11 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Dry Hair to Get Softer, Shinier Strands
Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands, Allure editorsSave this storySave this story
Addressing and mending brittle strands requires lathering up with the best shampoos and conditioners for dry hair. After all, there are so many daily wear-and-tear factors that can leave your hair feeling drier than straw (cold weather, color treatments, and your heated hair tools are just a few of them), so give your strands some softening solace in the form of these in-shower duos.
The key to these moisturizing shampoos and conditioners is in their formulations, which gently cleanse hair of product buildup (yet another root cause of dry hair) while smoothing it with a blend of hydrators and conditioning agents you might be familiar with—do vitamin E and coconut oil ring a bell? They're not hard to find, either; even drugstore shampoos deliver. Below, we're talking all things dry hair, including hairstylist tips on minimizing dryness and editor-approved shampoos and conditioners to enhance texture and shine.
Our Top Shampoos and Conditioners for Dry Hair
- Best Overall: K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo and Conditioner, $39 each
- Best Softening: R+Co Bleu Essential Shampoo and Conditioner, $49 each
- Best for Split Ends: Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, $60
- Best for Frizz: Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo ($37) and Conditioner ($42)
- Best for Breakage: Nécessaire The Shampoo and The Conditioner, $30 each
- Best for Flaky Scalps: CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo and Hair Bonding Treatment, $23 each
- Best for Curly Hair: Curlsmith Frizz Control Cleanser ($26) and Conditioner ($27)
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What causes dry hair?
- How can I minimize dry hair?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo and Conditioner
Save to wishlist
K18
Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it's worth it: Allure editors and pro hairstylists alike are fans of K18’s Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo and Conditioner, which won a 2024 Best of Beauty Award. Los Angeles-based hairstylist Clayton Hawkins and New York City-based hair colorist Kimberly Ruszczyk call out the brand’s proprietary peptide, K18, which works at a molecular level to support bond maintenance and reduce protein loss, while leaving strands with a softer texture and more vibrant shine. “It strengthens and repairs dry, damaged hair from the inside out, leaving it healthier, smoother, and more manageable without weighing it down,” says Hawkins.
Allure social media director Kassidy Silva before using the K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo and Conditioner
Kassidy Silva
Silva after using the K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo and Conditioner
Kassidy Silva
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
LargeChevron
“I use half a dozen hair products on a weekly basis; dry shampoo, hairspray, gel, you name it. To give my hair a reset, I use the K18 shampoo and conditioner once a week and like to keep the shampoo on for at least five minutes to really cleanse my scalp before moving on to the conditioner.” —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: K18 (peptide), plant-derived surfactants (sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate)
- Key conditioner ingredients: K18, ceramides, polysaccharide
- Scent: citrus
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Fine Hair: R+Co Bleu Essential Shampoo + Conditioner
Save to wishlist
R+Co
Bleu Essential Shampoo + Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it’s worth it: Body, bounce, and softness are exactly what you get with R+Co’s Essential Shampoo and Conditioner. The duo gently cleanses and nourishes with coconut and olive oils, while sea buckthorn oil helps prevent breakage, and saffron works to block humidity and tame frizz. Cucumber water seals in hydration for hair that feels soft and healthy, but never looks flat. It’s a universally flattering pair that works across hair types and textures—and leaves strands looking glossy, full, and straight out of a hair commercial.
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen before using the R+Co Bleu Essential Shampoo + Conditioner Set
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after using the R+Co Bleu Essential Shampoo + Conditioner Set
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
LargeChevron
“I have what might be one of the most frustrating genetic hair combinations to exist: naturally dry and finer than your celebrity crush. It makes looking for shampoos and conditioners challenging—I need formulas that provide a hefty dose of moisture but with a feather-light touch, lest my hair be instantly weighed down or my roots become perpetually greasy. When my hairstylist started using R+Co Bleu's Essential shampoo and conditioner during my appointments a year or so ago, I realized I'd found my solution. After using these in tandem with a couple of other lightweight styling products, my hair has far fewer flyaways and no tangles. And with a blow-dryer, I'm able to achieve what is probably the most voluminous hair of my life. Part of the key is to always shampoo twice, making sure to work the suds directly onto the scalp (parting the hair into sections makes this easier). When I condition, I use a wide-tooth comb to (very gently!) distribute the product evenly.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: coconut oil, sea buckthorn oil, saffron, cucumber water
- Key conditioner ingredients: olive oil, sea buckthorn oil, saffron, cucumber water
- Scent: bergamot, coconut water, limoncello
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Split Ends: Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Save to wishlist
Moroccanoil
Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon (Duo)
Dermstore (Duo)
Why it's worth it: Welcome to argan oil 101: "Argan oil is unique in its composition, offering high amounts of oleic and linoleic acids, which makes it extremely rich and moisturizing," says cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline. Got it? Good, because now you know why Moroccanoil's Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner—which bills argan oil as a top ingredient—is a dryness-diminishing dream. Toss in a dash of scalp-soothing algae and emollient vitamin E, and you've got yourself the ultimate shower duo for softer, shinier hair.
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee before using the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after using the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
LargeChevron
“So, I only cut my hair twice a year—zero trims in between—so things can get unruly. After a few months, my ends are basically crunchy from being dry. Because of that, I really depend on my in-shower routine to set my hair up for success, and this duo made everything feel instantly softer and silkier. I’m extremely particular about conditioner, and this one has a great slip and a medium-thick texture that coats my hair without immediately slipping off. Scent-wise, I usually lean floral with my hair products, but this woodier vibe was a nice departure. It comes on strong at first, but doesn’t linger.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: argan oil, algae, vitamin A, vitamin E
- Key conditioner ingredients: argan oil, algae, vitamin A
- Scent: spicy amber, sweet florals, musk
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Frizz: Davines Love Shampoo and Conditioner
Save to wishlist
Davines
Love Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it's worth it: Davines’ Love Shampoo and Conditioner might feel a little heavy for fine strands, but thicker hair textures will revel in its creamy, ultra-conditioning formula. It delivers all the cleansing power you expect from a shampoo while going a step further with rich hydration that keeps frizz at bay. The key ingredient? Minuta olive extract, packed with fatty acids and vitamins, boosts shine, elasticity, and leaves behind a soft, touchable feel.
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner before using the Davines Love Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner after using the Davines Love Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Lily Wohlner
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
LargeChevron
“I have thick, frizzy hair, so finding a shampoo and conditioner combo that actually tames it hasn’t been easy. What first drew me to Davines was the scent—this one smells like fresh, clean laundry in the best way—but what’s kept me a loyal fan is the way it leaves my hair silky and smooth after every wash. Especially when I blow it out, my hair looks glossy, soft, and effortlessly polished.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: minuta olive extract, glycerin
- Key conditioner ingredients: minuta olive extract, glycerin
- Scent: orange blossom, pink grapefruit, florals, musk
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Scalp Irritation: Nécessaire The Shampoo and The Conditioner
Save to wishlist
Necessaire
The Shampoo and The Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it's worth it: If you’re dealing with a sensitive scalp, you’re in luck: Nécessaire’s Best of Beauty-winning The Shampoo and Conditioner are approved by the National Eczema Association and keep things refreshingly simple with a minimalist, fragrance-free, and sulfate-free formula. Both are packed with skin-care staples like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate, calm, and strengthen the scalp while reducing breakage—all without weighing hair down.
The Shampoo also features ApiScalp, a celery seed-derived ingredient that helps address dandruff, itchiness, dryness, and oiliness by keeping the scalp balanced and moisturized. The result is a gentle cleanse, followed by a conditioner that smooths and softens dry ends with a silky (never greasy) finish.
Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai after using the Nécessaire The Shampoo and The Conditioner
Deanna Pai
Pai after using the Nécessaire The Shampoo and The Conditioner
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
LargeChevron
“This shampoo and conditioner hit it out of the park for both my scalp and my hair. For one, they're among the few formulas that don't dry out my scalp and cause flakes. The same goes for my hair: Together, they leave it soft, shiny, and clean, but never straw-like—which is especially noteworthy since I'm a daily hair-washer.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe, niacinamide, celery extract, avocado oil
- Key conditioner ingredients: hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, avocado oil, aloe, niacinamide, ceramides
- Scent: fragrance-free
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Flaky Scalps: CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo and Hair Bonding Treatment
Save to wishlist
Cosrx
Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo and Hair Bonding Treatment
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Treatment)
Why it's worth it: Whether you’ve been dealing with flakes forever or just pushed wash day one too many times (we’ve all been there), CosRx’s Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo and Hair Bonding Treatment (this acts like a conditioner and hair treatment in one) are the ultimate reset for your scalp and strands. Packed with strengthening peptides, this power duo repairs damage, melts away buildup, and leaves hair feeling silky and weightless. The pH-balanced formulas also soothe and hydrate your scalp with a calming blend of niacinamide and panthenol, so itchiness and irritation are officially canceled. The result? Clean, soft, ridiculously refreshed hair that feels brand new, sans any itchiness or irritation.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han before using the CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo and Conditioner
Sarah Han
Han after using the CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo and Conditioner
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
"I gave my initial samples to our shopping director, Shanna Shipin (simply because I have too much hair care to go through!), and she ended up loving them—so, of course, I had to give them a real shot. The Peptide 132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Shampoo deep-cleansed my scalp without being as harsh as other “typical” clarifying shampoos, and left it feeling really gosh-darn soothed, rather than stripped. It was the ultimate test, as my scalp gets greasy pretty quickly and I hadn't washed my hair in over a week, so I think the zinc PCA did a great job minimizing sebum and irritation." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: peptides, zinc PCA, caffeine, niacinamide, panthenol
- Key conditioner ingredients: peptides, collagen, amino acids, biotin, niacinamide
- Scent: light, clean, floral
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Curly Hair: Curlsmith Frizz Control Cleanser and Duo Conditioner
Save to wishlist
Curlsmith
Frizz Control Cleanser and Duo Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it's worth it: Curly hair needs extra moisture, since its shape makes it harder for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft—leaving mid-lengths and ends prone to dryness. Add in higher porosity (meaning curls soak up moisture fast but lose it just as quickly) and you’ve got a recipe for frizz. Enter Curlsmith’s Frizz Control Cleanser and Duo Conditioner, an Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning pair. They’re designed to hydrate, define, and help curls actually hold onto moisture from root to tip with coconut butter, sunflower seed oil, and argan oil. Pro tip: If your hair can handle it (aka it doesn't get greasy easily), use the conditioner as a leave-in for extra smoothness.
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards before using the Curlsmith Frizz Control Cleanser and Duo Conditioner
Bianca Richards
Richards after using the Curlsmith Frizz Control Cleanser and Duo Conditioner
Bianca Richards
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
LargeChevron
"I thoroughly enjoy how this dynamic curl duo helped whip my curls into shape and tame them without adding additional product after washing out a blowout. The scent is super tropical with notes of milky mango, creamy coconut, and sweet papaya, which all remind me of visits to Puerto Rico." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: coconut butter, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, cocamidopropyl betaine
- Key conditioner ingredients: coconut butter, sunflower seed oil, argan oil
- Scent: mango, coconut, papaya
Best for Heat Damage: Beekman 1802 Milk Therapy Peptide Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Save to wishlist
Beekman 1802
Milk Therapy Peptide Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Beekman 1802 (Duo)
Why it's worth it: If you’ve gone a little too hard with your heat tools, don’t panic—Beekman 1802’s The Milk Therapy Peptide Shampoo and Conditioner Set has you covered. Like the rest of the brand’s lineup, this duo harnesses the power of goat milk—packed with lactic acid, minerals, and vitamins—to gently exfoliate, hydrate parched strands, and smooth away frizz. Rosemary extract helps calm irritation, while peptides and hydrolyzed collagen work overtime to strengthen, repair, and boost shine. After just one wash, frazzled hair feels soft, bouncy, and full of life.
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin before using the Beekman 1802 Milk Therapy Peptide Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after using the Beekman 1802 Milk Therapy Peptide Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“I have super-thick, frizzy hair that can be tough to tame (and I'm not doing my split ends any favors with my regular at-home blowouts). This shampoo and conditioner is like a total reset—every time I use it, my hair looks noticeably shinier and feels so much softer. The shampoo lathers up satisfyingly and leaves my hair and scalp feeling squeaky clean. And the conditioner is highly moisturizing—I notice a difference the minute I wash it out, and the results are even clearer after I dry and style my hair. Plus, both smell amazing (fresh but also floral, thanks to bergamot and bamboo). I'll definitely be repurchasing these!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: Brazilian flex peptide bond, rosemary extract, goat milk, collagen
- Key conditioner ingredients: Brazilian flex peptide bond, rosemary extract, goat milk, collagen
- Scent: honeydew, mandarin
Best Sulfate-Free: Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Save to wishlist
Squigs
Gooseberry Delight Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon (Duo)
Why it's worth it: A 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning duo, the Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner deliver serious moisture à la the brand’s ShineShield Complex, which features a blend of vitamin C-rich amla and moringa oils as well as strengthening red algae extract. The shampoo uses gentle, coconut-derived surfactants to cleanse (no sulfates here), so hair feels clean, not stripped. Next, the conditioner offers lightweight hydration from the aforementioned complex, smoothing each strand without weighing it down or leaving a greasy residue. The payoff? Hair that stays silky, detangled, and glossy for days—think full, bouncy, blowout-level shine, no salon visit required.
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor before using the Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after using the Squigs Gooseberry Delight Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
LargeChevron
“Between frequent heat-styling and the harsh temperatures of a New York City winter, my hair has been feeling crispy and fragile at the ends. A squeeze of each of these bottles helps restore softness and bounce. The shampoo is emollient, creating a rich lather as I work it from my scalp to my ends. The conditioner is thick yet easy to distribute through my extra-long strands. And I love the scent, which is subtly citrusy and bright.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: amla extract, aloe extract, moringa oil, red algae extract, neem oil, tulsi extract
- Key conditioner ingredients: amla extract, aloe extract, moringa oil, red algae extract, neem oil, tulsi extract, kokum butter
- Scent: fresh, natural
More shampoos and conditioners for dry hair we love:
Best for Deep Moisture: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Save to wishlist
amika
Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it’s worth it: Sometimes products that promise deep moisture can leave your hair feeling heavy or flat, but Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner strike the right balance. “They’re packed full of plant-based oils, blue algae, hyaluronic acid, and coconut water to hydrate, protect, and lock moisture in,” says Cody Renegar, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist. The shampoo gently cleanses without stripping, while the conditioner deeply nourishes and detangles, leaving dry, coarse hair soft, smooth, and manageable for up to several days before your next wash. However, “if your hair is on the thinner or finer side, the rich, hydrating ingredients in this pair might feel a bit heavy,” says Renegar. “That’s something to keep in mind with any ultra-moisturizing formula.”
If you’re looking for a more intensive treatment, opt for the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask, a deep conditioner that offers an even deeper boost of hydration in as little as five minutes. Ohio- and New York City-based hairstylist Mia Santiago swears by it for even the most desperate 'dos. "This one is great for heat-damaged or overly processed hair," she previously told Allure.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid, coconut water
- Key conditioner ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid, coconut water
- Scent: sea buckthorn and coconut
Best Gentle: Bumble & Bumble Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich Conditioner
Save to wishlist
Bumble and Bumble
Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich Conditioner
Amazon (Duo)
Why it’s worth it: When it comes to dry hair, New York City-based hairstylist Marcos Diaz always “gravitates towards shampoo and conditioner duos that cleanse gently while delivering real hydration and softness without weighing the hair down.” If you like to wash your hair a lot (we get it, it feels good!), his top pick for frequent use that won’t strip the hair is Bumble & Bumble’s Gentle Shampoo paired with its Super Rich Conditioner. “This duo is ideal for hair that feels dry from frequent styling and environmental stressors,” he says. Thanks to avocado oil and glycerin in both formulas, it cleanses without removing essential moisture, while the conditioner adds slip, and shine for soft, manageable hair that’s full of movement.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key shampoo ingredients: avocado oil, glycerin
- Key conditioner ingredients: avocado oil, glycerin
- Scent: bergamot, musk, sandalwood
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dry hair?
Dry hair is caused by a lack of moisture, which can be attributed to a long laundry list of factors, says Hawkins. Our delicate strands are exposed to a lot, including harsh chemical treatments and environmental stressors like cold weather and dry heat inside your home or office, according to Ruszczyk. "Frequent washing or using products that strip moisture can deplete the scalp's natural oils," adds Lordet. According to all three experts, your hairstyling tools can also cause dryness. "Heat-styling tools, like flatirons and blow-dryers, can damage the hair cuticle, leading to moisture loss," says Hawkins.
How can I minimize dry hair?
Both Lordet and Hawkins agree that incorporating hair treatments and products with moisture-replenishing ingredients is key to enhancing the look and feel of your hair. "Look for ingredients that hydrate and restore moisture balance like argan oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, glycerin, panthenol, and honey to help restore moisture, reduce frizz, and keep hair looking healthy and shiny," says Lordet. Hawkins is also a fan of shea butter, which he calls "incredibly moisturizing and helps to smooth frizzy, brittle hair."
Meet the experts
- Clayton Hawkins, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist
- Cody Renegar, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist
- Kimberly Ruszczyk, a New York City-based colorist
- Marcos Diaz, a New York City-based hairstylist
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 certainly 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 the best shampoos and conditioners for dry hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, hairstylists, and colorists. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. 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.
Bella Hadid’s Braids Say We’re Doing Pippi Longstocking Chic for 2026—See Photo
Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
While everyone's compiling this month's snaps for a January photo dump, Bella Hadid is a little behind and only just posted her Christmas carousel to Instagram. We get it! She's a busy lady between modeling and working on her fragrance brand, Orebella, she just didn't get around to picking her favorite pictures. Thankfully, she finally shared a peek into her holidays, including a hairstyle we definitely didn't expect.
“Christmas at home….. aka Texas, LA, Pennsylvania Christmas Bella compilation mixtape,” she wrote. Topping off a 20-slide carousel is an adorable selfie of the supermodel, in which she's looking cozy, lying back on pillows in a (faux?) fur jacket. And really upping the cuteness factor is how she's wearing her dark blonde hair.
The longest layers of Hadid's hair have been braided in two low pigtails, with the shortest layers left loose for a bit of shagginess. It's giving girlhood, isn't it? And with each braid tied off with a red and white string, she's just a couple curved wires short of serving Pippi Longstocking realness.
This isn't the first time Bella has dabbled in the double-braid look. In 2022, she wore the style at least twice, and clearly, she thought it was due for a comeback.
Instagram content
Hadid shared several other looks from her holiday shenanigans, including wearing her hair down and tucked behind her ears and under a baseball cap, as well as a metallic manicure.
But we think those braided pigtails really have legs for a 2026 trend. Sure, the whimsical style has typically been relegated to kids, but Hadid is proof that it can be pulled off well into adulthood.
Demi Lovato’s Dolphin Skin Nails Are Nothing Short of Slick — See Photos
Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
When we saw that Demi Lovato attended the premiere of Paris Hilton's new documentary, Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, we knew she must have been wearing an incredible manicure. She always does! But it wasn't until a couple of days later that her go-to nail artist, Natalie Minerva, shared a close-up of her nails, and nothing could have prepared us for just how cool it actually is.
Lovato wore a strapless, fitted-yet-drapey Maticevski dress to Tuesday's Los Angeles event, and the gorgeous gray hue definitely served as inspiration for Minerva's manicure.
Photo: Getty Images
“I saw what Demi was wearing for the premiere, and so gray was definitely the top contender. I’ve been really into gray and cooler toned nails lately because it’s so easy on the eyes,” Minerva tells Allure. She filed the nails into a squoval shape and started with a coat of OPI Suzi Talks With Her Hands. “Then, we added a new soft, fine pigment magnet gel I just got in Japan.”
In a reel Minerva posted to Instagram, she adds, “D said it reminded her of dolphin skin. I'm like, wait, actually, you're right."
And while that description may sound ever so slightly icky, we cannot argue—and we cannot complain. That's a bottle nose complexion in manicure form if we've ever seen one, and it's stunning.
Photo: Instagram/Natalie Minerva
Photo: Instagram/Natalie Minerva
It's a perfect mix of subtle color without being the same old neutral, and a magical finish without being full-blown, intricate nail art: a recipe for a huge trend if we've ever seen one.
Photo: Getty Images
Now you just have to get comfortable asking your nail tech for a “dolphin skin” mani.
The Algorithm Has Troye Sivan Contemplating Plastic Surgery
Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
If seeing seemingly perfect celebrities on your Instagram and TikTok feeds make you contemplate cosmetic procedures, you're definitely not alone. In fact, the algorithm has an impact on celebrities, too—but not in the way you may think. Imagine if you were doomscrolling and you saw someone using the greenscreen feature to pick apart your very own face. That's what happened to Troye Sivan, and he admits in a new Substack post that it really got under his skin.
In a post titled “feeling a bit uggo (ugly),” Sivan shares that he, like so many people, has long struggled with body image; he vacillates between body positivity and wanting to do something about the signs of aging he's been noticing after turning 30. He looked into under-eye fat transfer, he says, and, “I’ve also heard I’m in the ideal window to start ‘baby botox.’ How does that look on men? I really don’t want that frozen look, but I do notice my ‘elevens’ are starting to show even when I’m not frowning.”
And perhaps pushing the needle a little closer to… well… needles: a content creator and aesthetic practitioner in London who goes by Dr. Zayn. “What good is money and modern medicine if not to fix all of these flaws that this random sicko fucko plastic surgeon told me I have in an Instagram reel?” Sivan writes, linking out to a now-removed post in which the content creator (who is not a board-certified plastic surgeon by the UK's standards) says that Sivan has "problem areas" on his face, like “shadows, valleys, and folds,” that make him appear older than he is. Um… ouch?
To make matters worse, Sivan writes, “My all-knowing, eternally and deeply evil algorithm saw the opportunity in this moment of vulnerability, and pulled every lever and dialled every knob to 1000. I saw video after video of deep plane facelift recoveries, and ads for unapproved GLP-1 meds that now come in pill form … I hit the ‘not interested’ button a few times and hoped for the best.”
Not that there's anything wrong with wanting cosmetic procedures, but that desire should come without undue influence, and definitely without someone publicly scrutinizing your face because they see celebrities as fair targets. (For the record, Sivan clarified in a post-mortem correction that Dr. Zayn removed his post and apologized. “No hard feelings from my side whatsoever,” Sivan says.)
So, when faced with a decision, will Sivan proceed with a procedure or continue aging as-is? “I’m embarrassed to say, but I can’t make any promises,” he writes. “I’m patient with myself, and understand and respect both approaches. It’s us vs species-endingly-insatiable corporate greed, with access to addictive brainwashing technology.”
May we all be as patient and tuned into the influences as he is.
7 Best Eyebrow Pencils for Gray Hair, According to Makeup Artists
Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
Looking for the best eyebrow pencils for gray hair used to feel like a niche problem. But these days, gray is proudly everywhere—streaked, salt-and-pepper, fully silver, or something in between—and brow pencils have finally caught up. Shades have gotten cooler, undertones more realistic, and formulas flexible enough to handle different textures and levels of pigment loss.
Like the hair on your head, eyebrow color can fade, lose contrast, or change texture with age. And while they don’t take up much real estate, that shift makes a surprisingly big difference. “Brows frame the shape of the face and restore contrast,” says Kierra Lanice Wray, a makeup artist based in Lansing, Michigan. “As the hair lightens, you start to lose shape and definition,” and the eyes can look less lifted.
Our Top Eyebrow Pencils for Gray Hair
- Best for Fully Gray Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil in Cool Grey, $28
- Best for Dark Hair Going Gray: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil in Cool Brown, $19
- Best for Blonde Hair Going Gray: Victoria Beckham Beauty BabyBlade Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe, $35
- Best for Reddish Hair Going Gray: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dual-Ended Fill & Define Powder Perfect Brow Pencil in Caramel, $22
- Best for Wiry Brows: Jones Road The Brow Pencil in Grey, $24
- Best for Thinning Brows: Lamik Revelation Brow Duo in Blonde/Elegance, $49
- Best for Salt-and-Pepper Brows: Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Gel Pomade in Taupe, $24
The biggest mistake Wray sees when choosing a pencil for gray brows is trying to match your past hair color. “Gray isn’t a lighter shade of brown; it’s its own color and lacks pigment,” she says. Drawing brows on rather than filling them in “causes harsh contrast, instantly aging the face.” To help you find a shade that meets you where you are now, here’s where to begin.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How do you choose your eyebrow pencil shade for gray brows?
- How do you avoid harsh-looking brows?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best for Fully Gray Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil in Cool Grey
Save to wishlist
Benefit Cosmetics
Goof Proof Brow Pencil in Cool Grey
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Benefit Cosmetics has been in the brow game for so long that most of us have owned at least one of their pencils at some point. If your brows are entirely gray, the brand’s Goof Proof Easy Shape & Fill Pencil in Cool Grey is as universally flattering as it gets. When brows turn gray, undertone matters: too warm reads unnatural, while overly ashy can veer chalky and dull. “This cool-toned shade keeps gray brows looking natural and believable,” says Tonya Riner, a makeup artist based in Houston, Texas. The retractable, angled tip makes shaping intuitive and eliminates the need for sharpening, so the stroke width stays consistent and harder to overdo. “Use the angled edge to fill in sparse areas, then switch to the finer point to add hair-like strokes,” she adds. The attached spoolie brush lets you comb through pigment to soften edges and blur any heavy spots for a more natural finish. And the smooth, castor-oil–based formula blends easily, then sets into long-lasting, 12-hour wear without smudging.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: castor oil, beeswax
- Shades: 12
- Features: built-in spoolie, waterproof formula
- Who it’s for: people with full gray brows
Best for Dark Hair Going Gray: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil in Cool Brown
Save to wishlist
Rare Beauty
Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil in Cool Brown
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Choosing a pencil shade for brows that are starting to gray can be tricky, as warmer browns often look too red, while ashy tones can fall flat or chalky. Rare Beauty’s Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil in Cool Brown hits that balance with a neutral-cool undertone that “won’t pull warm,” says Riner, making the 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner flattering across a wide range of skin tones. The angled tip lets you flick individual hairs for a feathery look or shade in sparse, over-tweezed areas for more density. The formula lands in that just-right middle ground—blendable yet firm enough to hold—so it sets without making brows look stiff, and because it’s smudge-proof and sweat-resistant, your shape stays intact throughout the day.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: soybean oil, synthetic mica, tocopherol
- Shades: 7
- Features: built-in spoolie, waterproof formula
- Who it’s for: people with darker hair going gray
Best for Blonde Hair Going Gray: Victoria Beckham BabyBlade Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe
Save to wishlist
Victoria Beckham
BabyBlade Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Why it's worth it: Blonde brows transitioning to gray can lose both definition and depth, so finding a pencil that stays cool, precise, and natural becomes key. Victoria Beckham’s BabyBlade Eyebrow Pencil handles all three. “This is my favorite for blondes because the taupe is perfectly cool-toned,” says Riner. “The ultra-fine tip makes it nearly impossible to overdo it, so you always end up with a soft, natural, and flattering shape.” The long-wear formula glides on cleanly, but it also treats the brows as it fills: Camellia japonica oil delivers antioxidant-rich hydration, while rosehip seed oil brings essential fatty acids to help keep the skin and brow hairs supple. Each stroke gets you a fuller, better-defined brow that complements blonde-to-gray tones without too much warmth.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: camellia japonica oil, rosehip seed oil
- Shades: 6
- Features: built-in spoolie
- Who it’s for: people with lighter hair tones going gray
Best for Reddish Hair Going Gray: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dual-Ended Fill & Define Powder Perfect Brow Pencil in Caramel
Save to wishlist
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Dual-Ended Fill & Define Powder Perfect Brow Pencil in Caramel
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Only 1 to 2% of the world’s population has naturally red hair, which makes red brows a niche all their own, especially once gray starts to enter the picture. The undertone has to stay convincing without going brassy or flat, and it’s easy for a brow pencil to look too heavy. Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dual-Ended Fill & Define Powder Perfect Brow Pencil in Caramel (light red) or Auburn (soft, deeper red) strikes the right balance for most redheads, says Wray. “While many people do enjoy a mechanical pencil, this traditional wooden pencil has a softer, powder-like formula to look more natural for red hair,” says Wray. “It's very beginner-friendly with a spoolie on the end to brush and blur imperfections.” Mica and plant oils help the color glide and diffuse into a believable finish.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: mica, vegetable oil, cottonseed oil
- Shades: 8
- Features: built-in spoolie
- Who it’s for: redheads going gray
Best for Wiry Brows: Jones Road the Brow Pencil in Grey
Save to wishlist
Jones Road
The Brow Pencil in Grey
Jones Road
Why it's worth it: Graying brows often shift in texture, becoming coarser and more wiry with age. Jones Road’s Brow Pencil “uses tiny hair-like fibers to bridge the gap between wiry hairs and smoother, thinning sections, so the brow looks fuller and more consistent once it’s filled in,” says Wray. The formula conditions as it colors: Shea butter delivers fatty acids and antioxidants to soften coarse hairs, while castor seed oil and plant waxes (like candelilla and carnauba) give wiry strands more flexibility and help them lay flatter. And in true Jones Road fashion, the jumbo format of the pencil makes it easier for makeup novices to create light, feathery strokes—“you can fill them in faster and more easily,” says Wray—which makes everyday shaping feel intuitive.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: castor oil, shea butter
- Shades: 6
- Who it’s for: people with wiry or textured brows who still want fullness
Best for Thinning Brows: Lamik Revelation Brow Duo in Blonde/Elegance
Save to wishlist
Lamik Beauty
Revelation Brow Duo in Blonde/Elegance
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Rather than a pencil, Lamik’s Revelation Brow Duo pairs a silky brow powder with a sculpting cream to define, fill, and shape without the harsh, stamped-on look. “This is an excellent option for creating the illusion of full brows if they’re thinning,” says Wray, who points to this specific soft ash-blonde shade for its ability to prevent gray brows from reading too sharp or blocky. The powder’s satin finish and weightless texture are thanks to jojoba oil, which also conditions brow hairs. The sculpting cream adds structure and hold: “You can essentially stretch and create a laminate effect to the brows to give more shape,” says Wray. It’s infused with castor seed oil (which also encourages healthier hair growth), and it all tucks neatly into a mirrored compact for quick shaping on the go. Use it solo or pair it with your favorite brow pencil for extra dimension and precision to sparse brows.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: jojoba oil, castor seed oil
- Shades: 15
- Features: includes brow powder and brow sculpting creme
- Who it’s for: people with sparse or thinning brows
Best for Salt-and-Pepper Brows: Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Gel Pomade
Save to wishlist
Merit Beauty
Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Gel Pomade
Sephora
Merit
Why it's worth it: Salt-and-pepper brows can look dimensional and striking, but they’re notoriously tricky to balance—pigment sits differently on gray hairs than on darker ones, and overly matte products can make everything look flat. Merit’s Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade gets around that by adding soft color, lift, and a hint of sheen. “If you have a mix of gray and pigmented hairs, a tinted brow gel used strategically can make all the difference,” says Riner. She loves Brow 1980 in this context because “the formula reflects light while keeping brows softly in place,” and notes that the cool-toned Taupe (if you’re naturally blonde) and Dark Brown (if you’re brunette) shades tend to be the most natural-looking on graying hair. Mineral pigments and kaolin clay add believable volume without stiffness, thanks to panthenol that conditions each hair. Plus, the tapered brush applicator evenly catches all your brow hairs, letting you coat from multiple angles for a fuller, more uniform finish.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: panthenol, kaolin clay
- Shades: 4
- Who it’s for: people with brow hairs in a mix of tones
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose your eyebrow pencil shade for gray brows?
Choosing a brow pencil for gray brows comes down to finding the right balance of tone and depth. “If your brows are salt and pepper, when looking for a brow product, go with the lighter or most neutral option to soften the brows and overall appearance of the face,” says Wray. She recommends “going slightly lighter and more neutral as the brows lose pigment.” Go too far in either direction and the effect shifts: “Too light and the brows begin to disappear, and too dark makes them look overly dramatic.” A neutral, softly cool tone usually lands in that flattering middle ground.
How do you avoid harsh-looking brows?
To avoid eyebrow makeup that looks too heavy or over-defined, Wray says the trick is to mimic what your natural brow hair already does. “I always recommend using light pressure and creating short, hair-like strokes,” she says. Instead of drawing new brows on top, you’re “filling in negative space within the brow.” The order matters too: “Your brows should go from light to dark and thick to thin,” so concentrate on defining the tail and arch first, then work toward the center of the face to get natural definition.
Meet the experts
- Tonya Riner, a makeup artist based in Houston, Texas
- Kierra Lanice Wray, a makeup artist based in Lansing, Michigan
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best eyebrow pencils, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. 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.
Harry Styles Wound Up at the Pope’s Election Because He Was Getting a Haircut Nearby
Photo: Getty ImagesSave this storySave this story
Harry Styles is back in the news due to a highly anticipated tour announcement and the release of a new single, “Aperture.” But it was only May of last year when he was making unexpected headlines for showing up in an unexpected place: St. Peter's Square, shortly after the new Pope was elected. And he wouldn't have been there had it not been for a serendipitous haircut.
In a new BBC Radio 1 interview, Styles confirmed for host Greg James that he was, in fact, walking through the faithful spectators celebrating the papal conclave's election of Pope Leo XIV. Styles was wearing sunglasses and a hat that read “Techno Is My Boyfriend,” and that hat was hiding a fresh 'do.
"I was getting a haircut in Rome," Styles says, not giving further explanation for why he was in Rome. (Maybe this barber gives really good haircuts.) “And I just heard all these people start shouting, ‘Habemus papam! Habemus papam!’ People just running down the street. So the guy cutting my hair stopped cutting my hair, and he was like, ‘Habemus papam! There’s a new pope!’"
It's not that Styles didn't believe his stylist, but when he finished the haircut, he figured he might as well see firsthand what all the fuss was about. "I was like, ‘I’m, like, five minutes' walk from there.’ So I walked over. It was wild."
Of course, even with all of the hubbub, someone managed to spot and snap a photo of the singer hiding his new haircut, which we assume he covered with a hat in an attempt to be more incognito and not because there was anything wrong with the cut.
Check out the entire interview below.
Theralogic RetinA Anti Wrinkle 3D Ampoule Is Great for Those With Sensitive Skin—Review
Save this storySave this story
TL;DR:
- What it is: A facial serum made with retinol
- What it does: Smooths fine lines and minimizes the appearance of pores
- Who it’s for: All skin types, including those who have sensitive skin
If I had to pick my favorite skin-care ingredient, hands down, it would be retinol. It’s a powerhouse. A legend. The GOAT. (You get it.)
"Retinol is one of the main forms of vitamin A," cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson previously told Allure. "It can help stimulate cell turnover as well as help stimulate collagen production."
I already use a prescription-strength Tretinoin three to four times a week, but for those nights when I don’t, I need an over-the-counter active that works but isn’t too active. I have sensitive skin, so I can’t overdo it with the hard stuff.
That’s why I like the Theralogic RetinA Anti Wrinkle 3D Ampoule. The lightweight K-beauty serum—formulated with wrinkle-busting retinol and collagen production-boosting adenosine—is gentle enough for easily irritated skin, like mine.
Like I said, I use it on nights I’m not using my Tret (usually three times a week) as the main course of my routine. So after cleansing, I dry my face and then gently pat about half a dropper’s worth of serum onto my face, from my forehead to my neckline (and a little lower if I have extra). It seeps into skin in seconds, layers well with my moisturizer (which is applied next), and gives my skin a dewy glow the next morning.
Plus, I love that I don’t have to travel to all the way to Seoul to get another one when I inevitably run out. Although, I could use a vacation right about now…
You can find the Theralogic RetinA Anti Wrinkle 3D Ampoule, along with other editor-loved products, in the January Allure Beauty Box.
Theralogic RetinA Anti Wrinkle 3D Ampoule
7 Best Face Oils for Mature Skin to Target Dryness and Wrinkles
Credit: Vanessa GrandaSave this storySave this story
When you’re looking for the best face oils for mature skin, you’re probably not trying to recreate a disco-ball sheen so much as seeking moisture that actually sinks in and sticks around. Mature complexions are famously thirsty, and there are real biological reasons behind this: “As we age, our skin becomes drier for many reasons,” says Kate Viola, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Sparks, Maryland. “A decrease in estrogen production, reduction in sebum, slower cell turnover, and thinning of the skin layers all play a significant role in decreasing moisture retention.”
Translation: As the dermal layer ages, it gradually loses collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, making it that much harder for the skin to stay plump, hydrated, and radiant. That goes even if you’ve had oily or combination skin for most of your life.
Our Top Face Oils for Mature Skin
- Best Overall: Biossance 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil, $34
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, $105
- Best Retinol: 111Skin Black Diamond Retinol Oil, $260
- Best Budget: Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil, $10
- Best for Nighttime: Kiehl's Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum, $140
- Best for Daytime Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Facial Oil, $15
- Best for Dark Spots: Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum, $135
The good news? This is where face oils shine (just not in the greasy way you might be imagining). According to Dr. Viola, they act as emollients that “lock in moisture and may also have occlusive properties,” which helps support the skin barrier and, over time, can make fine lines look softer because the skin becomes more supple. Ingredient choice matters, too. Lightweight oils like jojoba and squalane suit sensitive or irritation-prone skin, while slightly richer picks like rosehip or evening primrose can deeply nourish very dry, mature complexions. Ahead are our dermatologists’ and editors’ top picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can face oils actually reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines?
- What ingredients should I look for in a face oil for mature skin?
- Will face oils cause breakouts?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Biossance 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil
Save to wishlist
Biossance
100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Ingredient lists don’t get any simpler than this. Biossance’s 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil is literally just squalane—no fillers, fragrance, or extras—which is part of why dermatologists love it. “Squalane closely mimics the skin’s natural oils and is very well tolerated, even by those with sensitive or thinning skin,” says Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati. Dr. Viola points out that the brand sources its squalane from sugarcane, making it vegan and more ethically produced than traditional shark-derived squalane. “It helps restore moisture, improve elasticity, and reduce dryness without clogging pores. The texture is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and works well layered over serums or moisturizers.” P.S. If you have reactive skin, it’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association, meaning it meets criteria for being gentle, non-irritating, and suitable for compromised or reactive skin.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredient: squalane
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Save to wishlist
Sunday Riley
Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Sunday Riley isn’t one of those brands that churns out a new launch every week just to chase trends. So when they do release something, it tends to become a beauty-editor favorite—and Luna Sleeping Night Oil has been a staple on our vanities for years. The formula leans on a retinoid ester, a milder cousin in the retinoid family that converts into retinoic acid through several metabolic steps. That slower conversion, plus the fact that esters are oil-soluble, makes them gentler than traditional retinol and far more tolerable than prescription-strength tretinoin, delivering benefits with less peeling and sting. It helps soften “fine lines, even out tone, and improve overall skin clarity without harshness,” says Dr. Foad. Blue tansy and chamomile keep redness in check, while chia and blackberry seed oils cushion skin so you wake up smooth, not flaky.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: retinoid ester, blue tansy, German chamomile oil, avocado seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol: 111Skin Black Diamond Retinol Oil
Save to wishlist
111Skin
Black Diamond Retinol Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Revolve
Why it's worth it: They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and after trying 111Skin’s Black Diamond Retinol Oil, we get it (though we’ll admit the diamond part here is mostly for a sparkly effect). The real action in this formula comes from 1% pure retinol—a relatively high strength for over the counter—paired with hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a gentler retinoid ester. Together, they help soften fine lines, speed up cell turnover, and brighten dull areas that tend to show up with age. Because retinoids can be drying, the formula is buffered with nourishing oils like squalane, olive, sunflower, linseed, rice bran, coconut, and grape seed to support the skin barrier. “A little goes a long way—using just two or three drops a night can visibly reduce wrinkles,” says Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who adds that sunscreen is essential since skin becomes more sensitive with retinol.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: 1% retinol, retinoid ester, squalane, olive, sunflower, linseed, rice bran, coconut, and grape seed oils
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Budget: Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
Save to wishlist
Good Molecules
Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Many plant oils are extracted with heat or solvents, which can degrade delicate fatty acids and antioxidants in the process. Cold-pressing avoids that, so more of the good stuff survives. In Good Molecules’ Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil, that “good stuff” includes rosehip oil rich in omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids to help replenish the lipids that dry or mature skin tends to lose, plus pro-vitamin A (a precursor to vitamin A). Because the skin has to convert that precursor step by step before it becomes active vitamin A, you get gentle smoothing and mild resurfacing benefits without the abrupt flaking or redness associated with stronger retinoids. “It helps restore hydration and improve texture, and it absorbs well overnight so dry or flaky skin feels smooth and plump by morning,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: Chilean rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Nighttime: Kiehl's Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum
Save to wishlist
Kiehl's
Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate Moisturizing Face Oil Serum is here to make your nighttime skin-care routine feel a little more like self-care—and a lot more effective. The formula blends squalane, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils to soften dry patches and support elasticity, while rosehip and evening primrose oils bring omegas and antioxidants that help brighten and smooth the look of mature skin over time. The lightweight and fast-absorbing base helps you wake up dewy, not greasy. While it skips synthetic fragrance, a blend of lavender, rosemary, and jasmine extracts gives it a calming, herbal scent that makes the regimen feel more luxe—and a nice companion to falling asleep faster.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: squalane, jojoba, evening primrose, rosehip, and sunflower seed oils
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Daytime: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Facial Oil
Save to wishlist
Haruharu Wonder
Black Rice Facial Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: K-beauty usually brings to mind serums, essences, and ampoules—not face oils. Still, if there’s one thing K-beauty never fails to prove, it’s that even a “heavy” category can be reimagined to feel light, breathable, and easy to layer. Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Facial Oil does exactly that with its lightweight, yet antioxidant-rich, rice bran oil, sunflower seed oil, and tocopherol (vitamin E), which support skin elasticity and guard against environmental stressors. Camellia, jojoba, and sweet almond oils also add softness without clogging pores or causing irritation, and a silky triglyceride base helps it melt in rather than sit on top of your skin.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: tocopherol, rice bran, sunflower seed, lavender, and sweet almond oils
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dark Spots: Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum
Save to wishlist
Ranavat
Brightening Saffron Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Although it’s labeled as a serum, we’ve found that Ranavat’s Brightening Saffron Serum has the silky slip and nourishing feel of a face oil. The base blends sesame and rice bran oils for a cushiony, fast-absorbing texture that immediately comforts dry skin. And if your mature complexion has lost some of its luster, the radiance boost comes from a lineup of botanicals (saffron, manjishta, turmeric, licorice, and Indian barberry) that are traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help even tone, brighten dullness, and calm visible inflammation. Rose and lotus extracts add extra luminosity, while natural vitamin E provides antioxidant support. With consistent use, skin looks more hydrated, more even-toned, and—dare we say—more awake.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: saffron, sesame seed oil, soybean oil, turmeric, rose flower oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can face oils actually reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines?
Nothing over-the-counter will fully erase signs of aging, but “face oils can absolutely help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Viola. By boosting hydration and supporting the skin barrier, oils help plump the skin so lines appear smoother and dryness-related crepiness is less noticeable. Many are also naturally rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that reinforce skin health and keep moisture from evaporating too quickly. While some oils do contain corrective ingredients like retinoids, Dr. Viola still considers most formulas “supportive players rather than corrective treatment.”
What ingredients should I look for in a face oil for mature skin?
When shopping for the right oil for mature skin, “focus on formulas that are rich in barrier-supportive fatty acids and antioxidants,” says Dr. Viola. Nourishing options such as squalane, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, and evening primrose oil help replenish lipids that naturally decline with age, while antioxidants (including vitamin E and botanical extracts) offer protection against environmental stressors. She also recommends choosing skin-care products that absorb well and don’t feel heavy or greasy, noting that simple, well-formulated face oils are often better tolerated than overly fragranced ones.
Will face oils cause breakouts?
“Face oils don’t automatically clog pores, even on mature skin, as long as the oil is well chosen and applied correctly,” says Dr. Viola. She notes that many oils, including squalane and jojoba, are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores, and closely mimic the skin’s natural lipids. That can be especially helpful since “mature skin is often drier and benefits from the added lipid support oils provide.” Problems usually arise when “very heavy or fragranced oils are overused or layered improperly.” To avoid that, Dr. Viola recommends applying oil as “the final step to seal in hydration rather than using large amounts.”
Meet the experts
- Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati
- Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
- Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Center Aesthetic & Dermatology based in New York City
- Kate Viola, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Sparks, Maryland
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best face oils for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. 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.
Beauty Brands Are Glamorizing Cigarettes Again
Save this storySave this story
Humans have an inherent proclivity toward forbidden fruit. Late party nights ahead of early days, that gratuitous last pour of wine, toxic situationships you know will never go anywhere. It’s hard to resist finding relief in guilty pleasures, even ones we know to be actively detrimental. That especially goes for cigarettes, which have made a bona fide comeback in popular culture—and their appearance in the beauty space is rising from an occasional cameo to a prominent force.
Recent product launches are rife with smoking symbolism, both blatant and subtle, intentional and seemingly not. Late last year, m.ph launched slender lipsticks called Lip Ciggies, which the brand marketed as “hard to quit.” Glossier’s latest holiday collection included a limited-edition Zippo lighter (the sole intended use for which, the brand tells Allure, is lighting its candles; Glossier also states that it does not condone smoking). L’Objet quickly sold out of its recent Smoking Lips incense and fragrance set, and the same goes for designer Rick Owens’ collaborative oral care collection with Selahatin, which was inspired in part by his smoking habit. Cigarette-inspired lipstick cases are currently going viral on TikTok Shop; they feature an image of Lana Del Rey above a faux health advisory label that reads: “Smoking kills, but we were born to die anyway,” a reference to her 2012 song. (Allure contacted representatives for m.ph and L’Objet for comment on their respective products and did not receive a response by the time of publication.)
It’s not just the products; the aesthetic of smoking itself is also on the rise. Smoking-related searches have spiked on Pinterest. On TikTok, you might have seen videos people getting their hands on the sleek packs of Vogue cigarettes (not affiliated with the fashion magazine, by the way) on European trips, or niche fragrance and makeup moments that wink knowingly at the taboo. Valentino Beauty’s Studio 54-themed fashion week party included cigarette girls–though the cigarettes on their trays were candy, alongside fragrance samples (New York City’s 2002 indoor smoking ban still stands). At the spring 2026 shows, at least three designers featured models smoking as they strutted down the runway. It’s a direct pushback to the overly sanitized “clean girl” ideal. If you think that instinct feels reactionary, then you’d be right. And it was bound to happen eventually.
“It’s a direct pushback to the overly sanitized “clean girl” ideal. And it was bound to happen eventually.”
In beauty, everything moves by pendulum swing. One moment, we recoil at the idea of altering our appearance a certain way—remember when we all plucked our eyebrows razor-thin?—or indulging in a dubiously safe wellness fad, only for those same behaviors to become so pervasive they feel second nature or even aspirational. Whether by whim or at the behest of a viral social media moment, the trend du jour is often one that existed in the past and was simply rewritten overnight. It’s within this constant churn of ideals and contradictions that cigarettes are now being recontextualized.
Think of any 1920s flapper, smoldering ’60s vixen, or Cosmo-clutching ‘90s Manhattanite: she’ll likely have a cigarette hanging from her lips or balanced between her fingers. It’s an oddly eternal image that has circulated endlessly across decades of cultural ephemera. It’s elegance. It’s sleaze. It’s gross. It’s natural. It’s highbrow or lowbrow, depending on the poison you pick (or, rather, the narrative rationalization you ascribe to it). It’s also, of course, absolutely terrible for your body in every conceivable way.
We’re no longer in an era of ignorant bliss or naive nonchalance around the dangers of cigarettes (which were once widely advertised as being good for our health). Despite a collective understanding of the consequences—smoking kills, after all—it’s not as though anyone ever truly stopped. Even as traditional cigarettes fell out of favor throughout the past two decades—only 1.4 percent of teenagers today report cigarette use, according to the FDA—nicotine use itself has persisted, shapeshifting into vapes, patches, and ZYN pouches, each with youth-forward aesthetics of their own, if not the same cultural romance. If anything, cigarettes take it a step further; offering a tactile respite that counters the plastic rigidity of vapes.
“It’s elegance. It’s sleaze. It’s gross. It’s natural. It’s also, of course, absolutely terrible for your body in every conceivable way.”
Still, the consequences are real. “Smoking is never in style—we aren’t talking skinny jeans or bell bottoms,” says board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “We’re talking carcinogens, which are never cute.” And, far short of cancer, yellowed teeth and nails, she says, are just the beginning of the aesthetic consequences; smoking severely impacts skin health and appearance, accelerating collagen and elastin breakdown, deepening wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, dulling skin tone, thinning hair, and restricting blood flow that delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells. Briefly set aside during a smoke break, these indisputable truths stand in stark contrast to our collective obsession with the perfectly smooth and “snatched” look, sustained by the proliferation of wrinkle-reducing injectable procedures and facelifts.
Even as we continue to indulge a harmful habit that makes us, for lack of a better term, uglier, people won’t kick the habit—or at least stop aestheticizing it. Which, I won’t lie, I understand. There’s something about a cigarette in the right kind of ambience that functions as a sort of aesthetic appendage. A rouge-smudged butt or sparking up with both hands is visually evocative, like peering over a mysterious pair of shades or flipping open a compact. Some Gen Xers today look back fondly at the days when they would light up a cigarette when they needed an escape or a distraction to kill dead time—today they light up their iPhones and start doomscrolling.
But beyond aesthetics, the newfound pervasiveness of cigarettes only makes more sense when you take a step back and look at the bigger cultural picture. In an era where GLP-1 drugs are increasingly framed as a get-skinny-quick scheme—one many find irresistible despite mounting concerns about long-term effects—the return of cigarettes feels less accidental. The hyperfixation around wellness has splintered into a whole spectrum of archetypes—from Pilates princesses to “that girl” (whoever she is) and everything in between—and cigarettes sit on its the ever-growing fringes. They function as a kind of cultural foil of indulgent destruction, a release of the burden of constantly striving for perfection, or at least keeping up that appearance.
"That people would lean into something unabashedly detrimental feels perversely inevitable."
On that note, it’s hard to ignore the growing nihilism that our current political climate—and environmental climate, for that matter—is igniting. In 2025, roughly one in four adults under 30 report experiencing depression, a rate that has more than doubled since 2017, according to Gallup. We’re conditioning ourselves to live with the ubiquitous sense of doom, and in the face of global disorder and disarray, a cigarette posits itself as harmless in comparison.
In a cultural milieu burnt out on manufactured physical perfection, smoking becomes the resistant counterpart to relentless optimization—something gritty to cut through the gloss, something real that grounds in space and time. That people would lean into the allure of something unabashedly detrimental feels perversely inevitable. Whether that’s a decisive algorithmic shift or a lasting, culturally-informed habit is yet to be seen, or rather, consumed.
11 Best Korean Skin Care for Dry Skin to Get Lasting Hydration
Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave this storySave this story
When choosing the best Korean skin care for dry skin, you’ll discover formulas that not only provide instant moisture but also work to keep your skin gloriously hydrated all day long. Rather than relying solely on heavy occlusives or thick creams, K-beauty skin care often takes a layered, barrier-first approach that prioritizes water-based hydration, reinforces the moisture barrier, and then locks everything in without leaving skin greasy or overloaded.
That approach is especially helpful for dry skin (which lacks oil) and dehydrated skin (which lacks water) alike. In both cases, the barrier isn’t doing a great job of holding onto moisture, so hydration escapes faster than you can replace it. Popular Korean beauty ingredients like Centella asiatica (cica), ceramides, and collagen show up again and again because they help dry skin stay calmer, stronger, and better at holding onto moisture over time. And while you don’t necessarily need a multi-step routine to make this work, we pulled together standout picks across each category that make dry skin feel softer, smoother, and a lot less tight.
Our Top Korean Skin Care for Dry Skin
- Best Serum: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum, $17
- Best Cleanser: Banila Co. Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm, $21
- Best Sunscreen: Laneige Hydro UV Defense EX Sunscreen SPF 50+, $30
- Best Moisturizer: Dr. Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream, $29
- Best Toner Pads: Mediheal Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads, $24
- Best Mist: Aestura AtoBarrier365 Cream Mist, $21
- Best Toner: I’m From Rice Toner, $24
- Best Eye Cream: Sulwhasoo The Ultimate S Eye Cream, $270
- Best Essence: Amore Pacific A.O. Reboot & Renew Essence, $130
- Best Mask: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Gel Face Mask, $25
- Best Exfoliator: Dr. Jart+ Pore.Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum, $46
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are the most popular K-beauty ingredients for dry skin?
- Do I really need multiple steps if my skin is dry?
- Are toners and essences necessary for dry skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Serum: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
Save to wishlist
Beauty of Joseon
Glow Serum
Amazon
Olive Young
Sephora
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
Annie Blay-Tettey
Why it's worth it: Every serum promises immediate glow, but dry skin requires hydration that sticks around. Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum leans on that idea by pairing hanbang herbal ingredients with modern actives that help skin hold onto moisture, rather than just looking glassy for a few minutes. There’s gentle exfoliation courtesy of betaine salicylate, a mild beta-hydroxy acid that buffs away little flakes and rough patches dry skin tends to collect. Then the comfort kicks in: Propolis, the resin bees make to seal and protect their hives, brings calming, antibacterial, and barrier-supporting benefits, helping prevent moisture from evaporating from your skin. Niacinamide and turmeric add a clarifying, brightening effect without irritation.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
LargeChevron
“I'm always on a quest to find products that will boost my skin's glow and this niacinamide-based serum has been a great addition to my arsenal. I love how the jelly texture sinks into my skin without leaving a sticky residue. Plus, it pairs great with my moisturizers and Beauty of Joseon SPF—it never pills.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: propolis extract, niacinamide, betaine salicylate (BHA)
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Cleanser: Banila Co. Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Save to wishlist
Banila Co.
Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Soko Glam
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Banila Co. Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: We know you have your pick when it comes to Korean cleansers—and TBH, our favorites seem to change every week—but Banila Co.’s Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm is the one we keep coming back to. You’ve probably seen the pink tub make a cameo on TikTok, scooped like sherbet, and melt makeup like magic. For those with dry skin, the comforting formula is powered by nourishing jojoba and olive oils that dissolve dirt and SPF without stripping away the good stuff. Cranberry, pomegranate, and acerola extracts add antioxidant bonus points—and best of all, it rinses off without a filmy aftermath. “I love the soft, milky texture of the balm and how it leaves the skin feeling smoother and more hydrated,” says Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who finds that it does a great job at removing even the most stubborn of eyeliners and mascaras.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
"You never forget your first cleansing balm. Like many, Banila Co's Clean It Zero was my formal introduction to the superior method of double-cleansing, and the results were real. My skin cleared up so fast once I started using this balm. (This is also around the time I finally started taking sunscreen seriously—hey, post-college isn't that bad—and we should all know by now that oil-based cleansers do the bulk of sunscreen removal, so less clogging and debris = clearer skin. Yay!) Not to mention, I started actually liking cleansing my face more; this sherbet-y balm is extra satisfying to spread and massage in." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, madecassoside, olive oil, jojoba oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Sunscreen: Laneige Hydro UV Defense EX Sunscreen SPF 50+
Save to wishlist
Laneige
Hydro UV Defense EX Sunscreen SPF 50+
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce editor Christa Joanna Lee applying the Laneige Hydro UV Defense EX Sunscreen SPF 50+
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: Korean sunscreens really are in a league of their own—they’re light, elegant, and make you forget you’re wearing SPF at all. There’s no shortage of great K-beauty sunscreens, but Laneige’s Hydro UV Defense Sunscreen manages to stand out from the pack. It has a silky, fluid texture with glycerin and the brand’s hydro-ionized minerals to pull water into the skin, so you get that hydrated, healthy sheen without veering into slip-and-slide territory. And because it doesn’t pill (even over makeup, according to our tester), it makes it much easier to reapply SPF every two hours.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
LargeChevron
"The Laneige Hydro UV Defense Sunscreen has that perfect in-between texture—not so watery that it slips through your fingers, but not thick or greasy either. It feels amazing on bare skin, and surprisingly, it layers really well over my tinted moisturizer when I reapply throughout the day—just a little bit of glow that shows off healthy skin." —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Sunscreen type: chemical
- Key ingredients: avobenzone (2.5%), homosalate (7%), octisalate (4.5%), cctocrylene (9%), cica, glycerin, hydro-ionized mineral water
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Moisturizer: Dr. Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream
Save to wishlist
Dr. Althea
PDRN Reju 5000 Cream
Amazon
Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Dr.Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream
Kassidy Silva
Why it's worth it: By now, you’ve probably heard of PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), and while the traditional version is derived from salmon DNA, Dr.Althea’s PDRN Reju 5000 Cream opts for a plant-based, probiotic-derived vegan alternative that works just as well in your skin, all without any animal ingredients. The appeal for dry skin is pretty straightforward—instead of just sitting on top and making you look dewy for a couple of hours, it helps your skin hang onto moisture longer by supporting repair and barrier strength. Three types of hyaluronic acid and Centella asiatica provide instant relief from tightness and flakes. The lightweight, non-greasy texture makes it an ideal daily moisturizer for both day and night.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
LargeChevron
“With dry sensitive skin, I'm always on the hunt for a new moisturizer to get me through the winter months. I have a few non-negotiables when I'm making a selection; it must be lightweight, wear well under makeup, and be easy to pack for travel (I have no interest in changing my skin-care routine on the go). Two months into using the Dr.Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream, and I have no notes. It has left my skin hydrated and glowy every morning.” —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: ceramides, fatty acids, tea tree leaf water, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Toner Pads: Mediheal Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads
Save to wishlist
Mediheal
Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Mediheal Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads
Jessica Cruel
Why it's worth it: Is it an ampoule? Is it a toner? Is it a mask? Mediheal’s Daily Collagen Ampoule Toner Pads are all of the above—a.k.a. a built-in shortcut for nights when your skin-care patience taps out after cleansing. Each pad is soaked in a silky, essence-y formula that plumps on contact with humectants like glycerin, hydroxyethyl urea, and betaine. Collagen extract joins soothing allantoin and hydrogenated lecithin to soften fine lines and temper irritation, while a peptide blend adds that extra firming bounce. Ceramides and olive oil round things out with light barrier support. As we learned from our tester, you can leave them draped on your cheeks like mini masks for extra payoff, or swipe them on like a classic toner pad—just peel, press, and glow.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
LargeChevron
“On my last trip to Seoul, I was gifted some Korean toner pads by the EIC of Allure Korea. Since then, I have been hooked. Imagine if your favorite cotton pads were dunked in soothing serum and super-sized. That is how these toner pads work. I like to put three on my face (one on each cheek and one on my forehead) while I brush my teeth. These collagen ones from Mediheal are especially helpful in the winter, when I feel my skin is driest on my cheeks. You're probably thinking, 'Why not just do a sheet mask?’ Well, these patches keep me from being incapacitated from moving my face. The size also allows you to mix and match different actives at one time. You could do moisture on the cheeks with blemish-fighting tea tree on your forehead.” —Jessica Cruel, Allure editor in chief
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: collagen, ceramides, peptides, olive oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Mist: Aestura AtoBarrier365 Cream Mist
Save to wishlist
Aestura
AtoBarrier365 Cream Mist
Amazon
Olive Young
Sephora
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Aestura AtoBarrier365 Cream Mist
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: There’s a time and a place for your 10-step glass skin ritual, and other moments where you just need to mist and go. But Aestura’s AtoBarrier365 Cream Mist isn’t your average spritz; the 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner delivers an ultrafine cloud of ceramide-rich hydration that helps reinforce your skin’s barrier and relieves midday tightness or dryness on the fly. What sets it apart is its unique emulsified formula—the ceramides stay evenly suspended so there’s no shaking required, and you get the same nourishing mist from the first pump to the last. It feels weightless, layers effortlessly over makeup, and calms parched, irritated skin with a soft, breathable finish.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
LargeChevron
“This face mist has not left my bag since the day I got it. I can't tell you how many times (and in how many public places) I've whipped it out for a quick dose of cooling hydration. I love Aestura because the entire line is very sensitive skin-friendly and this mist is no exception. No matter how often I use it, it never irritates or over-saturates my prone-to-clogging pores.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: ceramides, squalane, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Toner: I’m From Rice Toner
Save to wishlist
I'm From
Rice Toner
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Soko Glam
Han applying the I’m From Rice Toner
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: It feels like every time we’ve tried to categorize this toner, it outdid itself: First, we called it our favorite milky toner, then our favorite rice toner, and then we just went for it: It’s our favorite Korean toner, period. “This best seller uses rice extract, rich in natural starches and proteins, to brighten and soften, and gives me that lit-from-within glow,” says Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam based in New York City. It also features ferulic acid to help fend off environmental stressors (bonus: ferulic acid also stabilizes other actives along the way). The supporting players are just as solid: adenosine for repair and bounce, niacinamide for brightness and tone, and enough humectants to keep hydration going all day without stickiness or shine. It plays nicely with most skin types and improves texture, clarity, and comfort in just a few swipes.
Tester feedback from Han
LargeChevron
"A hydrating toner or essence is a non-negotiable step of my daytime and nighttime routines. I'm From Rice Toner instantly plumps my skin, giving it a brighter, refreshed look and prepping it for the serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens to follow. Now that we're in the office four days a week, I can't be bothered to wear makeup every day—but at least my skin looks nice and glowy." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: goami rice extract, adenosine, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Eye Cream: Sulwhasoo The Ultimate S Eye Cream
Save to wishlist
Sulwhasoo
The Ultimate S Eye Cream
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it's worth it: You might not even be convinced you need eye cream in your life—and yes, this is the priciest product on our list. But Sulwhasoo’s The Ultimate S Eye Cream makes a compelling case for taking eye care seriously. Featuring Ginseng Berry SR, a proprietary extract derived from the rare ginseng berry that’s harvested for just one day after 1,000 days of cultivation. Only one gram (!) of extract comes from every 600,000 grams of fruit, yielding syringaresinol at 200 times the concentration of untreated berries. Syringaresinol is a plant-derived antioxidant that helps defend against oxidative stress while supporting elasticity—essentially a firming, smoothing, and anti-inflammation triple play that shows up nicely on thin, delicate undereyes. The texture seals the deal: “It’s thick and creamy, yet completely melts upon skin contact to nourish and smooth the delicate, dry undereye area,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Peptides, shea butter, and meadowfoam oil add hydration and bounce.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: ginseng berry SR, peptides, shea butter, meadowfoam oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Essence: Amore Pacific A.O. Reboot & Renew Essence
Save to wishlist
AmorePacific
A.O. Reboot & Renew Essence
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: Are essences essential? In K-beauty, the answer is a resounding yes. They sit between toner and serum—lighter than the latter, more concentrated than the former—and their whole job is to prep skin so the rest of your routine works harder with less effort. Amorepacific’s A.O. Reboot & Renew Essence takes that prep step and also makes it protective. Its proprietary antioxidant is almost four times stronger than vitamin C, which helps defend against the everyday stressors (UV, pollution, and other environmental damage) that break down collagen and speed up visible aging. Protease, a gentle enzyme, smooths texture and helps strengthen the moisture barrier so skin stays bouncier, less reactive, and better hydrated. “This serum has a light, watery texture and is designed to absorb deeply,” says Dr. Yoo. The bigger promise: Glow today and slow the look of aging over time.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: A.Oxinol, protease, camellia sinensis leaf extract, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Mask: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Gel Face Mask
Save to wishlist
Illiyoon
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Gel Face Mask
Amazon
Why it's worth it: If you’re already a fan of Illiyoon’s beloved Ceramide Ato Lotion, Ceramide Ato Concentrate Gel Face Mask takes those same barrier-strengthening powers and puts them into a bouncy hydrol mask to nourish your face while you sleep. The ceramides in these masks help fill in the teeny “gaps” between skin cells so moisture doesn’t escape and your barrier stays calm, cushy, and unbothered. Meanwhile, a slow-release delivery system keeps sending hyaluronic acid and nutrients into your skin throughout the night, so the payoff is extra plumpness by morning. “This gel mask feels so cooling and soothing and is deeply hydrating without feeling heavy,” says Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: soy-ceramide and low-molecular weight collagen, hyaluronic acid–infused blue capsules, madecassoside
- How to use it: leave on for 1-4 hours or overnight
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Exfoliator: Dr. Jart+ Pore·Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum
Save to wishlist
Dr. Jart+
Pore·Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Strolling through the streets of Seoul, you might start to wonder where everyone’s pores went. Dr. Jart+’s Pore·Remedy PHA Exfoliating Serum gets you a little closer to the answer. “It’s a gentle, water-light formula that uses 7% polyhydroxy acid (PHA) to resurface and smooth skin without irritation,” says Dr. Yoo. Because PHA consists of larger molecules than alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, they don’t dive as deep—which, according to Dr. Yoo, “makes it more suitable for dry and sensitive skin.” Beyond exfoliation, panthenol, adenosine, and glycoproteins help hydrate and add a little bounce back, while macadamia seed oil keeps the finish cushioned rather than tight. There’s no added fragrance, but a blend of spearmint, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils brings a subtle, fresh scent that gently wakes up skin.
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: polyhydroxy acid, macadamia seed oil, panthenol, spearmint, peppermint, eucalyptus
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular K-beauty ingredients for dry skin?
K-beauty skin-care routines lean hard on ingredients that don’t just moisturize the surface but help the skin hold on to hydration long-term. Centella asiatica is a big one. Dr. Yoo notes that cica compounds like asiaticoside and madecassoside are “associated with calming inflammation and supporting skin repair,” which is why they show up so often in products for dry and sensitive skin. There’s also evidence that cica “improves barrier function and reduces transepidermal water loss,” helping skin stay hydrated instead of leaking moisture out.
Ceramides are another K-beauty staple for dryness. They’re lipids that naturally make up part of the skin barrier. As Dr. Yoo explains, ceramides “fill in the gaps between skin cells to prevent moisture loss and strengthen the barrier,” which can leave dry skin feeling smoother, more comfortable, and less reactive over time.
Do I really need multiple steps if my skin is dry?
Short answer: not necessarily, but a couple of steps can make dry skin a lot happier. Dr. Yoo explains that dryness is often tied to “a weakened skin barrier,” so fixing it usually takes more than one product. Layering can be helpful because “hydration needs to be delivered into the skin and then sealed in,” which is why a toner or essence plus a moisturizer tends to work better than either alone. Sunscreen also earns a spot, since “UV exposure can further damage the skin barrier and worsen dryness over time.” That said, you don’t need a 10-step routine: “A simple, consistent regimen with well-chosen steps is more effective than using many products incorrectly,” says Dr. Yoo.
Are toners and essences necessary for dry skin?
Toners and essences aren’t mandatory Korean skin-care products, but can be very helpful for people with dry skin. Hydrating toners, in particular, can take the edge off that tight, squeaky feeling that sometimes follows cleansing. For dryness, Dr. Yoo emphasizes that these steps are most useful when they include “hydrating and barrier-supportive ingredients rather than exfoliating acids or astringents,” which can worsen dryness. And there’s no universal rule here. “Everyone tolerates products differently,” she says. Some people with dry skin thrive with a hydrating toner or essence layered in, while others do perfectly well skipping them and focusing on cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Meet the experts
- Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam based in New York City
- Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinery based in Washington
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best korean skin care for dry skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. 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.