Product Review: Colgate 360 Extra Soft Toothbrush for Sensitive Teeth and Gums with Tongue and Cheek Cleaner

 

This is a two-pack of toothbrushes that have soft bristles and on the other side of the bristles a tongue and cheek cleaner. While they are marketed as extra soft, I would say that they are softer than normal, but not as soft as others out there, and are not close to some of the toothbrushes with "ultra soft" bristles. They are still very good if you have moderately sensitive teeth and gums, but if you have more severe dental issues, then you will probably want to look for something with softer bristles than this.

Product Review: Mavogel Cotton Sleep Eye Mask

 

This is a great sleep mask. It is very soft and blocks out all light (when it is positioned correctly). I have a floor lamp that dims on a timer, but I do sometimes get tired before it turns all the way off. I tried putting the mask on before the lamp was set to shut itself off, and I could not see any light through or around the edges of the mask. I also have blackout curtains that do a good job of keeping light from the outside to a minimum, but the electronics I use in my room always have some light that keeps the room from being completely dark, which I definitely need at night in order to sleep well, and this blocks out all of that light which would otherwise keep me awake.

It does take a couple of nights to get used to wearing this. It is a lot heavier than other masks I have tried and it has a tighter strap, both of which are ultimately good, but may be a bit uncomfortable the first night that you use it. The strap is adjustable, however, so you can loosen it up if it is too tight. While it does not always help me fall asleep faster, I definitely sleep deeper once I get to sleep when using this. So, if you are a person that needs absolute darkness to sleep, this is a good pickup.

Product Review: Polar Balance Scale

 

This is a decent scale that can only measure body weight, either in pounds or kilograms. It does not measure things like body water, estimate body fat percentage, or things like that. It is most useful if you use it along with one of the Polar heart rate monitor watches, which it can be synced with (although not always easily), which you can in turn synch with the polar app on a smartphone. There is no way to synch the scale directly with the app, so if you do not currently use a Polar heart rate monitor, then this is just a run-of-the-mill digital scale.

Product Review: Wahl Mustache and Beard Battery Operated Beard Trimming kit for Mustaches, Beard, Neckline, Light Detailing and Grooming with Bonus Nose & Ear Trimmer

 

The beard trimmer was okay but died pretty quickly (within a few months) to the point where it would not turn on even with new batteries. The nose/ear hair trimmer has lasted much longer (it still works) and works as it should. So, this is definitely a get-what-you-pay-for kind of product, and how long it will last is a bit of a tossup.

Supplement Review: Testosterone Booster for Men | Six Star Pro Nutrition

 

I used this for a while but really did not see any appreciable gains in strength, better workouts, etc. The pills are easy to swallow, which is a plus for sure. However, while a serving is two pills, the recommended daily use is two servings daily, for a total of four pills. So, in order to take the total amount recommended you will need to get two bottles because the bottle only has enough pills to take the full amount for 15 days. That is definitely something to be aware of if you decide to try it.

Supplement Review: Natrol 5-HTP Time Release Tablets

 

I, thankfully, have never had anxiety so I cannot say how well this does or does not help with that. I was taking it more for help relaxing at the end of the day in hopes that it would help me sleep better. Unfortunately, I did not notice any increase in sleep quality, getting to sleep easier, or the like. The tablets are easy to swallow, and you do get a full 30-day supply in the bottle (1 tablet = one serving taken once daily), so it is not one of those supplements that tell you it has 30 servings in the bottle but also tells you to take more than one serving per day. As one reviewer noted, it does interact with other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, so you definitely want to check out the list of things that you should not take this with before you start taking it, especially if you are on prescription meds which you cannot just stop taking.

Supplement Review: Animal Flex – All-in-one Complete Joint Supplement - Turmeric Root Curcumin - Glucosamine Chondroitin - MSM - Hyaluronic Acid - Repair and Restore

 

It did not do anything more for me than any other Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement, and it requires taking a lot more pills at one time (eight versus two for pretty much every other similar supplement). When you could get it for just over twenty dollars it was a good deal, but now that the price has been increased, unless it really does wonders for you, there are a lot less expensive options out there.

Product Review: Omron HEM-432C Manual Inflation Blood Pressure Monitor

 

This is an easier way to take your blood pressure, and you can use it on yourself, without help. Unlike the old-fashioned method that requires the use of the stethoscope. It is not, however, as easy to use as the wrist cuff types that are totally automatic. It is very accurate and will get you a very similar reading to what you would get having your blood pressure taken at a doctor's office.

Supplement Review: Nature’s Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic, Daily Probiotic Supplement

 

This is a good supplement to keep your gut healthy without having to eat a ton of yogurt or having to get the super expensive probiotics that have to be refrigerated. The tablets are not coated but they are small enough that they are easy to swallow without a problem. And, you can get this as a subscribe and save item and have it delivered at whatever frequency works best for you.

Product Review: Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong Toilet Paper, 18 Mega Rolls

 

Quilted Northern is very strong and very soft toilet paper. It gets you clean with just a fraction of what you would have to use with the cheap flimsy stuff. You get 18 rolls in all (three packages of six), and the rolls are very large, so they will definitely last a long time. And, it is nice to have as a subscribe and save item so you can replenish at whatever frequency you need.

Product Review: Kleenex Professional Facial Tissue Cube 3 Boxes

 

These are very soft tissues that will definitely keep your nose from going raw if you have a bad cold with a constant runny nose. You also get three smaller (square) boxes as opposed to the six or more of the larger (rectangular) boxes, so they are easier to store, and a perfect amount if you only have a one-person or two-person household. And, you can get them as a subscribe and save item and get it on a schedule that works for you without having to remember when you go to a store.

Product Review: Hemp Cream 2,500,000 XXL Blend

 

I got this for my mom to see if it provided equivalent pain relief that products that contain CBD provide for her joint pain and sciatica pain. Unfortunately, it does not provide the same pain relief for her, so she gave the rest to me. I have been using it on my knees and shoulder where I have slight pain (shoulder) and range of motion issues (knees). I find that it does about as good a job for my issues as something like Ben Gay or Icy Hot does, without the smell. However, the price is a lot more for a jar of this than it is for a tube of either of those, especially if you use a generic equivalent. So, overall, I would say that if you have minor pain issues then this will probably help you as much as anything else, but if you have more major pain issues, it may not.

Product Review: Cleanze Antibacterial Hand Sanitizing Wipes

 

These are a bit easier on your hands than hand sanitizer and are a convenient way to "wash" your hands if you are not in a place with easy access to soap and water. They are perfect for keeping in the center console of your car or glove compartment or to take along when you travel.

Product Review: Hеmр Gummies

 

The dose is two per day. I generally take one in the evening after I workout to help wind down, and then one right before bed. I have found that I am sleeping more soundly most nights. I do not think that it does anything for pain relief, but I really do not have chronic pain of any kind (at least not so far) so I cannot say how it does or does not help with that. I did wrench my back about a week and a half ago and I did not notice that this really helped with that pain level. But as a supplement to help relax, I do think this works well and the gummies taste very good.

Supplement Review: Rising Pharma - Mag64 Magnesium Chloride with Calcium Tablets

 

I purchased these for my mom because her cardiologist recommended she switch from Magnesium Oxide to slow-release Magnesium Chloride. These are much easier for her to swallow than the two types of Mag-Ox supplements she tried, one of which were very large, but coated gell-caps and the other was a smaller uncoated tablet (which tended to get stuck in her throat until they dissolved all the way). This combines the best of both worlds. They are tablets (just slightly larger than the uncoated Mag-Ox tablets she tried) and they are coated, which makes getting them down a lot easier. The price is better than getting them through a local store (they are an over-the-counter item and can be very expensive, especially if they only have one brand), and you can get them as a subscribe and save item so you do not have to remember to resupply.

Product Review: GUM - 516VP Technique Sensitive Care Toothbrush with Quad-Grip Handle, Full Ultra Soft Bristles, Twin Pack

 

This is a good toothbrush that does a great job reaching all teeth, even the back ones, and has very soft bristles, which is great if you have sensitive teeth or gums. And, the price is better than what you will find in a lot of physical stores. Plus, it is available as a subscribe and save item so you do not have to remember to replace them. I definitely recommend this.

Product Review: Copper Fit Health Unisex Arch Relief Plus with Built-In Orthotic Support

 

These are a good arch support option at least if you are like me and need arch support but do not have fallen arches or plantar fasciitis which may require more extensive orthotics. You can use them in practically any shoe or boot, with or without socks. They do take a bit of getting used to since they are strapped to your feet as opposed to being an insert, but once you get used to them they are not all that noticeable.

Product Review: Bath and Body Works BLACK RASPBERRY VANILLA Super Smooth Body Lotion

 

This is a great lotion. It is one that because it has a strong scent, a little goes a long way, but it smells very good and does a good job moisturizing dry skin. You could use it as a hand lotion, but personally, I like to use it on my wrists, around where the bands from my Fitbit and Apple watch can irritate and dry out my skin. That works well and keeps the scent from getting too overpowering.

Product Review: Burt's Bees Retinol Alternative Facial Moisturizer, Anti-Aging Sunscreen with SPF 30

 

This is a good facial moisturizer that offers some SPF protection. I would not rely on just it if you are, for example, going to be outside on a lake, on a beach, or in a situation like those where you will be in the sun for an extended period of time. However, for everyday situations where you will be outside for a short period of time, the level of protection it will give you from the sun is fine. It is great if you have dry skin on your face, especially if you use things like acne pads or other facial cleansers that can dry out your skin. It does not have any overpowering scent like many hand lotions do and as someone who has relatively sensitive skin, I do not find it irritating at all. I definitely recommend it.

Supplement Review: Natrol Melatonin Fast Dissolve Tablets

 

I would not say that this really helps me fall asleep, but it definitely helps me to stay asleep once I have fallen asleep. I rarely ever wake up once I have fallen asleep and do not seem to toss and turn in my sleep as much when I use this on a regular basis.