionate about finding the best beauty products, which probably stems from his days of working at Lush Cosmetics, where he learned about effective skincare ingredients while getting covered in bath bomb dust every day. The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.