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As professional internet shoppers we spend lots of time diving deep into the annals of online shopping, surfacing the best products on our beats and keeping our eyes peeled for new releases. Very rarely do we write about the utilitarian stuff populating our own lives—like the protein shakes that arrive on our doorsteps every six weeks and the unsexy face wash we buy on repeat. One of the best ways to peek into our boring shopping habits is to reveal the stuff we subscribe to, much of which is cheaper than usual thanks to Prime Day.
Erin Schwartz, writer
Subscription frequency: Every three months
I have finicky, sensitive, allergy-prone skin that breaks out at the faintest suggestion of fragrance. It’s also very dry. It’s taken me a long time to find a moisturizer that doesn’t break me out and is also decently moisturizing, and Aestura Atobarrier365 is it. It’s rich enough that my skin feels bouncy and resilient after using it, and it’s never triggered irritation or acne. It’s a little expensive, so I subscribed a few months ago for the discount. It’s a great deal today — I just ran out, so I’m buying a refill off my subscription cycle.
Subscription frequency: Every three months
I use this every day. It’s the simplest, cheapest first line of defense against acne (I also use a prescription retinol), something I have been dealing with along my jawline since increasing my testosterone dose. It’s an uncomplicated product that should be cheap, and I subscribe to make it as cheap as possible.
Jeremy Rellosa, writer
Subscription frequency: Monthly
I think this is the best bar soap you can buy. I never thought much about my bar-soap preferences until I received a sample of this one from Ursa Major a few years ago. It has eucalyptus and peppermint extract and tiny bits of pumice that help exfoliate my skin. Scrubbing with it is super energizing (I once described it as “the skin equivalent of brushing my teeth with an extra-minty toothpaste”) and it’s now a crucial part of my morning routine.
Ailbhe Malone, senior editor
Subscription frequency: Every four months
We are a Weleda Household (we also subscribe to its diaper cream and, of course, Skin Food). This is nourishing, good-smelling shaving cream. You only need the tiniest amount – a pea-size dollop for my husband when he shaves his face, and a quarter-size dollop for me when I shave my legs. A tube will easily last four months, but we never like to be without.
Jen Trolio, senior editor
Subscription frequency: Every two months
I have been using this litter for my two cats for close to 17 years. Both of my cats are 17 years old, and delightfully spry for their age, if I do say so myself. I first tried this litter when they were kittens and have simply never needed or wanted to change it. Even though it’s not perfect — there’s still some dust and tracking — it works well and is far preferable to clay-based litter. Importantly, there’s no gross chemical fragrance.
Subscription frequency: Every four months
As long as you give it enough time to work, this stain remover can handle a huge variety of spots and spills. I have two kids who are constantly messing up their clothes in one way or another, and Puracy literally helps me stay calm whenever they look at in me in panic after dripping ice cream or ketchup on their shirts; I usually just shrug and say, “Don’t worry, that’s what laundry is for.” It’s not the only stain remover in my arsenal, but it’s the one I use most.
Bella Druckman, junior writer
Subscription frequency: Every two months
I recently subscribed to Peace Out’s acne dots because the company was raising its prices, so I wanted to grab a last box at the old price and increase my savings on future ones. The pimple patches are pricey — a bit over a dollar each if you get them at full price — but they’re great for decreasing inflammation and fighting pesky pimples, especially when you use them overnight. For daylight acne care, I tend to use the Hero patches, which are less obvious if you wear them out and about.
Crystal Martin, senior editor
Subscription frequency: Every two months
I have been using this detergent for years now. I started using sheets because I live in an apartment and have to take my laundry downstairs to the laundry room and the liquid is much too heavy. This one gets things clean and has a lovely light scent (that’s a lot coming from me, a person who generally hates how things smell.) I found that detergent is the kind of thing I simply cannot keep track of, so I started subscribing. It took a while to get the frequency right. I was finding myself without detergent from time to time. But it’s all sorted out now; every eight weeks is just right. .
Tembe Denton-Hurst, writer
Subscription frequency: Monthly
I’ve been ordering these since I became a gym rat in early 2022 and have been hooked ever since. I have since abandoned Wild Berry for sparkling raspberry peach. It’s fruity and bright and of all the flavors I’ve tried, this one is my favorite, followed closely by peach green tea.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
