Jammed Lotion Pump

Cause: It’s either a clog (a bit of lotion in the hole of the pump has hardened) or a pump defect (one of the mechanism’s many parts is misaligned), which causes the whole gizmo to fail, says cosmetics executive Carrie Gross.

Cure: If a clump is the issue, run the pump under hot water, then use a toothpick, a needle, or a bobby pin to dig the blockage out of the hole. If this doesn’t work, and the pump itself is the cause, take it out and pour the lotion into a plastic cosmetics bottle (available at drugstores).

Preventive Tip: After each use, wipe away any lotion sitting just at the tip of the pump with a cotton swab.