Hailey Bieber Is a Fan of This “Weightless” $49 Foundation—Watch the Video
Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
Hailey Bieber definitely has a signature beauty look. The model and Rhode founder is drawn to dewy skin (or “glazed donut” skin, as she calls it), layered cream blush, minimal eye makeup, and a lined, contoured lip. She has previously described her glam routine as “less is more," and while she doesn't typically use a full suite of products for her GRWM TikTok videos, we love poring over them to see which products earn the highly coveted Hailey Bieber seal of approval.
In her latest video, which depicts off her current go-to routine for “fresh skin and a lip on repeat,” which begins with a very intriguing foundation application. Instead of smoothing on a liquid formula with her fingers or a brush, she mixes a few generous drops of her chosen shade with Rhode's Glazing Milk, swirls them together, and applies the combo to her skin with a medium-sized brush, taking her time to really buff the product in for a light-as-air finish.
The foundation in question is m.ph beauty by Mary Phillips's new Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation, which the brand describes as a “breathable” foundation with a buildable medium finish. It comes in 35 shades and retails for $49. This product pick makes a lot of sense, as Bieber has been working with Phillips for years. Mixing it with the Glazing Milk allows for a sheer, featherlight texture that lets Bieber's skin shine. Once she's done applying foundation, she dots on a bit of concealer (Kosas Revealer Concealer, if you're curious) and sets it with powder, then dots a few faux freckles across the bridge of her nose. The “lip on repeat” starts with a Rhode Peptide Lip Shape liner, and Bieber then fills in the shape with a rosy brown lipstick; her exact shade is Merit's Lip Blush in Bespoke.
Watch Bieber mix up her foundation below:
TikTok content
Long-Lasting Body and Bounce Start With These Hair Volumizers
Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
The best volumizing hair products can be lifesavers for second-day styling, deflated blowouts, and flatness-prone strands. Mousses, sprays, and powders (oh, my!) add dimension and texture to hair that needs a boost, using ingredients like polymers, copolymers, and resins to restore your long-lost zhuzh. Still, you don't need fine or flat hair to benefit from a volumizing hair product. Even people with naturally fuller hair can use these formulas to amp up volume and bounce for that just-left-the-salon look that lasts for days. Interest piqued? Keep scrolling to discover our favorite hair volumizing products to give that crown some well-deserved lift.
Our Top Volumizing Hair Products
- Best Overall: Crown Affair The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse, $38
- Most Long-Lasting Hold: Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse, $27
- Best Heat Protectant: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist, $32
- Best for Fine Hair: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray, $46
- Best for Second-Day Refreshes: Dae Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray, $30
- Best for Curls: Chris McMillan The Hair Mousse for Bouncy Volume, $36
- Best for Oily Hair: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $52
- Best for Frizz: Davines OI Soufflé, $50
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What does a volumizing hair product do?
- How do I choose a volumizing hair product?
- What should I avoid in a volumizing hair product?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Crown Affair The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Save to wishlist
Crown Affair
The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Sephora
Violet Grey
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards after applying the Crown Affair The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Why it’s worth it: Don’t let the word “mousse” scare you away—Crown Affair’s The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse always leaves strands feeling flexible and soft, which is partly why it won a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award. Infused with nourishing tsubaki meadow oil, texturizing pink salt, and a plant blend of kale, carrot, and lemon extracts that, together, strengthen and add moisture, this featherlight formula hydrates, de-frizzes, and disappears upon contact—though the results stick around for hours. “It's perfect for enhancing curls, giving you good volume and a strong hold that will last,” Katelyn Ellsworth, a hairstylist based in San Diego, CA, told Allure. It’s our go-to for days when we skip heat styling, but still want natural movement and airy volume. When it’s time to re-style your hair the next day, you can brush right through your strands without worrying about any leftover stickiness or residue.
Richards before applying the Crown Affair The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Richards after applying the Crown Affair The Air Dry Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Bianca Richards
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
LargeChevron
“I love how seamlessly the Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse fits into my low-maintenance, low-effort haircare routine, and it leaves my hair looking the best I've ever felt in my natural state. It’s a super low-lift way to achieve that effortless, undone look. Unlike other mousses, it doesn’t leave your hair feeling crunchy—which is the best part!” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
LargeChevron
“My thick hair is incredibly stubborn about maintaining volume at the roots and body throughout the day, but this mousse does what was previously impossible: It provides a natural, flexible hold (absolutely no crunch!) that sends my curls into juicy, hydrated spirals, giving my hair an allover plumping effect. It's the manifestation of va-va-voom for air-dried hair.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: tsbukai meadow oil, pink salt, plant protein blend (kale, carrot, lemon)
- Who it's good for: those who like to air-dry their hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Most Long-Lasting Hold: Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse
Save to wishlist
Hours
Full-Time Plumping Mousse
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: The lightweight, foamy, and soft-but-mighty Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse won an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2023 and 2024 for its all-day staying power. The formula leans on fatty acids derived from castor oil to help hydrate the scalp and reinforce each strand, creating a good foundation for volume. Once dispensed, the airy propellants in the formula expand and then evaporate, giving the roots a subtle lift as your hair dries. That expansion acts almost like scaffolding, encouraging strands to stand taller. Then, humectants like propylene glycol and butylene glycol draw in moisture, plumping the hair shaft so it looks and feels thicker.
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann before applying the Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
LargeChevron
"Listen, mousse was a dirty word to me for the majority of my life—I did my time in the crunchy curl trenches in middle school—but I've done a full 180 since discovering Hours Plumping Mousse. My hair retains a ton of water post-shower and gets weighed down super easily, but adding two pumps of this to wet hair inflates my hair like a freakin' balloon. It's also responsible for the longest-lasting blowout I've ever had—it's literally a miracle product to me." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: propylene glycol, castor oil, sodium polyitaconate
- Who it's good for: those with flat, fine hair that gets weighed down easily
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Heat Protectant: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
Save to wishlist
Olaplex
Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
Ulta
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
Why it's worth it: No bouncy blowout is complete without a good heat protectant, like Olaplex’s Volumizing Blow Dry Mist. This 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner safeguards your strands from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit while wrapping them in a barely-there veil of defense. Bamboo extract lipopeptides form a weightless, protective film that helps fortify the hair fiber. Pea peptides and jackfruit polysaccharides join the mix to boost hydration and encourage airy lift, minus the frizz. The finish is touchably soft and completely invisible, for hair that looks naturally sky-high.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
LargeChevron
"That any product could create volume on my superfine, color-treated hair is a damn miracle, which means Olaplex's Volumizing Blow Dry Mist is basically a religious deity in my eyes. With a few hearty spritzes of this lightweight spray along my hairline and in my roots—plus some elbow grease with a round brush, of course—I can at last achieve a style that makes me look like I have more hair than I actually do." —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: bamboo extract, pea peptides, radish root ferment
- Who it's good for: people who style with heat regularly
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Fine Hair: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Save to wishlist
K18
Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Amazon
Sephora
Allure features director Dianna Singh applying the K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Dianna Singh
Why it’s worth it: Powered by the brand’s biotech-backed peptide complex called K18peptide, which mimics the natural structure of keratin, the Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray does more than just add volume. A few spritzes boost fullness while repairing damage and reducing breakage. According to Eddie M. Parra, a hairstylist in New York City, it delivers a conditioning effect (thanks, red algae) without sacrificing lift. And, it has two-day hair memory, so the volume lasts for up to 48 hours whether you apply it on damp or dry hair (it goes on completely invisible either way).
Singh before applying the K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Dianna Singh
Singh after applying the K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Dianna Singh
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
LargeChevron
"I've tried a lot of volumizers in my day, and I've found a handful that deliver oomph immediately—but very few that add volume that lasts. This spray is one of those rare gems: I apply it in damp hair, blow-dry, and then enjoy the extra bounce well into the following day." —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: red algae, arginine, K18peptide, polymers
- Who it's good for: flat, damaged hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Second-Day (or Third-Day) Refreshes: Dae Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray
Save to wishlist
Dae
Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray
Sephora
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Dae Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray
Alessandra Foresto
Why it’s worth it: Dae’s Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray absorbs oil at the roots, making it a great pick for hair that hasn’t been washed in…a few days. But, unlike a dry shampoo, it also adds lift at your roots and bounce throughout the entire hair shaft with zeolite, a volcanic material known to add volume and cleanse the scalp. One spray gives hair a light refresh, while three-plus sprays offer more volume and zhuzh. It features yucca stem extract, indica seed oil, moringa leaf extract, and glycerin, all of which protect hair from environmental damage, improve softness and manageability, reduce breakage, and add shine.
Foresto before applying the Dae Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto after applying the Dae Fairy Blaster Texturizing Spray
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
LargeChevron
“I've been using this spray on day two and three after a wash to give my hair a boost of volume and soak up some oil from my roots. I'm seriously impressed by how much volume a few spritzes of this spray creates. After having my hair in a bun overnight, I like to spray it and tousle my hair and roots to make my waves even bigger. Other times, I spray it on my flatiron-made curls and I find they get a nice beachy look.
The spray bottle is powerful and a little bit goes a long way to give your hair serious lift and texture. It also adds grip to hair so my lackluster French pinning abilities can be more easily hidden. Unlike other texturizing sprays, I find that results last all day and my hair does not fall flat after a few hours. The spray features Dae's nice signature citrus scent too!” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: yucca stem extract, indica seed oil, and moringa leaf extract, glycerin
- Who it's good for: oily, flat hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Curls: Chris McMillan The Hair Mousse
Save to wishlist
Chris McMillan
The Hair Mousse
Sephora
Shipin applying the Chris McMillan The Hair Mousse
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: Chris McMillan’s The Hair Mousse is designed to help you recreate the stylist’s signature lift—no salon appointment required. Lightweight and airy, it’s made with curly hair in mind, giving coils instant volume and bounce while providing heat protection for diffuser days. The result? A soft, tousled texture with long-lasting hold—no crunch, no touch-ups, just effortless body that lasts. Infused with pine cone and mushroom extracts, the mousse also soothes the scalp and helps repair split ends, giving your curls a much-needed reset.
Shipin before applying the Chris McMillan The Hair Mousse
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Chris McMillan The Hair Mousse
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Shipin
LargeChevron
“Hello, one and done! This product is your gel, your curl cream, your finishing product…all in one. It's truly been a game-changer for me, replacing all my products! I shake it up, then release a larger-than-a-golfball size amount and apply it all over. I tend to use it while my hair is slightly towel-dried, then again in the middle of my diffusing session, when it is about 40% dry. I love that it truly delivers on its promise of volumized, bouncy curls—full stop. It tames a bit of frizz, it defines my coils, and adds some necessary lift at my roots and mid-section. I've never received so many compliments on my hair. A little goes a long way, and if you do overdo it (like any mousse), you may get a little crunch. Just work it out with an oil to finish off styling and it'll soften up immediately. I think this works perfectly for my 3a hair, and I can imagine it working well for waves, too. The $36 price may seem steep, but this mousse and a diffuser are all I need!” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: mushroom extract, pine cone extract, polymers
- Who it's good for: curly hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Oily Hair: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Save to wishlist
Oribe
Dry Texturizing Spray
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: So, you got a blowout yesterday—but this morning's Pilates class did a number on your hair. Before you panic, Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray is here to save the day. Yes, it adds volume and definition, but it also absorbs oil—think of it as a dry shampoo and a texturizing spray in one (very chic) bottle. The formula relies on zeolite crystallines, which add rough texture to your lengths while absorbing oil at the root. The spray also features Oribe’s Signature Complex, a brand hallmark that includes watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower to defend hair from drying and damaging oxidative stress. Pro tip: “Hit [hair] with the dryer again after spraying for volume at the root that lasts for days,” says Kate Johnson, hairstylist and founder of the Bridal Beauty Team. And, like all products in the Oribe lineup, it’s finished with the brand’s classic Côte d'Azur scent, which has notes of sandalwood, jasmine, and bergamot.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: zeolite crystallines, ginger root extract, kiwi extract
- Who it's good for: people who work out or sweat a lot
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Frizz: Davines OI Soufflé
Save to wishlist
Davines
OI Soufflé
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: Made with antioxidant-rich roucou oil and softening chicory root extract, Davines’ OI Souffle is a hair-plumping mousse that delivers serious shine and volume, with none of the crunch. It also offers heat protection up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great prep step before blow-drying for an extra full, bouncy finish. Once you apply it, you’ll notice how much silkier and smoother your hair feels, and when it’s dry, there won’t be any frizz left behind. Whether you’re defining curls or adding lift to straight strands, this is a solid pick—especially if your hair tends to puff up the second you step outside.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
LargeChevron
“Humidity is my curly hair’s worst enemy, so when I’m rockin’ my natural waves, I always know Davines’ OI Mousse has my back in times of need. After showering, I scrunch it into my hair and I feel confident walking out the door on a rainy day or a scorcher, knowing my curls will stay right where I left them. Oh, and I have to mention the floral and clean scent of the entire OI line—I literally get compliments on it whenever I use it, with people asking me what perfume I’m wearing.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: roucou oil, chicory root extract
- Who it's good for: those with frizzy hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Softness: R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Foam
Save to wishlist
R+Co
Rodeo Star Thickening Foam
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: R+Co’s Rodeo Star Thickening Foam delivers non-sticky volume with a soft feel, says Victoria McLeod, a hairstylist based in Atlanta. It incorporates skin-care ingredients, like vitamin E to deeply condition, kiwi fruit extract to help retain moisture, and aloe vera leaf extract to minimize breakage and add shine. Yes, it gives hair that fuller, bouncier look—but it also leaves strands feeling so soft, you’ll want to run your fingers through them all day long.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: vitamin E, kiwi fruit extract, aloe leaf extract
- Who it’s good for: frizzy, dry hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Extending Styles: Redken Stay High Mousse
Save to wishlist
Redken
Stay High Mousse
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: “Redken’s Stay High Mousse is thick and has a lot of stiff texture to it, so it holds fine hair up in a way that a lot of volumizing products don’t,” says Johnson. She adds that the volume stays put all day long, whether you apply it only at the roots or throughout your hair shaft.“ Just make sure to use a small amount and run it through wet hair section by section before blow-drying,” she advises. It immediately melts into hair, never feels sticky, and hydrates and strengthens with help from castor oil. A win-win-win, in our book.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: castor oil, polymers
- Who it's good for: all hair types
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a volumizing hair product do?
According to Toth, a volumizing hair product lifts roots from the scalp. "Some are simply weightless, some give incredible hold and texture, and some coat and surround each strand of hair," he says.
Raven Hurtado, a Chicago-based hairstylist, echoed Toth. He told Allure, "It works great for updos, and you could also use it as a dry shampoo." Hurtado explains, "You can also touch up your second-day blowout without having any residue."
While healthy hair can benefit from hair volumizing products, they can also help support damaged locks. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King told Allure, "Heredity, stress, poor nutrition, improper care of hair, and environmental damage (such as sunlight and harsh brushing)" can all be potential causes of thinning hair. If that sounds like you, a hair volumizing product could make a big difference, either as a permanent solution or to tide you over while going on a regrowth journey.
How do I choose a volumizing hair product?
Many products claim to be effective volumizers. But before you hedge your bets on a bottle, it's essential to know your hair type and your desired style. Santiago recommends using a root spray or a mousse before blow-drying if you want your hair to be more touchable and smooth. "If you like feeling your hair more textured, an aerosol spray or volume powder is a great choice," she adds. If you're just getting into the hair volumizing game, you might need to try a few different products before you land your best option.
What should I avoid in a volumizing hair product?
King previously told Allure to be wary of heavy oils and silicones, since "not all oils or silicones are created equal." She mentions that, while they can provide benefits like softening and hydrating, coconut and jojoba are weightier than other oils. Silicones also vary in weight and grade—but you don't need to be a scientist to determine which is which. "If it feels greasy on your fingers, chances are it will weigh down your hair," King advises.
Meet the experts
- Mia Santiago, a New York City-based hairstylist
- Devin Toth, a New York City-based hairstylist
- Raven Hurtado, a Chicago-based hairstylist at Maxine Salon
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- Kate Johnson, a hairstylist and founder of the Bridal Beauty Team
- Victoria McLeod, a hairstylist based in Atlanta, Georgia
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of volumizing hair products, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and makeup artists—who have a range of experience studying and using these products. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture, experience, and formula. 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 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.
Quiet Silver Is the Most Seamless Way to Go Gray
Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
We've been conditioned to feel a certain urgency when we notice our first few grays. Commercials for at-home hair color, going back decades, would have you believe that the only course of action after a few silver strands show up is cover, cover, cover. (Never yoink, though—old wives' tales would have you believe that plucking one gray hair will trigger more to grow in.) The “quiet silver” trend rebuffs the notion that grays must be hidden, allowing for the previously frowned-upon blend of gray and color to shine.
The concept of easing into your gray era isn’t exactly new. We’ve reported on how colorist Farah Hurdle does it at her San Diego salon. But as with many trends, it’s been rebranded—this time by Annabelle Taurua of Fresha, a booking platform, who coined “quiet silver” while speaking to Glamour. But the question remains: Why is the conversation about being okay with your grays coming up yet again?
How to achieve quiet silver hair
The process of going gray gracefully is extremely personal. After all, everyone arrives at the salon with a different base color, varying degrees of gray, and unique goals. It starts, though, with a professional consultation.
Hurdle, who calls her approach to quiet silver “greyblending,” previously told Allure it’s all about distraction. “Initially, we’re trying to highlight the areas where they have more silver, and then on the areas where they might be darker, we’re lowlighting,” she said, explaining that she uses toners and demi-permanent color to add dimension around the gray.
L’Oréal Professionnel is launching a hair-color application method to achieve this. Called “French blending,” it’s “designed to match every level of gray acceptance,” says Jacob Habib Khan, a stylist and global creative contributor for the brand. "We formulate the shade that's right for you using one of three different coloring techniques—first blending, retouch blending, and total blending—to not only cover gray hair, but also blend them for a more natural look and seamless grow-out.”
First blending involves creating contrast with the first patches of gray for a natural, camouflaged look. This restrained approach ensures softer regrowth between salon appointments. With retouch blending, the goal is to move away from the “helmet effect” line of demarcation that comes with gray coverage, softening the banding. Total blending fully embraces grays for a more visible transformation.
French blending, overall, is based on a highly personalized strategy. “For some clients, it could take a micro-teasing approach—which involves gently back-combing tiny, thin sections of hair before applying lightener—and others could be candidates for a balayage,” Khan says. “It’s all about mirroring and re-creating the gray pattern to give the best possible blend for each client.”
If you think starting with lighter hair might make for an easier path to quiet silver, you’re not wrong. “I do think it’s a bit more of a seamless look on someone with a lighter natural hair color,” says Suarez. “The blend is much better since the two colors do not have such a stark contrast.” But that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question for those with dark hair. Says Khan, “absolutely any hair color” can look gorgeous with gray mixed in.
How to maintain quiet silver hair
It might take a while for you to decide to move forward with fully embracing your gray. Staying in this quiet silver phase is completely okay. To maintain it, Suarez says, it’s key to consider your base color and how much warmth you’re willing to tolerate. For lighter colors, she recommends using a purple shampoo once a week to keep your tones from getting too brassy. We’re fans of the Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning milk_shake Icy Blond Shampoo, as well as Pravana Perfect Blonde Toning Shampoo. For darker hair, Suarez says, use a color-safe shampoo that won’t strip away the richness of your deeper tones. Biolage Color Last Shampoo or Wella Ultimate Color Shampoo should do nicely.
Not convinced it’s time to mix it up? Take a look at some celebrity examples, and you may find that quiet silver is practically screaming at you to go to the salon.
Quiet Silver Inspiration
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Meet the experts
LargeChevron
- Jacob Habib Khan is a hairstylist and L’Oréal Professionnel global creative contributor.
- Victoria Suarez is a colorist at Anushka Spa & Salon in Palm Beach.
- Chloe Williams is a hairstylist and co-owner of He+Loe Studio in Delray Beach, Florida.
Read about the latest trends:
- Horny Yearning Is the Season’s Hottest Beauty Trend
- Bangs Are Getting Bolder in 2026
- The Biggest Hair Trends of 2026 Bring the Drama
- 6 Nail Polish Colors That’ll Be Everywhere in 2026
8 Best Peptide Serums for Plump, Bouncy Skin
Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
A fountain of eternal youth doesn't exist, but the best peptide serums are pretty good fill-ins for targeting sagging skin. That’s because peptides are powerful agents for boosting collagen production—you know, the process that slows down as we age—and thereby minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Here's the science in a nutshell: Peptides are an umbrella term for tiny chains of amino acids. These chains act as molecular-level messengers between skin cells, directing them to address skin elasticity and hydration—two key factors in wrinkle severity. While they won't stop the clock, they do a darn good job at slowing down signs of aging. If that's what you're looking for, we tested hundreds of formulas (and tapped dermatologists) to find the absolute best peptide serums on the market.
Our Top Peptide Serums
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox, $150
- Best for Expression Lines: Allies of Skin Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum, $188
- Best Firming: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum, $295
- Best Budget: The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum, $17
- Best for Large Pores: Beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum, $34
- Best for Mature Skin: Laneige Bouncy and Firm Serum, $45
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, $85
- Best Firming: Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum, $94
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are peptides?
- ​​How do peptides benefit the skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox
Save to wishlist
SkinCeuticals
P-Tiox
Dermstore
Bluemercury
SkinCeuticals
Why it's worth it: We can go on about the science of the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox’s powerhouse peptide duo, but here are the basics: The neuropeptides in this formula, which signal skin cells to repair damage and boost collagen, target expression lines that are too risky to treat with neuromodulators like Botox, such as nasolabial folds (smile lines). That said, Justine Park, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Westlake Village, California, says this serum complements Botox treatments to help relax lines it can treat even further. On top of its sag-reducing properties, the 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning P-Tiox is infused with brightening niacinamide and laminaria extract, a seaweed-derived ingredient rich in tone-evening antioxidants. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, notes that the formula includes sensitive-skin-friendly gluconolactone (also known as polyhydroxy acids or PHA), which provides gentler resurfacing than BHAs or AHAs as they can’t penetrate the skin as deeply. The results over time are glowy, glass-reflective skin.
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying SkinCeuticals P-Tiox serum to her face
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying SkinCeuticals P-Tiox serum to her face
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
LargeChevron
"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
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: peptides (dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate, acetyl hexapeptide-8), niacinamide, laminaria extract, polyhydroxy acids
- Who it’s for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Expression Lines: Allies of Skin Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum
Save to wishlist
Allies of Skin
Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Revolve
Why it's worth it: Allies of Skin’s Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum takes a hi-tech approach to firming, especially in areas where sagging tends to show first: the face and neck. This concentrated formula features a 9% peptide complex and 3% SH-oligopeptide-1 (growth factor) complex to enhance elasticity and strengthen the skin’s structure. Add in growth factors, and you’ve got yourself a powerhouse formula that bolsters your barrier and targets loss of volume and firmness. The lightweight texture is nothing to overlook—it absorbs quickly, making it easy to layer under the rest of your skin-care routine. You’ll notice instant hydration and glow, which we always appreciate.
Han applying the Allies of Skin Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Allies of Skin Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
“Ok, the serious and immediate glow I get from this ultra-silky Allies of Skin serum alone was enough to sell me on it. (My face is freshly rinsed with water in the video—no toners or essences applied beforehand.) But of course, the ingredients are what do the heavy lifting, and when I first read into this product, I knew it meant business. While I'm only 32, I don't plan on getting injectables or Botox to stave off any fine/expression lines, so this is one of the many preventative topical measures I plan on using consistently to keep my skin looking as firm, lifted, and smooth as possible. This serum sinks into my skin immediately and provides a slight gripping effect that's perfect for makeup—an unexpected bonus, but I'll absolutely take it.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: 9% LiftingPeptide Complex, 3% sh-oligopeptide-1 growth factor complex, MSM, copper lysinate, phospholipids, glycolipid
- Who it’s for: anyone with signs of aging
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Firming: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Save to wishlist
SkinMedica
TNS Advanced+ Serum
Amazon
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Why it's worth it: Ask any derm about growth factor skin care, and they'll likely bring up SkinMedica's TNS Advanced+ Serum, the patented formula (since 2000) that started it all. "It's one of the most clinically supported growth-factor serums on the market, offering firmer-looking skin in as little as two weeks," Blair Murphy Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, explained.
You might be wondering, validly so: What are growth factors, anyway? "These naturally occurring proteins stimulate cellular repair and regeneration, boosting collagen and elastin production to improve skin firmness, texture, and overall vitality," Saami Khalifian, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Encinitas, California, explained. But that's not all for TNS Advanced+'s name. Though TNS (tissue nutrient solution) is, in fact, related to the main event, the innovative growth factors are paired with a peptide duo to boost elasticity and plumpness even more.
You thought we were done? In the other chamber of the serum's bottle is an antioxidant treatment stocked with marine extract, green microalgae, and more to support cellular turnover for that fresh-faced glow. One pump dispenses both chambers seamlessly into one silky, lightweight, and fragrance-free formula.
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
LargeChevron
“A dermatologist once told me that this stuff was the reason she was well into her 40s before she started using Botox, so I, being in my late 30s, see it as my alternative, too. And while, okay, I do get Botox, I supplement it with this every morning, which keeps my skin firm and smooth. I see it as more preventative than reparative at this point, but I really like the lightweight texture and nonexistent scent. My only gripe is with the dual applicator; sometimes, it only pumps product out from one side, which means I can be left using only one of the enclosed serums for weeks." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: peptides (trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2 and dimer tripeptide-43), human fibroblast conditioned media, Lactococcus ferment lysate, shea butter, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with mature skin or those looking to prevent signs of aging
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Laneige Bouncy and Firm Serum
Save to wishlist
Laneige
Bouncy and Firm Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Kohl's
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Laneige Bouncy and Firm Serum
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: Laneige’s Bouncy and Firm Serum stands out with its cheerful pink formula—and an equally energizing approach to mature skin. A multitasking blend of peptides (acetyl heptapeptide-4, hexapeptide-8, tetrapeptide-2, and octapeptide-3) helps improve elasticity and soften the look of fine lines, while soluble collagen restores bounce and resilience. Peony root and flower extracts add soothing, antioxidant power to brighten and even tone. The formula also features the brand’s proprietary encapsulated formula of vitamin C, vitamin E, and algae oil—tiny, antioxidant-rich spheres that melt the second they touch your skin, nourishing and boosting glow with every application.
Lee before applying the Laneige Bouncy and Firm Serum
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Laneige Bouncy and Firm Serum
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
LargeChevron
“Laneige has always been a win for my sensitive, dry skin, and this serum just proves why. The cherry-pink, bouncy little capsules are super cute on my vanity, but more importantly, the formula is insanely hydrating, gentle, and never sticky. My favorite off-label trick is that I slather it on the backs of my hands to keep dryness at bay.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, peptides (including acetyl heptapeptide-4, hexapeptide-8, tetrapeptide-2, and octapeptide-3, peony, collagen, algae oil
- Who it’s for: people with mature or dry skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Budget: The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum
Save to wishlist
The Inkey List
Collagen Peptide Serum
Amazon
Kohl's
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it's worth it: Instead of delivering collagen directly—which works well as a surface-level moisturizer but can’t easily penetrate the skin—The Inkey List’s Collagen Peptide Serum relies on peptides to mimic collagen’s plumping effects. “The peptides in the formula are small, which means they are better absorbed into deeper layers of the skin for maximum efficacy,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. Translation: You’ll see plumper, more hydrated skin almost instantly—and with continued use, firmness and smoothness, proving that bouncy, healthy-looking skin doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Calaor before applying The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
LargeChevron
“Maybe I’m looking a little too closely at my face. (I definitely am.) But I’m starting to notice lines on the lower third. I’m using everything I can to smooth my skin, including this serum. It helps hydrate and plump the marionette lines forming around my mouth. The thin formula glides over my skin and dries down to look dewy. That finish is short-lived, though—I usually layer moisturizer, SPF, and a skin-like base on top. Thankfully, it doesn’t disrupt my complexion makeup.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex (palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine, palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminohydroxybutyrate, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1), hyaluronic acid, radish root
- Who it’s for: all skin types, especially people with dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Large Pores: Beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum
Save to wishlist
BePlain
Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum
Amazon
Yesstyle
Why it’s worth it: Beplain might not be a household name in the U.S. (yet), but in the South Korean beauty scene, it’s been picking up Hwahae (a top K-beauty review app) and Olive Young Awards left and right. In fact, our tester picked up this Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum while shopping in an Olive Young store in Seoul precisely because it’s a 2024 winner. Along with more popularized ingredients such as Centella asiastica and snail mucin, mung bean is a traditional Korean skin-care ingredient that excels in calming inflammation, curbing excess sebum, supporting collagen production, and drawing moisture to the skin. Mung bean peptides, in conjunction with a proprietary technology called POMEG-Pore, help tighten the look of pores for smooth, glass-skin-like results. While it feels like a lightweight gel upon contact, it melts into a watery essence that absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it feeling extra soft.
Han applying the Beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight Up Serum
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight Up Serum
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
LargeChevron
“As a heavily-awarded brand (by both retailers like Olive Young and K-beauty review sites such as Hwahae), Beplain has been on my radar for a while. So, while in Seoul, I picked up three of its mung bean products: cleansing oil, cleansing foam, and serum. All were really great, but spoiler alert: The serum was the standout. I love a lightweight gel serum and this one is especially cooling, refreshing, and absorbs like snaps fingers. As someone who's increasingly concerned about pore care—especially around the center of my face—I love how seamless the Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum fits into my daily routine, no matter day or night. It does tighten up the look of my pores when I use it multiple days in the row." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: mung bean peptide, POMEG-Pore, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, allantoin
- Who it’s for: those with acne and large pores
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Save to wishlist
Estée Lauder
Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Sarah Felbin
Why it's worth it: Despite the “night” in its name, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair can be used morning and evening to boost radiance and hydration. The formula centers on a mix of fermented, sensitive-skin-friendly extracts—including Bifida ferment lysate, yeast extract, and Lactobacillus ferment—to help fortify the skin barrier following a day of exposure to environmental stressors. Unlike strong, often irritating ingredients that are more suited for nighttime application (hi, retinol and acids), this serum is chock-full of soothing ingredients: humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate attract and retain water and emollients such as squalane, lecithin, and jojoba esters create a soft, outer layer to lock in said water, and antioxidants like chamomile to calm irritation. And, we can’t forget about the proprietary ingredient, Night Peptide (also known as tripeptide-32), which helps increase cellular turnover overnight.
Felbin before applying Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“If I could only use one serum for the rest of my life, it would be this one. I use it every morning and every night, and I absolutely notice when I skip a day. It feels so lightweight and nourishing, sinking in quickly without leaving a sticky residue behind. In addition to the nice glow it gives me, it calms my super-sensitive skin, prevents pesky flakes in the chronically dry spots around my nose, and keeps breakouts at bay. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? You bet!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, Bifida ferment lysate, Lactobacillus ferment
- Who it’s for: all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Firming: Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum
Save to wishlist
Medik8
Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum
Amazon
Dermstore
Medik8
Why it's worth it: An alternative name for Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP Face Serum could be "Liquid Magic." Of course, no skin-care product is capable of straight-up magic, but when there are 13 peptides involved—including copper peptides and Matrixyl 3000, two of the most well-studied versions—we know something's working. The special sauce is a proprietary technology called Dual MiniProteins, which pairs those peptides with proteins in micro molecules to ensure deep penetration into the skin and promote elasticity. It also features two other technologies, Growth Factor MiniProtein and Expression Line MiniProtein, which promote smoothing even further. “[Growth Factor MiniProtein] relaxes expression lines in just 10 minutes and visibly reduces deep wrinkles within eight weeks,” according to New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, who adds that it delivers “filler-mimicking” results.
The serum is also super hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid, so your skin is smooth and taut. As far as where this serum fits into your skin-care routine, you can use it day and/or night before your oil-based serums (like the brand's vitamin C or retinal serums) and moisturizers.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
LargeChevron
“I was so excited to try this product (not least because of the “Botox in a bottle” conversation surrounding it) and let me tell you: This is something worth making room for in your routine. Especially if you're pregnant and can't use retinol, or are simply too sensitive for the likes of vitamin A! This formula impressed me right away since it includes peptides that are both fast-acting (as in, you can see an immediate skin-plumping effect) and those that work over time to smooth out deeper-set wrinkles. The texture is gel-like and lightweight. It can feel a smidge tacky on the fingers but once it dries down, you don't notice it. Part of my love for it comes from that bounce of light you get off the skin right after applying! I haven't experienced pilling with foundation or other moisturizers but i have to admit: I hesitate to add anything to my routine that'll make me wince come repurchasing time, and because of that, I'm tempted to hoard it like Gollum and only use it during the PM instead of both night and day. It's all worth it if it means warding off actual Botox for a bit longer!”—Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: peptide complex (13 types, including Matrixyl 3000 and copper peptides), multi-weight hyaluronic acid, carnosine, growth factor miniprotein, expression line miniprotein
- Who it’s for: people with deep-set wrinkles or expression lines
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, "like glycine, arginine, histidine, et cetera," says Dr. Kim. “They're designed to boost and replenish amino acids, which are the building blocks for collagen production.” You might recognize amino acids as the building blocks of protein, but peptides tend to be shorter chains than proteins. And compared to topical collagen, peptides have a small particle size that allows them to penetrate the surface level of your skin at a deeper level. They’re great at reducing the appearance of fine lines and leaving skin firmer, Dr. Kim says.
​​How do peptides benefit the skin?
The abundance and quality of our body's natural collagen production decrease over time, as Dr. Hartman previously explained. As a result, wrinkles start to form and skin begins to sag, but peptide chains mimic the structure of amino acids to diminish the look of these concerns. Mature skin, in particular, can benefit from peptides for their ability to improve skin firmness.
That said, not all peptides are created equal. The most common types of peptides consist of signal peptides, carrier peptides, enzyme-inhibitor peptides, and neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptides, which all have specific functions. (Also, keep in mind that labs and brands can and often do trademark their own peptide complexes.) For example, copper peptides are carrier peptides—they activate wound healing and deliver copper to the skin, which, in turn, stimulates collagen production. While you’ll often find "peptides" placed front and center on the actual product packaging, ingredient lists often categorize peptides by how many amino acids a peptide contains, such as dipeptide (two), tripeptide (three), and hexapeptide (six). It's also not uncommon to see multiple peptides strung together to maximize their collagen-boosting benefits.
Peptides seldom cause skin sensitivity or irritation, but you should still be discerning of your serum’s formulation. "If someone has a [negative] reaction, it's most likely from the preservatives, other chemicals, or essential oils in the formula, not the peptides," Dr. Kim says.
Meet the experts
- Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, Alabama
- Saami Khalifian, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at SOM Aesthetics based in Encinitas, California
- Blair Murphy Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Radiant Dermatology Associates based in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product included in each 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 peptide serums, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers, editors, and contributors, determined that every product excelled in each category—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.
11 Best Body Moisturizers for Winter to Soothe Dry Skin
Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
When temperatures fall to (or below) freezing, we often trade smooth, soft legs and arms for ashiness, itchiness, and rough, scaly patches. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for anything less than healthy, hydrated skin—even when the wind chill drops to single digits. The best body moisturizers for winter can make a world of difference: These rich, restorative formulas are made with soothing ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and non-sticky oils that offer more thorough and longer-lasting moisture than your average body lotion. They’re even powerful enough to tackle chronic skin conditions like eczema or keratosis pilaris.
Our Top Body Moisturizers for Winter
- Best Body Cream: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream, $22
- Best Body Lotion: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Lotion, $32
- Best Body Butter: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Butter, $54
- Best Body Oil: Oui the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss, $65
- Best Serum: Cyklar Ceramide Milky Essence, $30
- Best K-Beauty: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, $29
- Best for Itchy Skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream, $49
- Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum, $30
Your skin gets drier in the cold because when the air outside is less humid, it produces less sebum. That’s why dermatologists recommend looking for thick moisturizers with humectants that hydrate, emollients that moisturize, and occlusives that lock it all in, for calmer, softer skin (no scratching here). Also, be sure to avoid any products with added fragrance if you’re dealing with an eczema flare-up. Here are the lotions and creams Allure editors rely on, plus others derms recommend to their own patients.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What causes dry skin during winter?
- Which body moisturizer is best for dry skin in winter?
- Meet the Experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Body Cream: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Save to wishlist
La Roche-Posay
Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it’s worth it: La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is “the cashmere sweater of moisturizers,” according to one Allure editor—simple and versatile (it’s great for face and body). Derms love it, too: “Lipikar has both moisturizers that help replenish the natural moisturizers that lessen with age and niacinamide that helps with discoloration,” Stephanie Saxton-Daniels, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, told Allure. Niacinamide and glycerin hydrate—then, nourishing shea butter, which "can help to heal cracked skin due to its vitamins A, E, and F content," cosmetic chemist Ginger King explained, works overtime to restore the skin barrier. Another National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance winner, this cream is made with thermal spring water that naturally contains the skin-soothing antioxidant selenium. It all comes in an under-$25 bottle with a handy pump, so you can reapply whenever you get the itch.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
LargeChevron
“Fun fact: Tattoos can produce histamines that make your skin super itchy, sometimes for seemingly no reason at all. I'm heavily tattooed from head to toe, leaving me prone to the occasional, dreaded, full-body itch. The other morning, I was literally woken from my slumber (rude) by my skin just begging to be scratched, so I went straight to the bathroom to slather myself in La Roche-Posay's Lipikar AP+ Cream. The itching went away almost immediately, which I see as a testament to just how soothing and reparative this lipid-enriched formula really is. It's great if you have tattoos, sure, but it's also great for anyone with eczema, generally dry or sensitive skin, or anyone just looking to get a little hydration boost without feeling slippery or sticky afterward.” —Nicola Dall'Asen, senior news editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: ceramides, shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Lotion: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion
Save to wishlist
Aestura
Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Lotion
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Lotion
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it’s worth it: Aestura’s Atobarrier 365 Lotion has been one of our favorite face moisturizers for years (it won a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award, after all)—but it doubles as an incredibly effective body lotion, too. That’s thanks to an ingredient list stacked with hydrating glycerin and squalane, plus ceramides and cholesterol that, together, lock moisture in to keep skin smooth and soothed all day long. There’s also niacinamide to strengthen your skin barrier, which tends to take a major beating in the winter. The lightweight, non-sticky formula is fragrance-free and won a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, so it’s safe for people with eczema or sensitive skin to use (more on what this means below). Apply it wherever skin looks rough or lackluster, and relish in the relief.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
LargeChevron
"If I ever magically became low maintenance, this lotion would be a key player in my pared-down routine. I love how it works on my face, and I've recently come around to using it on my body, and it's equally excellent for both. The texture borders on watery, so it absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy. My skin is generally sensitive to fragrance and richer formulas, so I love how gentle this lotion is while still being very hydrating and soothing." —Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, cholesterol, niacinamide, ceramides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Butter: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Butter
Save to wishlist
Osea
Undaria Algae Body Butter
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure creative producer Sydney Malone applying the OSEA Undaria Algae Body Butter
Sydney Malone
Why it’s worth it: We can’t be coy: OSEA’s Undaria Algae Body Butter is our favorite body butter of all time. The formula contains a winning combination of highly moisturizing grape and meadowfoam seed oils for more supple skin. It even targets signs of aging, with undaria seaweed extract and caffeine that can firm skin over time. And hydrating glycerin and soothing aloe vera put in the work to smooth over any irritation. While the formula is extra-thick, it absorbs instantly and doesn’t leave any residue behind—instead, skin looks glowy and feels noticeably softer. Slather it on before bed, enjoy the spa-like grapefruit, lime, and citrus scent (the same as in the brand’s signature body oil, if you’re familiar), and wake up to silky skin that lasts for up to 72 hours.
Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone
LargeChevron
“This body butter smells absolutely divine—it's got a mild enough scent as to not overwhelm, but rather to make you feel luxurious and moisturized. I appreciate how thick this cream is because with just one application, I feel like I wouldn't need to use body lotion again until tomorrow! Perfect for dry or winter weather, especially for us dry skin girlies.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, aloe vera, caffeine, grape seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Body Oil: Oui the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss
Save to wishlist
Oui the People
Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Oui the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss
Annie Blay-Tettey
Why it’s worth it: Another Best of Beauty Award winner, Oui the People’s Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss has continued to impress us with its lightweight consistency and fresh, citrus-meets-floral scent. It delivers an instant glow, as plant-derived squalane and a host of antioxidant-packed oils (avocado, safflower seed, pumpkin seed, and pomegranate seed, to name a few) create a layer of protection that locks in moisture for that plump look and soft feel. Another key player: rosehip seed oil, which contains beta-carotene that turns into vitamin A, supporting collagen production for brighter, more even-toned skin. Wear this gloss alone or underneath one of our other picks for maximum moisturizing potential.
Blay-Tettey before applying the Oui the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss
Annie Blay-Tettey
Blay-Tettey after applying the Oui the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss
Annie Blay-Tettey
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
LargeChevron
"I love how lightweight this body oil is. It gives my skin a pretty sheen without leaving a greasy finish. Plus, the subtle citrus scent lingers on my skin long after application." —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: squalane, avocado oil, safflower seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, rosehip seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Serum: Cyklar Ceramide Milky Essence
Save to wishlist
Cyklar
Ceramide Milky Essence
Amazon
Cyklar
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Cyklar Ceramide Milky Essence
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: We’re big fans of hyaluronic acid—but Cyklar’s Ceramide Milky Essence takes things to the next level with polyglutamic acid, which holds onto four times as much moisture. Classic dry skin saviors ceramides (five kinds!) and squalane make an appearance, too, for plush skin that’s ready for a close-up. Add to that urea, a hard-to-find ingredient that “binds water and pulls it into the skin, where it belongs, and kicks cracked, dead skin cells to the curb,” according to Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Adam Friedman, plus amino acids that support the creation of collagen and elastin, and you get a lightweight serum that restores skin without any dreaded sticky feel. The thin formula is meant to be layered underneath other body products, so consider this the first step in your post-everything-shower routine. Bonus: It’s fragrance-free, making it a great option for sensitive types.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
LargeChevron
“When it comes to winter skin care, I usually don’t reach for a thick or heavy moisturizer to replace an item in my routine. Instead, I layer in a lightweight serum with hydration-forward ingredients to get me through the season. My favorite new addition to my winter routine is Cyklar's Ceramide Milky Essence. I apply the thin, milky formula all over my body when I get out of the shower or need to rehydrate my skin during the day—just as you would apply a facial serum before a moisturizer! There are so many great ingredients in this product, but the highlights for me are ceramides (hello, barrier repair!), urea (to hydrate and help lightly exfoliate), and squalane to help lock in moisture. It creates the best base for layering my body butter or lotion on top. The only drawback for me is the dispenser. I find that too much milk comes out of the top, unless I’m being very careful. If there were a more targeted dispenser, I would take this essence with me wherever I went.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: ceramides, urea, amino acids, squalane, polyglutamic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Itchy Skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Save to wishlist
Kiehl's Since 1851
Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Deanna Pai
Why it’s worth it: Don’t let its airy, fluffy texture fool you—Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream is deeply effective (so much so that we gave it a Best of Beauty Award last year). It also earned a National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for its formula, packed with squalane and ceramides that wrap itchy, irritated skin in a layer of moisture. Another standout: ectoin, an amino acid that helps your skin cells fight against environmental stress and heal from damage, board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, told Allure. The brand notes that it’s also a good choice for those with psoriasis and rosacea—basically, almost any type of flare-up you might have.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
LargeChevron
“Moisturizing from head to toe is non-negotiable—or else my skin gets so itchy that it wakes me up in the middle of the night. I’ve used a lot of body butters, some better than others, but what sets this apart is its whipped texture, which is nourishing enough to keep me from scratching, but sinks in immediately. It’s been a godsend as the temperatures rise, since I don’t have to worry about waiting for it to absorb. And a little goes a long way, so I’m hoping the tub lasts me through summer.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: squalane, ceramides, shea butter, ectoin, salicylic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Scented Lotion: Saltair Santal Bloom Body Butter
Save to wishlist
Saltair
Santal Bloom Body Butter
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying the Saltair Santal Bloom Body Butter
Why it’s worth it: Not sensitive to scents? Consider Saltair’s Santal Bloom Body Butter. The formula features a blend of five ceramides and fatty acids that help reinforce the skin barrier, plus coconut and sea buckthorn oils to keep skin looking soft and healthy. We also can’t get enough of the warm, sandalwood-forward scent, which sticks around for hours after application. It’s part of what’s earned this body butter a Best of Beauty Award—that, and how well it softens dry, rough skin.
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
LargeChevron
“This smells like a fancy spa, but it only costs 21 bucks. It starts out (olfactorily) strong with a coconut butter base, which creates a slightly sweet foundation on top of which sit notes of sandalwood, rose, and jasmine. The result is a light, floral scent that lasts for hours and layers well with other scented products.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: ceramides, sea buckthorn oil, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Save to wishlist
Topicals
Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: This lightweight serum isn’t a traditional body moisturizer (you’ll likely need to layer it underneath a thicker cream), but it can offer relief from KP and other pesky body bumps. Keratosis pilaris (KP)—tiny bumps of keratin build-up, usually on the back of your arms or thighs—tends to flare up in the winter, notes New York City-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, due to the dry air indoors and out. Topicals’ Slather Exfoliating Body Serum, a two-time Best of Beauty Award winner, tackles both with a potent combination of lactic acid, glycolic acid, urea, and retinol. "Lactic acid is great for KP because it loosens cells over time to gently exfoliate skin," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, told Allure. "It's also a humectant, which means it will add moisture and minimize irritation." Meanwhile, retinol smooths and tones, for firmer-looking skin come morning.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
“I know winter’s rearing its ugly head when I spot clumps of bumps on my legs. After a trip to Seoul in blistery January weather, I noticed two especially rough patches near both knees and knew a regular moisturizer wasn’t going to cut it. I’ve only heard great things about Tropicals Slather and was excited to give it a whirl, especially because it has urea, a derm-touted ingredient that provides very gentle exfoliation, as well as encapsulated retinol and AHAs (lactic and glycolic). While it sounds like an intense mix, I didn’t experience any irritation and felt my bumps almost melt away the next day. (To be clear, nothing topical can cure KP, but it can make your skin dang smooth like Slather does!) The texture is very much a lightweight serum, which I personally prefer over heavier, buttery textures, and all around fast-absorbing. And, due to the fact that I’m wearing pants every single day, I don’t have to worry about UV sensitivity as I normally would with all of these actives!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, urea, retinol, squalane, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Eczema: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Save to wishlist
Vanicream
Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Eczema can flare with a vengeance during the winter, since drier air saps moisture from your skin, leaving it more vulnerable to environmental stressors (and causing inflammation). Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, another National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance winner, gently calms red, scaly skin with no-frills ingredients that get the job done. Humectants like sorbitol draw water in, emollients like cetearyl alcohol moisturize, and occlusives like petrolatum keep water from escaping, so skin feels smoother and looks healthier. It’s free from fragrance and lanolin, another common moisturizer ingredient that can cause irritation for some people with sensitive skin.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“I have super-sensitive skin and eczema on my face and neck that tends to flare up when it’s cold outside. I’ve tried tons of moisturizers, but Vanicream is the one I always go back to. It’s extremely gentle, and I love that the formula feels rich and thick without feeling sticky. It’s truly the only cream that can calm my picky, irritated skin. One large tub (with a handy pump—no mess!) lasts me all winter long.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: petrolatum, sorbitol (a humectant), cetearyl alcohol (an emollient)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Moroccanoil Night Body Serum
Save to wishlist
Moroccanoil
Night Body Serum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: If your dry skin is also looking lax and crepey, Moroccanoil’s Night Body Serum is worth the investment. The brand’s signature ingredient, argan oil, nourishes skin, while tsubaki oil firms skin over time. Skin not only looks glowy right after you apply it, but vitamin C ester also helps brighten for more even tone over time. The formula also includes holy basil extract, which contains antioxidants to protect against environmental stress. Slather a few pumps on before you crawl into bed and wake up to glowing, healthy skin (no dry patches in sight).
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
LargeChevron
“So many body serums seem to sit on top of my skin and never fully soak in, which feels—to put it mildly—rather unpleasant. Moroccanoil Night Body Serum is a welcome exception: The silky formula melts in immediately. I like to apply it after an evening shower, then slip into my jammies. The next morning, my skin is softer, smoother, and all-around happier for it.” —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: argan oil, holy basil extract, tsubaki oil, vitamin C ester
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dry skin during winter?
During winter, it’s colder and less humid out—in these conditions, your skin produces less sebum and retains less water, making it drier. Your skin barrier also doesn’t function as well, meaning "skin might look and feel rough, dull, flaky, inflamed, red, and itchy," New York-based dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD, told Allure. Luckily, using the right moisturizer—something soothing that will replenish the lipids your skin is missing—can help.
Which body moisturizer is best for dry skin in winter?
While there’s a time and place for lightweight, water-based moisturizers, in winter, look for products with a thicker texture and a higher oil content, suggests Day. Pro tip: To get the most out of any body lotion, cream, or serum, apply it to damp skin, which helps it absorb better. "Studies have shown that moisturizing immediately after bathing is significantly better than not applying moisturizer at all or applying it long after showering," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, told Allure.
Also key: If you have sensitive skin, allergies, or conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, make sure your moisturizer doesn’t contain any alcohol and is fragrance-free. “Fragrance-free body lotions benefit sensitive skin by eliminating potentially irritating synthetic fragrances and masking agents that can trigger allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, and skin barrier disruption,” Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, told Allure. Look for a blue seal that says, “Accepted by the National Eczema Foundation” as you shop—these moisturizers have been vetted and approved by a panel of doctors for people with eczema.
If you’ve been slathering on creams and you’re still not noticing a difference in your skin, Dr. Zeichner says tiny cracks in your skin might be causing inflammation that a regular lotion just can’t fix. Check in with your doctor or dermatologist—you may need an over-the-counter or prescription cortisone cream to find relief, he says.
Meet the Experts
- Stephanie Saxton-Daniels, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas
- Karan Lal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and New York City
- Adam Friedman, a dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
- Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Kenneth Mark, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City
- Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, 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 body moisturizers for winter, 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 makeup artists and 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.
Ribbed-Glass Nails Are 2026’s Fanciest Nail Trend
Courtesy of nail artistsSave this storySave this story
If you grew up sipping sparkling cider from your grandmother’s fluted glasses—the ones that only came out with the fancy china on holidays—you already understand the appeal of our latest manicure obsession. Ribbed-glass nails feature thin, raised lines painted close together in a vertical pattern. The linear texture and light-catching dimension evoke vintage elegance, resulting in a manicure that whispers old money. “It’s heirloom energy reimagined,” says New York City-based nail artist Elle Gerstein.
This look neatly intersects two trends that experts predicted would define 2026: touchable texture and stripes. When we asked nail pros what would shape the year ahead, nearly all of them pointed to raised, dimensional finishes as the next evolution of nail art, and ribbed glass may be one of the most refined interpretations of that forecast.
The look is already dominating our feeds, and ribbed-glass nails also made a runway appearance during New York Fashion Week. Nail artist Christina Duong crafted a black-and-gold metallic ribbed manicure for the Sergio Hudson show, mirroring the collection’s sharp pinstripes.
Instagram /@cqdnails
This look is just beginning to gain traction stateside, but textured-gel designs have been thriving in South Korea. “Textured gel is currently very popular. It works beautifully as an accent and has a refined, expressive finish,” Minseo Kang, a nail artist in Seoul, previously told Allure.
Achieving the ribbed-glass effect is surprisingly straightforward. “Use a cat-eye polish as your base, then cure,” says Leslie Morel, a nail artist in Bergen County, New Jersey. “Go over your base with a matte topcoat and cure for 60 seconds.” Morel prefers to use a clear glossy topcoat for the lines, and a thin nail brush to paint them: “The trick is to draw the lines as close together as possible without overlapping or connecting them.”
In Seoul, artists often rely on specialized tools to perfect the texture. Many reach for a small, flat brush with bristles that are denser at the base and finer at the tips—almost like a wide-tooth comb—to carve ultra-precise ridges that feel architectural yet delicate.
Gianni Garcia, a nail artist and creative director of Art Nail NYC, prefers using spider gel to achieve crisp, raised lines. After dipping a dotting tool into the thick, elastic formula, she lifts and stretches the gel—like a super thin cheese pull—to lay down perfectly straight strands across the nail. Once the ribbed pattern is in place over a solid base, cure and seal with a topcoat. Says Garcia, “This makes the process quicker and easier.”
The realistic depth and glass-like shimmer make glossy stripes over a cat-eye base the internet’s favorite iteration of the ribbed-glass nail look, but the design is highly customizable. You can opt for glossy ribs over matte polish, matte stripes over a high-shine base, or cat-eye lines layered atop velvet shimmer. The interplay of texture and finish is what gives the look its dimension.
Ready to try this expensive-looking manicure for yourself? Ahead, the ribbed-glass designs that made us double-tap.
Ribbed-Glass Nails Inspiration
Purple ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @inspirenailstudioscotland
Instagram / @taminailartist
Instagram / @bujinails
Instagram / @nailsby_bjpSilver ribbed-glass nails
Courtesy of @iris.nailed.itEmerald ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @goose.beauty
Instagram / @inspirenailstudioscotlandBronze ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @creativetayynailsDark gray ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @nlzbynanaChampagne ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @dianas_dulce_nailsSage green ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @dianas_dulce_nailsIcy blue ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @kwynailsGreen ribbed-glass nails
Courtesy of Elle GersteinDark brown-ribbed nails
Instagram / @nailsbylesBrown shimmer ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @mayleidoesnailsRainbow ribbed-glass nails
Instagram / @nailjob
9 Best Korean Cleansers for Smoother, Calmer Skin
Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
Washing your face can feel like a chore—until you add one of the best Korean cleansers to your routine and, suddenly, it feels like a mini spa moment. "Korean cleansers have gained popularity due to their gentle formulations and use of innovative ingredients," says Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Think derm-approved ingredients like Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) and polyhydroxy acid (PHA), paired with sensorial appeal—gels that transform into airy clouds of foam or buttery balms that melt into your skin. Erica Choi, esthetician and founder of Korean beauty-inspired brand Superegg, puts it another way: Many K-beauty cleansers "reflect the Korean skin-care philosophy of prevention and maintenance rather than treatment."
Our Top Korean Cleansers
- Best Overall: Etude SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Facial Cleanser, $15
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel, $10
- Best for Combination Skin: Ma:nyo Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk, $21
- Best for Oily Skin: Hanyul Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser, $22
- Best for Dry Skin: Aestura Atobarrier365 Bubble Cleanser, $21
- Best for Uneven Texture: Medicube Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Facial Deep Cleanser, $20
- Best for Waterproof Makeup: Banila Co Clean It Zero Calming Cleansing Balm, $21
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Korean facial cleanser is the best?
- What is the Korean cleansing method?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Check out our FAQs to get all your cleansing questions answered, and keep scrolling for the full breakdown of the best Korean cleansers for every skin type. Go forth and lather up!
Best Overall: Etude SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Facial Cleanser
Save to wishlist
Etude
SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Facial Cleanser
Amazon
Soko Glam
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han using the Etude SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Facial Cleanser
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: You may know Etude for its long-lasting lip tints and smudge-proof mascaras, but this Korean beauty brand makes excellent skin care, including its popular SoonJung range. If you're not sure what Korean cleanser (in general!) to pick, this cloudlike SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Facial Cleanser is suits all skin types, including sensitive skin. It features a low pH of 6.5—which is less likely to disrupt your natural barrier function—and excludes any potential irritants that might trigger irritation or breakouts. Made with soothing ingredients like madecassoside (an ingredient derived from Centella asiatica or cica) and panthenol, this cuddly foam cleanser hydrates as it removes impurities.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
"Even before I tried this cleansing foam out for myself, I saw a lot of hype on social media coming from people of all different skin types. It's so satisfying to use and I love how gentle it is—it is, after all, fragrance-free—especially after I've gone to town breaking down my makeup with a cleansing balm or oil. It feels like my skin is being cuddled and pampered by the softest cloud, which is a fabulous way to wind down from a long day. My skin feels equally soft and comfortable after I've rinsed it away. No notes." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: panthenol, madecassoside, camellia sinensis leaf extract
- Who it's for: all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
Save to wishlist
Haruharu Wonder
Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
Amazon
Nordstrom
Soko Glam
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee using the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: Still wondering why pH matters in a cleanser? Healthy skin is naturally slightly acidic (pH 4.7–5.5), which helps maintain a strong barrier, minimize moisture loss, and discourage irritation-causing bacteria. Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel sits right in that skin-friendly range, helping sensitive complexions stay comfortable during and after cleansing.
Mild, amino-acid-based surfactants cleanse without irritation, while glycerin and beta-glucan help reinforce hydration and ease sensitivity. The formula also spotlights classic Korean ingredients—rice extract to support hydration and ginseng for antioxidant benefits, notes Christina Han, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Vancouver. Pulsatilla koreana extract, a traditional Korean herbal ingredient known for its calming and antimicrobial properties, helps soothe redness-prone, reactive skin. The low-foam, fragrance-free gel has a cushiony feel that leaves skin clean and balanced. Because the oil-free formula isn’t designed to dissolve waterproof makeup, our tester found it works best as a second-step cleanse or on bare-faced days.
Lee before using the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after using the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
LargeChevron
“I have sensitive, dry skin, and this gel cleanser feels so luxe and comforting every time I use it. I was impressed by how well it broke down my complexion makeup (it almost passed the white towel test), but my bulletproof eye makeup did leave a bit of residue, so I like it best as the second step in a double cleanse. The fragrance-free formula is perfect for my sensitive skin and makes this a cleanser I easily keep in my regular rotation.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, beta-glucan, rice extract, ginseng, pulsatilla koreana extract
- Who it's for: people with sensitive or dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Combination Skin: Ma:nyo Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk
Save to wishlist
Ma:nyo
Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk
Ulta Beauty
Olive Young
Yesstyle
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin using the Ma:nyo Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk
Sarah Felbin
Why it's worth it: Chances are the Best of Beauty-winning Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil has already made its way into your routine—and if you love that one but crave something even more gentle, the Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk is your new go-to. This milky, all-in-one cleanser is especially great for combo-to-dry or sensitive skin—and for anyone dealing with large, visible pores who still wants a thorough cleanse without stripping skin. The star is a 120-hour(!) fermented wild soybean extract, a classic Korean ingredient processed over several days to break it down into smaller, more skin-friendly components. That long fermentation makes the extract lighter, easier for skin to absorb, and less likely to irritate, while helping smooth texture and regulate excess sebum so pores look softer and more refined over time.
Lightweight sunflower seed and jojoba seed oils dissolve makeup and excess sebum while mimicking skin’s natural lipids. Ceramides, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, cica, and fig help lock in comfort, so skin stays soft and hydrated—not just during cleansing, but for many hours after.
Felbin before using the Ma:nyo Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after using the Ma:nyo Pure Soybean Cleansing Milk
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“This might be the gentlest cleanser I've ever used. My skin is super-sensitive—some cleansers are too harsh and leave my face feeling dry and tight (not fun). But Ma:nyo's new cleansing milk barely foams up at all and feels more like a moisturizer than a face wash. It's so gentle, I was surprised by how well it removed oil and makeup. Dry skin people, you'll be obsessed with this one.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: soybean extract, ceramides, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, cica, fig, sunflower seed and jojoba seed oils
- Who it's for: everyone, especially those with combination or dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Hanyul Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser
Save to wishlist
Hanyul
Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser
Sephora
Olive Young
Why it's worth it: K-beauty is famous for its fun, tactile formulas, but Hanyul’s Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser might be our favorite sensorial moment yet. It starts with a stretchy, rice-cake-like texture that clings to skin like a mask, gripping onto impurities before transforming into a soft, cushiony foam once you add water (yes, it’s as satisfying as it sounds). The formula centers on the brand’s Artemisia-Cica complex—a calming blend of mugwort and Centella asiatica that helps soothe redness and stressed skin. Artemisia powder gently smooths texture, while 10 types of hyaluronic acid and 40% glycerin cleanse without stripping and leave skin comfortably hydrated. There’s also a small amount of salicylic acid for light exfoliation; it sits low on the ingredient list, but extra-sensitive skin types may want to patch-test just in case.
Han using the Hanyul Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser
Sarah Han
Han after using the Hanyul Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
LargeChevron
“I haven't been this excited about a water-based cleanser in years, I tell you! The Hanyul Artemisia Soothing 2-in-1 Mask to Foam Cleanser has this extra-satisfying gooey, mochi-like texture that lets you really slather it on evenly, like you would with a mask. Due to its two-in-one nature, I usually leave it on for about two minutes because I find that it goes above and beyond my usual cleansers and truly helps clear out my clogged pores without causing dryness (combo-skin life). It emulsifies into a lightweight foam that feels oh-so-sensorial, and I don't mind that I need to be a little more thorough when rinsing it off—again, it acts like a mask! I use this every other night to keep my pores (a big skin-care woe of mine) in check.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: cica, mugwort, artemisia powder, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, salicylic
- Who it's for: everyone, especially those with clogged pores
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Dry Skin: Aestura Atobarrier365 Bubble Cleanser
Save to wishlist
Aestura
Atobarrier365 Bubble Cleanser
Amazon
Sephora
Olive Young
Allure contributor Sarah Y. Wu using the Aestura Atobarrier365 Bubble Cleanser
Sarah Y. Wu
Why it's worth it: Aestura is a household name in South Korea, where it's become the number-one derma cosmetic brand. The brand's Atobarrier line is especially popular for dry, sensitive skin, and this frothy foam Atobarrier365 Bubble Cleanser is an excellent example of why. Infused with moisturizing, soothing ingredients like glycerin, vitamin E, and green tea extract, it thoroughly cleanses dry and reactive skin without triggering irritation. It's not designed to remove makeup, so you'll have to take care of that with a cleansing oil, balm, or makeup remover first, but it's a great pick for clearing your skin of buildup and pollutants in the gentlest, most hydrating way possible.
Tester feedback from contributor Sarah Y. Wu
LargeChevron
"I have mild rosacea and a lot of dry patches on my midface, and I immediately swap to Aestura's cleanser when they flare up. I test a lot of beauty products so whenever I get a flare-up, I strip my routine back to the basics: no serums, ampoules, or peels—just a very basic moisturizer, sunscreen when I go outside, and this cleanser. The first time I used it, I loved how creamy and fluffy the bubbles felt. From a practical standpoint, it's easy to coat my entire face evenly because of the bubbly texture, but it also just feels really nice. More importantly, this cleanser always leaves my skin incredibly smooth, soft, and soothed. I hate the prickly, stinging feeling some cleansers give me when my skin is dry and sensitive but this always leaves my face feeling better after a quick rinse." —Sarah Y. Wu, contributor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin, tocopherol (vitamin E), green tea extract
- Who it's for: all skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Uneven Texture: Medicube Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Facial Deep Cleanser
Save to wishlist
Medicube
Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Facial Deep Cleanser
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: While you can’t actually get rid of your pores (they’re kind of essential!), K-beauty has a way of making them look like they barely exist with the help of Medicube’s Zero Pore SA Clear Capsule Facial Deep Cleanser. This foaming cleanser is packed with a mix of acids: salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid) and willow bark extract help clear excess oil from inside pores, mandelic acid (alpha hydroxy acid) smooths surface texture, and gluconolactone (polyhydroxy acid) offers gentle exfoliation with less irritation, so it’s still great for daily use.
What really sets it apart are cica exosomes (listed as Centella leaf vesicles), tiny, lipid-based “delivery bubbles” that help Centella’s calming, barrier-supporting benefits sink in more effectively, which is especially helpful in a triple acid-based cleanser. For an added boost, micro-blue capsules dissolve as you cleanse, providing light, skin-friendly physical exfoliation.
Lee using the Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after using the Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from Lee
LargeChevron
“I always kick off my skin-care routine with the Medicube Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam—it’s gentle enough for my sensitive skin yet still gives me that fresh, just-polished feel. The formula itself is quite thick, so I have to squeeze it a bit hard to get it out of the tube, but once it lathers, the micro-blue exosome capsules provide gentle physical exfoliation. Medicube also relies on chemical acids, utilizing AHAs like mandelic acid and BHAs like salicylic acid to prevent breakouts by keeping pores clear, along with cica to soothe irritation and green tea extract for an antioxidant boost. This cleansing foam never fail to leave my skin feeling clean, comfortable, and ready for the rest of my routine.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: micro-blue exosome capsules, salicylic acid, Centella asiatica, green tea extract, cica exosome
- Who it's for: people with clogged pores or uneven texture
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Cleansing Powder: Tirtir Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Powder
Save to wishlist
Tirtir
Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Powder
Amazon
Olive Young
Yesstyle
Wu using the Tirtir Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Powder
Sarah Y. Wu
Why it's worth it: Enzymes exfoliate your skin by dissolving dead skin cells—but only on the surface level, so there's less potential for irritation. Tirtir's travel-friendly Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Powder, infused with enzymes, probiotics, and mild PHA, is a dry powder that activates when you wet it. Formulated as a true cleanser (not a face scrub), it foams into a milky cleanser with just a few drops of water. Rice extract and probiotics help keep your skin moisturized, and while it's designed to clear buildup and refine pores, it does so with especially gentle ingredients that work for a wide range of skin types.
Tester feedback from Wu
LargeChevron
"I have combination skin that's very dry and sensitive in my midface, but prone to excess oil and blackheads in my T-zone," says Wu. "I usually take a very targeted approach to exfoliants and make sure they only touch my T-zone to avoid irritating the rest of my face. But this cleanser is so gentle, I've found that it also works great as an allover face wash and exfoliant in one. Most powder cleansers I've used in the past turn into a sort of gritty paste texture when I wet them. Not this one! It transforms into a creamy, super smooth foam as soon as I add water. It doesn't feel like a face scrub; instead, the powdered enzymes lightly exfoliate and clear my pores so that my face feels baby-soft when I rinse it off." —Sarah Y. Wu, contributor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: rice extract, enzymes, probiotics, PHA, mung bean powder
- Who it's for: normal, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Waterproof Makeup: Banila Co Clean It Zero Calming Cleansing Balm
Save to wishlist
Banila Co.
Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Amazon
Soko Glam
Han using the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: If there’s one cleansing balm that’s basically a rite of passage in K-beauty, it’s Banila Co’s Clean It Zero. Dermatologists, K-beauty experts like Charlotte Cho, and Allure editors all swear by it—and Dr. Chang is especially partial to the Calming version in the purple tub. “I use this for my evening cleanse when I want to remove all the dirt, makeup, and oil that accumulated throughout the day,” she says, noting that she loves the balm’s soft, milky texture and how it leaves skin feeling smoother and more hydrated. The silky solid scoops out easily and melts into an oil on contact, breaking down even stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner without tugging. Just as importantly, it doesn’t sting eyes or irritate skin—something Dr. Chang calls essential when removing heavy eye makeup. “Just a little scoop goes a long way!” says Cho.
Han before using the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Sarah Han
Han after using the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
LargeChevron
“I don't care how many cleansing balms I try throughout my lifetime—Banila's is the OG (I don't even know how many years it's been!) that I will come back to time and time again. The sorbet-like formula is so fun and satisfying and has the best slip that melts makeup on contact. It doesn't irritate my eyes either, even if I'm a little too heavy-handed (sorry!). Despite being fragrance-free, it has a slightly fresh-floral smell that makes makeup removal less like a chore, and more like a mini facial-in-a-spa moment. One note: Korean lip tints are no joke, which is why you still see some pigment from one of my most stubborn formulas—I'll usually go in with a cotton pad and micellar water afterwards to remove the rest, but the balm does a lot of heavy lifting.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, madecassoside, olive oil, jojoba oil
- Who it's for: all skin types and anyone who wears makeup, especially waterproof makeup
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best No-Mess Packaging: Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Save to wishlist
Dr. Althea
Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Amazon
Yesstyle
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffman applying the Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: A cleansing balm that works like a pencil sharpener? K-beauty made it. Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm is a TikTok favorite and newly crowned 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, no big deal. Unlike most cleansing balms, which come with plastic spatulas, this one has a built-in dispenser that churns out ribbons of balm like thin sheets of pasta. The balm itself is formulated to remove both sunscreen and waterproof makeup without leaving any oily residue on your skin. It's infused with soothing centella and madecassoside to accommodate sensitive and acne-prone skin types and cleanses with a blend of camellia sinensis seed and grape seed oils.
Hoffman before using the Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffman after using the Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffman
LargeChevron
“My main metrics for cleansing balms are how easily they remove makeup (specifically eye makeup) and how soft my skin feels afterwards. Dr. Althea's Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm checks both of those boxes. The formula emulsifies so well and melts mascara, eyeliner, and the rest off like a total dream. My skin feels baby smooth and perfectly soft every time I use it. Plus, the grinder dispensing method means no searching for an applicator spoon and no dipping my hands into a pot of product (something I've always found semi-gross). Genius.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, madecassoside, camellia senensis seed oil, grape seed oil
- Who it's for: all skin types and anyone who wears makeup
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Korean facial cleanser is the best?
The better question here is: Which Korean facial cleanser is best for your skin type? "Korean cleansers come with a variety of active ingredients that can help with multiple skin types," says Dr. Chang. “This allows you to customize your skin-care routine based on your skin needs.” If you like perusing ingredient lists, Dr. Chang has a few additional tips to match your skin type to a suitable cleanser."
Oily skin
For oily skin, it's important to look for ingredients that help control excess sebum production, reduce clogged pores, and reduce inflammation without stripping the skin of its natural moisture," she says. "Key ingredients to look for include beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid), tea tree oil (which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties), green tea, and niacinamide."
Dry skin
If you have dry skin, she recommends hydrating and barrier-boosting ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and shea butter. Those with sensitive skin should search out "gentle, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleansers" with ingredients like Centella asiatica (cica), green tea extract, allantoin, colloidal oatmeal, licorice root extract, and niacinamide.
If your skin type doesn't sound like a perfect match for a cleanser but you're still curious to try, there's room for experimentation. "Korean cleansers tend to be gentle," says Dr. Chang. "Even if they include chemical exfoliants, the percentages tend to be low and are typically combined with other skin-calming and -repairing ingredients." Choi agrees. "Korean cleansers are known for being hydrating and gentle, making them suitable for most skin types without being stripping," she says. "Many Korean cleansers are formulated to be pH-balanced, typically around 5.5, matching the skin's natural pH level. This helps maintain the skin's acid mantle, which is crucial for protecting against bacteria and environmental stressors." Still, if you have sensitive skin, conduct a patch test first.
What is the Korean cleansing method?
The Korean cleansing method, also known as double cleansing, is "a foundational step in the Korean skin-care routine that has gained worldwide popularity," says Dr. Chang. "Double cleansing refers to a two-step face cleansing technique, which involves using an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser to thoroughly remove makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities from the skin." The first cleanse melts away your oil-based impurities, like sebum and makeup. The second takes care of the remaining sweat and dirt.
"In Korea, everyone is obsessed with how to properly cleanse their skin because it's the first step to the final goal: dewy, soft skin," explains Cho. "It's not just a K-beauty staple; many dermatologists recommend the double cleanse as a way to first lift dirt and grime and then properly wash it all away." Our list above contains both oil- and water-based cleansers so you can build your own double-cleansing duo.
Meet the experts
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician and cofounder of Soko Glam based in New York City
- Erica Choi, a licensed esthetician and founder of Superegg based in Seoul and New York City
- Christina Han, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director at Xyon based in Vancouver
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 Korean cleansers, 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, estheticians, and brand founders. 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.