20 game-changing products under $10 that we use in our daily lives

Thayers makes popular toners that won't dry out or irritate your face. They're alcohol-free and contain witch hazel extract to remove excess oil, reduce redness, and minimize the appearance of pores. I love the cucumber formulation because it smells great and hydrates my naturally dry skin. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

If you’ve ever wasted hot water or your time trying to fit your hand into a thermos like a ship into a bottle, then you will appreciate these cheap, long bottle brush cleaners. It’s a small daily inconvenience, but I’ve been surprised by how much I appreciate the ease, especially if I add post-workout to my water bottle after the gym and don’t want to run the dishwasher every time. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

I’ve never worked — let alone been — in an office before, and about a week in, I began to notice a strain within and behind my eyes that was not only unfamiliar but downright unbearable. I don’t wear prescription glasses or contacts, but a less-than-$10 pair of blue light blocking lenses straightened me out in short order, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at another computer with less than four eyes again. —Owen Burke, Insider Picks guides reporter

I carry this fan with me everywhere — especially on the subway in New York. It’s particularly useful when it’s burning hot in the summer, but it also comes in handy in the winter when I’m all bundled and sweating on the platform or inside the train. It's essentially the size of two lipstick tubes, so it can be carried around in a pocket or purse. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

I carry one of Baggu's signature ripstop nylon totes with me at all times. It's very light and folds down to a compact square, yet roomy and durable enough to carry up to 50 pounds of stuff, whether that's groceries, clothes, or anything else you need to transport during your day. Most of its fun and quirky prints don't stick around for long, so if you see one you like, don't hesitate to buy it — and since it's only $10, the decision shouldn't be too difficult. I'm personally a fan of all the fruit prints. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

I never leave the house without my phone, but I often forget to bring my wallet out with me. If you’re in this camp, you could benefit from these adhesive card holders that stick to the back of your phone. Just press them on the back of your phone (I recommend putting it on a phone case because the adhesive does leave some residue if you take it off) for easy access to your most important cards.

They’re not particularly durable, so don’t stuff five cards inside or they eventually will rip, but for three cards and a bill or two they do the trick and you really can’t beat the convenience or price. —Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks intern

These cotton ovals are perfect for removing nail polish, applying toner across the skin on my face and neck, and myriad other grooming-related tasks. —Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks senior editor

Because kitchen space in New York City apartments is premium real estate, I try to avoid single-use kitchen tools in favor of those that can pull double or triple duty. One of my exceptions is OXO’s Apple Slicer. With a little force, this tool cleanly slices and cores an apple faster and better than I could with a knife. Whether I’m making apple crisp, or want a quick, healthy snack, this is the first thing I grab. —Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks associate editor

Especially when living with roommates, cutting corners on gratuitous style in favor of utility is a smart strategy — it keeps your place looking nice without effort from one member more than others. This admittedly sterile-looking liner is only viewable by someone taking a shower since it’s layered behind our shower curtain, and it’s anti-bacterial to inhibit gross mildew or mold growth — it also comes with a 12-month warranty against exactly that.

It’s easy to rinse off, and the PEVA is a relatively more eco-friendly alternative to PVC. For $10, this has saved us money on future shower curtain liners and the embarrassment of a dingy, don’t-let-that-touch-me bottom of other liners — which also helps cut down on waste. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

If your cooking calls for a lot of juiced lemons or limes, or you just make a lot of guacamole, you need this $8 tool in your life. It’s a serious game changer. Lemon seeds falling into your food will be a thing of the past. —Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks senior editor

These little cable clips are a great for two reasons: one is that they keep my phone, tablet and other random chargers organized on my nightstand, and the other is that they keep my cords out of the way when my robot vacuum runs its course every morning. And it might just be my own clumsiness, but now I no longer smack my head on my nightstand bending down to find my charger anymore. —Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

I’ve never really gotten good with a whetstone stone or a honing rod, and despite the abounding confidence of others who use these tools, I am of the mind that it takes nothing short of a year’s apprenticeship to really do a blade justice with one of these devices.

The Accusharp, however, holds the novelist of novices’ hand for an almost fool-proof journey to make your knives’ blades great again. The tutorial is simple, and about 10 quick swipes between chores tend to keep me filleting, which can be pretty hard on a knife. I keep one in my car, on my skiff, and of course, in the kitchen. —Owen Burke, Insider Picks guides reporter

I know what you’re thinking, $7 for a pack of floss? It’s a little ridiculous. But as someone who doesn’t like flossing, discovering Cocofloss was a game changer. The rough texture makes it incredibly effective and it’s thicker than your regular floss so it doesn’t break. For whatever reason, using this stuff made me a much more consistent flosser. —Breton Fischetti, Insider Picks vice president

I originally came across Bioderma’s Sensibio H20 Micellar Water when I was living in Paris. It’s one of the cult-favorite French Pharmacy products that tourists line suitcases with before heading to the airport. It’s a gentle but effective micellar water that acts a cleanser, moisturizer, and makeup remover that works effectively without irritating or stripping the skin, leaving your skin’s natural barrier intact for more sustainable skin care health.

It’s basically soft water with micelles in it, which are tiny balls of oil that love dirt and debris and naturally pulls it out of your pores. I use this every morning and night whether I wear makeup that day or not, and it’s helped my skin both retain moisture and reliably removes the grime of NYC. Plus, you don’t technically have to wash it off after — making it perfect for when you’re in a rush. This is a tiny size for $7, but it’s more convenient for travel. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

I never knew I needed these, but after I lost my original iPhone charger, I ended up buying a few six-foot charging cables from Anker, and they’re absolutely amazing. They reach all the way to my bed with ease. When my friends visit my apartment and see my charging cables they're like, "Whoa — I need one of these!" —Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks senior editor

The humble spatula: a versatile kitchen tool that's used often but usually poorly designed. GIR actually gets it right by making it a single, strong piece of super heat-resistant silicone. There are no corners and edges for food to get stuck in, and it's flexible, but not too floppy. The mini size is perfect for bakers and cooks who need to get in to small jars of sauce and icing. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

I often find myself really congested, especially in the colder months. While I have plenty of over-the-counter medicine and products meant to help these issues, one of the best remedies I’ve found for colds and congestion is eucalyptus oil. All you have to do is shake out some drops while taking a hot shower to feel its soothing properties. It clears my congestion, plus the smells make me feel like I’m at a spa, which i think anyone will enjoy — cold or not. —Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks intern

If you value your clothes, one of the most important kitchen tools is an apron. Yes, you can get one that has a fun design on it, but Bib’s Apron keeps things simple. For $5 you’re getting a full-sized apron with two pockets, which can hold (non-sharp) tools, your phone, or a dish towel. Whether you’re making a sauce, cutting up meat, or working with super ripe fruits or vegetables, a good apron is an investment that will pay off the second something splatters. —Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks associate editor

Note: May arrive after the holidays

We switch out our shower liner every couple of months. We like these $5 liners from Amazon since they have a weighted hem to keep them in place and reduce billowing — plus you can’t beat their price. —Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks senior editor

Barbecue skewers are a kitchen tool I thought a lot about before buying, but I’m glad I finally made the commitment. These skewers make it incredibly easy to evenly grill meat, whether it’s on a grill or in an oven. They even help with serving, since you and your guests can each take one or two instead of sitting at the table debating how much food it’s polite to take.

You can buy a hundred bamboo skewers for the same price as this 10-pack of metal ones, but these are more environmentally friendly, which is why they’re a better choice. —Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks associate editor