buzzfeed Press
39 Slightly Embarrassing Products You'll Probably Be Glad You Don't Have To Buy In Person
Images
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. Don't worry bestie, I'll keep these between us. You know the feeling. Your basket is filled with gas pills, wart removers, and extra-strength hemorrhoid cream. "Omg, I hope my crush didn't suddenly get a job as a cashier at this Walgreens," you think to yourself as you pull your hoodie up and head to the register. Don't worry! First of all, none of those problems are actually embarrassing, but I get it — there are just some things that make you wish you could just skip the whole shopper-cashier interaction. Fortunately, this list is filled with tons of those slightly "embarrassing" products you can get delivered to you, and they'll be fully concealed by a cardboard box. Promising review: "This little bottle is pure gold. I threw it in my purse for emergencies (you know the ones), and wow — it works. A couple of sprays in the bowl before you go, and that dreaded “public restroom aftermath” never happens. The Beach Bum scent is warm, tropical, and slightly sweet — not fake coconut or overpowering perfume. It’s discreet, travel-sized, and has saved me from several awkward moments. Honestly, this is one of those things everyone should carry but no one talks about. Also a fantastic stocking stuffer or cheeky gift." —Mildly Motivated Kim Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a two-pack). Promising review: "I had a hideous wart on one of my left toes that just wouldn't go away. I tried cutting it off and applying a peeling solution to it, but it came back with a vengeance. It was a cause of irritation and embarrassment that I couldn't even wear slides or flip-flops over the summer. Until I found this product. Without even a month of using these medicated pads, the wart is gone! I have no complaints about the adhesion because it was completely intact after 48 hours of putting it on, despite getting it wet a lot ( I shower twice a day). Within a week of using these, the tough top of the wart started to peel off with the medicated pad. I decided to continue using the medicated pad to ensure the roots of the wart go away as well. Now, there are NO traces of the wart at all! I am super happy about this product and recommend it to whoever needs to get rid of an embarrassing wart." —Elaine Corpin You can learn more about symptoms, treatments, prevention, and causes of hemorrhoids at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "Cheap and effective. Works really well in relieving my situation. I recommend it, great ingredients for pain relief." —Jenelle Dacres Promising review: "No other products would work for me when I get nasty cold sores, but this has been the only thing to noticeably help, and the patch itself, if you catch the cold sore before scabbing period, literally can't even tell it's there. I would give it 10 stars if I could" —Cheyenne Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $12.97. Prefer briefs? Check out this similar seamless design with rave reviews! Promising review: "After trying these, the pursuit for the most seamless underwear ended with these, and I came to write that on my way to buy a second pack. I worked at VS for three years, what seems like forever ago, and tried every “seamless” thong under the sun- at the store and otherwise- all of which rolled, were still visible, or the liner was not cotton, which just feels gross by the end of a workout or the end of the day. These aren’t that. They DISAPPEAR under all the workout attire. Anti-camel toe… HELLO?!?! They don’t hold sweat. They don’t roll. They don’t move around. I just had my fourth baby and first C-section a couple of months back, and these are wide enough in the front. What is this panty sorcery? I threw out everything else from anywhere else. Follow the size guide. I washed in warm water upon arrival, even with the red in the pack, and none of the colors bled. I’ve washed 2x, and they look the same as when I first opened the box. They’re wildly comfortable for a thong from someone who despises every thong and even other styles of underwear I’ve ever tried. Picky lady problems, the list went on. Always something wrong about them on my body. NOT THESE! What!?!! I work out in these, run errands, housework ahhhh — they’re my new go-to that I ditched everything else. Comfy, sexy, stretchy, actually so seamless that they don’t exist under clothing, and a fantastic deal… It’s sorcery, I’m convinced." —Ebony Get a set of six from Amazon for $22.48+ (available in women's sizes XS–4X and nine color packs). Promising reviews: "This product is fantastic! I have hyperhidrosis so I have struggled to find effective treatments for my underarm sweating. With this product, As long as use as directed, making sure to go to bed after the 5 minutes drying period, the product is incredibly effective at minimizing underarm sweat. I did still need to use deodorant, but I can finally wear light colored shirts without fear of the dreaded giant pit stain. I am definitely happy I made this purchase. Update: Months later and this is STILL my holy grail product. I have forgotten deodorant before and with this product you cannot tell the difference. I wish I knew about this product sooner. Really really changed my life for the better." —Kayla S "SweatBlock is awesome!! I traveled to Vegas for a five-day convention and did not sweat once in any of my jackets or gowns! I'd researched ways to preserve my clothes, and these Five-Star Ratings are well deserved! SweatBlock is now my holy grail of defense against perspiration. My only suggestion is don't dry shave and then apply. It will cause irritation!" —LindsK Get a 10-count box from Amazon for $19.97 (also available in packs of two or three boxes). Promising review: "I love the new Sweat Control formula! To put it to the test, I applied it in the morning after showering. It endured a day and night of hot flashes, followed by morning exercise and cleaning house the following day. There was no stink at the end of the second day. I also love that it isn't turning my tops yellow like the old formula did. I highly recommend the new Sweat Control formula." —Lisa M. Get a pack of two from Amazon for $36.99 (available in three scents and an unscented formula). Promising review: "I love these. I have a few cute summer dresses with sleeves — eeek! The first time I tried the shields, it was 104 degrees at an outdoor event, and I was sweating bullets! The shields worked BEAUTIFULLY. Not a sweat stain in sight." —Cosmic Girl Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $14.99. See a TikTok review of the shaver here! For best results, the brand recommends stretching your skin with one hand, laying the blade flat, and then shaving against the grain. Promising review: "I tell everyone about this! No nicks, cuts, or razor bumps! The battery life is surprisingly long, too! I use this ALL over my body. Trust me when I tell you it saves you time and pain compared to a normal razor!! Seriously, never going back to a plastic one after this!" —Holly Promising review: "Miracle worker pads. These are amazing! I get seriously bad ingrown hairs in my bikini line, and they were gone after two days of using these pads. They smell a little funky, but the smell doesn’t linger. They are a good size and are easy to use.' —Kelsie Pellegrini Get a set of 28 pads from Amazon for $20. Promising review: "I’ve used this product for about two months now. I try to remember to apply at least twice a day. Not only is my skin clearer, but the overall texture is much smoother and softer. I highly recommend giving this lotion a try." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (also available in a two-pack). Read more about Kegel exercises at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "Since starting, my bladder control has significantly improved. I am now able to sneeze or cough without peeing myself. Yes, that's right. I am able to hold my pee longer, which means I can actually make it to the bathroom without dribbling on myself. The best part is that just a few short weeks into the program, you will have results you can feel. I think every woman who has ever had kids should try this out. The overall quality of my life has improved. Ditch your panty liners, stop the embarrassing dribbles, and no more mad dashes to the restroom because of a weak bladder. Even my sex life has improved; I have control of those pelvic muscles now. Just remember to wash the weights before and after each use with an antibacterial spray, and allow time to air dry before putting them away. I say air dry because if you wipe them dry with a cloth, you run the risk of giving yourself a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, and those are no laughing matter. Easy to use, easy to clean, stores away quickly." —Lady Tauber Get a set of six weights from Amazon for $49.99. These masks are designed to moisturize dry, dehydrated skin and leave it feeling plump and refreshed! It may also help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Promising review: "I love this! I put it on for about 10 to 15 minutes, and I can honestly say that I felt so much more hydrated, and I noticed some corrections in my skin tone. I’m going to buy more. I’m also very white, so you can see imperfections more easily if I’m not tan, and this helped a lot." —AM_Mama89 Be sure to check out the full line of Bawdy butt masks! Promising review: "I bought two sets of these, one for my gym shoes and one for my favorite everyday shoes I wear to the office. I've been pleasantly surprised by how well they work. I'm no longer embarrassed to take off my shoes in the presence of someone else. I've read I'll need to replace these over time, which makes perfect sense. I'll happily buy these again." —ATxQT Get an two-pack from Amazon for $13.97 (also available in packs of four or eight). Promising review: "Been using this for about a month. I run and go to the gym so there is lots of use of my sneakers five to six times a week. I remove the insoles and spray those, then spray inside the sneakers. I like the scent, kind of minty, and it kills any odors immediately." —Lisa S Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in two sizes and a two-pack option). Promising review: "I have very hard water that leaves hard-water buildup and nasty stains. It’s embarrassing to have guests over because the toilets are so gross! I have tried so many products and cleaning solutions — from natural essential oils to harsh chemicals so strong I was lightheaded for the rest of the day. Well, I tried out this pumice stone after reading about it in a BuzzFeed article, and honestly, the hype is real! It does take some elbow grease, but the after picture is from only 20 minutes of scrubbing, light enough that I didn’t break a sweat! The stone does get used up, but I think this one should last me a couple of years at least. So if you have embarrassing toilets, try this!" —Stephanie Ray Promising review: "I use these for nighttime. They are the best ones for me so far. Regular length, they don't scrunch up, they stay put and absorb really great. Plus, they are not perfumed. I have tried many other brands, and Poise is the one for me! I also use Poise Light during the day (regular length). You can't tell you have them on like the old days when wearing a period pad." —Leeloo Get a box of 144 from Amazon for $31.83+ (available in five styles and smaller pack sizes). Promising review: “I tried EVERYTHING! I tried tree tea oil for years and various different products. Nothing worked. The reviews were so great on this that I decided to try to cure it one more time. But when you have had a condition for 35 years, you aren’t too hopeful! I followed the suggestions of some of the reviewers and cut my toenails (I only had it on my big toes) everywhere that the fungus was present. I started applying this gel, which is super easy to use. I swear to you that I noticed a difference after one application.” —WIAPilot Note: The hairs in your nose play an important role in filtering out harmful debris. But of course, it's your body and if you want to wax your nose hairs you're more than welcome to — just be careful as removing nose hairs can lead to infection and ingrown hairs. Read more about it at the Cleveland Clinic. You'll get 100 grams of nose wax beads, 30 wax applicators, 10 mustache protectors, a measuring cup, and 10 paper cups at your disposal. Promising review: "I highly recommend this product. The instructions were super easy to follow, and it worked perfectly! I was a little nervous to pull the sticks out once the two minutes were up; however, it didn't even hurt. I expected it to hurt momentarily and my eyes to water, but neither was true! If you wanna get rid of them pesky nose hairs...snag this product!!!" —Julie J. Not only do you get the bottle but also three nozzles (two for adults and one for kids) and a 30-pack of nasal wash salt packs. Read more about nasal rinses and allergies at Mayo Clinic — including important info on using distilled or sterilized water. Promising review: "I love the design of this. Very practical and easy to use/clean. If you haven't used a Neti pot before, the first time is a lot like getting dunked in a swimming pool. You have to learn to relax your nasal passage and become accustomed to the water flowing from one nostril into your sinuses and then out the other nostril. By your second attempt, this becomes easy. After a week of using this, I noticed my ear canals were clearer. The first use left my nose clean and clear. Seriously, if you are suffering from congestion/allergens, try this (or another Neti pot) out. It is simple logic. Flush your entire nasal passage and reduce allergens. Nothing fancy, just cleaning your pipes." —New to this Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors). However, It's always a good idea to chat with your ENT before using any ear-cleaning products! Promising review: "I started applying the drops twice daily with a warm water bulb flush once a day. On the first day, only a little bit of wax came out, but the ear wax buildup was dissolving. The second day, after I applied the drops, my right ear was muffled the entire day, but when I did the ear bulb flush, a ton of wax came out, and my hearing was restored. I continued the treatment for both ears, and by the third day, my left ear was cleared of most of the ear wax as well. By the fourth day, all of the built-up ear wax was cleared out, and my ears were no longer itchy or muffled. These drops are amazing and worked way better than I expected as I thought it'd help get rid of some wax, but that I would need to go to the doctor to get the rest out. Trust the process and continue using the solution for the recommended four days; it works!" —RnG Get it from Amazon for $7.18 (also available in a pack of two). Promising review: "I am a waxy gal and use this thing every six months to clean out my ears, and I LOVE IT. It's easy to use, and I go from hard of hearing to hearing again within 10 minutes without days and days of ear drops or ENT visits. The nasty ear wax plug at the end is sooo gross and satisfying! Can’t recommend highly enough." —Weebster Promising review: "This is one of those things that I wish I'd found years earlier. I've suffered from stress-induced under-boob sweat for most of my adult life. Also, I'm a lifelong Seattle girl who gets upset when it's warmer than 65° outside. So when I stumbled upon this product, I was curious enough to buy a small pack. And yes, I've come back for MORE! For real, I won't put on a bra without one of these liners now. It absorbs all the moisture from heat and stress. And because it's a really soft bamboo/cotton mix, my skin is finally not feeling tortured under there! To the makers of this ingenious life-changing product: thank you thank you thank you! Sincerely, all the grateful ta-tas you've helped to care for." —Niko Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.99 (available in women's sizes M–XXL and in several color combos). Promising review: "This stuff is amazing. I am a sweaty person. Apparently, I have no thermostat because, randomly, I will just start sweating, and it's a lot. Well, I ended up with yeast under my breasts, and it gets red and sore. After you shower, dry off real well and apply this cream (a little dab will do ya) under your breasts and say goodbye to the inflammation and soreness. I also use in the down-there region. I will be buying this forever." —Deb Warwick Fresh Body is a small business that specializes in personal care products. Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in different pack sizes). Promising review: "This stuff really is awesome. It really works, and I don't know where it has been all my life. I started looking for something for thigh chafing after running into a few issues (not fun). It is super easy to use; just slide it on like you'd use deodorant." —SweetPea BodyGlide is a small business that specializes in chafe-preventing personal care products. Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five sizes; also available in an anti-blister balm). Promising review: "OMG, these should be standard issue to every human. I’ve bought them all: the cheap foot files, the expensive ones, the Ped Egg, and even a foot file from that direct sales nail wrap company. None of those remotely compare to this one. I thought I was reduced to course heels forever; no more! With just one use, my heels are fabulous! The callouses this thing removed was absolutely disgusting, but I couldn’t be happier. You won’t be disappointed!!" —JMart It features retractable, self-cleaning nozzles and a protective guard gate to prevent splashback. Promising review: "Speaking as a hirsute gentleman, I find the Luxe Bidet Neo 120 has soured me on pooping in bidet-less toilets forever. It's shown me the difference between rubbing peanut butter out of shag carpeting with a paper towel, and that sparkling clean feeling you get right when you step out of the shower. The unit took me all of about 10 minutes to install on my existing toilet with only a wrench. The easy-to-control flow valve allows you to provide just the right amount of water pressure for a full range of cleaning, from 'gentle trickling stream' to 'full-on 'Silkwood' decontamination,' ensuring the end of your bowel movement leaves you feeling cleaner and more refreshed than using just toilet paper alone." —Mercury Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors). Read more about constipation relief at home, including using a squatting position, at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "What can I say? The process of excretion can only be compared to a real-life exorcism, where it feels, pleasantly if I may add, that the devil himself is trying to burst out of your gut. Needless to say, the stool changed my life. I found myself creating excuses to run to my magical place and discharge whatever little portion of food was left inside me; I was hooked. Soon, people started wondering why I've become so distant; the stool had taken over my life. It would have taken over your life too if you had experienced the kind of pleasure that I was now enjoying; it was my high." —Dino Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two sizes). Promising review: "Hands down the most amazing plunger I have owned. I know it is somewhat silly, but having a reliable plunger such as this becomes such a relief when the world of human waste becomes less than...well, 'manageable.' I promptly named mine Excalibur." —Vince Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available with a telescopic handle and with a storage caddy, as well as various pack sizes). If you suspect you have tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths), talk to your dentist or doctor so they can perform a physical exam or imaging scan and deliver a diagnosis. Promising review: "I'm in my early 30s and just started getting tonsil stones. Until a few months ago, I never even knew what these things were! Anyway, I've been struggling with cotton buds to fully remove the stones, but I couldn't get rid of them, and they would just come back within the week. I received this and OMFG...best investment ever. No struggle holding my phone as a flashlight while awkwardly poking myself in front of my badly lit bathroom mirror. I sat comfortably at my vanity, used one hand, and removed the whole stone in less than a minute. Why did I not know this was a thing? Why have I been struggling? Get it! Stop struggling, suffering, and awkwardly dealing with this ridiculous condition...trust me." —Wren Get it from Amazon for $9.93+ (available in two colors and a multipack). Promising review: "These patches have really helped with the comfort of my feet! I hate that I get corns, but the quality of these patches have truly helped! My calluses and my corns have definitely gone down from using this product! The is great for the amount of money spent!" —Iva Get three packs of six from Amazon for $14.97 (also available in various bundles). The formula is aluminum-free, so it won't stop sweat, but the tapioca powder can help absorb it. Promising review: "This stuff is 5–10 times better than regular powder! It instantly soothes irritation, deodorizes after a shower, and quiets the chafe after long sessions on the treadmill. I can't recommend it enough! Stop buying/using Gold Bond and other similar powders, and start using this. I'll be buying two more tubes in the near future." —Devin G. Happy Nuts is a small business specializing in grooming products. Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in the original sandalwood zest scent or unscented, and packs of two and three). This isn't an antiperspirant, so it won't stop sweat, but it will soak up sweat to keep you dry and comfortable! Promising review: "I have recently lost a lot of weight and have skin that hangs over in my belly area. I have tried several products to help with the sweating that occurs, which leads to abscesses on a monthly basis. I finally saw this product and decided to give it a try. I am truly amazed at how happy I am with the results! The lightly scented powder keeps me dry without caking, and I have not had the hint of an abscess since starting it. I love it! Thank you for coming up with such a great product!" —Tammy Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (also available in packs of two or three). Promising review: "After a cabin trip with the girls, I noticed my feet were rougher than they had ever been. I'm talking discoloration and the hardest skin on my heels I've ever experienced. I ordered this wash in an attempt to get my feet back to their normal selves. I am so happy I did! My feet started to look and feel better after a few days of use. They are slowly but surely getting back to their former glory lol. If you want a foot wash that works then look no further than this product. You will not be disappointed." —LaLaHappy Get it from Amazon for $9.29 (also available in a two-pack). Read more about simethicone and gas relief at Mayo Clinic. Promising review: "Have used these since they came out with Max strength and love them… gets rid of any gas issues right away, and it doesn't come back until you get gas again with something else. Get them, you'll love using them and they're very easy to swallow… no taste to bother you either." —J. Alley Get a pack of 30 soft gels from Amazon for $10.48. Read more about simethicone and loperamide at Mayo Clinic. Promising review: "I can't survive without these things. I have quite a sensitive stomach, and any greasy or spicy food works like Drano on my stomach. So if I know I'm going to have some food like that, I'll use these to settle my stomach. Without these, I would be stuck on the toilet for an hour or two. These things are a lifesaver to keep on you, and are essential for any home." —Reviewer Get a pack of 12 caplets from Amazon for $10.50 (also available as packs of 18 or 24). Check out a TikTok of the plug-in fly trap in action. Promising review: "I can’t say enough wonderful things about these handy little bug catchers! They are simple to use, cheap to refill, and catch a ton of small bugs and flies. I have eight of them now, all around my house! It’s a little gross how many tiny flying insects are around…but it makes me feel a lot better now that I have these!" —Chris H. Get the device and two refill cards from Amazon for $14.97 (also available in a two-pack; you can also pick up a refill packs separately for $6.97+). The kit comes with ten toenail braces and the materials needed to apply them. Promising review: "I never realized how curved and not-OK my toenails were. I thought the pain I had was just normal and a fact of life. Only when I read about the Curve Correct product did I realize that I had a major problem that could be resolved! Now I'm on the way to normal, flat toenails that DON'T grow curved into my skin!" —Jamie H. Promising review: "When you live someplace that is hot and humid all summer and you don't have a car, just walking around the corner to the supermarket can be a very uncomfortable experience. This is the second summer that I have had one of these in my purse. Even if I feel OK outside, I can walk into a store and suddenly have a drop of moisture dripping down my face or worse, sweat in my eyes. Traditional handkerchiefs aren't easy to find anymore and tissues can leave bits of paper on your skin so these microfiber cloths are a great solution. They are soft, absorbent, thicker than ordinary handkerchiefs and they launder nicely. They feel nice and look nice." —sarany Get a pack of five from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 11 colors, two sizes, and packs of three and 20). 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.