Summer is almost officially here, which means two things are at the top of most people’s minds: travel plans and surviving the heat. Here at NBC Select, we’ve put a lot of time and thought into how we’ll navigate the sweaty months, including researching full-body deodorants, testing over 50 breezy white T-shirts and rounding up our favorite portable air conditioners, and our readers were definitely on the same page, with skin and body care essentials dominating our bestsellers list. That’s in addition to buying travel must-haves like portable chargers and wireless headphones to gear up for a stress-free new season.
Read on for a full list of the bestsellers NBC Select readers shopped in May.
Related
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
May bestsellers
If you’re planning a summer getaway, believe me, you’ll want a portable charger (especially if your priorities are photos and videos). This Anker one is about the size of a tri-fold wallet and has a USB-C cable built into the battery itself, so you don’t have to pack an extra charging cable. Plus, it has an extra USB-C and USB-A port that lets you charge multiple devices at the same time, which comes in handy if you’re traveling with friends or family. It can charge most smartphones two full times before running out of juice.
Learn more: Deal of the Day: Anker Zolo Power Bank is 50% off right now
Hypochlorous acid sprays are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and help soothe reactive or inflamed skin, so it’s great to have on-hand during the hot summer months or after a workout. Use this on your body and face to help soothe eczema flare-ups or generally irritated skin. It’s also free of fragrances and preservatives, so it’s safe for sensitive skin.
Learn more: The internet is going crazy for hypochlorous acid spray — here’s how it can benefit your skin
If you have dry or irritated skin even in the summer, hyaluronic acid could be your solution: it acts as a humectant, so it draws water into your skin like a sponge. The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid serum is free of fragrance, alcohol and oil, which makes it a great option for those with sensitive skin. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin has used this serum every day for the last six months, and she loves that it’s lightweight, dries quickly and has a cooling effect. “My skin soaks it right up,” she says.
Learn more: All the glow, none of the grease — the best hyaluronic acid products, according to experts
This mint-flavored Crest toothpaste protects your gums and enamel, removes plaque buildup and tartar, and protects against cavities. It has hydrated silica, which is a gently abrasive ingredient that scrubs surface stains off teeth. It’s sensitive teeth-friendly, too.
Learn more: The 14 best toothpastes for clean, healthy teeth in 2025
Sometimes, warehouse club memberships just make life easier — you can buy items in bulk, which helps save you the time and effort of having to grocery shop during the week. Sam’s Club has one of the lowest-priced memberships with a $50 annual membership fee (which was on sale this month for just $25). The Club tier membership gives you access to savings on gadgets, groceries, household essentials and more, as well as additional perks like members-only deals and sales, same-day delivery and fuel discounts. There’s also the Sam’s Club Plus membership, which comes with extra benefits like free Delivery from Club or free shipping, pharmacy savings and more cash back.
Learn more: New Sam’s Club members can join for just $25 — that’s half off
The Tower 28 facial spray, which has hypochlorous acid, is a staple in my gym bag — I’ll apply it after a sweaty workout on my way home, and it immediately soothes my irritated, rosacea-prone skin. You can use this spray morning and night in place of your toner and before moisturizing.
Learn more: Dealing with rosacea and redness? Start with these derm-approved skin care products
Earlier in May, Pharmaceutical company AvKare issued a voluntary recall of more than 75,000 cases of eye drop solution nationwide after an audit by the Food and Drug Administration. This warm compress is an expert-recommended alternative for soothing irritated eyes. It has 30 self-heating eye compresses to relieve dry eyes, reduce eyelid inflammation and unblock glands in the eyes, according to the brand. You can also purchase it using your FSA funds.
Learn more: 75,000 cases of eye care products just got recalled: Here’s what to use instead
You’ve likely seen your facialist use a pore vacuum to remove pesky blackheads and gunk. But they’re not only available to the pros — you can use them at home, too (as long as you’re using them with caution). This blackhead remover comes with five tip sizes and four suction modes, ranging from soft to super strong. The device is rechargeable and has a screen so you can see what mode it’s on.
Learn more: Pore vacuums are trending — dermatologists share what to look for and how to use them
Our top overall pick for best filtered showerhead, this one from Jolie has a built-in filtration system that purifies the water before it hits your body. Malin tested this showerhead over the past year, and she’s noticed that her skin is less dry and her hair is softer. Jolie also makes managing filter subscription online easy, with options to skip or delay a filter delivery when needed.
Learn more: The best filtered showerheads of 2025, tested and reviewed
The Apple Airpods 4, which launched in September of 2024 and were heavily discounted in May, are a great alternative for those who hate the Apple AirPods silicone eartips since they have a semi-open design. NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz tested these earbuds over two months, and says they’re worth the upgrade due to their impressive noise cancellation, easy controls and lightweight, comfortable design. Plus, the charging case can recharge wirelessly and has a built-in speaker, so you can ping it using Apple’s FindMy app and find it much easier.
Learn more: I tested Apple AirPods 4 ANC for over two months — is it worth the upgrade?
Parodontax’s toothpaste helps break down and remove plaque, which is a collection of bacteria, food and other debris that sticks to your teeth and can cause gingivitis (also known as early gum disease) and swollen, bleeding gums. It also helps kill bacteria on your teeth, leading to a healthy, bright smile.
Learn more: The 14 best toothpastes for clean, healthy teeth in 2025
Styes are an annoying and painful part of life, caused by a blockage of the eyelid oil glands that leads to a bacterial infection. If you’re looking to get rid of the red, swollen bump along the eyelash line, this cleanser removes oil, debris, pollen and makeup from your eyelids. It has polyaminopropyl biguanide, a preservative that has antibacterial properties and kills bacteria contributing to the irritated eye area. You can also get pre-moistened pads as well, which are great for travel.
Learn more: Styes are annoying, but these over-the-counter products can help
Another Apple product we named as our Deal of the Day, the Apple iPad Air sits right in the middle of Apple’s tablet lineup — it’s more capable than the iPad (A16) but not as up-to-date as the iPad Pro (M4). But it’s worth it if you’re looking for a cheaper mode: It’s fast (especially in graphically demanding apps) and has an anti-reflective screen with increased color depth and contrast. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which makes it a good fit for artists and creatives.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered a variety of shopping categories, including beauty and pets, since 2021. For this article, I compiled a list of the top 13 bestselling products among our NBC Select readers during the month of May.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
