16 Genius Solutions To Your Most Annoying Problems As A Human Adult
Bad breath, a heavy cycle, stinky feet, brittle nails, and other charming things that accompany adulthood.
by The Candidly Team
We’re not here to list our grievances about getting older. In many some ways, we feel like we graduate into the most solid version of ourselves year after year.
But as this lovely little list we’ve compiled will reveal, there are several things that have come with post-30 adulthood that we just didn’t fully “expect” (#7 and #12). Or some we at least thought we’d be over by now (#4 and #8).
Ok, so maybe we did sort of come here to complain about our problems, but not without offering an inventive “solution” to each and every one of them. Not on a medical level where we can diagnose the cause for all your ailments (though we’ll venture a guess and say it’s probably that you’re drinking 75% less water than you should be) but on a human, here’s-a-way-to-possibly-feel-more-yourself level. To be more comfortable in your less dry, itchy, sweaty, hairy, smelly skin.
And so, away we go.
1. Bad Breath
The causes of bad breath can be anything from the foods we eat (you know the ones) to subpar dental hygiene to certain medications to infections to actual diseases. For women, one thing worth noting is that menopause can affect your production of saliva which can lead to higher risks of decay and infection, and ultimately, worse breath. If you want to get to the root of the issue for you, it’s wise to have a conversation with your doctor. And if you want a few tricks up your sleeve for dealing with the pain-in-the-ass symptom itself, here are some solid players.
Oxyfresh Fresh Breath Fresh Mint Mouthwash
Turns out we don’t need that poisoned vodka flavor to scorch our tastebuds the way most mouthwash does to eliminate bad breath. This burn-free formula is made with non-toxic ingredients but still packs all the power to banish that raw onion scent that lingers after lunch.
Price: $13
Breath Pearls Original
These little pearls are designed to target bad breath “from the inside out,” starting in your stomach, so it has an ongoing, cool, and freshening effect.
Price: $18
Keeko Copper Tongue Cleaner
Ok, it sounds gross, but what’s grosser: using a nifty anti-bacterial copper device to do a deep squeegeeing of your tongue or allowing all that icky bacteria to sit on its scummy surface? Sorry to paint a picture, but it felt necessary to conveying exactly how a tongue scraper can contribute to squeaky clean breath.
Price: $15
2. Hair Loss
We did a deep dive into why women over 40 start to lose their hair (in no small part because our own hair was shedding like crazy). There’s a range of issues at play that are useful to brush up on. We know. Homework. Yay! And if you want to try a little potion that helped us (and maaaaaany women) a great deal, there’s this.
Vegamour Gro Hair Serum
You’ve probably heard of this raved about formula and wondered whether it’s worth the hype. What we can tell you is upon using a few drops daily, we noticed WAAAY less of our own hair falling out in the shower.
Price: $64
3. Nightmare Constipation
No one loves to talk about it, but the way we poop matters and is a significant indicator of our overall health. In addition to feeling like actual hell, constipation can be a symptom of a range of health issues, so it’s definitely something to discuss with your doctor (noticing a theme here?) in order to know what’s causing it in your specific body. But for pretty much all of us, if we want to go regularly and with ease, certain things can be extremely helpful, like being active (when is it not?), drinking enough water (yet, again), consuming a lot (but like A LOT), of fiber, and, in our case, eating this one “magic” food. And here are two more magical little things you can order today that can offer a surprising amount of assistance.
NB Pure Daily Multi-Fiber
As we mentioned, women need a wild amount of fiber to feel like the healthiest, most energetic, and least bloated version of ourselves. A lack of it can be a frustrating culprit for constipation. This powder is designed to help get things going digestively speaking, but in a smooth, balanced way that doesn’t require the gaggy chugging of gritty juices to cover up the nasty taste so many fiber powders have.
Price: $29
Squatty Potty Oslo Bamboo Folding Toilet Stool
If you’re thinking surely, I can’t expect serious results from something with such a non-serious name, you’re in for a surprise. This humble little stool actually puts you in a prime, scientifically proven position to experience healthier BMs with less straining and more relief. We like this version, because it’s as Nordic minimalist as a toilet accessory can be (and also just kind of not medical looking).
Price: $40
4. Face And Body Acne
If you thought the solitary upside of aging skin would be never having to reach for an OXY-pad again, you were mistaken. Well, about the first part at least. Adult onset acne is actually most common among menopausal women - fun! So while we may still wake up to hormonal pimples well beyond our 40s, at least when we do, we’ve graduated to far more effective/ sophisticated solutions that don’t ruin our poor, non-teenage skin. Like this:
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Have you heard of this miracle “pink stuff?” We actually have it on good word (hers) that it’s a go-to for Jennifer Aniston, whose beauty routine we’d happily copy to the T-zone. Sorry, we’re dumb. But this isn’t. It works!
Price: $17
Paula's Choice CLEAR Acne Body Spray
Because the skin on our back tends to be more resilient, it can take a more powerful product to combat dreaded bacne without getting all stiff and dried out. We love that this sprayable 2% salicylic acid formula is easy to apply and nonchalantly clears our skin, while we carry on.
Get 15% off on Dermstore using the code CANDIDLY
Price: $28
5. Foot Odor
Feet sweat. Especially when we’re able to drag our lazy selves out the door to actually work out. And when that sweat mixes with bacteria that live on feet, they can reek. It’s a shame. And if it’s really getting out of hand, we should check with a doctor to make sure we don’t have an infection like Athlete’s Foot. But when it’s just a matter of taking our hygiene into our own hands, there are thankfully effective solutions within reach, including THESE perfect and chic flats that happen to be both antimicrobial and breathable beyond belief. But as for the non-fashion things, there’s this.
Barefoot Scientist So Fresh So Clean The instant refresh set
We love a little set, but only when each item in it works. This one includes a deep-cleaning foot wipe (perfect for after workouts when you can’t immediately shower) and a powerful spray designed to kill bacteria and halt the growth of fungus and other things that cause bad odors. Plus, it has essential oils to keep our feet feeling fresh and lovely.
Price: $31
6. Dry, Cracked Nails
Brittle nails can be a lifelong annoyance, but they can become particularly pesky in our 40s. This is often because when estrogen levels drop, it affects our body’s production of keratin (the protein our nails are made of). It also makes us more prone to dehydration which depletes nails. Therefore, in addition to drinking lots and lots of water (which is hard; we use hacks), we can also turn to keratin-rich formulas to keep our nail beds quenched and healthy.
Typology Hand & Nail Serum with 1% Plant-Based Keratin + 2% Hyaluronic Acid
A glorious formula from a brilliant French brand (because French pharmacies seem to produce only the very best). This concentrated serum is filled with gorgeous, plant-based keratin and hyaluronic acid, which softens our skin as it strengthens our nails.
Price: $21
JinSoon Hyper Repair
We love that this non-toxic polish can double as a replenishing, strengthening treatment or a lovely base coat, protecting our precious nails.
Price: $22
7. Uncomfortable Gas
We tend to focus on the embarrassing or dumb-joke side of this symptom, but gas is, at its core, deeply uncomfortable. There are lots of interesting findings on herbs and remedies that offer natural relief. And this particular one had some wildly good reviews from people with lifelong tummy issues.
Hilma Gas + Bloat Relief
A clean, herbal blend of soothing-sounding things like peppermint leaf, fennel, lemon balm, caraway, which have properties known to aid digestion and have a nice de-cramping effect. We like that the brand is committed to keeping out known harmful ingredients and aims to provide clinical research to support how their supplements can offer relief.
Price: $22
8. Super Heavy Flow
I used to think the horror stories around heavy periods only happened in the “Trauma-rama” section of Seventeen Magazine to teen girls trying on white pants at a Wet Seal. But then I got wise…or got my first period - one or the other. The point is, some three decades later, we’ve all gotten a little wiser about ways to deal with the hormonal horror that is a heavy period. And here are two of them.
Thinx Classic Hi-Waist
In addition to having max absorbency (essential), this pair from Thinx sizes up to 4x (also essential). They’re cut in a supportive high-rise that feels a bit like a hug around our aching abdomen. And even though we’d happily wear a hot water bottle duct-taped to a harness if it helped our period pain, it doesn’t hurt that they’re not hideous. We wear them under THESE for the ultimate cozy, period uniform.
Price: $35
Rael Heating Patch for Menstrual Cramps with Extra Coverage
A wearable heat pad for ongoing relief that doesn’t immediately make us go up 4 pant sizes. Yes, please.
Price: $18
9. Dry, Cracked Heels
Fun fact: the phase of life when we’re in most need of a pedicure directly correlates with the phase of life when we have the least free time to get one. Don’t worry, there’s this.
BabyFoot Moisturizing Foot Mask
We’re all about the ease of slipping on a pair of booties filled with a silky collagen and hyaluronic acid cream, waiting 15 minutes, and magically enjoying soft, rejuvenated, and freshly exfoliated feet.
Get 15% off on Dermstore using the code CANDIDLY
Price: $15
10. Hair Removal
Why is it that we go to excruciating lengths to get the stupid hair on our head to grow, but all the while, our body, face, and bikini hair is on some kind of fantastical journey to transform us into Bigfoot? We’ve spent too many years seeking at-home solutions to hair removal we don’t dread with every ounce of our being. We found two. And they’re excellent!
Meridian The Trimmer
This is the only trimmer we allow down there. Nothing else compares. And we’ve tried it all.
Price: $74
Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex 9-020 Epilator
We first tried this device during quarantine when we couldn’t use a waxing appointment to rid us of our unruly leg and body hair. And now, we’re hooked.
Price: $220
Jarrow Formulas Fem-Dophilus
It goes without saying (and yet, we’ll keep saying it) that you should talk to your doctor about any new “thing” you plan on taking, but this probiotic brand has long been lauded lots of help to those who suffer with UTIs. We won’t get into the long Latin names; the bottom line is it contains specific probiotics that are linked to balancing our vaginal microbiome.
Price: $20
12. Excessive Sweating
We’re all hard-core athletes here, right? Okay, fine, I broke a sweat picking up a stack of mail I spilled this morning, but whatever the reason we’re sweating might be, and by the way, hormonal changes can be one of them, we want something to make us feel completely fresh without smelling so “medical” we get faint when we apply it.
Kosas Chemistry AHA Serum Deodorant
When we first heard of a serum deodorant, we were intrigued. Then we heard this formula was clean, aluminum-free and didn’t leave a dreaded stain. Add to that that its ingredients are hydrating, exfoliating, and help prevent ingrown hairs. And finally, we smelled it in Beachy Clean. Sold!
Price: $17
13. Thigh And Boob Chafe
As much as we welcome warm weather (hello, poolside-chic outfits and workouts outside of our stuffy living rooms), we also hate the chafing that comes along with it. Luckily, there are some oh-so-easy solutions at our fingertips.
First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick with Shea Butter + Colloidal Oatmeal
The easiest little balm to rub on sticky, sweaty, “rubby” areas without being sticky or greasy itself.
Price: $20
Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel
For thigh chafe specifically, we really like this practically invisible little powder gel from Monistat.
Price: $7
14. Undereye Circles
We’re all tired and busy and staring at screens way too much, and bags under our eyes are starting to feel like just part of the deal. And sure, we use creams (some of which are excellent, like THIS) and concealers (some of which are life-changing, like THIS), but every once in a while, something unexpected comes along that changes our perception of what’s possible. THIS is that thing.
Talika Eye Therapy Patches
This 30-minute eye mask restores that wide-awake, bright-eyed, well-rested look we only had when we were fresh-faced 20-year-olds running on iced mochas and 3 hours of sleep. Needless to say, we’re obsessed.
Price: $60
15. KP On Arms And Legs
With all the rich, exfoliating love we give our skin, it all too often repays us with those dry and pesky little bumps. The other stuff didn’t help. This does.
Peach & Lily KP Bump Boss
We’ve lauded this brand for giving us glorious glass skin. And this product is no exception with its dead-skin husking, microdermabrasion powers, which left us as polished and glassy as we could hope to be.
Price: $29
16. Tonsil Stones
The bacteria-riddled stones that get stuck to our tonsils can be both painful and particularly obnoxious when they lead to bad breath. While maintaining tip-top dental hygiene is a must, a rinse can help flush out those particles that start to build.
Everest Mouth Wash & Tonsil Stone Remover
Free from chemicals but a bright, refreshing way to help you curtail the build up of tonsil stones and avoid dry mouth all at once.
Price: $22
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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