Each month, we look back at the Amazon products and stories among our coverage that proved most popular the previous month. With August now behind us, we definitely noticed some standouts: Oral care and skin care were far and away the most popular categories, though solutions for many different aging concerns also piqued shoppers’ interest. This meant items for hair loss, muscle pain relief, body odor and more. And while we don’t want to fearmonger about aging (it’s not a problem you need to fix, and it should be celebrated), we do want to offer solutions that make the experience more comfortable.
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This month, those solutions also included some hidden gems like lesser-known soaps, no-frills underwear and other products that might fly under the radar in Amazon’s vast digital marketplace. Below, take a look at some of August’s Amazon winners among HuffPost readers.
A nano-hydroxyapatite whitening toothpaste that’s great for sensitive teeth
This option from Mouthology was so popular, we had to ask a dentist to confirm whether the hype is justified. The toothpaste is fluoride-free and contains 10% nano-hydroxyapatite, a calcium-based compound that can help restore and protect teeth, as well as xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol that dentists previously told HuffPost can reduce cavity risk. The toothpaste, which has a fresh mint flavor, is made in the United States and is great for sensitive teeth.
A bar of Japanese persimmon soap to get rid of “old person smell”
Months ago, HuffPost reported on the “old person smell” phenomenon, wherein increased production of the organic compound 2-nonenal in people over 40 creates a slightly stale, “musty” scent that can be difficult both to smell on yourself and also to wash off.
This highly-rated Japanese persimmon soap bar by Mirai claims to target this particular smell, it became such a popular item that it topped our bestsellers list in March and continues to be a favorite.
The soap contains permission extract with more deodorizing tannins than competitors, as well as green tea extract, which is rich in antioxidants (declining skin antioxidants is one of the causes of “old person smell”). Reviewers claim that the soap’s odor elimination lasts for days, and you can use the bar on areas where nonenal odors are strongest, like the back of the neck and behind the ears.
An adapalene gel reviewers with milia say really works
If you have milia, or small white bumps under the skin (a condition that becomes more common with age), you don’t have to “fix” it as the bumps aren’t harmful. But if you do want to get rid of them, Cleveland Clinic recommends using adapalene gel, so we covered an OTC option that one reviewer said “is a miracle worker for skin.” The gel is fragrance-free, clear and can “slough off dead skin” to promote cell turnover to help get rid of milia.
The $10 “Botox in a bottle” serum that reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Okay, so it’s not literally Botox in a bottle — we checked with a dermatologist to make sure, back in February 2025 when we first reviewed this Argireline serum from The Ordinary. Still, we learned that its active ingredient can inhibit the neurotransmitters that form dynamic lines on the face, similarly to Botox albeit with less powerful results. It’s lightweight, water-based and so easy to apply… much easier than booking a Botox treatment, and usually only $10 to boot. Based on all that, we had to give it the honor of a HuffPost Shopping Award, and it continues to attract HuffPost readers.
A mascara that rivals Lancôme — for half the price
Though we’ve long been fans of Lancôme’s Lash Idôle mascara (which also made this list, just further down), we can’t deny that the $30 price tag is a bit steep. It seems many HuffPost readers agree, because this Vivienne Sabó mascara is half the price and got a lot of attention after we covered it in mid-August. Reviewers claim this mascara “surpassed Lancôme” and praised its volumizing, lengthening formula that doesn’t clump or smudge. It comes in five shades.
An antifungal tea tree oil soap
Another way to tackle “old person smell,” this tea tree oil soap was another popular pick from this month. As a cosmetic chemist previously told HuffPost, tea tree oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties, making it a great ingredient for addressing stubborn body odors and calming itchy or irritated skin. Use it on problem areas like the feet, or all over for daily relief.
A muscle release tool recommended to one writer by a physical therapist
Early in August, HuffPost Shopping contributor Megan Lasher wrote about her experience using this Pso-Rite muscle release tool after her trainer recommended it to relieve pain from her pelvic tilt. As pictured here, you lie on the tool with the “U” just above your hip joints, and the tool can help release pressure.
“In my experience, using the tool creates the type of cathartic pain you’d experience with a deep tissue massage. There’s a pinch as you settle into place, and a slow release the longer you lay on the prongs of the U. The full effect sets in after about a minute for me personally, and lasts for a few days (but I rarely go so long between sessions),” Lasher wrote. If you have a pelvic tilt, especially one that hurts more from sitting at a desk all day like Lasher, this could help provide some immediate relief.
Just some really good women’s cotton underwear
This five-pack of high-waisted underwear is by no means fancy, but our story about it in mid-August still managed to gain a number of fans. The main selling point is the unbeatable comfort: Not only are these made with breathable, moisture-wicking material, but they also feature a full-coverage silhouette and a wider crotch that’s pad-friendly. The size range is also generous; you can get these in a bunch of different color combinations, in sizes S-5XL.
Crest’s 3D White two-step teeth whitening kit
Teeth whitening products are always a favorite for our readership, so it’s no surprise that a beloved brand like Crest would attract attention. That’s especially true with a sale, like the one that happened in August for Crest’s 3D White Brilliance two-step kit. The kit contains a deep clean toothpaste and whitening gel, which, when used together, can leave your mouth clean and polished. As one reviewer so eloquently put it, “The first step is like a fancy spa treatment for your mouth, and the second step? It’s like your teeth just got a VIP glow-up. Not only are my teeth whiter, but they feel so smooth, like I just walked out of a dental cleaning every time I brush.”
This handy $8 nail strengthener and concealer
Fingernails can become thinner and more brittle with age, driving reader interest in nail strengtheners like this one we covered again in August. The strengthener, which also acts as a nail concealer and comes in nine shades, contains keratin, jojoba oil and evening primrose oil to harden, hydrate and protect the nails. The milky color can be built up with additional coats, letting the treatment double as a pretty polish.
A HuffPost writer-approved teeth whitening pen that’s gentle on sensitive teeth
Senior shopping writer Tessa Flores previously wrote about putting these whitening pens to the test, and found that they were much gentler on her sensitive teeth than whitening strips, while still delivering visible results. “After the first morning of application using the pre-filled brush-tipped pen, I felt as though my teeth lightened at least half a shade and looked more luminous overall,” she wrote. “After sporadic use over the next month or so, I noticed surface stains continued to lighten, even in areas like around my gumline and between my teeth, where my staining is typically the most stubborn and where whitening strips have the hardest time reaching.”
The pens contain a gel with an enamel-safe carbamide peroxide formula, which is easy to precisely apply with the fine pen tip. You can get up to 20 uses out of a single pen, and the shape and size make this whitening treatment easy to take on the go.
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A tube of pink toothpaste one reviewer called “oven cleaning for your mouth”
This Euthymol toothpaste comes in a fun pink shade but works hard to whiten. The formula contains 1,000 ppm fluoride to prevent cavities, can eliminate bad breath and can also deliver visibly brighter teeth in as little as three days (one reviewer even claimed his teeth were seven shades whiter in just a week). It was one of several whitening toothpastes HuffPost readers flocked to last month.
Lancôme’s Lash Idôle mascara that can give you the “lashes of a 20-year-old”
“I am 68 years old and my lashes look like lashes of a 20-year-old. I won’t be using anything else,” one reviewer wrote about this lightweight lifting and volumizing mascara, which we covered yet again in August for its effect on aging lashes. It’s on the pricier side, but many appear to agree it’s worth the buy, boasting up to 24 hours of waterproof wear and featuring a curved wand that lengthens and fans out lashes to prevent clumps.
This pink K-beauty multi-balm stick to boost volume
Another of Flores’ personal reviews made a splash this month, after she wrote about this Medicube plumping stick, which she called “the closest thing to facial filler I’ll ever get.” The K-beauty multi-balm stick contains 5% Volufiline, which dermatologists previously told HuffPost can create a temporary appearance akin to filler.
“I really like to apply this not just under the eyes, but also along my upper cheeks to help promote a more contoured look and boost the volume that I’ve lost with age and weight loss, as well as on my lips to minimize the appearance of lines and create a plumping effect,” Flores wrote.
She also said, “I really like that the texture isn’t heavy or balmy at all, but instead feels really silky, lightweight and melts into the skin. This means I feel better about swiping this on my face throughout the day or whenever I need a touch of hydration, without worrying that it’s going to completely remove my makeup or make me look greasy. It’s become my new pal on flights as well to help stave off that drying cabin air.”
A shampoo and conditioner set for hair loss
If you’ve dealt with hair loss from menopause, general aging or GLP-1 medications, to name a few causes, reviewers love this shampoo and conditioner set for targeting thinning hair. Available in several different formulas, the onion, biotin, keratin and rosemary mint versions have gained reviewer approval for their ingredients that can help with hair loss, like onion juice and rosemary oil. The overall result? Softer, fuller hair that isn’t “coming out by the handfuls” anymore.
Some resistance bands, because we all need to be strength training
If you don’t incorporate strength training into your exercise routine, experts say you need to, especially if you’re an older adult who wants to maintain your stability and safety. We covered these resistance bands on sale, but even at full price they’re ultra-affordable and useful. You get five color-coded bands, each with a different resistance level so you can customize your routine to your needs. The bands are stretchy but latex-free, and easy to use thanks to the generous length and width (59 inches long by 6 inches wide).
This expanding black dental floss that shows you the gunk you’re removing
As the name implies, this black floss is, well, black. That darker color may give it an advantage over regular white string floss: “The black color makes it easy to see all the gunk removed from dental surfaces,” one reviewer wrote. “This helps me know if I need to go over some areas again, to make sure I have a perfect clean. I think my dental hygienist is going to be well pleased with my teeth during my next visit.” Others say the color has “made my flossing more productive” and that the visible results give them motivation to floss more.
The color isn’t the only standout aspect of this floss, however. It also expands between the teeth; it’s made with four woven threads that are designed to target all the plaque along the gumline for a fuller clean while still gliding smoothly and softly — ideal for people with sensitive gums. “The expanding texture really helps clean between teeth thoroughly without causing any irritation to my gums,” one reviewer said. “It’s soft yet effective at removing plaque, and the soothing mint flavor leaves my mouth feeling fresh after every use.”
A body lotion for crepey skin
Alpha Skin Care’s Renewal body lotion contains 12% glycolic alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which exfoliates the skin to promote turnover, smooth texture and improve elasticity. This makes it a great pick for aging, crepey skin on the chest, arms and other body parts as needed. The hydrating formula is non-greasy and fast-absorbing.
A 2-pack of Mouthwatchers flossing toothbrushes
Former HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian first expressed her interest in Mouthwatchers’ flossing toothbrushes during Amazon Prime Day 2024, unknowingly starting a trend among HuffPost readers for years to come — these things continue to fly off the shelves, and for good reason.
The Mouthwatchers brushes are manual toothbrushes, which may have slightly gone out of style with the immense popularity of electric toothbrushes, but these brushes have gained their own fans because they still do the hard work for you. The bristles are designed to be dual-layered, with an ultra-thin top layer that better reaches tight spaces for a deeper overall clean (hence why they’re called flossing toothbrushes).
Zovickian, who tested them out herself, said the brushes made a noticeable difference in her dental hygiene. “Within about a week of switching from a regular brush to this one, my previously coffee-stained teeth looked markedly whiter, my plaque was less visible and my gums looked healthier,” she wrote. “My mouth also feels remarkably cleaner, a result that reviewers echo. I can’t help but feel that this model is toothbrushing the way it should be.”
Comfortable, affordable sneakers that are converting Hoka fans
Looking for comfy sneaks… but without the price tag of an expensive brand like Hoka? One pair that grabbed the attention of HuffPost readers this month is this slip-on shoe by Allswifit with a very subtle chevron pattern in the lightweight mesh for a touch of style. They don’t skimp on function, either; aside from the easy on-off design, these are slip-resistant, made with a thick midsole and have a wide base that promotes stability. Get a men’s pair in sizes 7.5-13, or a women’s pair in sizes 6-11; both come in several colorways.
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