What Strategist Readers Are Buying: Toothbrushes and Summer Dresses

Looking for a more natural and less wasteful way to whiten her teeth, writer Robin Reetz made the switch from Crest Whitestrips to this charcoal whitening powder, with her dentist’s approval. She reports: “After a few consecutive days of brushing with powder then toothpaste, my teeth appeared to go from a coffee-stained beige to a shinier ivory. And after repeating this routine every day for two weeks, all remnants of that beige color were gone, and a co-worker actually complimented me on how white my teeth looked.”

Because of her very sensitive teeth, writer Frances Dodds found herself brushing six times a day to avoid feeling like her teeth were covered in a thick layer of gunk. On a tip from her boyfriend’s dad, she gave these silver-infused toothbrushes a try, and told us they work so well that she’s back down to twice daily brushing. She likes that some of the brush’s bristles are longer which “whisk away the early formations of plaque in deep crevices that a regular toothbrush can’t reach, and from surfaces that floss wouldn’t reach either.”

While we covered lots of new and exciting products during Teeth Week, when Strategist writer Karen Iorio Adelson asked dentists to recommend their favorite electric toothbrushes, old standbys from brands like Oral-B and Philips Sonicare were the clear winners. This one, which this week hits the list for the second time in a row, was a top pick since it both rotates and oscillates (vibrates) to clean teeth and remove plaque. Dentists like that it rotates 44,000 times per minute for “a lot of disruption of plaque,” and that the round brush head can make contact with all sides of the teeth.

This colorful toy piano was one of our expert-recommended choices for an age-appropriate gift for 1-year-olds, because it stimulates little ones’ growing minds. Child-development expert Dr. Sarah Roseberry Lytle says it’s a good pick because “young kids love to make music and noises and exploring things, like, ‘Can I make it softer? Can I make it louder?’ ‘What happens when I hit it harder?’ That’s a really interesting learning process.”

Although Rio only discovered this sunscreen a few months back, it’s quickly becoming a reader favorite and makes its fifth appearance on the list this week. She loves that it’s packed with all-star ingredients like soothing centella asiatica, brightening niacinamide, and moisturizing hyaluronic acid. “The Purito,” writes Rio, “almost immediately improved the texture, radiance, and moisture levels of my skin for the better.” She even raves, “it’s one of the best products I’ve ever tried in general, not just in the sunscreen category.”

Writer Maureen O’Connor calls this “almost completely odor-free” mosquito repellent “a staple in my ongoing mosquito jihad.” Slipping a bit from a sixth-place finish last week, it remains in the top ten as the buggy summer weather continues. Strategist senior editor Anthony Rotunno followed O’Connor’s lead and picked up a bottle for this outdoor wedding. He reports, “When I squirted the lotion into my hands, not a trace of chemical smell wafted from it (and neither my neck nor my hands smelled like chemicals after applying). More importantly: I made it through our ceremony in the woods without getting a single bug bite.”

We’ve long been fans of this dermatologist-recommended sunscreen, which doctors say is “especially effective because it’s rich in antioxidants that help protect against skin-damaging free radicals.” Light and nongreasy, it’s ideal for those with acne-prone skin because it contains niacinamide, a vitamin B3 derivative with anti-inflammatory properties that can fight breakouts. Off the best-seller list since last summer, it got a boost from a big sale earlier this month.

Holding down the ninth-place spot for the second consecutive week, this pillow is a bona fide Strategist favorite. We first discovered it when testing out a wide selection of pillows designed for side sleepers, and concluded that the Wamsutta Extra-Firm was the most comfortable and supportive of them all: “Unlike other pillows that mistake plushness or fluffiness for support, the WEF didn’t sink as soon as I rested my head. Instead, it had a firm, satisfying spring — it’s a different sensation, but one I took to right away. And even though I didn’t do any measuring, my head felt more propped up from the mattress and sheets than with any other pillow.”

Like the Daily Rituals dress up above, this one is simple, office-ready, and perfect for summer. Writer Alice Gregory bought it in black (now sold out), and says it’s “cheap, flattering, but not overly exposing (bonus points for vanity sizing), made of a natural fiber, machine-washable, [and] fine looking.” It’s not special enough to save for a special occasion, so it’s ideal for everyday wear. Note: It’s also available in white and navy with embroidery.