Category: POWER

Source images: Courtesy of @sansungnails, @nailartbyqueenieSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

I hate long nail appointments. I get restless when sitting for extended periods with nothing to do. (I can’t even scroll on my phone!) That’s why I have typically avoided nail art unless it was for a special occasion—that is, until I discovered velvet nails. Velvet nails mimic the fuzzy texture of your favorite holiday dress, but with an added touch of sparkle.

Velvet nails always come back during the holiday season, but this year, the look is making its rounds early. It’s easy to see why: "The effect is magical," says Hannah Lee, a nail artist in Atlanta. “The way the light plays off the magnet-activated texture gives them a depth that feels modern and refined.” It’s also easy to combine with other nail trends for a look that has a bit more impact.

Another reason this manicure’s popularity might be rising now is the impending recession. Even some of us Allure editors have found ourselves opting out of “tier-three” (intricate) nail art looks for financial reasons. An allover velvet manicure is usually classified as “tier one” (simple) at salons, even if the effect is as eye-catching as a tier-three look.

For context, in a major city like New York, detailed nail art can run you about $14 per nail, on top of the $150 price for a basic gel manicure with nail extensions. At Art Nail NYC, where I got my first allover velvet set, the mani was considerably more affordable (and less time-consuming) because it was classified as a simple design.

You’ll likely hear people call these cat-eye nails. They’re not wrong; the way we see it, though, all cat-eye nails are velvet, but not all velvet nails are cat-eye. The distinction is in how the shimmering magnetic particles are dispersed. The particles in cat-eye nails usually form a straight or diagonal line (mimicking the look of a cat’s eye), while the particles in velvet nails can be spread out uniformly or in patterns like hearts and swirls.

Courtesy of @sabletoothtigerCourtesy of @heygreatnailsThe modern velvet manicure

According to Eunice Park, brand development and education director at Aprés Nail, velvet nails now look very different than those of the past. “When I was in nail school in 2015, the magnetic particles were a lot chunkier and were against a black base,” she explains, noting that the finished look was always dark. “You’d see black with emerald green or dark purple glitter.”

Magnetic polish formulas needed a black base for the glitter particles to appear shinier, Park continues. Now, brands are formulating velvet polishes with finer magnetic particles (so there are more of them), so the glitter appears softer and more subtle—but with just as much shine. “I think that's what's extending the velvet nail-trend's life,” she says. “You're getting all these different variants of the look.”

In addition to more sophisticated nail polish formulas, we’re seeing manicurists get more creative with their art. They have been pairing the velvet finish with “chrome, subtle jewels, or artistic sculptural,” says Lupita Alonso, a nail artist in Stone Park, Illinois. We’ve also seen it with heart motifs and manipulated into ombré designs. “These details make it look more updated and modern.”

How to create velvet nails

Sure, the appointment can be shorter than other nail art appointments, but I understand if you still want to skip the salon trip completely and DIY your velvet nails. You’ll need a few things, though, like a base coat, topcoat, magnetic nail polish, and a magnetic wand. (Mooncat sells the magnetic wand on its own, but will include one for free if your order includes a magnetic polish.)

First, coat your nails with a base polish before applying a magnetic polish. Then, use a magnet to disperse the shimmery particles across the nail to create that glistening velvet effect. Holding the magnet at the tip or side of the nail creates the velvet effect, while holding it above the nail's center drags the particles into a straight line for the traditional cat-eye look.

If you're not ready to wield a magnetic wand, Bana Jarjour, a Los Angeles-based nail artist, suggests trying gel nail strips. (Note: This method does require you have an LED lamp.) She recommends the Dashing Diva Glaze strips, which come pre-painted with a velvet design. All you need to do is apply the adhesive strip to your nail, cut it to your desired length, cure it with an LED lamp, and file it into the shape you want. We also recommend press-ons; Static Nails has a velvet press-on set that will give you a salon-level manicure in seconds.

Looking for inspiration? Scroll for some of the prettiest velvet nail ideas, including looks that are simple enough to do at home and works of art you might want a professional to help create.

Velvet Nails Inspiration

Plaid velvet nailsCourtesy of @nailartbyqueenieVelvet polka-dot nailsCourtesy of @nailartbyqueenieSheer velvet nailsCourtesy of @overgloweditVelvet frame nailsCourtesy of @nailartbyqueenieCourtesy of @nailsbyshirlecropVelvet French nailsCourtesy of @gracielanailsCourtesy of @nailartbyqueenieOmbré velvet nailsCourtesy of @nailartbyqueenieGreen-and-black velvet nailsCourtesy of @sofiamiroslavanailsCourtesy of @nailsbyshaniVelvet amethyst frame nailsInstagram / @heygreatnailsVelvet nails with 3D embellishmentsCourtesy of @sansungnailsCourtesy of @sansungnailsVelvet aura nailsCourtesy of @sansungnailsChrome velvet nailsCourtesy of @sansungnailsInstagram / @nailartbyqueenie

Courtesy of Jenifer CalleSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

I have a confession: I haven't worn a traditional bra in years. Ever since the pandemic upended our lives, I've been all about that comfy life, paring down my lingerie drawer to soft, unlined bralettes, and for anything that's not compatible with bralettes (spoiler: a surprising amount of my wardrobe), adhesive nipple covers. I've tried my fair share of different brands and thought I had found my favorites—that is, until Cakes Body came to my attention. Thanks, TikTok!

My criteria for nipple covers are pretty straightforward: They must be thick enough to provide full coverage and not let the girlies peek through, look undetectable under thinner and thicker fabrics alike, and peel off easily without causing any discomfort. When I was introduced to Cakes Body nipple covers—the Sticky Cakes Circles and Sticky Cakes Triangles—I had a feeling that they would enter my daily rotation. But inklings don't matter if the product in question doesn't pass the test. So, did they? Let's get sticky.

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Circles

$33

Cakes Body

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Triangles

$33

Cakes Body

My First Impressions

Ok, why aren't all nipple covers designed with a little dip in the middle (this is a patent-pending Nip-Nook, as I've learned) so your nips are spared from the sticky parts? It seems like a no-brainer. Mine aren't even particularly sensitive, but nonetheless, I very much appreciate the design consideration because the removal process is much more seamless because of it.

On the other hand, Shanna Shipin, Allure's senior commerce director, is in the camp of sensitive nips. “For the longest time, after having two kids who ripped my nipples to shreds (yes, I mean that literally), I had the worst experiences with nipple covers. The adhesive would rip off my nipples, cause eczema breakouts, and just slowly and sadly slide off of my mosquito bite boobs," Shipin says. "Cakes Body creates truly groundbreaking nipple covers that have a non-adhesive center, so your nips are covered, but not in any kind of tacky film. (I also love the Grippy Cakes, which have no adhesive at all; I love the Stickies when I don't want deer-in-headlight nips and to add shape to my misshaped boobs.) These stay in place all day long and don't budge; though you have to wash them after every use, or else they will start to peel on you. The color range is great, but I could see some in-between shades to cover more skin tones. Overall, these are my most trusted—and most comfortable—covers.”

I do agree about the color range: Although I chose Honey, which works well, I would've loved a shade in between Honey and Caramel. (There are three colors in total: Honey, Caramel, and Cocoa.) Picking out my size was simple, too. For Sticky Cakes Circles, there are three sizes: Itty-Bitty (3" by 3" covers that fit AA-B cups), OG (4" by 4" covers that fit B to DD cups), and Plus (5" by 5" covers that fit DDD and above). I've oscillated between a B and C cup over the years, so the OG cups were a pretty sure bet. If you're unsure about your size, you can always use a handy online measuring tool like this one—and, if you're in between sizes, Cakes Body recommends sizing up because it's always safer to go the route of more coverage. (I couldn't agree more!)

How I Wear Them

A front view of Allure commerce editor Sarah Han wearing Cakes Sticky Cakes Circles

Courtesy of Jenifer Calle

A side view of Han wearing Cakes Sticky Cakes Circles

Courtesy of Jenifer Calle

Oh, the possibilities are endless, aren't they? Unless I'm wearing something looser like a sweater or sweatshirt, I'm pulling out my Cakes. In my time-crunched experience, it's not worth the try-ons to see if a bra will look seamless when I know a pair of Cakes will keep me covered without anything I don't want to show, well, showing. The Sticky Cakes Circles don't budge, and the edges aren't noticeable throughout entire days, even when you're looking from the side (as you can see above). I've worn too-thin, too-flimsy covers that barely conceal my nipples, but not with Cakes—they have the ideal, Goldilocks-level thickness.

Han wearing a pair of Cakes Body Sticky Cakes Circles

Courtesy of Jenifer Calle

Han wearing a pair of Cakes Body Sticky Cakes Triangles

Courtesy of Lawrence Li

By the way, Cakes Body doesn't just offer circular nipple covers. Another style worth your consideration is the Sticky Triangles. I'm not sure why I haven't tried non-circular nipple covers until now, but there's a very solid case for them. While I don't have a ton of low-cut tops, the ones I do have are tricky to style with undergarments—I usually opt for a lacy bralette that does peek out but doesn't look too out of place. The Sticky Cakes Triangles are perfect for lower necklines (including V-cut), where the top of the circles would definitely poke out. Now? Problem solved. And, just like the Nip-Nook-designed Circles, the Triangles spare my nipples from any painful experiences.

My Final Thoughts

The Sticky Cakes have quickly become my go-to nipple covers, ousting a different brand (which, to be fair, is still good) from the top spot, and the nip dip—as I've personally started calling it—is the main contributing factor. While I don't have sensitive nips, you can't really err on the side of too cautious. (And if/when I have kids, when I deal with breastfeeding, Cakes Body will be top of mind.) Another non-negotiable: I haven't experienced my covers slipping, nor have the edges looked obvious. (I do think the triangles are a tad more noticeable, but it's not to a degree where I'd stop using them.)

Cakes Body says that its nipple covers last at least 10 uses, but I've definitely been wearing mine for longer. You're supposed to rinse them after every wear, but I will admit in a flash that I'm not as consistent as I'm supposed to be. When I do, I rinse them in warm water, as the brand recommends, and give myself a little high-five. Unless I'm consistently sweating and/or working out in these, I personally don't think I need to wash these after every use. (But please ask me during the dog days of summer, and I may say otherwise.)

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Circles

$33

Cakes Body

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Triangles

$33

Cakes Body

If you're in the same boat as me—in that, you'd rather avoid traditional bras at pretty much all costs and want versatile undergarments that work with your outfits, rather than against—I'd wholly recommend checking out Cakes Body. Go ahead, shop the Sticky Cakes Circles and Sticky Cakes Triangles now for $33 a pair.

Collage: Briana Rengifo; Source Images: Getty ImagesSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

There are a million and one things happening on the internet right now that would make anyone want to throw their phone off a bridge. One of the things that’s been doing it for me lately is the “new face” discourse that’s dominated the online celebrity rumor mill for the better part of 2025. If a famous person shows up anywhere looking a little different than the last time they were seen, my social media feeds flood with videos and comments declaring they must’ve undergone several plastic surgeries because they’ve been suddenly rendered “unrecognizable.”

The celebrities this phrase is thrown at are usually women who, sure, might have changed a little over the years but still largely look like themselves. Claiming that they’ve undergone surgical “transformations,” as they’re often called, is in itself a big reach with no evidence behind it, for one. But the fact that we’re so quick to use a term as extreme as “new face” to describe anyone whose look seems to have changed for reasons we can’t know is a sign of something more concerning: that we’ve become willing to disconnect ourselves from reality to justify our continued shaming of women’s appearances. Let’s look at a few examples.

Anne Hathaway was declared to have a “new face” after sitting front row at a Ralph Lauren show in April and then again after her Met Gala appearance in May. Netizens, professional content creators, and even doctors raced to make claims of a brow lift, facelift, and/or blepharoplasty without accounting for the tight-as-a-drum ponytail she wore to both events. Jennifer Lawrence has also been a recent target of “new face” discourse. Even though she’s only 35, she’s been similarly accused of rendering herself unrecognizable with various age-reversing cosmetic procedures (all of which she’s denied having done, save for Botox). Then there’s the one I really don’t get: Emma Stone. People online called her appearance at the Eddington premiere in June her “new face reveal,” and the blepharoplasty/facelift rumors have been rampant ever since (like Lawrence, she’s only 35).

Jennifer Lawrence at a red carpet premiere in October.

Photo: Getty Images

I could spend the rest of this story talking circles around the exact changes people have perceived in these women’s faces, but it would ultimately be beside the point. Because no matter how you slice and dice the speculation, going so far as to say that any of them have a “new face” is a wild exaggeration.

Hathaway, when she lets down those snatched updos, still has smile lines and a wrinkle here and there, and her eyelids appear slightly hooded rather than pulled back—like those of a typical (albeit very beautiful) 42-year-old. Lawrence’s eyes are as deep-set as ever, and her face has kept its rounded shape with full cheeks. Stone has certainly changed her eyebrow shape and, obviously, cut her hair short, but when I see her in motion in recent interviews (like this one with the BBC), I don’t see the drastic cosmetic transformation everyone else apparently does. When she laughs, her rounded cheeks push up toward her eyes, and her eyelids disappear into their natural hoods. Her forehead scrunches and relaxes when she inevitably makes a funny face or two. It doesn’t feel all that different from watching Easy A.

Are we not willing to accept that people’s faces are bound to change a little as they get older? Warranted, there are celebrities out there who do undergo drastic plastic surgery transformations that can be worth talking about in the right context. Kris Jenner did get what I think is fair to call a “new face;” hell, I mistook her for Kim Kardashian the first time I saw her post-facelift earlier this year. But making that leap for anyone whose face seems to have changed in tiny ways over a long period of time? It doesn’t account for the happenings of real life, like getting older. Or getting pregnant (Lawrence had a baby earlier this year, by the way). Or weight fluctuation, or medical conditions. It doesn’t even account for the simplest of factors, like using different makeup and hairstyling techniques. (Mara Roszak, hairstylist to actresses like Zoe Saldana, Stone, and Olivia Wilde, told Allure recently that for a “snatched” effect, she sometimes makes tiny hidden braids behind a client’s ears, pulls them up and back, and secures them behind the head.) Most of this “new face” discourse is simply not tethered to reality.

Hathaway at the Met Gala in May.

Photo: Getty Images

Hathaway at a WWD event in October.

Photo: Getty Images

It’s also a thinly veiled weapon of misogyny. Some women are praised for their so-called transformations, while others are shamed for doing too much for their faces. “I’ll have what she’s having” was a common sentiment when Hathaway went viral, but recent images of Stone posted by Roszak have drawn comments like “lol she doesn’t look like her anymore,” and “BRING BACK her unique face.” Either way, these women are held to narrow—and contradictory—parameters of what they ought to look like and what’s acceptable to do to your own face. It scares me to think that, if I were in their position at my current age of 31, I could just as easily be put on blast for having changed entirely simply because I tried something new with my look, went through something difficult that altered my appearance, or simply aged just enough for someone to notice (all of which I have done recently).

It all speaks to a deep fear of the changes that come with getting older, including aging. All three of the women I’ve discussed in this story have been in the public eye for at least a decade, and they all became household names by the time they hit their early 20s. It would be delusional to think that none of their faces would change through their Hollywood tenure, and yet the internet acts as if their respective, gradual aesthetic evolutions are shocking. Regardless of whether plastic surgery played a role in those evolutions, the change itself and the passage of time are what I think make people uncomfortable. These generational icons are not the same bright-eyed 20-somethings they were at the start of their careers, and it’s far easier to judge them for changing than it is for us to reckon with our fear that our faces are going to change eventually, too. So it doesn’t take a psych degree to understand that a lot of this commentary is pure projection.

Emma Stone en route to an appearance in October.

Photo: Getty Images

There’s definitely value in being aware of plastic surgery and how celebrities can use it to align with (and, in turn, reinforce) beauty standards—but the language we use when talking about that is important. Anyone who’s made content on social media, whether personally or professionally, knows the power of a catchy hook. Be honest, what’s more likely to get your attention? “Jennifer Lawrence has an entirely new face, and here’s how she got it.” Or: “Jennifer Lawrence’s face looks a little bit different but not that much, and it’s probably just because it’s evolving gradually with the passage of time.” Even I, with all my lecturing, would probably stick around to watch the former.

On social media, it feels normal for us to use and hear language designed to elicit a strong feeling that makes people want to stop, watch, judge, and react. It’s how we’ve been conditioned to operate on the internet since short-form video became a thing and impeded our ability to pay attention to anything for more than a few seconds at a time. But if we’re not stopping to think critically about what we’re hearing and seeing on the little dopamine machines we call phones, that junk winds up impacting our beliefs and perceptions in real life, too (I mean, just look at incel culture if you think I’m wrong).

And that makes us all a bunch of assholes. Because labeling such small changes a “new face”—especially on social media—rarely serves to challenge beauty standards the way people seem to think it does. It’s purely for our entertainment, with a “gotcha” kicker. And women, as usual, are the ones on full display while the rest of us get to watch the show… at least for a few moments before we scroll on to the next thing.

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The best Dyson gifts are basically the Rolls-Royces of hair tools, so if you’re looking to go big for an extra special someone this year (or yourself, no judgment), we couldn’t recommend them more. Designed with cutting-edge technology, intelligent heat control, and innovative attachments, Dyson tools deliver salon-quality results while protecting hair from damage. Plus, Dyson always releases special edition holiday colorways, and this year it’s the beautiful Amber Silk, a rose gold with light pink accents. So, whether your hair-care-obsessed giftee has cute coils that need a little coaxing, frizz-prone strands, or loves a pin-straight look, you’ll find something on their wishlist here. What are you waiting for? Browse our favorite Dyson holiday gift ideas below, and then check out the rest of Allure’s gift guides for even more inspo.

Our Top Dyson Gifts

• Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer Curly+Coily, $750
• Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer, $650
• Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer, $550
• Dyson Airstrait Straightener, $550
• Dyson Airwrap Origin, $550

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x Multi-Styler and Dryer Curly+Coily

Dyson

Airwrap Co-anda 2x Multi-Styler and Dryer Curly+Coily

$750

Dyson

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x in Amber Silk

Shanna Shipin

Why we love it: Daft Punk said it best: Harder, better, faster, stronger—and honestly, they could’ve been talking about the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x. If your giftee has curly or coily hair, the latest Airwrap iteration is better suited to their specific hair-styling needs, smoothing frizz and defining texture at the touch of a button. It now connects to the MyDyson app via Bluetooth, allowing them to create a custom profile that tailors heat and airflow to their hair type. The set also comes with six smart attachments that adapt based on their styling preferences—and with double the airflow of the original Airwrap and powerful suction, it stretches and styles curls faster than ever. Trust, it’ll give them a red-carpet-worthy ’do in minutes. Bonus: The tool automatically shuts off when it senses that it's been put down, which is particularly useful if you have longer, thicker hair that needs to be sectioned out.

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin before using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x

Shanna Shipin

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin after using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“This is the best Dyson tool I have ever tried—period. I have type 3A curly hair that I sometimes wear natural and sometimes blow-dry; this version of the Airwrap gets whatever look I want to achieve done in 15 minutes or less (yes!). This is coming from someone with low-porosity hair that takes seemingly forever to dry. The fact that I can get my curly hair handled before one of my two kids notices I'm gone is a miracle in itself. I love to use the round brush to create gentle tension that makes my blowouts last for days on end; the attachment is a vast improvement over the older version, IMO. This new iteration gets far closer to the roots for a more natural finish. There's zero frizz, all volume, and just the most Farrah Fawcett-like hair of your life—no tugging, singing, or sore arms necessary. And the diffuser? There are two settings and both are so effective at giving you bouncy and juicy curls. One really amazing feature is that the tool automatically shuts off when it senses that it’s been put down, an unexpected but much-loved perk for routine stylers like me.

If you have the original Airwrap, if you're new to multistylers, or if you're Dyson-curious, this is the product to buy—especially in this new Amber Silk color. It’s a pretty warm honey that's more my style than the classic midnight blue. Any Dyson is an investment, and while this one's steep, you'll be able to kiss your curling iron, blow dryer, and straightener goodbye with a single hot tool. For curly girls especially, it's nice to have a tool that feels tailor-made for your routine. The only person I might not recommend it for? A constant traveler who loves doing their hair on the go; the power cord is heavy and not very compact, making this less frequent flier-friendly than other stylers on the market.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

Attachments

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Fast Dryer 2x, Tension Comb 2x, 1.6" Co-anda2x Curling Barrel, Round Volumizing Brush 2x, Anti-Snag Loop Brush 2x, Wave+Curl Diffuser 2x

Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Dyson

Supersonic r Hair Dryer

$650

Dyson

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann using the Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Sarah Hoffmann

Why we love it: Make no mistake: the Dyson Supersonic r is far from your average blow-dryer. It’s petite, extra lightweight (weighing in at just 0.7 pounds), and has a sleek, curved design (that’s where the “r” comes in), making it as functional as it is beautiful. The unique shape helps you reach the tool's controls more easily and generally handle the entire tool with more control, according to Dyson associate design manager Low Chen Nyeow.

What's most impressive? It's the fastest hair dryer in the collection, powered by the Dyson Hyperdymium motor, which delivers a high-pressure airflow. At the same time, negatively charged ions reduce static and frizz, so hair stays smooth and polished. All throughout, there are Dyson smart sensors to monitor and regulate heat so it never crosses the danger zone, keeping your hair smooth, shiny, and safe from scorching. Your blowouts are about to look more fabulous than ever before.

Hoffmann before using the Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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“It took me about 15 minutes to dry my hair while hovering and diffusing, and I think if I'd been drying it straight or going for a more blowout-y look, it would have been even quicker. I was happy to see that this new dryer came with a diffuser attachment, plus the flyaway-wicking tool and the concentrated tip that made my bangs look exactly how I like them in literally five seconds. My waves came out a little fluffy and less defined than when I air-dry, but that's pretty par for the course for fine hair with a looser curl pattern like mine.”—Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

Attachments

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Attachments: Powerful Air Attachment, Flyaway Attachment, Diffuser, Pro Concentrator, Wide Tooth Comb, Presentation case

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

Dyson

Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

$550

Dyson

Allure contributor Siena Gagliano using the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

Siena Gagliano

Why we love it: The latest upgrade to the original Supersonic, the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer combines cutting-edge technology with professional-grade styling. Its Time to Flight sensor, recognized with a 2024 Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award (our highest, most-researched honor), automatically adjusts heat as it nears the scalp, preventing sudden spikes and protecting both hair and skin. The dryer also remembers preferred settings and adapts heat and airflow based on which of the five included attachments—concentrator, diffuser, wide-tooth comb, flyaway hook, or gentle airflow ring—is in use. Something else of note: When set down, it automatically lowers airflow and noise until ready to pick up again. Every detail is designed for safe, salon-quality results at home.

Tester feedback from contributor Siena Gagliano

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"The Nural is Dyson’s latest upgrade to its original Supersonic Hair Dryer, and like all Dyson tools, it’s where technology meets beauty at its best. It’s my top pick simply because I can’t go a wash day without it anymore. It dries my hair in record time, and if I need to pause to re-part or take a break, it instantly detects when I set it down, lowering airflow and noise until I’m ready to pick it up again.”—Siena Gagliano, contributor

Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“It dried my thick, wavy hair in 4 minutes and 50 seconds, and my hair came out very smooth. It definitely felt cooler when I dried the roots near my neck.”—Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor

Attachments

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Wave and Curl Diffuser, Gentle Air Attachment, Styling Concentrator, Wide-Tooth Comb, and Flyaway Attachment

Dyson Airstrait Straightener

Dyson

Airstrait Straightener

$550

Dyson

Hoffmann using the Dyson Airstrait

Why we love it: We cringe thinking back to our high school selves frantically running a hot straightener over damp hair and smelling the burnt strands—if only the Dyson Airstrait had existed back then. Unlike traditional straighteners, it skips hot plates entirely, instead using unheated tension bars to hold hair while high-velocity air (up to 285°F) dries and straightens at the same time. Cosmetic chemist Trefor Evans previously told us that at these lower temps, the tool is unlikely to damage even wet hair. And for quick touch-ups on dry hair, there’s a setting that goes up to 320°F, too.

Hoffmann before using the Dyson Airstrait Straightener

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Dyson Airstrait Straightener

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from Hoffmann

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“I have type 3 natural curls, and this tool is really easy to use and intuitive. It's really nice not having to hold a brush in one hand and a hair dryer in the other for the 30-plus minutes it takes for my hair to dry. The wide clamp is great for covering large sections of hair all at once, but I definitely needed multiple passes to add shine and smoothness to my curly hair.”—Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

Attachments

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Non-Slip Heat Mat

Dyson Airwrap Origin

Dyson

Airwrap Origin

$550

Dyson

Why we love it: The Dyson Airwrap Origin is a streamlined spin on the viral Dyson Airwrap, keeping only the most-used attachments for effortless styling. Inside the kit, you’ll find a 1.6" long barrel for soft curls and waves, an anti-snag loop brush to keep things tangle-free, and a fast dryer for speedier-than-ever drying. Even in this pared-down (and thus slightly more affordable!) version, Dyson’s signature Coanda airflow technology—which curls and styles hair without extreme heat damage—works the same magic so you can achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home without subjecting your hair to damage. It’s sleek, efficient, and surprisingly versatile.

Attachments

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1.6" Airwrap Long Barrel, Anti-Snag Loop Brush, Fast Dryer

Frequently Asked Questions

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new blow-dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.

For our review of the best Dyson gifts, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and experts you interviewed for the piece—who all have different hair concerns and types, desired outcome (i.e., want shinier hair), and whether one product was tested across multiple hair types (i.e., straight, wavy, and curly hair). Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The best skin-care gift sets aren’t just for checking off a loved one’s birthday or holiday gift list—value sets are also the perfect excuse to treat yourself and discover new favorites without splurging on full sizes. Each curated kit is packed with mini versions of fan favorites, so you can find what really works before committing. Plus, their travel-size packaging makes them perfect for tossing into your gym bag, carry-on, or overnight tote for easy, on-the-go routines. Whether you’re new to a brand or just want to streamline your regimen, the best skin-care gift sets make healthier-looking skin feel effortless.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up the most giftable, travel-ready, and editor-approved options that make glowing skin one less thing to stress about.

Our Top Skin-Care Gift Sets to Shop Now

Rice to Meet YouTatcha The Starter Ritual SetJump to review$74

Amazon

Take That Glow to GoLaneige Mini Hydration To Go Gift SetJump to review$32

Amazon

Plumping PinnacleSkinCeuticals Injectables Power PairJump to review$238

SkinCeuticals

Our Top Skin-Care Gift Sets

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• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Rice to Meet You: Tatcha The Starter Ritual Set

Tatcha

The Starter Ritual Set

$74

Amazon

$74

Tatcha

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee using the Tatcha Rice Wash

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: When we think of Tatcha, the first word that often comes to mind is “luxe,” and they’ll quickly see why with The Starter Ritual Set. Inspired by centuries-old geisha rituals and traditional Japanese beauty practices, this four-step lineup is ideal for anyone with dry or mature skin looking to restore a healthy, lit-from-within glow. It includes The Rice Wash to purify (“the creamy texture feels incredibly luxurious as it smooths and brightens the skin,” Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, previously told Allure), The Essence to plump, The Dewy Serum to treat, and The Dewy Skin Cream to nourish. Featuring ingredients like double-fermented rice, antioxidant-rich green tea, and hydrating algae, this routine leaves skin soft, radiant, and deeply hydrated. From its silky textures to its serene lavender packaging, every detail will remind them to slow down and enjoy a moment of self-care.

Tester feedback on Tatcha’s The Rice Wash from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“This is one of those cleansers that actually makes you look forward to washing your face. When you first start lathering it up, there’s a teeny bit of grittiness from the rice powder doing its gentle exfoliating thing—but then it instantly melts into the softest, creamiest foam. That said, it didn’t really budge my waterproof eyeliner (I don’t blame it; I wear MAC Liquidlast and it’s truly bulletproof), so I wouldn’t rely on it for full makeup removal. But it’s incredible as a second step to a double-cleanse or a no-makeup day.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• What it includes: The Rice Wash (1.7 fl. oz.), The Essence (0.8 fl. oz.), The Dewy Serum (0.35 fl. oz.), The Dewy Skin Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: double-fermented rice, green tea, algae
• Who it’s for: people with dry or mature skin

Take That Glow to Go: Laneige Mini Hydration To Go Gift Set

Laneige

Mini Hydration To Go Gift Set

$32

Amazon

$32

Sephora

Allure former shopping editor Angela Trakoshis applying the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Angela Trakoshis

Why it's worth it: We probably don’t need to say much more than that this limited-edition kit includes Laneige’s viral Lip Sleeping Mask, but we’ll indulge you. Laneige has built its reputation on high-performing, hydration-obsessed formulas that feel expensive but aren’t. The Mini Hydration To Go Gift Set rounds up the brand’s bestsellers: Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser to purify, Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer to soften and balance, Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer to deeply hydrate, and of course, that iconic Lip Sleeping Mask to smooth and plump overnight. Together, they deliver dewy, bouncy, perfectly moisturized skin (and lips) anytime, anywhere. Bonus: It all comes tucked inside a cute, travel-ready bag.

Tester feedback on Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis

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“I mean, this is the OG when it comes to lip masks. There's a reason it's a top-seller on Amazon. It moisturizes lips for hours on end—no reapplication needed. I apply the smallest amount of this stuff on my dry lips at night and am guaranteed to wake up with soft, hydrated lips in the morning.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• What it includes: Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser (2.7 fl. oz.), Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer (1.7 fl. oz.), Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer (0.33 fl. oz.), Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry (0.1 fl. oz.), cosmetic bag
• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, white leaf tea water
• Who it’s for: everyone, especially if you have dull or dry skin or loss of elasticity

Plumping Pinnacle: SkinCeuticals Injectables Power Pair

SkinCeuticals

Injectables Power Pair

$238

SkinCeuticals

$238

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Between the Best of Beauty-winning HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan and equally beloved P-Tiox, we couldn't possibly choose our favorite—even amongst the entire SkinCeuticals family, these two are editor faves. Both formulas are stars at boosting hydration levels and plumping skin, visibly minimizing the look of fine lines with continuous use—so they're great for anyone who wants to target volume loss, dullness, and/or wrinkles, as well as those who regularly go to in-office treatments as at-home maintenance. The best part about this giftable duo? You save $32 versus if you bought these two serums separately. Cha-ching.

Tester feedback on SkinCeuticals P-Tiox from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"A plastic surgeon once told me that I have a very expressive face—which was a nice way of saying my face is a hotbed for expression lines. That's where this stuff comes in handy. The lightweight serum uses peptides to inhibit signals to the facial muscles, kind of like neuromodulators, but on a much weaker scale. Still, I've found that it works wonders for all the little expression lines where injectables just can't help, like around my mouth." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• What it includes: P-Tiox (1 fl oz.), HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan (1 fl oz.)
• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, PHA, glycerin, soybean ferment extract

Glow All Over: Osea Juicy Duo Gift Set

Osea

Juicy Duo Gift Set

$32

Amazon

$32

Revolve

$32

Osea

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying Osea Hyaluronic Lip Booster

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: We're constantly singing Osea's praises, and what better time to experience its skin-care goodness, or gift said goodness, than the holiday season? Not only do its citrus-leaning body-care products boost your mood with every application, but the ingredients inside the Undaria Algae Body Oil all but guarantee silky-smooth, moisturized, and glazed skin. It doesn't feel heavy, either, despite being an oil. The Hyaluronic Lip Booster is prime lip care for the drier, colder months ahead, and the plush doe-foot applicator is perfect for a one-swipe-and-go situation.

Tester feedback on Osea Hyaluronic Lip Booster by Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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"I know this may look, and be billed as, a kind of lip gloss—but it is so much more than that. It's this lovely balm-like product that actually enrobes your lips in lasting nourishment and hydration. Honestly, I'm talking hours of a supple pout that smells faintly citrus-y. It doesn't have a tint or anything, but because the Booster is so nourishing, it brings out your lips' natural color. You can't talk about this product (or any Osea product, really) without also speaking to the packaging. The formula is a lovely honey color and looks so luxe in its frosted glass case, and the doe-foot applicator is so special. I've tried many applicators in my time as a beauty editor, and this is a high-quality one that is firm, plush, and draws just enough of the ‘booster’ out of the bottle and onto your lips—no potential for the product to flick onto your shirt." —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• What it includes: Hyaluronic Lip Oil Booster (0.41 fl. oz.), Undaria Algae Body Oil (1 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, undaria seaweed, sea fern, caster seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil

Bum, Bum, and Beyond: Sol de Janeiro Jet Set Kit in Cheirosa '62

Sol De Janerio

Jet Set in Cheirosa '62

$34

Amazon

$34

Ulta Beauty

$34

Sephora

Why it's worth it: We’re not saying you should pick your beauty gifts based solely on how amazing they smell, but if you do, we get it. The Sol de Janeiro Jet Set includes three Best of Beauty Award-winning icons: the Brazilian 4 Play Body Wash, a cream-gel formula infused with coconut and açaí oils to tackle dryness before you even towel off; the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, loaded with fast-absorbing cupuaçu butter, energizing caffeine, and antioxidant-rich Brazil nut and açaí oils for an all-over glow; and the Cheirosa ’62 Perfume Mist, a warm, addictive scent that—according to associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tette—has “a 100% success rate in getting compliments.”

More to know

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• What it includes: Brazilian 4 Play Body Wash (3 fl. oz.), Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (1.7 fl. oz.), Cheirosa ‘62 Perfume Mist (1.1 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: caffeine, Brazil nut, cupuaçu butter, açaí oil
• Who it’s for: people with dry skin

Glass Act: Medicube Glass Skin Collagen Trial Kit

Medicube

Glass Skin Collagen Trial Kit

$15

Amazon

Allure features director Dianna Mazzone Singh removing the Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask

Dianna Mazzone Singh

Why it's worth it: Ask anyone at the Allure office what their favorite Medicube product is and you’ll get a different answer every time—and that’s because the brand is stacked with derm-loved formulas at affordable price points. But if they’re new to the K-beauty brand, the Medicube Glass Skin Collagen Trial Kit is a great intro, featuring four hydrating and firming essentials: Collagen Toner, Collagen Serum, Collagen Cream, and a Collagen Wrapping Mask. And while, as dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman previously told Allure, topical collagen itself can’t penetrate deeply enough to boost collagen production, Medicube’s formulas don’t stop there—they’re joined by ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that help support elasticity, smooth fine lines, and give skin that plump, dewy, glass skin glow.

Tester feedback on Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask from features director Dianna Singh

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"The way my skin looks with a layer of Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is exactly how I want my skin to look without it: glassy, glowy, and clear. And with each overnight—yes, overnight—application of its niacinamide- and hyaluronic acid-infused formula, I get a little bit closer to that goal. I've been using it once or twice a week and never cease to be delighted by the satisfaction of peeling it away in the morning." —Dianna Singh, features director

More to know

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• What it includes: Collagen Toner (0.42 fl. oz.), Collagen Serum (0.42 fl. oz.), Collagen Cream (0.17 fl. oz.), Collagen Wrapping Mask (0.17 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: collagen extract, niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid
• Who it’s for: people with mature skin

The Rhode to Glazed Skin: The Rhode Kit

Rhode

The Rhode Kit

$117

Rhode

Why it's worth it: It’s hard to believe the skin-care brand started by Hailey Bieber launched just three years ago. If you’re after an uncomplicated, glow-boosting routine—or trying to impress the teen in your life—The Rhode Kit is the perfect starter kit. It includes four full-size essentials designed for all skin types, especially dry, dull, or dehydrated complexions: Pineapple Refresh cleanser, Glazing Milk essence, and two of the brand’s OG icons, the Peptide Glazing Fluid and Barrier Restore Cream. The lineup blends hydrating ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid with soothing antioxidants to help strengthen the skin barrier, smooth texture, and deliver that signature “glazed donut” finish that the founder made famous, all in a few simple steps.

More to know

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• What it includes: Pineapple Refresh (5 fl. oz.), Glazing Milk (4.2 fl. oz.), Peptide Glazing Fluid (1.7 fl. oz.), and Barrier Restore Cream (1.7 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Who it’s for: everyone

Sleeping Beauty: Sunday Riley Go to Bed With Me

Sunday Riley

Go to Bed With Me

$93

Nordstrom

$93

Dermstore

$93

Ulta Beauty

Lee applying the Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: Not much has changed since we learned that everyone is obsessed with Sunday Riley a few years ago. Rather than flooding the market with dozens of so-so formulas every other month, the brand keeps things tight—fewer products, stronger efficacy—which is why just about every launch becomes an instant hit. The Go to Bed With Me Complete Evening Routine Set includes seven of Sunday Riley’s hero products for a complete nighttime ritual (read: retinol). They’ll find icons like Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment for glowing, smoother skin and Luna Sleeping Night Oil, packed with retinol and blue tansy to refine texture and treat dark spots overnight. With hydrating, barrier-strengthening picks like Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream and Ceramic Slip Cleanser, this set is for anyone chasing brighter, more even, and healthier-looking skin.

Tester feedback on Sunday Riley’s Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment from Lee

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“I have pretty sensitive skin, and this lactic acid treatment is one of the few exfoliants that never freaks it out—it’s so gentle. No peeling, no flaking, no scary ‘purge’ phase; just smoother, glowier skin that actually feels hydrated after. If I could only choose one product to have an endless stock of, it would be this.” —Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• What it includes: Pink Drink Firming Resurfacing Essence (0.3 fl. oz.), Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream (0.5 fl. oz.), Ceramic Slip Cleanser (1 fl. oz.), Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment (0.5 fl. oz.), A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum (0.5 fl. oz.), Luna Sleeping Night Oil (0.34 fl. oz.), 5 Stars Eye Serum (0.27 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: peptides, ceramides, lactic acid, retinol
• Who it’s for: people with mature skin

Thrice as Nice: SkinFix Acne+ Triple Threat Set

SkinFix

Acne+ Triple Threat Set

$30

Sephora

$30

Kohl's

Pai applying SkinFix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: Some brands chase trends, but SkinFix focuses on creating solutions for what skin actually needs. And if one of those needs is fighting acne, the Acne+ Triple Threat Set has them covered. This three-step routine includes a 2% BHA Cleanser to unclog pores and smooth texture, an Adapinoid Gel (a retinoid-like treatment) to target blemishes and support cell turnover, and a Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream to calm and hydrate without clogging pores. Together, they tackle breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks while helping maintain a healthy barrier. It’s ideal for people with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin that needs results and a little TLC.

Tester feedback on SkinFix’s Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream from Pai

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"I've never had a pregnancy glow—just a whole lot of hormonal acne on top of my usual day-to-day breakouts. And this time, it hit just as the weather was getting chilly, which means that I need to balance coddling dry areas, like my cheeks, and addressing trouble spots on my chin and jawline. This stuff has yet to steer me wrong. Unlike a lot of other lightweight moisturizers, it's cushiony and leaves my skin soft, but not shiny. And it's more gel than cream, which gives it an especially nourishing feel." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• What it includes: 2% BHA Cleanser (1 fl. oz.), Adapinoid Gel (0.23 fl. oz.), Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: salicylic acid,
• Who it’s for: people with acne-prone or oily skin

Why You So Obsessed With Me?: e.l.f. Cosmetics Best & Obsessed Skincare Kit

E.L.F. Cosmetics

Best & Obsessed Skincare Kit

$25

Amazon

$25

Walmart

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops

Why it's worth it: In recent years, e.l.f. has gone full-on viral again thanks to formulas that perform like luxury but cost less than your latte. You can’t scroll BeautyTok for more than five seconds without spotting someone slathering, tapping, or glazing on something from the Best & Obsessed Skincare Kit. It features five fan-favorite essentials that blend skin care and glow-inducing makeup: Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, Bronzing Drops, Thirst Burst Drops, Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum, and Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30 (a tinted chemical sunscreen). For skin that’s dull, dry, or uneven, this lineup delivers everything they need to cleanse, brighten, hydrate, and protect. It won’t take long to see why everyone is—yep—completely obsessed.

Tester feedback of e.l.f.’s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops from commerce editor Sarah Han

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"Whenever I don’t get enough sleep (or even when I do, honestly), a brightening face serum is a must in my morning routine. Thirst Burst Drops offers the best of both worlds, packing in both hydrating and brightening ingredients that perk up my skin straight away. The gel texture melts right into my skin and provides a bit of tackiness (not stickiness) that really grips onto my sunscreen and makeup. Glowy, radiant base? Check, check." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• What it includes: Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm (0.45 fl. oz.), Bronzing Drops (0.33 fl. oz.), Thirst Burst Drops (0.33 fl. oz.), Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum (0.5 fl. oz.), Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30 (0.33 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients: vitamin C, hibiscus complex, sunflower seed oil, hyaluronic acid, squalane
• Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with dry skin

Eau So Hydrated: La Roche-Posay Facial Hydration Heroes

La Roche-Posay

Facial Hydration Heroes

$50

Amazon

Why it's worth it: It all started in a tiny French town called La Roche-Posay, where a mineral-rich thermal spring earned a reputation for calming even the most sensitive skin (long before “skin barrier” was a buzzword). That same water is still at the core of all their products today. Their Facial Hydration Heroes Kit includes the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, a milky face wash that cleanses while supporting sensitive skin. Plus, you’ll find the Hyalu B5 Serum—powered by two kinds of pure hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and madecassoside to plump and repair. And to complete the minimalist routine, there’s the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, which is rich in ceramides and niacinamide to strengthen, hydrate, and soothe fragile skin.

More to know

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• What it includes: Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (1.69 fl. oz.), Hyalu B5 Serum (1 fl. oz.), Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer (1.35 fl. oz.)
• Key ingredients:
• Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with sensitive skin

Frequently Asked Questions

Meet the experts

• Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
• Dendy Engleman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best skin-care gift sets, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The best moisturizing body washes don’t just rinse away dirt and sweat—they also leave your skin feeling softer and more hydrated before you even reach for moisturizer. The right formula transforms your shower into more than just a rinse-off routine: It’s a two-in-one moment of cleansing and care. These aren’t your average suds; they’re loaded with the kind of nourishing ingredients, like shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin, that attract moisture, so you get clean without the tight, squeaky aftermath. And if you have sensitive skin, you’ll appreciate that many of these derm-approved picks skip common irritants like dyes and fragrances, and even carry the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval.

Bottom line: A great moisturizing body wash saves you from that dry, itchy post-shower feeling and makes your skin feel silky and comfortable all day. Here, the editor-approved picks that turn a simple shower into a moisturizing moment.

Our Top Moisturizing Body Washes

• Best Overall: Osea Undaria Algae Body Wash, $32
• Best Scent: Kiehl’s Oil-to-Foam Cleanser, $35
• Best For Body Acne: Nécessaire The Body Wash, $28
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel, $32
• Best Drugstore: Olay Super Serum Body Wash, $13
• Best for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash, $20
• Best for Very Dry Skin: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, $29
• Best Exfoliating: Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Hand & Body Wash, $22

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizing body wash?
• What should I avoid in a body wash for dry skin?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Osea Undaria Algae Body Wash

Osea

Undaria Algae Body Wash

$32

Osea

$32

Amazon

$32

Nordstrom

Why we love it: If you’ve tried the Best of Beauty-winning Osea Undaria Body Oil, you’re probably familiar with its delicious-smelling formula and skin-softening powers. Good news: Its sister product, the Undaria Body Wash, offers all the same little luxuries, just in the form of a foaming cleanser. Like the body oil, this body wash is boosted with seaweed, a natural ingredient packed with amino acids and antioxidants that replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. Additionally, glycerin hydrates, plant-based surfactants gently cleanse, creating a light foam that doesn’t strip the skin, and nourishing jojoba and avocado oils leave your skin feeling silky and supple. After use, your skin will feel soft, hydrated, and revitalized.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I won't lie: The scent is the selling point for me. The grapefruit and lime notes feel like a gentle wake-up call and boost my mood every time I use it. The formula itself is so silky and has the perfect amount of slip, and of course, it's filled with moisturizing powerhouses, like the brand's signature undaria seadweed, aloe, glycerin, and jojoba oil that leave my skin feeling as soft as a baby's bum. Once I'm out of the shower and dried off, I follow up with the Hyaluronic Body Serum because it's one of the few nonsticky body-care products my impatient self tolerates. It's the perfect recipe for long-lasting hydration.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: seaweed, glycerin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil
• Scent: grapefruit, lime, cyprus, mango, mandarin
• Size: 8 fl oz

Best Scent: Kiehl’s Oil-to-Foam Cleanser

Kiehl's

Oil-to-Foam Cleanser

$35

Kiehl's

$35

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Plenty of body washes boast “oil-infused” formulas, but this one is an oil at its core—at least until it meets water. The moment it does, it transforms into a fine, cloud-like foam that feels like pure luxury. And the scent seals the deal: a cozy blend of vanilla and almond that lingers softly on skin without overwhelming your senses. With a base of castor and grapeseed oils—both rich in vitamin E and antioxidants—it cleanses while replenishing, leaving your skin velvety and moisturized. It’s basically a two-in-one: cleanser first, body oil second.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"I'm five months pregnant in the middle of winter, so I'm all about oils right now—they're the only thing that keeps the skin on my belly from feeling itchy or dry as it stretches. But a traditional shower oil isn't really my jam, which is why this one is perfect: It builds to a sudsy foam that feels effective but nourishing, has a light herbal scent that feels like a mini-meditation in the morning, and leaves my skin soft and soft. I don't think I'll go back to anything else, even postpartum, especially in the winter months when my skin is thirsty."—Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: grapeseed oil, castor oil
• Scent: vanilla, almond
• Size: 8.4 fl oz

Best for Body Acne: Nécessaire The Body Wash

Nécessaire

The Body Wash

$28

Amazon

$28

Nordstrom

Why we love it: Nécessaire’s The Body Wash is a quiet hero in the acne-fighting category. Alabama-based dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, says this non-comedogenic formula—meaning it won’t clog pores—is ideal for oily or acne-prone skin. It’s also packed with niacinamide, which he says “clears active acne, keeps pores clean, and reduces inflammation.” New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, is another fan: “I always look for formulas rich in glycerin, niacinamide, and plant oils to deeply hydrate while maintaining skin’s natural pH,” Dr. Engelman says, adding that it cleanses effectively but never leaves skin feeling tight (unlike many other cleansers that help with acne).

Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jen Hussein

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"From the neck down, my skin is pretty finicky (I'm prone to bouts of dry skin and body acne), so I have to be particularly discerning when it comes to body washes. Thankfully, Nécessaire's fits my fussy bill with its hybrid gel-oil formula. It provides the deep cleanse I need to prevent breakouts, but doesn't over-strip my skin." —Jen Hussein, former commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, plant oils
• Scent: fragrance-free
• Size: 16.9 fl oz

Best for Sensitive Skin: Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel

Soft Services

Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel

$32

Sephora

$32

Soft Services

Why we love it: If your skin flares up at the mere thought of showering, the Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel will put your skin at ease. Made with gentle cleansing agents, it washes away dirt and sweat without stripping, while glycerin locks in moisture long after you dry off. The water-oil texture adds a silky layer of slip, making it perfect for shaving (and for saying goodbye to razor bumps for good).

Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo

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“I’m a huge Soft Services girly, and not only because the packaging is always beautiful. This shower gel in particular is so silky and gentle on my skin—I have dry skin all over, but this is good at not stripping away all oils and leaving my skin feeling hydrated. I also love how it can be used as a shaving oil!”—Briana Rengifo, designer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin
• Scent: fragrance-free
• Size: 10 fl oz

Best Drugstore: Olay Super Serum Body Wash

Olay

Super Serum Body Wash

$13

Amazon

$13

Walmart

Why we love it: If you’re into a rich, creamy body wash that practically melts into your skin, this one’s for you. Olay’s Super Serum Body Wash lathers like a dream, glides over skin without tugging, and leaves you looking and feeling seriously hydrated. The formula packs a ton of hard-hitters like calming niacinamide, exfoliating BHA, brightening vitamin C, soothing vitamin E, and plumping collagen peptides. It’s basically a mini spa in a bottle, and bonus points for the cozy vanilla and soft woody notes that linger long after you get out of the shower. And for $13? A skin-loving steal.

Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva

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"With dry and sensitive skin, I find it so easy to start dreading the winter months. The moment the temperature falls below 70 degrees, I swap out all of my body-care products for an ultra-moisturizing routine that always includes the Olay Super Serum Body Wash. The formula leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and provides the ideal base (hydrated but not sticky) to lather on my heavy-duty moisturizer once I'm out of the shower."—Kassidy Silva, social media director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: niacinamide, BHA, vitamin C, vitamin E, collagen peptides
• Scent: florals, vanilla, wood
• Size: 10 fl oz

Best for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash

La Roche-Posay

Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash

$20

Amazon

$20

Dermstore

$22

Ulta Beauty

New York-based dermatologist Jane Yoo, MD, has suffered from eczema for years, but La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash has been a personal favorite for years. “I used to purchase this in half-gallon bottles and lug it back from City Pharma in Paris for years until it finally came to the States,” she says. As someone who tests new products all the time (sounds familiar), that’s saying a lot. It has lipid-replenishing glycerin and shea butter, anti-inflammatory niacinamide, and the brand’s signature soothing, antioxidant-rich thermal spring water. As far as the formula feels, Dr. Yoo says it has a light, silky touch and is not too heavy, so it doesn’t leave behind any residue. “It’s also fragrance-free and suitable for babies, kids, and adults,” she adds.

Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly

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“The fragrance-free milky gel removes all traces of my (granted, relatively light) makeup while also leaving my skin softer than it was pre-wash. The second ingredient in the formula is glycerin, a humectant that pulls water from the air to keep skin hydrated for hours. It also includes niacinamide to rebuild the skin’s lipid layer and shea butter to soften. A little dab’ll do ya (dime-size for your face, a couple of quarters for your entire body), and you still get just enough foaminess to tell your brain you’re getting clean. This wash started out in my kids’ bathtub—where it soothed rough patches on my eczema-prone son—before it migrated to my own shower and became my go-to.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: niacinamide, BHA, vitamin C, vitamin E, collagen peptides
• Scent: florals, vanilla, wood
• Size: 10 fl oz

Best for Very Dry Skin: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

L'Occitane

Almond Shower Oil

$29

Nordstrom

$29

Ulta Beauty

$29

Sephora

Why we love it: For very dry skin, Dr. Engelman recommends pairing a hydrating, non-stripping body wash with a shower oil to seal in moisture immediately afterward, as it leaves a hydrating finish on the skin even after you hop out of the shower. “Or, you can opt for a shower oil, like L’Occitane’s Cleansing & Softening Almond Oil, which locks in hydration and prevents water loss.” This editor-beloved oil is made with highly moisturizing grapeseed, sweet almond, and sunflower seed oils that get nice n’ sudsy for a satisfying clean and to leave your skin soft and smooth. If your skin is unbearably dry and in desperate need of a double dose of moisture—or you just don’t have time for the cleanse-then-oil routine—say hello to your new shower power duo.

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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“Oil and suds usually don’t go together, but L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil proves otherwise. Thick and creamy in the bottle, it transforms into a rich, foamy lather the second it hits water, gliding effortlessly over the skin. It hydrates like an oil without leaving any greasy residue, leaving skin soft, supple, and touchable. Some days, I skip body lotion entirely—it’s that moisturizing. And the almond scent is pure spa vibes with every shower. I can’t get enough!”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil
• Scent: almond, vanilla
• Size: 8.4 fl oz

Best Exfoliating: Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Hand & Body Wash

Beekman 1802

Goat Milk Hand & Body Wash

$22

Amazon

Why we love it: What's goat milk got to do with dry skin? Well, a lot, when it comes to Beekman 1802. Goat milk naturally contains lactic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid that helps whisk away dead cells for smoother, softer skin without irritation. Combined with “glycerin, jojoba seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and shea butter, the Goat Milk Hand and Body Wash hydrates the skin, supports the skin barrier, and helps to lock in moisture," says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. "Honey and aloe vera add additional soothing properties." You can also use this as a hand wash—extra points for versatility.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, goat milk, jojoba, meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter
• Scent: fragrance-free
• Size: 12.5 fl oz

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizing body wash?

Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos recommends looking for ingredients that hydrate and support the skin barrier, like niacinamide (a.k.a vitamin B3), key for brightening, boosting ceramide production, and delivering antioxidant benefits. "Niacinamide is an ingredient with numerous advantages; as a cosmetic chemist, I love its versatility in formulations," Dobos says. And don’t forget your ceramides, either. New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that they’re key for filling in the cracks between skin cells and helping skin repair itself. Shea butter, jojoba oil, and algae extracts are also top picks for lasting softness, while hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and clear, adds Dr. Engelman.

Synthetic compounds are also crucial to a good body wash—even the ones you can't pronounce. "Combinations of two to three synthetic surfactants are essential for good cleansing and foaming, and increasing mildness. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and cocamidopropyl betaine are examples of mild secondary surfactants," says Dobos. "One ingredient that is particularly useful in body wash is guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, a conditioning polymer with many positive charges that make it substantive to dry skin. It can help deposit other ingredients on the skin too," she adds.

What should I avoid in a body wash for dry skin?

While not everyone is sensitive to fragrance in body washes, picking a fragrance-free option minimizes the risk of irritation. "Try to avoid fragrances, cleansers with a high pH, or soap-based cleansers," Dr. King attests. She notes that "soap" doesn't always refer to bar soap, but rather cleansers with a high pH. "Skin has a neutral to slightly acidic pH, so you want cleansers that mimic that and support barrier health, Dr. King explains. “If it has tons of ingredients, ditch it. Keep it simple!" It’s a good idea to avoid harsh, skin-stripping detergents like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), which can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to more dryness.

If you have eczema, avoid formulas that feature acne-targeting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh, previously told Allure, as they can be particularly drying and irritating. The safest option, however, if you have acne-prone and very dry skin, is to talk to your dermatologist before buying a new body wash.

Meet the experts

• Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, AL
• Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Jane Yoo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
• Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati
• Olga Bunimovich, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best body washes for dry skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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Simone Biles is opening up about the plastic surgery procedures she's had done.

In a recent “Get un-ready with me” video posted to TikTok, the Olympian played a trivia game with her followers as she got ready for bed, sharing fun facts about herself and touching on a variety of topics—including plastic surgery.

“I've had three plastic surgeries and two of them you would never be able to tell," she said in the video “Guess!” Followers shared their thoughts in the comments, and Biles then spilled the beans about which three procedures she'd had done: a cherry emoji, likely to reference breast implants; a lower blepharoplasty “because I had THE WORST eye bags”; and an earlobe procedure after an earring was ripped from her ear when she was younger. Ouch! (She also shared that she's allergic to "most lip glosses" but hasn't figured out which ingredient irritates her skin.)

A lower blepharoplasty is a procedure used to de-puff and tighten skin under the eyes. In the past, candidates were typically older people dealing with loose, sagging skin and undereye bags, as Allure reported earlier this year, it's becoming more popular with patients in their 20s and 30s who want a more permanent solution to puffiness, which is often simply genetic or part of their anatomy. A lower bleph can be performed as a standalone surgery or combined with other procedures, and the final result is a subtle, smooth, refreshed undereye area.

While Biles has never explicitly confirmed or denied breast implants, she nodded to them again with the cherries emoji in an Instagram Story from mid-October, saying it was the first flip she'd done in a year, adding it was “with new 🍒.”

Biles isn't the only star speaking more openly about getting work done. Kylie Jenner shared her exact breast implant details in a TikTok comment, and Jennifer Lawrence recently said that she's got plans to get her breasts done soon—as in, maybe this month—after having two children. “Everything bounced back, pretty much, after the first one,” she told The New Yorker. “Second one, nothing bounced back.”

Watch Biles's full video below:

TikTok content

Photographed by CARLOS and ALYSE. Stylist: Fiona Green. Hair: Jenni Iva Wimmerstedt. Makeup: Andrew Colvin. Manicure: Elina Ogawa. Model: Brandi Quinones. Shirt by Issey Miyake. Earrings by Paula Mendoza.

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Skin-care products aren’t known for instant gratification, but using the best wrinkle cream proves the power of patience. While no cream can reverse signs of aging altogether, early and consistent use of these superhero formulas can soften fine lines, tighten and plump skin, and even tone over time. And while we think aging skin is something to celebrate, we get it if you’re not quite ready to embrace the changes.

These potent moisturizers are formulated with active ingredients—like peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and ceramides (to name a few)—designed to temporarily improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while making up for lost moisture. We tapped dermatologists to learn which wrinkle serums and creams actually work—here are the best 10.

Our Top Wrinkle Creams

• Best Wrinkle Cream Overall: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+, $258
• Best for Dry Skin: Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream, $150
• Best for Deep Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced, $185
• Best for Barrier Support: Ourself Daily Renewal Cream Rich, $85
• Best for Sensitive Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream, $35
• Best for Hyperpigmentation: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream, $145
• Best Firming: Neocutis BioSerum Firm, $290
• Best for Lax Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer, $145
• Best for Expression Lines: Revision Skincare Revox 7, $150
• Best Drugstore: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, $27

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What causes skin aging?
• When will I start seeing results from wrinkle creams?
• What in-office treatments target wrinkles?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Wrinkle Cream Overall: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Alastin

Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

$258

Alastin

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Christa Joanna Lee

Why we love it: Skin changes with time—that’s natural—but Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+ helps it stay resilient, supported, and visibly vibrant at every stage. TriHex+ is the brand’s patented blend of peptides designed to clear out old, damaged collagen and elastin while signaling the skin to produce fresh, healthy fibers in their place (in other words, think of it as a cleanup crew and a construction team in one). The recently updated formula steps things up with octapeptide-45 to further support collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, plus magnolol to calm inflammation and l-ornithine to help visibly firm and re-plump thinning areas. Whether you’re in between treatments or just want to keep skin looking supported and firm, this serum-like consistency sinks in quickly, making it easy to fit into any routine (and worthy of its luxury price point).

Lee before applying the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“As someone with dry, sensitive skin and a few early signs of aging (read: the appearance of fine lines around my eyes), my first foray into Alastin skin care has been a pleasant surprise. The Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+ feels like the perfect mix of an ultra-light moisturizer and serum—it sinks in fast but leaves my skin hydrated and smooth all day. After a few weeks, my complexion looks a little plumper and my skin texture is more even—with hardly any effort at all.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: TriHex Technology (peptide blend), octapeptide-45, magnolol, l-ornithine
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream

Lancôme

Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream

$150

Amazon

$150

Nordstrom

$150

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: H.P.N. is an acronym for the three star ingredients doing the heavy lifting in this formula: hyaluronic acid, peptides (over 300 of them!), and niacinamide. Together, “Lancôme’s Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream is a multi-tasking formula that helps firm, smooth, and brighten the skin,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada. The peptides help support collagen and elasticity, niacinamide improves tone and radiance, and hyaluronic acid pulls in deep moisture—making tight, dehydrated skin feel cushioned again. As Dr. Hovenic explains, “The texture feels rich but absorbs quickly, leaving skin hydrated, supple, and visibly more radiant with continued use.”

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Deep Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

SkinCeuticals

A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

$185

SkinCeuticals

$185

Dermstore

$185

Bluemercury

Why we love it: A.G.E. doesn’t actually stand for “age” (even though it’s fitting); it’s short for advanced glycation end-products, which are basically sticky sugar-protein bonds that gunk up your collagen over time and lead to deeper wrinkles, sagging, and that crepey look on the face, neck, and chest. SkinCeuticals’ A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced was made to slow that process down and help undo some of the visible effects. The featured ingredient is proprietary 18% Proxylane, a molecule that helps rebuild the skin’s “support beams,” making it look firmer and more cushioned. The formula also packs 4.25% blueberry and pomegranate flavonoids to help defend against sugar and environmental damage, plus 0.1% licorice-derived glycyrrhetinic acid to calm and brighten. It’s richer than a standard moisturizer, but that’s on purpose—it’s meant for skin dealing with deeper lines, loss of density, and dryness.

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Many moisturizers sting my dry, sensitive skin—but not the A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced. It coddles my skin, comforting the extra-dry patches and leaving my complexion bouncy and bright.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Proxylane, blueberry extract, pomegranate extract, glycyrrhetinic acid
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Barrier Support: Ourself Daily Renewal Cream Rich

Ourself

Daily Renewal Cream Rich

$85

Ourself

Why we love it: The “Rich” version of Ourself’s Daily Renewal Cream is made for the moments your skin needs extra support: after a peel, during freezing cold-weather months, or when your face just feels dry and overworked. “It’s a favorite for those with dry skin, which is especially important as we go into the winter months,” says Dr. Hovenic. The formula relies on the brand’s Intides (a.k.a. “intelligent peptides”), niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ginger root extract to hydrate, even tone, and calm irritation. Then shea butter and carob fruit extract step in to “provide deep nourishment and strengthen the skin’s barrier function,” says Dr. Hovenic. Thanks to its slow-release delivery tech, the comfort actually lasts—“skin feels nourished and protected all day long,” she adds.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Intides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter,
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream

RoC

Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream

$35 $28 (20% off)

Amazon

$38

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: You might be surprised that our pick for sensitive skin includes retinol, but hear us out. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream pairs retinol (the gold-standard wrinkle fighter) with hyaluronic acid to cushion skin against the dryness and irritation retinol is known for. “This is a wrinkle-fighting cream for sensitive and dry skin, using both hyaluronic acid for short-term plumping and retinol for long-term results,” says Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. The formula also includes soothing hydrators such as glycerin, dimethicone, and glyceryl behenate, plus antioxidants (vitamin E and C derivatives) to help calm and protect the skin. “Since it’s fragrance-free, it minimizes irritation,” and is a gentle entry point for anyone who wants retinol results without the rough side effects, says Dr. Bittar.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: retinol (percentage not disclosed), hyaluronic acid, glycerin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream

Shiseido

Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream

$145

Amazon

$145

Nordstrom

Why we love it: If your main concerns are uneven tone and dark spots, along with loss of firmness, Shiseido’s Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream targets all three at once. The formula’s hero, SafflowerRED (grown exclusively in Japan), helps lift, firm, and visibly even the complexion, while ziziphus jujuba fruit extract zeroes in on hyperpigmentation and elasticity. Ginseng root extract supports natural collagen production for brighter, stronger skin, and caffeine adds a quick-hit brightening effect while helping soften the look of lines. Plus, a mix of gentle botanicals—like rosemary, green tea, and angelica root—helps calm, hydrate, and maintain the moisture barrier, which is key if you want that firm-yet-glowy finish instead of tight, dry skin.

Tester feedback from Lee

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“I’m a sucker for a good sensorial moment, and this texture is so pillowy and weightless it practically feels like you’re smoothing on a cloud. The subtle scent is luxe without being overpowering for daily use, and even with added fragrance, my sensitive, redness-prone skin isn’t bothered. After a few weeks, I’ve noticed my skin looks more even, and its non-greasy texture layers nicely under makeup.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: SafflowerRED, ginseng root extract, ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, caffeine
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Firming: Neocutis BioSerum Firm

Neocutis

BioSerum Firm

$290

Amazon

$290

Dermstore

Why we love it: Nashville-based board-certified dermatologist Natalie M. Curcio, MD, is a fan of the Neocutis BioSerum Firm, which works as both a daytime and nighttime moisturizer. The formula combines growth factors and peptides for softer-looking fine lines and wrinkles, she says. P.S.: The growth factors are derived from cultured cells—no actual human tissue is involved. The brand says you’ll start seeing a difference in six days to keep antsiness at a minimum. If you prefer a richer formula or have really dry skin, consider Neocutis's BioCream Firme Riche. "The formulation has been shown to improve collagen and elastin production in as little as 14 days," says San Diego-based board-certified dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: human growth factors, peptides, sodium hyaluronate
• Who it’s for: everyone
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Lax Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer

Isdin

Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer

$145

Amazon

$145

Dermstore

Why we love it: Packed with wrinkle smoothers like carnosine (a dipeptide naturally found in the body that declines with age) and niacinamide, the Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer has won over Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles. The formula also has hyaluronic acid, which binds water to the skin cells, maintains the structural integrity of the skin's tissues, and stimulates collagen production, boosting thickness and firmness. When considering the "plumping" effect of hyaluronic acid in this nighttime moisturizer, Dr. Shamban says to think about the volume difference between a dry sponge and a wet sponge. "When wet, the sponge expands to occupy more space, giving a plumping effect," she says. The brand is known for adding melatonin to its products, which serves as an antioxidant to offset the effects of free radicals throughout the day.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: melatonin, hyaluronic acid, carnosine
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Expression Lines: Revision Skincare Revox 7

Revision Skincare

Revox 7

$150

Dermstore

Why we love it: Want your skin care to work smarter, not harder? Try Revision Skincare’s Revox 7, which Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City, calls "a fantastic product to help with wrinkles because it goes straight to the source." The cocktail of seven peptides targets the wrinkle-causing muscles to smooth out seven different expression lines.. Plus, she says, "It can be applied with your own moisturizer or under makeup twice a day."

For a targeted treatment, derms also love the Revision Skincare Revox Line Relaxer, which is a mainstay for board-certified dermatologist Ope Ofodile, MD, who previously shared her skin-care routine with Allure.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, gamma-aminobutyric acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Olay

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

$27 $20 (26% off)

Amazon

$25

Walmart

Why we love it: Chances are you’ve seen—or maybe even finished—this iconic red jar; in that case, consider this your reminder to grab a refill. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream has earned a loyal following (plus three Allure Readers’ Choice Awards) for visibly firming, lifting, and smoothing skin without a luxury price tag. “It has a published peer-reviewed study that showed improvement in skin quality comparable to a retinoid,” Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, previously told Allure. A combo of amino-peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that plumps skin with moisture while helping soften the look of fine lines over time. It feels rich and cushiony going on, sinks in quickly for all skin types, and leaves your complexion bouncy and hydrated.

Tester feedback from former deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel

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“My new lines are less noticeable, and the deeper wrinkles I've had for years are looking a little better. The redness I'm prone to on my cheeks, nose, and forehead is way (way, way) better, too.” —Elizabeth Siegel, former deputy beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes skin aging?

As we age, our skin experiences two forms of aging: extrinsic aging (which refers to external or environmental causes of aging like pollution, smoke, and, most commonly, sun exposure) and intrinsic aging (or chronological aging, a genetically determined process that leads to loss of collagen and elastin in the skin). "Both types of aging lead to wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of maturity," says Dr. Curcio.

When will I start seeing results from wrinkle creams?

You won't see results from any skin product overnight, so your expectations have to be realistic. "If you are looking for benefits, including the improvement in skin tone, texture, redness, and reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, it usually takes eight to 12 weeks of twice-daily application with a moisturizer to see results," says Dr. Curcio. In other words, patience is a virtue. And, the earlier you start using wrinkle cream, the better. "Used early and consistently, a wrinkle cream can reduce the appearance of many of the fine lines and wrinkles we see developing in our 30s that become more permanent in our 40s and 50s," says Dr. Shamban. Final PSA: Even the best wrinkle cream is only half the equation—you need a daily sunscreen with at least SPF 30 if you want those results to actually stick.

What in-office treatments target wrinkles?

If you're looking for a more intensive method of minimizing wrinkles, Patricia Oyetakin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Ontario, Canada recommends combining your topical products with cosmetic procedures like Botox or laser resurfacing. These can promote collagen production on a deeper level than the treatment alone.

Meet the experts

• Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute based in Miami
• Natalie M. Curcio, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Nashville
• Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
• Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology based in New York City
• Ope Ofodile, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta
• Patricia Oyetakin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Ontario, Canada
• Melanie Palm, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego
• Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best wrinkle creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists of various ages. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.