Beauty Experts Say You Should Never Make These 50 Common Mistakes — & Here's What To Do Instead

“When your once vibrant white, gray, blonde, or lightened hair begins to show unwanted yellow tones, it can be both frustrating and disheartening,” colorist Gerard Caruso says of a common complaint he hears from clients at his New Jersey salon, Salon G. While the discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors, Caruso says that combatting that brass (and helping to prevent it in the first place) is as simple as swapping shampoos for a purple pigmented formula, like this one from milk_shake. “The purple pigments neutralize yellow tones, restoring your hair’s original luster and brightness,” explains Caruso, who serves as the creative director of education for the brand. Further helping to keep color-treated hair looking healthy is the shampoo’s combination of hydrolyzed milk protein and vitamin-rich berry extracts.

Likewise, brunette color can become brassy, too, but rather than reach for the purple shampoo mentioned above, Caruso shares that color theory calls for a blue-pigmented shampoo instead. “Blue pigments neutralize unwanted orange or red tones, and this shampoo and conditioner also help with deeply restructuring the hair for a healthy, vibrant appearance.”

Whether you never want to know a day without a faux glow or you save the self-tanner for special occasions, makeup artist and GlowPro Tans founder Julie Kortiko stresses the importance of investing in two self-tanners: one for your body and one for your face. “Most people are trying to use the self-tanning mousse they bought for their body on their face, but the skin on our face is much more delicate and prone to clogged pores and breakouts,” she explains. “The best option for your face will be a clear self-tanner that’s been approved specifically for your facial skin,” says Kortiko, who created her very own self-tanning drops that are noncomedogenic and soothing. Another option, if you’re looking to stay under $20, is L'Oreal’s Self-Tanning Facial Drops from their fan-favorite Sublime Bronze line. The drops are made with hydrating hyaluronic acid and can be mixed in with any moisturizer of your choice.

Multiple dermatologists that we spoke with agreed that one of the most common mistakes they see patients make is using a physical scrub to exfoliate their skin. Dr. Hannah Kopelman, who is dual clinically trained in skin cancer from Boston University and hair loss from Columbia University, notes that she also finds that people are over-exfoliating. “While exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells and promote a brighter complexion, doing it too often or using harsh exfoliants can strip the skin of its natural barrier, leading to irritation, redness, and even breakouts,” she says. If this sounds familiar, Dr. Kopelman recommends switching to this chemical exfoliant and using it just two to three times a week. “This product contains salicylic acid, a gentle BHA that exfoliates inside the pores, making it ideal for those with oily skin or prone to breakouts,” she shares of the leave-on formula that also includes soothing green tea leaf extract.

“While SPF-powered foundations and CC creams are beneficial and help defend the skin to some extent, they often don’t create adequate coverage,” shares OnSkin cosmetologist and aesthetician, Valerie Aparovich. That’s because the amount of makeup you’re applying isn’t actually enough to fully shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays. “Instead, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 underneath your makeup,” Aparovich says, recommending this mineral formula from Avène. Not only will it properly protect your skin, but the fragrance-free formula also includes soothing ingredients like niacinamide, allantoin, and French thermal spring water to calm skin and reduce redness.

If you go straight from your cleanser to your serum, Aparovich says you’re missing out on some major benefits. “Toners remove the remaining residue from the skin’s surface and normalize the skin’s pH, which cleansing products can disrupt,” she explains. This COSRX toner is her top pick, as it helps to gently exfoliate with AHAs and BHAs and improve the overall skin tone with vitamin C. “It helps restore the skin’s natural pH balance, replenish its water content, and refresh, soothe, and comfort your canvas,” she adds of its many benefits.

Noticing that your makeup turns cakey and creasy during the day? Setting powder could be to blame. “Powder particles can settle into fine lines and accentuate uneven skin texture,” Aparovich explains, noting that this is especially the case with drier skin types. But fear not. You can still help your makeup last through the day by opting for a makeup setting spray instead. “It will help lock everything in place and extend the wear of your makeup, while also replenishing the skin’s moisture content and providing a dewy, radiant finish,” she says. For a great option under $15, you can’t go wrong with e.l.f.’s Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray, which is made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, squalane, and aloe vera juice.

It’s a fair assumption that oily skin requires more cleansing, but Aparovich says that can actually trigger more oil production. “Over-cleansing or using harsh cleansers strips the skin of beneficial oils and disrupts its moisture barrier, resulting in increased sebum production, exacerbated oiliness, and blackheads,” she shares. To prevent this from becoming an issue, Aparovich says to wash your face in the morning and at night only, using a sulfate-free cleanser. “It will gently remove dirt and excess sebum from the skin’s surface without disrupting its hydrolipid balance,” she notes of gentle options like this vitamin C foam cleanser.

Yes, thoroughly removing your eye makeup (and the rest of your makeup) is nonnegotiable, but Melina Cespedes, a celebrity lash and brow artist, says what you use to wipe away mascara and eye makeup matters. “A common mistake many make is using cotton to wipe off makeup and remove mascara,” she says. “Cotton can snag and pull at your lash extensions, and the constant rubbing and pulling needed to remove mascara can weaken or even break your lashes,” explains Cespedes, who is also the founder of Lash Society Miami. Rather than use a traditional cotton pad that leaves lint behind, Cespedes recommends saturating a lint-free cotton swab with your makeup remover solution. “They’re gentle on your lashes and won’t leave behind fibers that can cause damage.”

• Available options: 5

If you’ve ever cut back on moisturizer in the hopes that it will benefit your oily or acne-prone skin, you may have been making the problem worse. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deanne Mraz, M.D., notes that while you don’t want to over-moisturize, you also don’t want to skip it entirely. “Sebum production works in a supply and demand relationship,” she explains, adding that by applying a moisturizer, your skin will know that it doesn’t need to produce as much sebum. The trick is finding the right formula. “Seek a lightweight, noncomedogenic, and oil-free moisturizer or serum,” she recommends for oily and acne-prone skin types. “I love this one from ISDIN, which contains a multi-functional mix of hyaluronic acids to nourish the upper and lower levels of the skin.” But since her pick costs over $100, another (much cheaper) alternative is this hyaluronic acid serum from Naturium, which rings up at just $17.

Professional colorists are quick to recommend purple shampoos and masks to tone blonde hair, but purple pigments may not always be the solution, according to colorist and LRN Beauty Salon founder, Lauren Paglionico. “Before reaching for a purple shampoo, try a shampoo that removes buildup,” she says. “Your natural oils, styling products, heavy metals, and even your water can leave behind a residue on your hair,” she explains, adding that this can make your color look flat and dull. “This detox shampoo has a pH-optimized formula that’s color-safe, gently removing buildup without drying your hair,” Paglionico says of her go-to formula in the salon. “Your hair will feel so clean, and your color will look fresh and shiny again no matter if you are a blonde, brunette, or redhead.”

Celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder created this luxurious-feeling face moisturizer to smooth over dry skin and patchiness and create a more even, luminous base for your makeup. “Regardless of what you use, skin prep is one of the most essential steps in the makeup application and it is something that should never be skipped,” she stresses, adding, “Your makeup will only look as good as your skin underneath.” That said, if you don’t have $95 to shell out on Blunder’s decadent formula, another foolproof option is Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, which makeup artists have been using to prep models’ skin for decades.

Before you turn to your stylist for expensive hair extensions, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Purvisha Patel, M.D., recommends checking in with your doctor about trying a supplement that can support fuller-looking hair. “Hair extensions can be too tight and pull on the hair follicles, which causes decreased blood flow to the hair and eventual loss,” shares Dr. Patel. Rather than go with this temporary fix for fuller hair, which can actually make things worse in the long run, Dr. Patel encourages patients to try Nutrafol. The daily supplement is packed with plant-based ingredients that were selected to promote hair growth and thickness in three to six months.

Multiple pros we consulted with confirmed that picking at your skin is a big beauty no-no. “Popping or picking your acne could lead to discoloration, scarring, and infection,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, M.D.. To resist temptation, he recommends placing one of these hydrocolloid stickers over any spots “to shrink the size of the blemish and encourage faster healing.”

It probably won’t come as a shock that sitting out in the sun for a prolonged period – yes, even with sunscreen on – isn’t doing your skin any favors (or at least it shouldn’t come as a shock). Rather than increase your risk of developing skin cancer, Tricia Trimble, the founder of mineral-based sunscreen line Suntegrity, says to fake your way to bronzed skin with a self-tanner. For a gradual glow that won’t stain your clothes, Trimble created this tanning lotion to moisturize skin with a mix of botanical ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, and sweet almond oil, while imparting a bronzed color with plant-derived DHA.

No one wants to do laundry more often, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D., says you’re probably not washing your towels enough. “Your typical face and hand towels can be full of dirt buildup and bacteria, so I recommend disposable face cloths,” she says. The towels in this 50-count pack are surprisingly soft and durable, and are capable of fully drying your face without the risk of transferring bacteria. Best of all, they’re biodegradable, so you don’t have to feel guilty about being wasteful.

• Available options: 6

“Applying lip balm is always great for your lips, especially if you are experiencing chapped lips,” Dr. Chacon says. “But you are missing out if you don’t do a lip treatment at night.” This cult-favorite lip mask gets Dr. Chacon’s pick for its sweet scent and antioxidant-rich formula that includes a mix of vitamin C, berry extracts, and moisturizers. “The mask also contains hyaluronic acid, so your lips will wake up plump, hydrated, and refreshed,” she adds.

• Available scents: 7

“If you are still sleeping on cotton pillowcases, it’s time for a game-changing upgrade,” insists Dr. Chacon. “Silk pillowcases will not only preserve your blowout, but they’re great for your overall hair health.” That’s because they help reduce friction that contributes to knots and tangles, and they’re less absorbent than their cotton counterparts, meaning they help your hair retain more moisture. This helps your skin, too, as silk pillowcases won’t leave your skin with creases when you wake up, and they won’t absorb your expensive skin care products. That said, if you don’t have the budget for a real silk pillowcase, satin pillowcases work just as well (and cost a fraction of the price).

• Available colors: 15

Sure, you can use a salicylic acid wash to treat body acne, but if you find it difficult to target hard-to-reach areas like your back, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky, M.D., recommends this spray-on formula from Differin. “This is a favorite of mine and patients because it’s easy to use on large body areas, delivering a fine, even mist of salicylic acid and glycolic acid to help with acne and keratosis pilaris,” says Wolinksy, who has even teamed up with the brand. “Dermatologists like to recommend it to prevent razor bumps as well,” she adds of another clever way to use the spray.

If you feel like you’ve tried every acne treatment on the market with no success, here’s one last option that doesn’t require an appointment with a dermatologist. “This product is so easily accessible and a favorite of all derms,” Dr. Wolinsky says of this Differin treatment gel, which is the first over-the-counter prescription-strength retinoid. The adapalene gel helps to reduce clogged pores and breakouts by speeding up skin cell turnover, and it won’t cost you more than $15.

Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein says that a common mistake she sees clients make is neglecting their cuticles. “Oil every day maintains the strength of the nail while delivering hydration, which promotes flexibility,” she says. “By maintaining the flexibility, it helps adhesion of nail polish or enhancements,” she explains of how cuticle oil can extend the longevity of your manicure. This brush-on formula has earned a permanent place in Gerstein’s kit for its nourishing benefits that come from a blend of sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and castor seed oil.

If you’re someone who pulls your hair back with any sort of frequency, Shelly Aguirre, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, advises against typical elastics that can pull at your hair and leave you with a crease. “Scrunchies are better for hair simply because the elastic is covered with fabric, making them less damaging,” she explains, adding that she prefers satin scrunchies, of which you can get six for $10 in this gift box set.

• Available colors: 6

“We all know to wear SPF on our face and body, but commonly forget to protect our lips with SPF,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Serena Mraz, M.D. “The lips are part of the face that get chronic, daily sun exposure, and for that reason, they are a common site for skin cancer,” she explains, adding that sun exposure can also leave lips dry and wrinkled. This mineral sunscreen gloss is Dr. Mraz’s personal go-to because it provides SPF 20, while also moisturizing with jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and sea kelp extract. “It also has a light pineapple and coconut scent that makes me feel like I’m on a tropical vacation every day.”

New York City-based hairstylist and colorist Marie Nino shares that an unexpected factor that could be messing with your hair is the water in your shower, which could include high mineral content (aka hard water). “Hard water minerals can oxidize and fade your color quickly,” she explains, noting that a shower filter can prevent this from happening. “The AquaBliss shower filter reduces these minerals, helping your color last longer and keeping your hair healthier,” she adds, noting that hard water can also cause a dry scalp and hair. The filter also comes in five different finishes, so you can match it to your shower head, making the attachment undetectable.

• Available colors: 5

“Heat protectors are essential because they shield your hair from damage during styling and help prevent your color from fading due to heat exposure,” Nino says of another must-have in your hair care routine. Her top pick is this multi-tasking leave-in from It’s A 10. “It’s like having 10 different hair products in one bottle, making it incredibly convenient and budget-friendly,” she says, adding that the product “detangles, adds shine, controls frizz, repairs damage, and protects against heat.”

Once you’ve got your toner, ensure you’re making the most of it with your application method. “Cotton rounds or cotton balls soak up so much solution,” says Emme Diane Burg, an esthetician and founder of her eponymous skin care line and Arizona-based salon. “I love these Silken Wipes for my toner or to remove eye makeup. They are soft, easy to use, and because they aren’t super-absorbent, more of your toner winds up on your face than on the cotton.”

“I’m embarrassed to say that I hated cleaning my makeup brushes before buying this tool, and because I hated doing it, it didn’t happen as often as it should have,” confesses Burg. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends cleaning your makeup brushes every seven to 10 days to avoid the risk of spreading harmful bacteria to your skin. “This tool makes it effortless to not only clean, but also dry your brushes,” Burg says of the electric device that spins your brushes through soapy water to clean them, and then spins them dry so you can use your brushes again right away.

• Available colors: 4

We hate to break it to you, but if you’re dedicated to face icing, you really need to be washing your roller. “I have not been the biggest fan of ice rollers because they don’t get as cold as real ice, and they are not as sanitary,” Burg shares. Instead, she opts for this ice mold, which lets you create your own ice globe (you can even use them to freeze dandelion tea or milk for additional skin benefits). Burg also loves these ice molds because they include a handle to keep your hands from getting too cold – though you may want to place a paper towel over the actual ice to protect your skin.

• Available colors: 6

If you sometimes turn to steaming your face to better squeeze out blackheads and other possible acne-causing debris in your pores, there’s a better way to treat acne, according to Burg. “Steam increases inflammation in the skin, which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve if you have active acne,” explains Burg, who adds that the warmer temperature also encourages more bacteria. “Target active breakout breakouts with a blue and red LED light tool, which will accelerate the clearing process,” she advises. Burg likes this mini Solawave wand, which lets you target pimples individually with a timed, three-minute treatment that uses blue light to kill acne-causing bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation.

There are plenty of mini razors to choose from if you’re trying out dermaplaning, but Burg says these itty-bitty razors are a mistake. “I get so many emails from clients who have messed around with these cheap, little face shavers and wind up with nicks, irritation, and histamine reactions where the skin gets little pimples all over,” she explains, noting that this happens because “the blades are not the sharpest and have a safety edge that creates friction on the skin.” Rather than give up on dermaplaning, Burg recommends making a simple switch. “I love the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor if you are looking to remove facial hair, as it is the quickest, safest, and easiest way to defuzz.”

Daily hair washing isn’t necessarily a mistake, but as celebrity hairstylist (and Dove partner) Lacy Redway points out, it does add up to time that could be spent “doing something more productive or exciting.” She also shares that dry shampoo is the easiest way to skip a wash day, and it doesn’t have to require a huge investment. “Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo instantly refreshes, cleanses, and adds volume,” Redway says, noting that its $8 price tag also makes it a more budget-friendly pick.

More glitter is not always better, according to celebrity makeup artist Glenn Brownell. “Overdoing highlighter by using something with too much sparkle will accentuate skin texture and is especially unflattering in sunlight,” he says. Rather than give up on the glow altogether, Brownell suggests opting for something moisturizing instead. Whether you choose a stick formula that you can swipe right on or a glossy balm (like Elizabeth Arden’s makeup artist-loved Eight Hour Cream), Brownell says to concentrate the highlighter as you normally would, along the high points of the face.

If you’re looking to combat shiny skin throughout the day, Brownell recommends skipping the setting powder. “Using powder to touch up when you get oily will make the product cake and separate on the skin,” he explains. “Instead, absorb the oil off the face first with blotting papers, and then go in with powder if needed.”

Another crucial component for expertly applying makeup? The lighting. “Avoid doing your makeup in a dimly lit room or a room with only overhead lighting,” advises makeup artist Randall Intrabartola. To ensure you’ve properly blended all of your makeup, Intrabartola says that setting yourself up by a window to take advantage of the natural lighting is always the best bet. “If that’s not an option, get yourself a lighted mirror. I love this one from Amazon because it’s super bright and has warm, cool, and neutral light settings.”

• Available sizes: 3

Over the course of my years of dedication to self-tanning, I’ve learned that no matter what kind of self-tanner you’re using, if you want an even application, you need to exfoliate first. This becomes even more essential as your fake tan starts to fade to help avoid a patchy effect – especially if you’re applying more self-tanner on top. Because my skin is quite sensitive, I’ve ditched the physical in-shower scrubs and replaced them with this salicylic acid-infused body wash from CeraVe. The chemical exfoliant helps to shed dead skin cells (aka the skin that’s holding onto that self-tanner), and it also helps to keep my skin smoother. Plus, it includes ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to prevent your skin from drying out.

I am guilty of holding onto my mascara longer than I should (which, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, is just three months). I also have commitment issues when it comes to mascara – something that I realized could work to my advantage. Rather than buy a full-size mascara and be forced to either risk an eye infection after three months or waste the remaining product by throwing it away, I’ve started to opt for travel-size mascaras. Not only does this give me a chance to try out different formulas at half the price (my current favorite is this lifting mascara from Lancôme), but it also helps ensure that I’m tossing my mascara out in time.

Because I have fine hair, I go in pretty hard with the dry shampoo and texturizing spray to add a little volume to my hair. But that isn’t the only way to create some lift. These Velcro rollers are a great option, whether you’re looking to cut back on the amount of product you use while you’re styling or you want to add another volumizing hack to your routine. You can try a larger set if you want to use the rollers on all of your hair, but this six-piece set more than gets the job done for creating volume at the root – just roll small sections of your hair around two or three rollers at the crown of your head, let them sit while you do your makeup, and hit them with the blow dryer before removing them.

Lip-plumping glosses tend to come with an accompanying stinging sensation, which may trick you into thinking it’s hard at work. But that tingling is actually a sign of irritation, and it most commonly comes from the ingredient capsaicin (a component found in chili peppers). If, like me, your lips become more irritated than plumped from these ingredients, switch to a gloss that uses ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacin, and ceramides, instead. This gloss from Hourglass is my personal go-to because it uses hyaluronic acid and a peptide to plump, while nourishing ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil keep lips feeling moisturized and smooth (not sticky!).

This dry conditioner isn’t going to replace the need for dry shampoo if you use the latter to help absorb excess oil, but it will deliver some much-needed moisture to your hair. “As the temperature drops, you may experience more frizz and static in your hair, celebrity stylist MJ Snyder explains. “Dry conditioner is going to give your hair an instant boost of moisture and shine, plus, it’s not going to weigh your hair down,” adds Snyder, who is also a UNITE stylist. The brand’s U:Dry Fresh Conditioner is her personal go-to for its cruelty-free and vegan formula that uses ingredients like argan oil and hydrolyzed wheat protein to restore dry hair, provide UV and thermal protection, and give hair a glossy finish.

“A common mistake I see all the time regarding flossing is that people think they only need to floss when they see food between their teeth,” says Los Angeles-based dentist, Dr. Chris Strandburg, DDS. To make the most of your daily flossing, Dr. Strandburg recommends the Waterpik Sensonic Complete Care, which uses a unique technology that combines “water pressure and pulsations, proven to remove up to 99.9 percent of plaque.” Another perk? The water flosser comes with an electric toothbrush to further help eliminate plaque that can interfere with your smile and your oral health.

“Nothing looks worse than lipstick that’s been applied onto visibly dry, flaky lips,” says Elite Daily beauty editor Adeline Duff. To make flaky lips a thing of the past (and to ensure your lipstick looks flawless), Duff suggests prepping your lips first by using an exfoliating lip scrub, and then rubbing it off in circular motions with a clean, damp towel. “The combination leaves my lips super soft and smooth, and my lipstick just glides right on,” she says.

“If you’re constantly waking up to smudged, leftover eyeliner or mascara underneath your eyes, you probably need a micellar water,” says Duff, who notes that Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O Micellar Water is her all-time favorite. “The trick is to hold a micellar water-soaked cotton round onto your eyes for about 30 seconds before gently wiping your eye makeup off. Do this a couple of times (I like to do it after using an oil cleanser and before going in with my water-based cleanser), and I promise you’ll never wake up with ‘raccoon eyes’ again.”

“Don’t let a single drop of your Crème de la Mer go to waste,” jokes Duff. “But seriously, when you’re paying for pricey skin care products, you want to get your money’s worth, which is why I highly recommend everyone invest in a Spatty Daddy.” The teeny tiny spatulas allow you to get into every last nook of your bottles, tubs, and jars to ensure you don’t waste even a drop of precious product.

Dealing with dry, cracked heels? There’s a solution for that. “This is the best foot cream I’ve ever used,” says Duff, who claims that she’s tried them all. “It’s actually a really rich, thick balm — you want to slather your feet in it, focusing on your heels, then slip on a pair of cotton socks before going to bed. I promise, you’ll wake up to baby soft feet.”

Not only are cotton bath towels heavy on your head, but they can actually contribute to unwanted frizz — and let’s face it, they don’t really help your hair dry any faster. Instead, invest in a microfiber hair turban (like the Turbie Twist) that’s more effective at drying your hair. “All the hair pros that I’ve interviewed have recommended switching to a microfiber hair towel, and I do find them a lot more comfortable,” says Duff. “Microfiber is much more absorbent than cotton, and it’s also a lot gentler,” she adds.

As you probably already know, getting constant gel manicures isn’t very good for the health of your nails. Whenever you can, it’s a good idea to give them a break — and if you can’t bear to be without any polish at all, try LONDONTOWN’s Illuminating Nail Concealer, which gives your nails just a subtle wash of color and a glossy finish. “I love this polish so much, though you can barely call it a polish. It just makes your nails look healthy and pretty, and you can’t even tell when it chips or fades,” says Duff.

• Available shades: 5

If you’ve ever felt confused as to which makeup brush you should be using, you’re not alone. Celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney says she hears this complaint often. She also created the perfect solution when she teamed up with Trademark Beauty on this 12-piece set. “The brushes are numbered and come with a key, making it seamless to know which brush is designed for which application,” she says of the comprehensive set, which includes brushes for everything from foundation to eyebrows.

It turns out that brushing your teeth and following up with mouthwash aren’t always enough to eliminate bad breath. “Your tongue as well as your tonsils are known for trapping food particles and bacteria due to their bumpy surfaces, hugely contributing to bad breath,” explains Dr. Erin Fraundorf, D.M.D., M.S., an orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio. While you can use your toothbrush to help clean your tongue, Dr. Fraundorf finds that a tongue scraper is much more effective. “Researchers have found that tongue scrapers removed 30 percent more volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue than a toothbrush,” she says, adding, “Tongue scraping has been found to promote the right balance of good bacteria in your mouth, improve bad breath, enhance taste, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, and lessen cavities.” Dr. Fraundorf recommends this tool, which comes with its own travel-case.

“You would think that alcohol in a mouth rinse is good because it kills germs; however, the reality is that this can lead to problems including bad breath,” Dr. Fraundorf says, busting a common assumption. “It’s important to choose a mouth rinse that does not have alcohol for daily usage as alcohol creates an acidic environment, and actually promotes demineralization of your enamel,” she says. “It additionally can lead to bad breath by drying out your mouth and by killing good bacteria,” she continues, suggesting this alcohol-free and pH-balanced formula instead.

And if you’re able to make a more significant investment in your oral health, Dr. Fraundorf shares that this electric toothbrush is the one she recommends to patients, as well as to family and friends. “The plaque removal that this thing can do is unbelievable,” she says, explaining, “Not brushing effectively allows bacteria and plaque to build up in our mouths, which can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, in addition to an increased risk of developing more severe health problems like heart disease.” Highlighting this electric toothbrush’s ability to deliver a professional-like clean at home, Dr. Fraundorf addresses the $250 price tag by assuring, “It should last you years, and you only need to change the brush head every three months.”

• Available colors: 5