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Nov 11, 2024

29 Products That Valiantly Won Over Skeptical Reviewers

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

"I was skeptical but now I'm sold." —Words from one happy convert.

BuzzFeed Staff

This product does not promise to work overnight, so be patient! The healing process takes time!

Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from Cleveland Clinic.

Promising review: "I was skeptical because everyone told me that I was just going to have to take my piercing out and see a doctor to have the bump removed. It was bad!! This was my last chance, Hail Mary, and I am so happy that it worked! It takes a little time and consistency, but it was so worth it!!" —Lindsey Wood

Get it from Amazon for $12.85 (also available in multipacks).

I'll add in that I, too, was skeptical of this product despite writing about it alllll the time. Well, I tried it recently, and WOW, what a lifesaver. Keeping up with cleaning the shower is one of the housekeeping things I suck at the most, and this has been such a boon to my cleaning routine.

Promising review: "I was skeptical about this — you spray, leave it, and then just rinse off?? But yes — it actually does work. It works really well, so it's become our weekly routine to spray at night and rinse off the next morning. I still do a scrubbing every once in a while on problem spots, but this is a great way to maintain my shower that has way more grout lines to clean than what I could keep up with. Warning though — it is slick the morning after, so be careful if you're cleaning while in the shower :-)" —Kelly

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in two scents and two sizes).

NPS is the family-run small business behind this device! To use, make sure you're within 16–25 feet of your dog, point the device at your dog, and make sure there are no obstacles between you. There's a helpful video on their store page explaining more about how to use the device and its different modes!

Promising review: "I was a little skeptical on whether or not this would work on my dogs that bark every time another dog walks by our fence, but I needed to try something, so remained hopeful. It worked awesome the very first time! I did what the directions said, and it immediately got both their attention and stopped them in their tracks. I’ve been keeping diligent with it if I hear them start to bark, but I will say they seem to be barking less. Great product so far!!" —Shanna

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. See it in action on TikTok.

Promising review: "I was a bit skeptical when I saw multiple influencers on Instagram mentioning how well this brightener worked, but for the price I was glad to try it. It makes a big difference for me! I'm not sure how the brightening helps so much, but this cream has worked the best of all the products that I've tried to improve my under-eye area. My biggest problem is a sunken look and sometimes small 'bags,' which creates a dark or ridged appearance)." —LO

Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades).

Promising review: "As a landlord, cleaning other people's filth is a regular thing. I bought this product after seeing it on TV and forgot about it until I had a particularly grossly greased-up stove to clean. All I can say is wow! No harsh chemical smells, and this stuff really works. Less than a quarter of the elbow grease was needed, and the job came out better than expected. I only wish I had taken pictures. I was skeptical, but now I'm sold." —rick

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.

Promising review: "I was a bit skeptical when I bought this toothbrush. I am usually looking for the most cost-effective brush I can find. HOWEVER, I noticed a major difference after the first brush. My mouth feels cleaner overall and stays refreshed longer. It is true that you get what you pay for, so invest in yourself and buy THIS toothbrush! You deserve the best!" —Courtney

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.90 (also available in a travel version).

Get a closer look on TikTok.

Promising review: "I was skeptical that these would actually reduce snarling, but they do. With curly hair, I also noticed that the curls look better after sleeping on these. I'm buying more." —L. Stephens

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 3 sizes and 39 colors).

Promising review: "Even after I bought it, I was skeptical that it would work, and it took me a while to try it. I should not have waited. I used it straight for five days, and by the end of day five, it was clear that something was ready to happen. The skin was loose like a blister that had popped, but the top skin had been left, and the skin underneath had been left to heal. At that point, it pretty much peeled off. What was left behind looked like new skin, and it took a while for the area that peeled and the older areas to normalize with each other. I would absolutely use it again." —M. Ringer

Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in two pack sizes and two styles).

Promising review: "I bought this with an amount of skepticism after purchasing self-adhesive crown molding that didn't work so well. I live in an older building, and the grout and caulking around my toilet and bathtub are darkened and cracked, and there is no way to make it look clean. I've been looking for ways to make it look nicer, and when I saw the photo with the product, I gave it a try. It was so easy to use and immediately made it look 1000x better and cleaner. I ordered a second roll to do the same thing in my kitchen. The photos in the product directions show cutting with scissors, but I think an X-Acto knife works better." —AMYBOBAMY

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four sizes/styles).

Some reviewers recommend sizing up! For more info, check out BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord's full Bambody period underwear review.

Promising review: "I'm so impressed!!! My first time using period underwear, and I was skeptical, but OH MY WORD!!! These are a game changer. Wore them without any other protection on my heaviest days (like two supers in an hour–type heavy) and had no leaks!!! The fit is so nice and comfy, too!! For reference, I'm a curvy 10/12, and the size 10 fit like a glove!" —Kerra

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL, sold individually or as multipacks in various colors).

Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.

Promising review: "I was a little skeptical because I’ve had deep callouses for years not even the most expensive professional pedicure would help. I used this, and honestly, it took them out in 10 minutes. I'm amazed. Definitely recommend this to everyone. I soaked my feet in hot water for 10 minutes, combined with this gel and voilá, GONE!!!" —Vanessa

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in three scents).

ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers.

Promising review: "I have bought so many different types of products to remove fur from furniture; I was skeptical that the ChomChom would really work. However, I bought it at the recommendation of a coworker and couldn't be happier with how well it works. It is important to use quick back-and-forth motions so that you hear it clicking. I didn't do that at first and was bummed with the underperformance, but it turns out it was operator error." —c4c4

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors).

See it in action on TikTok.

Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief.

Promising review: "I was very skeptical as I have tried so many drops before. I only put it in one eye to see if I could tell a difference; I was blown away! I haven’t seen my cornea so white before. I suffer from serious allergies to all grasses, trees, and molds...I live in Florida! I’m on an allergy regimen but my eyes are always red due to my environment and the fact I wear contacts daily, which are immediately removed when I get home from work. But I am beyond pleased with how healthy my eyes looked! I won’t use it every day as it is pricey, but I will keep it on hand for special occasions." —Kristi

Get it from Amazon for $11.69.

Promising review: "Like most other reviewers, I was skeptical of these working. I’ve ordered multiple sets and replaced them after three months as well. You can definitely tell a difference when they first go on and up until they stop being as effective. When I replaced the old ones, I was truly amazed at the difference I felt in air quality. I have air purifiers from Dyson, Alen, Coway, Bissell, BlueAir, and Winix. I have multiple of all of them that I leave on all the time and regularly replace the filters in. Somehow, even with purifiers already running, Barnakl still makes a positive impact on the air quality. I have been quite impressed." —Amazon Customer

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: "I saw this highly rated on CNN and decided to give it a try — I hate chopping onions and tried some other products that did not work well. I was skeptical, but am very pleased with this! Easy to use and works perfectly. I’ve used it onions, bell peppers, and jicama thus far, and it's all good. The price is great too, considering I paid the same for the lesser quality products that I returned. I typically don’t take time to review, but wanted to let others know this lives up to the hype." —Jten

Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in four colors and four other styles).

Promising review: "I was so skeptical when my husband got these — how could they possibly be right enough for running? These things are so awesome. They are easy to install to your preferred tightness, easy to adjust as needed, and the best part is that you can kick them off when you walk in the door without untying. I got them for all of my sneakers." —EE

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 15 colors).

Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it "the miracle product I've been searching for."

Promising review: "My stylist recommended this to me, and at first, I was skeptical because usually, products stylists suggest are overpriced and not worth it in the end. This was $7 bucks and by far one of the best hair products I’ve used — and I’ve used higher-end products my whole life. It detangles well and builds up strength in my hair after each use. I do see a difference. I leave it overnight sometimes, or while I’m working around the house, and when I rinse, it has even better results than quickly using it in the shower. Great product." —Vanessa

Get it from Amazon for $7.40.

Promising review: "My dog's breath was pretty terrible. I gave him dental treats but it didn't seem to help with his breath. I was a bit skeptical when I bought the product but after two days of my dog using it, I noticed a huge difference! Definitely recommend this product." —Kelly

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes).

This little bloodsucker is 100% food-safe, BPA-free, and dishwasher-safe!

Promising review: "I bought this because my last garlic mincer broke. I was skeptical on how well it would work, but it works 10-times better than my last one!! Amazing product, and it’s a bonus that it’s cute!" —Kelsey Lyman

Get it from Amazon for $18.99.

Get a closer look on TikTok!

Promising review: "So after a long two days of walking at Disneyland, these things came in handy! My husband and I were skeptical, but man, once we used them, they truly helped relieve our foot pain. It felt so soothing, then the cooling just relaxed us. I highly recommend if you are going to do a lot of walking or just to relax at the end of the day. I will be buying these to have handy at home. Foot size doesn't matter! The footbag had plenty of space for my husband who's a size 12." —Yvette Valenzuela

Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $12.99.

Promising review: "Honestly I was very skeptical at first because I used space bags before and ended up tearing them after a few uses. But these are wonderful. They're durable, they take up so little space when not in use, and they're so easy to use. I have a smaller suitcase, and these make packing a breeze. Highly recommend." —Dacey C

Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.76.

Promising review: "I was very skeptical about purchasing this product, but I was happily surprised. I could not keep the garbage disposal smell-free no matter what I used to clean. I decided to try these based on reviews, and I am glad I did. It worked exactly as described. The garbage disposal is finally not smelling like anything!" —m.simpson

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $7.90.

See it in action on TikTok.

Promising review: "Like many I was a bit skeptical of this product but I hate to see those over ripe nanners go to waste so I smashed that buy now button. Today I used my Yonanna for the first time and WOW! What a delicious treat! It was a bit messy but I got the hang of it. The pieces are in the dishwasher now, pretty simple clean up. I can't wait to try it with a bunch of ingredients! Best part is you can make a bunch and refreeze it. I might get my mom one so we can Yonanna together!" —Tea

Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I have been using this for a little more than two weeks now. I was skeptical because I have tried even Rx medication that did not help. I saw a difference in the first week, and today, for the first time, I wore sandals without polish on my toes. I have ordered a second tube and plan to use it for three months, just to be sure." —kimn8r

Get it from Amazon for $17.

Promising review: "I was skeptical to try a whitening pen. My teeth are pretty yellow since I love my tea. It's been a few weeks, and it's worked great! It is also very easy to use and does not cause sensitivity to the gums. I especially like the application brush, which allows me to whiten individual teeth. Thank you so much. I'm very happy with my smile now." —Sylvia C.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95.

Therapy Clean is a family-owned small business that creates safe, plant-based cleaning solutions from its factory in New Hampshire. These solutions also happen to smell amazing.

It also comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth!

Promising review: "My daughter recommended this product. I was skeptical as I’ve tried many others. I was amazed! It lived up to its claim to fame…cleans away smudges and grease streaks, smells good, and resists future smudges." —Linda Vogel

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

Awkward Essentials is a small biz!

Promising review: "I was extremely skeptical about this product actually working at first. I saw this on TikTok and started reading the comments, which were all positive reviews, so I decided to try. Let me just say I no longer have to awkwardly run to the bathroom after my fiancé and I do the dirty. This product works!" —brittany simmons

Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $17.99 (also available in a pack of 20).

The kit includes eight Zombie Pack sets (powder and activator), plus one applicator brush!

Promising review: "I was a little skeptical when I bought this. Tried it for the first time and was amazed by the results! My skin looks and feels amazing; I felt like I looked at least five years younger. Yes, it doesn't smell the greatest, but it wasn't overly strong. My skin is very sensitive, and I avoid trying new products because a lot irritates my skin, but this product didn't. I am so thrilled." —Dayna

Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $25.

Read our Fasta Pasta Microwave Cooker review!

Promising review: "I was skeptical about this device. Ten years ago I had a similar plastic microwave pasta device called a 'Pasta Boat.' It was an awful thing. It would boil over in the microwave, and the pasta always stuck together. I threw it out. In contrast, I have to say that this Fasta Pasta was great. I tried linguini and followed the directions. The results were perfect. Plus my kitchen didn't steam up the way that a conventional stovetop boiling pot would. Clean up was a rinse off." —angela

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.