Category: NATURAL

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If the skin under your eyes has been looking dull, crepey, or dry lately, it is time to invest in one of the best hydrating eye creams. Your undereyes are thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which is why they’re usually the first place to show fine lines or puffiness. While your regular moisturizer can handle most of your skin’s needs, the eye area calls for something a little more targeted—think lighter textures, soothing ingredients, and formulas that won’t sting or migrate into your eyes. Whether you’re dealing with dark undereye circles, makeup settling into creases, or seasonal dryness, these editor- and derm-approved picks will help keep your undereyes plump, smooth, and hydrated.

Our Top Hydrating Eye Creams

• Best Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye, $125
• Best for Mature Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, $30
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream, $56
• Best for Droopy Lids: Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye, $48
• Best for Dry Skin: Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel, $32
• Best for Hyperpigmentation: Chantecaille Blanc Peony Eye Serum Dark Spot Corrector, $235
• Best for Puffiness: Isdin Isdinceutics Vital Eyes Night Eye Cream, $112
• Best Drugstore: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, $20

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What does an eye cream do that a facial moisturizer can't?
• Can hydrating eye creams reduce fine lines or dark circles, or do they just moisturize?
• What eye cream should I use if I have sensitive eyes??
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye

SkinCeuticals

A.G.E. Advanced Eye

$125

SkinCeuticals

$125

Dermstore

$125

Bluemercury

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the SkinCeuticals A.G.E Advanced Eye

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: A.G.E. isn’t just an ironic acronym—it stands for advanced glycation end-products, molecules that form when sugar binds to proteins like collagen and elastin, speeding up visible skin aging. The 2023 Best of Beauty Award-winning SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye cream targets this process with a blend of peptides for deep hydration, caffeine to reduce puffiness, and antioxidant-rich extracts from pomegranate and bilberry to brighten and protect. Other hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and sorbitol, help keep the delicate undereye area smooth and supple. “With regular use, patients have definitely noticed a decrease in the appearance of fine lines around the eyes,” Lauren Penzi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I have really deep crow’s feet when I smile—the downside of having an expressive face—but this stuff has helped soften their look and keep them from getting further etched in when my face is at rest. It feels balmy and nourishing but not heavy, and I appreciate that it hasn’t seemed to exacerbate the milia around my eyes.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: caffeine, peptides, proxylane, flavonoids
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: yes

Best for Mature Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

RoC

Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

$30 $22 (27% off)

Amazon

$30

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: Once upon a time, you could only get retinol with a doctor’s prescription—but RoC helped change that, being one of the earliest brands to introduce over-the-counter formulas. So, you can bet the brand knows a thing or two about retinols. The 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream pairs gentle yet effective retinol with moisture-replenishing ingredients like glycerin, panthenol, and vitamin E to “smooth fine lines, fade dark circles and hyperpigmentation, plus improve skin texture where it’s thinnest,” says Aegean H. Chan, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Barbara, CA. The added hydrators help buffer the potential irritation from retinol while keeping the delicate undereye area moisturized and supple. Because retinol can increase sun sensitivity, “I recommend using it at night, layered with a thicker moisturizer to help reduce irritation, especially if you’re not already using facial retinols,” says Dr. Chan.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“RoC's eye cream has been a tried-and-true formula for many years now. I'm probably aging myself by linking to this review I wrote in 2021, but with the added years (I'm 32 now), my concerns about volume loss and creasing around the eyes are even more prevalent, so RoC's Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream has made its way back into my nighttime rotation. After all, not much can beat retinol in terms of wrinkle-reducing efficacy. I've never had any sensitivity using it either, perhaps because irritating-soothing glycerin is one of the top ingredients. All in all, this is a very affordable eye cream that outperforms many pricier formulas.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: retinol, glycerin, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5)
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: not disclosed

Best for Sensitive Skin: Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

Biossance

Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

$56

Amazon

$56

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: Recognized by the National Eczema Association, Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream is fragrance-free and packed with gentle ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and panthenol to hydrate and soothe without irritation. “Squalane, in particular, is a fantastic ingredient for supporting the skin barrier, which is why I like this eye cream for those with sensitive skin. It helps give the formula a lovely, light texture on application,” says Dr. Chan. Fun fact: The brand’s squalane is sustainably derived from sugarcane rather than traditional shark liver, making it a win for both your skin and the planet. With added peptides and sustainably sourced marine algae, this cream leaves the delicate eye area soft, calm, and subtly refreshed.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“This eye cream feels incredibly smooth and silky; there’s absolutely no tugging on my sensitive undereyes. When my skin’s feeling extra dry, those fine lines tend to pop, but this delivers a deep dose of hydration that plumps everything right back up. I’ll admit, I wasn’t wild about the natural scent at first, but it fades almost instantly—and the buttery texture completely makes up for it.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: squalane, algae, paracress extract, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: not disclosed

Best for Droopy Lids: Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye

Innbeauty Project

Extreme Cream Eye

$48

Sephora

$48

Kohl's

Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream Eye

Nicola Dall'Asen

Why it's worth it: If your lids are starting to look a little saggy—or just feel dry and tired—Innbeauty’s Project Extreme Cream Eye brings them back to life. Hydration is key for droopy lids because well-moisturized skin looks firmer and more elastic. This ophthalmologist-tested formula combines humectants like glycerin and tremella mushroom extract that draw in moisture with emollients like squalane that lock it in, leaving skin soft and supple. It’s also loaded with peptides to help firm and tighten over time, while botanical extracts like Centella asiatica and paracress soothe and support elasticity.

Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen

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“This is the grocery store rotisserie chicken of eye creams: It's thick, juicy, and hits every time without fail. Given that it looks and feels more expensive than it actually is, I like to take my time with it as if I were a rich lady with all the time in the world for pampering. After washing and toning my face, I only need one pump to fully slather the area above and under both eyes. Then I slap on some silicone eye patches, pour a (probably too big) glass of wine, and let it get to work while I catch up on my shows. But regardless of whether I leave it on for five minutes or 30, I always come away with brighter and more retentive undereyes. In this tiring-AF time, that's more than I could ever ask for.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: paracress, biomimetic peptides, bio-retinol, amino acids, snow mushroom
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel

Belif

Aqua Bomb Eye Gel

$32 $30 (6% off)

Amazon

$32

Ulta Beauty

$32

Revolve

Allure senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick applying the Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel

Lexi Herrick

Why it's worth it: Just like its name suggests, Belif Aqua Bomb Eye Gel provides an instant splash of hydration—the kind that feels lightweight, absorbs fast, and leaves your undereyes looking plump and refreshed. This K-beauty favorite (and 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner) doesn’t just hydrate: It brightens, firms, and wakes up tired eyes. Caffeine and hyaluronic acid team up to depuff and drench skin in moisture, while niacinamide and vitamin C help fade the look of dark circles. Meanwhile, adenosine and collagen visibly smooth and boost elasticity. Bonus: The pen-like applicator and cooling ceramic tip make it easy to get a refreshing pick-me-up anytime you need it.

Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick

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“The applicator for this eye cream is incredibly smooth and easy to use. This is one of my favorite products to bring with me when traveling or on the go. It's so gentle and hydrating, instantly adding moisture to my undereyes. I also have very sensitive skin under my eyes, and this has never given me an ounce of irritation.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development

More to know

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• Key ingredients: caffeine, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, adenosine, collagen
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation: Chantecaille Blanc Peony Eye Serum Dark Spot Corrector

Chantecaille

Blanc Peony Eye Serum Dark Spot Corrector

$235

Nordstrom

$235

Dermstore

$235

Bluemercury

Allure associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Chantecaille Blanc Peony Eye Serum Dark Spot Corrector

Sarah Kinonen

Why it's worth it: Let’s say it one more time for the people in the back: We love a cooling-tip applicator when it comes to eye creams. The Chantecaille Blanc Peony Eye Serum Dark Spot Corrector nails it on the chic design and luxe feel, but it’s also so much more than sleek packaging. Known for incorporating botanicals into nearly all their skin-care formulas, Chantecaille packs this brightening serum with white peony extract to help even tone and proprietary thiamidol to visibly fade dark spots over time. Ginger extract and peptides smooth and energize tired eyes, so the entire area looks more even in tone and texture.

Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“I’m…exhausted. Between the nonstop stream of horrific news and being back in the office four (!) days a week, my body just can’t catch up, and it’s beginning to show in the form of perpetual puffy undereyes. My only reprieve? Aside from some much-needed extra sleep, my tired undereyes are loving their new 30-second cooling treatment with the Chantecaille Blanc Peony Eye Serum every morning. Its metal applicator cools on contact as the lightweight fluid—made with brightening peony extract and anti-inflammatory niacinamide—glides right onto sleepy skin. Now, if only it could make me some coffee too." —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: white peony, bitter ginger extract, thiamidol, peptides
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: not disclosed

Best for Puffiness: Isdin Isdinceutics Vital Eyes Night Eye Cream

Isdin

Isdinceutics Vital Eyes Night Eye Cream

$112

Amazon

$112

Dermstore

Han applying the Isdin Isdinceutics Vital Eyes Night Eye Cream

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: Made to work while you snooze, Isdin Isdinceutics Vital Eyes Night Eye Cream syncs up with your skin’s natural overnight repair mode so you wake up looking a little more rested. A key ingredient, “caffeine, is excellent for helping limit water retention,” says Morayo Adisa, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. While the formula taps caffeine’s depuffing powers, glycerin draws in hydration, shea butter locks it in, and rice extract helps smooth and soften delicate undereyes. The brand’s LiftFirm complex—a blend of red sea algae and evergreen tree extracts—helps firm and tighten the skin. There’s also melatonin, which adds an antioxidant boost, helping repair damage from daily stressors as you rest. Come morning, your eyes look brighter and noticeably less puffy.

Tester feedback from Han

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“I usually toss applicators as soon as I open packaging (sorry, not sorry), but this sizable metal ball actually adds to the experience, so it's staying! It's extra cooling, doubling as a massage tool as I circle around my eyes, and I find it actually helps the product sink in, so I barely have to use my finger pads at all. While you need to use an eye cream long-term to see more noticeable effects, I'm already quite impressed. After my first few uses, I didn't feel the need to apply concealer! (And I always feel like I need at least a dab under my eyes to hide discoloration and make me look awake, so this is major.)” —Sarah Han, commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: melatonin, LiftFirm (read sea algae and evergreen tree extract), rice extract, caffeine, red algae
• Fragrance-free: no
• Ophthalmologist-tested: not disclosed

Best Drugstore: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

CeraVe

Eye Repair Cream

$20 $14 (30% off)

Amazon

$20

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: We appreciate it when a product name gets straight to the point, and CeraVe Eye Repair Cream does exactly what it promises. “This is a great option for those with dry and sensitive skin around the eyes, given the formulation includes barrier-supportive ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. I love the texture of this product; it’s very moisturizing but doesn’t feel too heavy. It provides a noticeable smoothing effect that works well under makeup. I also like this for a night treatment,” says Dr. Chan. It rivals pricier formulas for a fraction of the cost, making it the ultimate drugstore eye cream for restoring the undereye area while keeping it soft and resilient.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Ophthalmologist-tested: not disclosed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an eye cream do that a facial moisturizer can't?

The main difference between an eye cream and a regular facial moisturizer comes down to the formulation. “The skin around the eyes is thinner, has fewer oil glands, and tends to be more sensitive,” says Dr. Chan. Because of that, eye creams are made with a lighter texture and gentler ingredients that are less likely to cause stinging or irritation—even if they migrate a bit into the eyes. Many are also ophthalmologist-tested to ensure they’re safe for use near such a delicate area. In short, while your moisturizer hydrates the rest of your face, an eye cream is carefully designed to nourish, protect, and smooth the skin where it matters most.

Can hydrating eye creams reduce fine lines or dark circles, or do they just moisturize?

“Eye creams often include specific active ingredients that can help with the common undereye complaints, in addition to moisturizing. Products with retinols and certain peptides can help improve skin texture, fine lines, and other skin changes associated with photodamage,” says Dr. Chan. These formulas are usually made with lower concentrations, so they’re gentle enough for the delicate eye area. Meanwhile, ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier, while occlusives such as dimethicone lock in that moisture. So, a good eye cream does more than just plump the skin—it can also help soften fine lines, refine texture, and gradually brighten the undereye area.

What eye cream should I use if I have sensitive eyes?

If you have sensitive eyes, “it’s best to be cautious with products that contain strong actives, like retinoids, or potential irritants, such as fragrance. Because the skin around the eyes is more sensitive than elsewhere on the face, those ingredients can sometimes cause stinging or redness,” says Dr. Chan. When in doubt, patch-test any new eye cream on a small area for several days first to make sure your skin can handle it before applying it more widely.

Meet the experts

• Morayo Adisa, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago
• Aegean H. Chan, a double board-certified dermatologist and medical director of California Dermatology Group based in Santa Barbara, CA
• Lauren Penzi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

How we test and review products

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

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

Our staff and testers

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

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

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

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

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

Our Top Moisturizing Body Washes

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

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

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

Best Overall: Osea Undaria Algae Body Wash

Osea

Undaria Algae Body Wash

$32

Osea

$32

Amazon

$32

Nordstrom

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

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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

More to know

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

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

Kiehl's

Oil-to-Foam Cleanser

$35

Kiehl's

$35

Ulta Beauty

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

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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

More to know

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

Best for Body Acne: Nécessaire The Body Wash

Nécessaire

The Body Wash

$28

Amazon

$28

Nordstrom

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

Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jen Hussein

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

More to know

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

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

Soft Services

Comfort Cleanse Ultra Soothing Shower Gel

$32

Sephora

$32

Soft Services

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

Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo

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

More to know

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

Best Drugstore: Olay Super Serum Body Wash

Olay

Super Serum Body Wash

$13

Amazon

$13

Walmart

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

Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva

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

More to know

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

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

La Roche-Posay

Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face Wash

$20

Amazon

$20

Dermstore

$22

Ulta Beauty

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

Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly

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

More to know

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

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

L'Occitane

Almond Shower Oil

$29

Nordstrom

$29

Ulta Beauty

$29

Sephora

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

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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

More to know

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

Best Exfoliating: Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Hand & Body Wash

Beekman 1802

Goat Milk Hand & Body Wash

$22

Amazon

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

More to know

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet the experts

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

How we test and review products

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

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

Our staff and testers

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

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

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Maybe it’s the colder weather (a.k.a. cuffing season) or the nonstop stream of Hallmark holiday movies, but winter inspires us to settle in with our favorite romantic movies. And this winter’s biggest hair trends are straight out of a Nancy Meyers film: soft and romantic with an emphasis on easy, natural colors and textures.

There’s a look for every type of cinephile: Cheeky copper and shaggy ’80s bobs are for fans of Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. The warm cinnamon and cozy mid-length layers of Something’s Gotta Give are an annual winter rewatch. Or refined and delicately styled pixies and crispy clean blondes, if you prefer a ’60s spy romance, or maybe French New Wave is more your speed.

From every era of the silver screen, these winter hair trends are as sweeping and romantic as our favorite movie night love stories. Below, the experts share the styles that will be everywhere this season and how to get the looks.

Glossy espresso

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Picture this: You’ve entered a coffee shop in a New England town (Boston or Providence). The street outside is cobblestone (duh) and dusted with snow, and the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen is sitting at a table sipping a latte and reading Descartes. Or Virginia Woolf? You totally forget because suddenly she flips her glossy espresso-colored hair over her shoulder (which smells great, by the way) and you’re in love.

This romantic lead goes low-maintenance but high-impact. You’d cast Marion Cotillard, Minnie Driver, or Anne Hathaway. Espresso is a deep but cozy color for winter weather and is universally flattering. But the healthy shine is what makes heads turn. “Glossy hair reads as luxury,” says Dallas-based hairstylist Deisy Alfaro.

A single-process color should do the trick. “Ask for a rich brunette with a cool espresso base,” Alfaro says, along with a demi-permanent gloss to seal in shine and give it that reflective quality.

Copper rose

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Copper rose is the embodiment of rose-colored glasses in a hair color—an ’80s movie heroine with optimism and softness. “There’s a cultural appetite for vintage references that don’t feel costume-y,” says Lena Ott, a New York City-based colorist. This color scratches that itch: It’s Robyn Lively in Teen Witch, reimagined for 2025.

This color is “something between a classic redhead and a rose-blonde with shine that feels fresh, not brassy,” says Ott. Ask for copper with a soft pink overlay. “The base is lifted to a bright copper, then toned with a diluted pink or peach glaze. Glossing is key to keeping it luminous, not flat.”

Cinnamon toast

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Our cravings have turned sweeter of late—an eggnog at night and cinnamon toast for breakfast helps keep the chill at bay. And so a warm hair color craving follows suit: A toasted blonde with swirls of cinnamon is sweet and spicy all at once.

“It’s a softer take on summer’s bright blondes,” says Alfaro. “Perfect for clients who don’t want to fully transition into brunette.” Alfaro notes that it’s especially stunning on medium skin tones or those with naturally light hair who want some depth. Ask for a neutral blonde balayage or teasy lights blended with cinnamon lowlights.

Crisp blonde

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A crisp, bright blonde conjures up images of Hollywood past: Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Veronica Lake. Now, she’s a Gwyneth Paltrow, a Michelle Williams, or a Sabrina Carpenter.

The difference? Today’s towheaded starlets don’t have time to maintain a true platinum (they have Marvel movies and album tours to worry about), so they opt for a slightly softer and more wearable hue, like Redken 10GI Tahitian Sand, with some slight root shadow for depth (and an easier grow-out). “The clean blonde flatters fair to medium skin tones,” says Ott. “Especially when the soft root shadow prevents the color from washing someone out.”

“The color reads as platinum under red carpet lights, but it’s just a clean, double-process blonde,” she adds. Ask for it followed by a sand-beige toner and some root shadow, so the look is “grounded, not icy.”

Natural highlights

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This protagonist seems not to even have to try. Bluebirds flit around her when she leaves her home in the morning, she’s volunteering at animal shelters and retirement homes, and her hair just happens to have a gorgeous, natural, soft dimension à la Jennifer Lawrence or Daisy Edgar-Jones.

We can’t help you with the bluebirds (try birdseed?), but natural highlights are within reach for just about anyone. “Blondes, redheads, and brunettes can all achieve this look,” says New York City-based colorist Kirsten Stuke. “Soft pops of brighter pieces give a lived-in look without the harsh growth line of demarcation.” Which means you can focus on planning the town square holiday party (where you will bump into the love of your life!) and not need to find time for a salon visit. “Ask for a more toned-down, natural, rooty highlight that will grow out effortlessly,” says Stuke.

Refined pixie

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A romance with a dangerous French stranger or a ride on the back of a Vespa calls for something pretty and refined (we’re in Europe for this movie, after all), but something that also says, “I’m not afraid to get on the back of this man’s motorbike without a helmet.”

Celebrities like Carrie Coon and Brie Larson have resurrected this delicate crop lately, and it's an easy, elegant look this season (and it doesn’t lose its charm after wearing a winter hat or, ahem, a helmet). “The cut is close and sculpted with precision scissor work around the ears and nape, left slightly longer at the crown for softness,” says Travis Speck, a New York City-based hairstylist.

“Short cuts like these can work on many people; it’s more about attitude and tweaking the details,” adds Los Angeles-based hairstylist Michael Duenas, but straight and slightly wavy hair types will have an easier time achieving that iconic, young Mia Farrow look.

Curly wolf cut

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There’s something soft and Shakespearean about long, gentle curls. Tracee Ellis Ross and Grace Bowers capture that vibe and balance it with a shaggy, wolf cut length to keep the style cool and modern: Rosalind in 2025. Juliet with an iPhone and Ray-Ban aviators.

Those with naturally curly or wavy hair can get the look by asking for “a layered cut that focuses on face-framing curls and crown volume,” says Alfaro, who sculpts this look with both wet and dry cutting to customize for curl patterns and maintain bouncy volume.

Full, blunt bangs

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Full bangs are a cool, down-to-earth leading lady. The one who runs the ranch back at home, looks great in every pair of jeans, and teases you for becoming too “big city” and forgetting your small town roots (even though she definitely looks like she has a Fifth Avenue blowout and her nails have never seen a day of manual labor). Cast Taylor Swift or Dakota Johnson in the role.

Chicago-based hairstylist Raven Hurtado expects to be cutting a lot of these full, blunt bangs this winter, thanks largely to how dramatically they can change a look without having to lose major length or do a 180 from blonde to raven. Plus, the fullness of this season's fringe makes it a little more wind-proof (fluttery curtain bangs tend to blow back in winter weather, and they aren’t terribly suited for hats).

’80s shag bob

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For the lovers of quirky, coming-of-age romcoms, a bouncy haircut is as necessary as a good tape deck. Somewhere between a shag and a bob lies Molly Ringwald’s iconic feathery style—“a chin-to-cheekbone length cut with layered, rounded edges,” says Ott. “It’s a direct nod to Molly Ringwald’s 1980s silhouette, but the modern versions are more fluid.” Today, you’ll spot it on the likes of Pamela Anderson, Tina Leung, and the runways in Milan and Paris.

“It brings your hair’s natural texture to the forefront,” says New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth, which is why it’s a particularly great cut for thick, curly, or wavy hair. “Make sure the shorter curls on top of the crown are styled forward into your bangs area,” he says. The face-framing pieces give it a cool, tousled, I’m-not-afraid-of-after-school-detention look.

Mid-length butterfly layers

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Early aughts movies were defined by a few things. A high-stress job at a fictional magazine, an “opposites attract” love story, and mid-length hair with fluttery layers. Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30. It’s a look that practically begs you to root for it. It’s universally flattering and an ideal in-between or transitional style while growing your hair out, offering movement without looking too “styled,” says Alfaro.

It’s important that the layers stay delicate and not too heavy, adds Chicago-based hairstylist Sanda Petrut. “[Your stylist] can use slide cutting or point cutting for softer ends,” she says.

Meet the experts

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• Deisy Alfaro is a hairstylist specializing in curly hair and the owner of Pixie Glam Studio in Fort Worth, Texas.
• Lena Ott is a New York City-based colorist and the founder and creative director of Suite Caroline salon.
• Kirsten Stuke is a New York City-based colorist at Suite Caroline.
• Travis Speck is a New York City-based hairstylist at Suite Caroline.
• Michael Dueñas is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and co-founder of Arove haircare.
• Raven Hurtado is a Chicago-based hairstylist at Maxine Salon.
• Sanda Petrut is a Chicago-based hairstylist at Maxine Salon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch Biles's full video below:

TikTok content

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

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

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

Jennifer Lawrence at a red carpet premiere in October.

Photo: Getty Images

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

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

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

Hathaway at the Met Gala in May.

Photo: Getty Images

Hathaway at a WWD event in October.

Photo: Getty Images

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

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

Emma Stone en route to an appearance in October.

Photo: Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Circles

$33

Cakes Body

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Triangles

$33

Cakes Body

My First Impressions

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

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

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

How I Wear Them

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

Courtesy of Jenifer Calle

A side view of Han wearing Cakes Sticky Cakes Circles

Courtesy of Jenifer Calle

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

Han wearing a pair of Cakes Body Sticky Cakes Circles

Courtesy of Jenifer Calle

Han wearing a pair of Cakes Body Sticky Cakes Triangles

Courtesy of Lawrence Li

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

My Final Thoughts

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

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

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Circles

$33

Cakes Body

Cakes Body

Sticky Cakes Triangles

$33

Cakes Body

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

Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands

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If you’ve been curious about trying retinol but want something a little gentler to start with, the best bakuchiol serums might be your perfect entry point. Bakuchiol has been gaining traction in skin-care circles because it offers many of the same benefits as retinol—think smoother texture, more even skin tone, and softened fine lines—but with a much lower risk of irritation. “Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-derived alternative to retinol that helps boost cell turnover and support collagen production,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in East Norriton, PA.

Other major perks? Unlike traditional retinoids, “bakuchiol does not increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s safe and effective to use day or night,” says Dr. Saedi. And while every pregnancy calls for a chat with your dermatologist when you switch up your routine, many experts view bakuchiol as a gentler, better-tolerated alternative to retinol for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ahead, check out the formulas dermatologists and our editors agree are worth the shelf space.

Our Top Bakuchiol Serums

• Best Overall: Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Serum, $175
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum, $58
• Best Drugstore: Eau Thermale Avène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum, $78
• Best for Dry Skin: Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Dual Retinol Alternative Serum, $58
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Typology Serum Imperfections Bakuchiol 1%, $56
• Best with Retinol: Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment, $60
• Best for Mature Skin: Replenix Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum, $93

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does bakuchiol compare to retinol in terms of results?
• Can bakuchiol be layered with acids, vitamin C, or niacinamide?
• Is it okay to use bakuchiol with retinol together?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Serum

Isdin

Isdinceutics Melatonik Serum

$175

Amazon

$175

Dermstore

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Serum

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: Even though Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik doesn’t contain retinol (so there’s no increased sun sensitivity to worry about), it’s still a nighttime-only serum. In addition to bakuchiol, the other star ingredient, melatonin, works with your skin’s natural overnight repair cycle, acting as an indirect antioxidant to help reinforce its defenses against free-radical damage while you sleep. “The nighttime delivery enables the serum to sink into the skin and renew while you sleep,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, AL. Plus, there’s vitamin C for added brightening and environmental protection come morning. Between the silky serum-in-oil texture that melts right in, the non-comedogenic formula, and the fact that it skips all the usual retinol drama (read: peeling and purging), this is one bakuchiol serum that earns its luxe price tag.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“While my demo video above shows me applying this serum during the day so you can actually see the texture, remember that it’s technically a nighttime treatment thanks to the melatonin in the formula. It’s slightly thicker than your typical watery serum, so it takes a few extra seconds to fully sink in, but once it does, there’s zero greasy residue—just cushy, nourished skin. Even though fragrance is listed on the ingredient label, I could barely detect any scent, which is a plus for sensitive skin (and noses). After a few uses, my skin looked smoother and more refreshed in the morning.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: bakuchiol (percentage not disclosed), melatonin, vitamin C
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Sensitive Skin: Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum

Medik8

Bakuchiol Peptides Serum

$58

Dermstore

$58

Medik8

Former Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum

Jennifer Hussein

Why it's worth it: While you might know Medik8 for its iconic Crystal Retinol, Bakuchiol Peptides is a gentler alternative for those with sensitive skin. The lightweight, oil-based serum features 1.25% bakuchiol—a slightly higher concentration than many formulas—yet it’s surprisingly well-tolerated for irritation-prone skin. That’s thanks to its blend of brightening peptides, soothing Centella asiatica, and omega-rich oils that cushion the formula and help calm redness while boosting firmness and skin elasticity over time. “This face serum has a soothing formula that leaves the skin feeling soft and well-hydrated. And, with consistent use, you may begin to see a renewed, more balanced glow,” says Dr. Saedi.

Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein

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“Medik8's double-dose of bakuchiol and peptides perks up my ever-so-slightly sagging skin (you may not notice, but I see it) when I need the pick-me-up."Its lightweight, fluid formula dries down fast and leaves my skin feeling velvety smooth and primed for my next skin-care step." —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 1.25% bakuchiol, peptides, Centella asiatica, inka omega oil, jojoba seed oil
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: Eau Thermale Avène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

Eau Thermale Avène

RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

$78

Amazon

$78

Dermstore

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Avène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: Most of Avène’s RetrinAL products lean on retinaldehyde (a.k.a. retinal), a vitamin A derivative that works faster than traditional retinol but is still gentler than prescription-strength retinoids. But here’s where our ingredient sleuthing at Allure comes in: despite the name, RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum doesn’t contain retinal at all. This version relies on bakuchiol to deliver similar smoothing and line-softening results without the irritation retinal products can trigger. That switch makes the serum an especially great pick for sensitive or reactive skin: “This product is widely available, and Avène is known for its gentleness due to the thermal spring water used in their formulations,” says William Kwan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills and Encino, CA. The formula also features hyaluronic acid to ward off dryness, niacinamide to calm and strengthen the skin barrier, and pre-tocopheryl (a stable form of vitamin E) for antioxidant protection—making it a soothing, beginner-friendly way to get retinoid-adjacent benefits.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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"For the most part, my skin can tolerate retinol, but when the weather changes, my skin occasionally freaks out. When I want to take it easy, I reach for RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum as the second-to-last step of my skin-care routine—sometimes I'll go as far as pairing it with another (albeit, simplier) HA serum for extra nourishment. This has a milky-white texture that I can count on to never sting, boost brightness and glow, and smooth texture just as well as other low-concentration retinols." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: bakuchiol (percentage not disclosed), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, pre-tocopheryl, thermal spring water
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Dual Retinol Alternative Serum

Herbivore Botanicals

Bakuchiol Dual Retinol Alternative Serum

$58 $46 (21% off)

Amazon

$58

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: If you’ve been steering clear of retinol-based products because your skin leans dry or easily tight, Herbivore’s Bakuchiol Serum offers a gentler way to smooth fine lines without sacrificing hydration. Instead of drying actives, the nourishing formula pairs bakuchiol with moisture-binding betaine and glycerin, which help draw water into the skin and keep it comfortably plump throughout the day. A rare addition you won’t spot in many formulas, mastic tree resin—harvested on the remote Greek island of Chios—helps refine skin texture and visibly tighten pores, all without the irritation or peeling you’d expect from traditional retinoids.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“This serum is such an easy addition to any skin-care routine. It layers seamlessly with everything and never causes irritation. Because it skips traditional retinol, the results for fine lines are a bit more subtle, but the plumping and hydration are absolutely legit.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: bakuchiol (percentage undisclosed), mastic tree resin, prince ginseng
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Typology Serum Imperfections Bakuchiol 1%

Typology

Serum Imperfections Bakuchiol 1%

$56

Typology

Why it's worth it: You usually hear bakuchiol praised for wrinkles and firmness, but it can be just as beneficial for breakout-prone skin. Typology Serum Imperfections 1% Bakuchiol keeps things incredibly simple with just three ingredients—caprylic/capric triglyceride, hazelnut seed oil, and 1% bakuchiol—making it a great fit for anyone who wants targeted treatment without fluff ingredients. “It’s a nice option for oily skin as the formula’s anti-inflammatory properties can help calm acne and blemishes that often occur due to excess sebum. The formula is also non-comedogenic, which is essential for anyone with oily skin,” says Dr. Hartman. Technically more of a dry oil than a traditional serum, it absorbs quickly, helps reduce congestion-causing bacteria, balances sebum, and can even soften post-blemish marks over time.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 1% bakuchiol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, hazelnut seed oil
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best with Retinol: Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Paula's Choice

Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

$65

Amazon

$65

Dermstore

$65

Paula's Choice

Why it's worth it: Rather than choosing between retinol or bakuchiol, Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment combines both in one formula for a stronger—but still surprisingly tolerable—approach to visible aging. It also happens to have the highest concentration of bakuchiol (2%) of any product on our list, which is worth noting if you’re looking for maxed-out benefits. Studies suggest that pairing bakuchiol with retinol can enhance efficacy and improve overall tolerability compared with either alone. “It works particularly well on mature skin because the retinol–bakuchiol pairing targets fine lines and wrinkles while boosting collagen for a firmer, smoother appearance,” says Dr. Hartman. This treatment also features ceramides, peptides, licorice root extract, and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate, brighten, and buffer potential irritation.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 0.3% retinol, 2% bakuchiol, ceramides, peptides, licorice root extract, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Mature Skin: Replenix Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum

Replenix

Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum

$93

Amazon

$93

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Another retinol-and-bakuchiol combo on our list, Replenix Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum is designed to address signs of aging—think fine lines, uneven skin tone, and loss of firmness. “It’s an elegant product with a smooth texture that can work as well as tretinoin,” says Dr. Kwan. What really sets it apart is the backup team of skin-calming ingredients: a blend of green tea polyphenols, black tea extract, and licorice root that helps dial down inflammation and brighten dullness—two things mature skin usually deals with just as much as wrinkles. And because retinol can be drying, there’s glycerin to keep moisture levels up so skin looks smooth, not tight or flaky.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: bakuchiol (percentage not disclosed), caffeine, green tea, black tea, licorice root extract, retinol (percentage not disclosed)
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

How does bakuchiol compare to retinol in terms of results?

Bakuchiol products show a lot of promise, but they’re not as well-proven as retinol. “Since it’s a newer skin-care ingredient, there are only a few small, limited studies on its effectiveness. In these studies, they suggest that it can have similar benefits to retinoids without the irritation. However, retinoids have decades of research to validate their benefits,” says Dr. Kwan. So while bakuchiol may be a natural alternative to retinol and have comparable smoothing, brightening, and collagen-supporting effects, retinol remains the gold standard for long-term data.

Can bakuchiol be layered with acids, vitamin C, or niacinamide?

Bakuchiol is easygoing when it comes to mixing with other ingredients. “It can be layered, and is often combined with other skin-care ingredients like vitamin C, which can make it easier to apply all in one step,” says Dr. Kwan. Unlike retinol, it’s less likely to clash with exfoliating acids or calming ingredients like niacinamide, so that most people can use it alongside their usual routine without irritation. That said, if you’re stacking multiple actives in your beauty products, a quick patch test never hurts.

Is it okay to use bakuchiol with retinol together?

It’s not necessarily redundant to use bakuchiol and retinol together—in fact, some people may benefit from the combo. “I often recommend pairing products that stimulate collagen production together, like retinol/retinoids and peptides or growth factors,” says Dr. Kwan. Bakuchiol won’t “cancel out” retinol’s effects, and in some formulas, it’s included to help buffer irritation while still supporting firmness and cell turnover. That said, if you're already tolerating retinol well, you may not need bakuchiol, but it can be a helpful add-on if you're looking for extra support without increasing strength. Just a quick reminder: if you’re using a retinol and bakuchiol combo at night, don’t skip sunscreen the next morning, as your skin will need the extra protection.

Meet the experts

• Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, AL
• William Kwan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology in Beverly Hills and Encino, CA
• Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology, based in East Norriton, PA

How we test and review products

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

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

Our staff and testers

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

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

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

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

Our Top Dyson Gifts

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

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

Dyson

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

$750

Dyson

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

Shanna Shipin

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

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

Shanna Shipin

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

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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

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

Attachments

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

Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Dyson

Supersonic r Hair Dryer

$650

Dyson

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

Sarah Hoffmann

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

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

Hoffmann before using the Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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

Attachments

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

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

Dyson

Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

$550

Dyson

Allure contributor Siena Gagliano using the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

Siena Gagliano

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

Tester feedback from contributor Siena Gagliano

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

Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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

Attachments

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

Dyson Airstrait Straightener

Dyson

Airstrait Straightener

$550

Dyson

Hoffmann using the Dyson Airstrait

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

Hoffmann before using the Dyson Airstrait Straightener

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Dyson Airstrait Straightener

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from Hoffmann

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

Attachments

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Non-Slip Heat Mat

Dyson Airwrap Origin

Dyson

Airwrap Origin

$550

Dyson

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

Attachments

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How we test and review products

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

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

Our staff and testers

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

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

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

If you’ve finally reached the point where you’re ready to stop guessing and start finding the best face moisturizers for eczema, you’re in the right place. “When you’re dealing with dry, rough patches, you need a moisturizer that does more than just add hydration. It should help repair the skin barrier and still feel comfortable and lightweight enough for everyday wear,” says Sarah Sung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Seattle. Because when your barrier is compromised, even a so-called “gentle” cream can sting, burn, or leave skin feeling tight and angry.

To find formulas that do more than just moisturize, look for ceramides that restore barrier function, humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid that draw water in, and soothing ingredients (like oatmeal) to calm irritation—all without fragrance, harsh preservatives, or pore-clogging fillers.

Ahead, you’ll find our favorite derm-backed picks that check every box and prove finding comfort and relief is possible.

Our Top Face Moisturizers for Eczema

• Best Overall: Colorescience Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer, $78
• Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, $25
• Best for Barrier Repair: Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream, $27
• Best Long-Lasting: Sonsie Multi Moisture Cream, $48
• Best Budget: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, $14
• Best for Itch Relief: CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream, $25

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What moisturizer is best for facial eczema?
• How do over-the-counter face moisturizers for eczema compare to prescription formulas?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Colorscience Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer

Colorscience

Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer

$78

Amazon

$78

Nordstrom

Why it's worth it: Lightweight, non-greasy hydration is key for eczema-prone skin (since heavy occlusives can trap heat and make skin irritation worse), but, as we previously mentioned, moisture alone often isn’t enough. Colorescience Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer goes a step further by actively strengthening a weakened skin barrier. “In addition to delivering sheer hydration, it features hyaluronic acid, prickly pear cactus, and squalane, which are known for their hydrating and barrier repair properties,” says Gary Goldenberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. And it’s not just any hyaluronic acid: The formula uses a tri-molecular version that draws water into multiple layers of the skin for deeper, longer-lasting hydration. Microbiome-supporting lactobacillus ferment, combined with calming botanicals like snow mushroom, helps ease redness and flaking, leaving dry skin more comfortable, balanced, and better able to handle everyday stressors (like UV and blue light) that tend to trigger eczema flare-ups.

Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Colorscience Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer

Kassidy Silva

Silva after applying the Colorscience Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer

Kassidy Silva

Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva

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“Ultra light, hydrating and luminating, the Colorescience Barrier Pro cream is my go-to daily moisturizer. Two pumps applied all over my face and neck, it dries down quickly and sits well under makeup. When I’m flaring up, I’ll add an extra pump and add in a few extra spritz of the Colorescience Barrier Pro Serum Spray.” —Kassidy Silva, social director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: tri-molecular hyaluronic acid, prickly pear cactus, squalane, snow mushroom, lactobacillus ferment
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

$25

Amazon

$25

Dermstore

$26

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: One of our six favorite La Roche-Posay products of all time, the 2024 Best of Beauty Award-winning Double Repair Face Moisturizer is a dermatologist-backed staple for eczema-prone skin thanks to its barrier-repairing formula and lightweight feel. It’s made with a blend of ceramides to replenish the skin’s protective lipid layer, niacinamide to calm redness, glycerin for lasting hydration, and the brand’s signature thermal spring water to support a balanced skin microbiome. “It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and can repair the skin barrier in just one hour while keeping it hydrated for up to 48 hours,” says Dr. Goldenberg. Whether you use it on your face or body, it absorbs quickly and won’t clog pores.

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“It's up there with Aquaphor as a product that I can trust to perform no matter how dry or damaged my skin barrier is. It doesn't go big on fancy fine-line-reducing ingredients or anything; instead, it focuses on hydration. It leaves my skin wrapped in a cocoon of moisture—but not the overbearing and itchy kind! It plays nicely with my angry eczema flare-ups, and has no fragrance so that I can use it on my kids, too.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, thermal spring water
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Barrier Repair: Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream

Dr. Althea

147 Barrier Cream

$27

Amazon

$27

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Remember when we said the more hyaluronic acid, the better? Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream takes that literally. The “1-4-7” stands for one key barrier-strengthening botanical (guaiazulene), four types of ceramides, and seven forms of hyaluronic acid—a formula designed to hydrate skin at multiple depths and rebuild a damaged moisture barrier. Additionally, those ceramides are especially important for eczema-prone skin: “They play a critical role in rebuilding the skin’s lipid matrix, preventing moisture loss and fortifying the barrier against irritants,” says Dr. Sung. Rounding things out are avocado extract and soothing artemisia, which help calm redness, sensitivity, and flaking.

Silva applying the Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream

Kassidy Silva

Silva after applying the Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream

Kassidy Silva

Tester feedback from Silva

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“Packing in the hydration overnight is one of the easiest ways to take care of my skin during the winter months. I’ll do my full nighttime routine starting with cleanser and a light toner, then add my first lighter moisturizer (currently Colorescience), apply my serums and finish it off with a thick layer of the Dr. Althea Barrier Cream. I use a hefty quarter sized dollop and apply it all over my face, rubbing the excess into my hands. Sealing everything in with the barrier cream leaves my skin plush and dewy by morning. And, it’s right around $25, so my wallet feels better when using a larger amount of the product.” —Silva, social director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: guaiazulene, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, avocado extract, artemisia
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Long-Lasting: Sonsie Multi Moisture Cream

Sonsie

Multi Moisture Cream

$48

Sonsie

Why it's worth it: Why it's worth it: Originally launched as The Multi Moisture Mask, this formula recently got a new name—Sonsie Multi Moisture Cream—after people started using it for more than just masking. Now it’s officially a do-it-all hydrator you can slather on your face, body, or leave on overnight. Co-founded by Pamela Anderson, the brand keeps things simple but smart with this cream: It packs 12% glycerin and a very low-molecular-weight (50 kDa) hyaluronic acid that sinks deeper into the skin rather than sitting on the surface. “Humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and hold water within the epidermis, delivering both immediate relief and lasting hydration,” says Dr. Sung. The texture is plush and leaves skin bouncy and calm—among the many reasons it snagged a 2025 Best of Beauty Award.

Tester feedback from Shipin

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“Hydrating. Nourishing. Consistent. Sonsie's cream simply works, day in and day out. That's saying something for me, who has dry but acne-prone skin, and plenty of allergies that cause dermatitis. Given that I test beauty products for a living, I'm constantly battling eczema breakouts, but I can rely on this ribbony formula to bring my skin back to a healthy baseline. It quells inflammation, feels like a million bucks (so elegant!), and is fragrance-free. It's a truly elevated daily moisturizer, and I haven't even talked about the packaging yet, which is a simple aluminum tube that sits beautifully on your counter, but also travels really well (as a frequent flier for work, I always have this in my carry-on). You only need a dab, and it'll stretch across your whole face, leaving a pretty, glowy sheen. I tend to prefer a lightweight moisturizer in the morning, so I'll primarily use this thicker cream in the evenings—almost like an overnight mask. And while it is on the heavier side, it never feels suffocating on the skin; it's no wonder it won a 2025 Best of Beauty Award!” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Budget: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

Vanicream

Daily Facial Moisturizer

$14

Amazon

$14

Walmart

Why it's worth it: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer has the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, which is basically a shortcut way of saying: This stuff is really safe for sensitive, reactive skin. “It’s a silky lotion that feels weightless going on, yet hydrates like a cream,” says Dr. Sung. The formula leans on five ceramides and hyaluronic acid to “repair the lipid barrier and bind moisture into the top layer of the skin, so flakes, tightness, and rough patches become way less noticeable,” says Dr. Sung. And because it’s fragrance-, dye-, paraben-, and lanolin-free, and formulated without common allergens, it plays nicely with prescription topicals and everyday makeup. “Its non-comedogenic formula also minimizes breakouts while supporting barrier recovery for irritated skin,” she adds.

Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry

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"I have uber sensitive skin, so I need a moisturizer that 1) won't break me out and 2) keep my skin hydrated all day. Which is why I love this Vanicream moisturizing cream. It feels amazing, and just a dab of it keeps my skin fresh all day, without any touchups. I also love how I can use it year-round—not too heavy for the summer but also not too light for the winter (when my skin gets super dry and flaky)." —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Itch Relief: CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe

Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream

$25 $22 (12% off)

Amazon

$22

Walmart

Why it's worth it: CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream doesn’t just hydrate—it goes after the itchiness that typically comes with those dry, rough patches. Its standout ingredient, 1% pramoxine hydrochloride, delivers fast-acting relief, so skin can start healing instead of staying irritated. The rest of the formula focuses on long-term barrier repair: “Packed with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this rich cream replenishes lipids and draws water into the epidermis for up to 24 hours,” says Dr. Sung. She adds that its proprietary MultiVesicular Emulsion (MVE delivery system “gradually releases moisture throughout the day, keeping chronically dry eczema calm and supple.” Even with petrolatum and shea butter in the mix, it absorbs without a greasy feel, making it easy to use on both the face and body.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 1% pramoxine hydrochloride, ceramides, glycerin, petrolatum
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What moisturizer is best for facial eczema?

When dealing with facial eczema, take extra care to check the ingredient lists of your skin-care products. “Ceramides prevent moisture loss and fortify the barrier against irritants,” says Dr. Sung. From there, look for humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to attract water to the skin. Emollients—think shea butter or petrolatum—help “fill in gaps between skin cells, creating a smooth, protective layer,” while colloidal oatmeal can calm itch, she says. A final bonus? Niacinamide, which Dr. Sung says helps “reduce inflammation and support natural barrier function,” so skin stays calmer and more resilient over time.

How do over-the-counter face moisturizers for eczema compare to prescription formulas?

Over-the-counter eczema creams are designed to be gentle, daily barrier builders, relying on ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and glycerin to hydrate and calm irritation. “The best moisturizers for eczema focus on mild anti-inflammatory effects,” making them ideal for maintenance or milder flare-ups, says Dr. Sung. Prescription treatments, on the other hand—such as topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors—offer stronger inflammation control, but they “carry risk like skin thinning or sensitivity with prolonged use,” she says. Dr. Sung’s advice: start with OTC formulas to strengthen and soothe the skin, and only “step up to prescription options when necessary, and under medical supervision.”

Meet the experts

• Gary Goldenberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Goldenberg Dermatology based in New York City
• Sarah Sung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of The Perq based in Seattle

How we test and review products

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

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

Our staff and testers

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

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

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I’ve never had a pimple in my life. I’m bragging, I know.

But it’s an important detail, along with the fact that I’ve been a beauty journalist for nearly seven years—which means I know my skin, and I know when something is off. So when a spot arrived in the very center of my forehead in August 2023, I figured it was about time I got my first zit.

Only, this “zit” didn’t go away. It scabbed over, scarred, and expanded from a tiny dot to a quarter-sized discolored blotch on my forehead where a unicorn horn would be over the course of a few months. Then, around six weeks later, came a second spot. I ran through every possible explanation: a reaction to skin care, a chemical burn from a pimple patch, maybe even a curse from a past life. My most Googled phrase that year was “ingredients for fading scars,” and no amount of niacinamide or tranexamic, kojic, or azelaic acid made a difference.

The writer in December 2023, about four months since the “zit” initially appeared.

Courtesy of subject

Eventually, I booked a dermatologist appointment. The doctor thought it could be psoriasis; I was sticking with my chemical burn theory. A biopsy came back: seborrheic dermatitis. Spoiler alert—it wasn’t. Turns out, the procedure didn’t paint the entire picture because it was a shave biopsy and didn’t get to the full root of the issue, just scraping the surface. So when I applied the prescribed steroid faithfully, nothing changed. The lesions had signed a lease in perpetuity and neither triamcinolone acetonide nor betamethasone dipropionate could evict them.

With my self-esteem unraveling, I booked another appointment—this time at a different practice. Claudia Slutzky, a certified physician assistant at True Dermatology in New York City, took one look and told me that it wasn’t dermatitis. The clues? “This patch was so well demarcated right in the center of [your] forehead, and nothing seemed to help,” she’d told me.

When two more spots appeared on my chest two months later, following the same bump–scab–scar pattern, Slutzky raised the possibility I least expected: lupus. Dr. House always said it’s never lupus, so how could it be lupus? No one in my family had it, and in my head lupus was a “disease,” not something that could show up on my face. Shocked, I asked her: “Do you know what it means to say the word ‘lupus’ to a Black woman?” She did, and she was just as upset as I was. Black women are disproportionately affected by lupus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, says the organization, Black, American Indian, and Alaskan Native women are two to three times more likely than white women to develop lupus, and tend to have more severe cases when they do. The CDC also states that on average, Black people with lupus die at younger ages—by more than a decade—than white people with lupus. All that in mind, the word “lupus” carries a deep cultural trauma for a lot of Black women, and I was—and am—one of them.

After consulting with her supervising physician, Amy Spizuoco, a board-certified dermatologist at the same practice, they performed a punch biopsy, which goes deeper than the surface-level one I’d had a year prior. When the results came back around a week later, we had an answer: discoid lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune condition that causes rashes on the skin and face. What I thought was a simple blemish was actually a diagnosis that would change my life—and my identity.

What is Discoid Lupus Erythematosus?

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, often in sun-exposed areas like the face, scalp, and ears. It can look very different depending on your skin tone. “In darker skin tones discoid lupus may appear as pink, gray, or purple lesions,” says Patricia Oyetakin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta. “In lighter skin tones it is more pink or red.” Over time, lesions may lead to scarring, pigment changes, or even hair loss, though these features usually emerge later—one reason early diagnosis is so challenging.

Some key red flags: pigment changes that don’t resolve, scarring or thickening of the skin following a lesion, hair loss on the scalp as a result of lesions, and lesions clustered in areas like the face, scalp, and ears that are often exposed to the sun. Early discoid lupus (DLE) can mimic acne because both may appear as red or inflamed bumps. The key differences are persistence and after-effects. “Unlike acne, DLE lesions often develop scaling, follicular plugging, and occur in sun-exposed areas,” says dermatologist Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “They don’t resolve within a typical acne cycle and instead can linger for weeks to months. DLE lesions are also more likely to leave behind scarring or pigment changes, while acne usually heals without such pronounced, long-lasting marks.”

Lupus comes in many forms. Selena Gomez, for example, has lupus nephritis, which is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is also an autoimmune disease, but it can affect the entire body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and joints. The main difference between my form of lupus and other variations of the disease is that discoid lupus is cutaneous, or limited to the skin. “Only five percent of individuals with discoid lupus will go on to develop SLE,” explains Meggan Mackay, MD, a board-certified rheumatologist based in New York City. “But individuals with discoid lupus should be aware of symptoms such as joint pain, hair loss, and overwhelming fatigue, as this could indicate SLE.”

DLE is the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus, but it’s still relatively rare. It most often affects women between the ages of 20 and 50, and people with skin of color face both a higher risk and more severe side effects from the disease, including scarring alopecia, a form of permanent hair loss caused by inflammation that destroys hair follicles. In DLE, scalp lesions can damage the follicle beyond repair, leading to irreversible bald patches that cannot regrow hair even after the disease is controlled.

Why Discoid Lupus Is Often Misdiagnosed

I was fully prepared to accept my first dermatologist’s diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis. They’re the experts, right? My story isn’t unusual, especially as a Black woman. We’ve all heard the myths: “Black people don’t need sunscreen” or “melanoma is less likely to develop in darker skin.” Those ideas fuel a pattern where our skin concerns are often minimized.

Plus, conditions can present differently on different skin tones, and there has historically been less education that focuses on dark skin for dermatologists. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has put vast efforts into diversifying their training materials and unlearning medical bias, most recently working in collaboration with the Skin of Color Society to assure that images used in dermatologic education demonstrated how conditions present in all skin tones, called the Clinical Image Collection. “By incorporating a diversity of images into professional dermatology education material, we can empower dermatologists and other clinicians to improve their diagnostic skills and enhance patient care for all,” a representative for AAD told me. “The ultimate goal is for the AAD Clinical Image Collection to become the largest, most-trusted and comprehensive source for skin disease images.”

In skin of color, discoid lupus can be especially deceptive. DLE often presents with pigment changes that look like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. On deeper skin tones, redness—a classic sign in lighter skin—is far less visible. “DLE can be misidentified, especially early on, because the lesions can mimic common conditions like acne, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis,” Dr. Rambhia explains. “Even with biopsy, subtle findings or sampling error can sometimes delay the correct diagnosis."

“Black patients experience more frequent and severe disease damage, including prominent ear and scalp dyspigmentation and scarring alopecia, as compared to non-Black patients,” she continues. “The visual impact of pigmentary changes is often more significant in patients with darker skin tones, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and treatment to prevent permanent scarring and disfigurement.”

How DLE Affects More Than Skin

The hardest part wasn’t just the lesions—it was watching my face change in slow motion, feeling myself disappear. I was truly handling an ego death on top of a chronic illness. To you, this may be vanity; for me, it was my entire identity. It got so bad that the scars—which, by April 2024, had multiplied to two spots smack-dab in the middle of my forehead—were the only thing I could see when I looked in the mirror. I would cry when I saw myself without makeup—my self-esteem, which I had considered to be unshakeable after a lifetime of building it up, was destroyed. Not just because of the spots on my face, but because I felt so vain for even allowing my self-worth to be harmed so easily. I felt like the only thing anyone could see were the spots.

The writer seen here in March 2024, by which time she says the scars had darkened.

Courtesy of subject

Psychologist Sari Chait, PhD, was not surprised to hear about these emotions. “When someone develops visible changes over time, like scarring or lesions, it can be difficult to incorporate your new visual appearance into the picture you already have of yourself. That discrepancy alone can cause distress and can lead to one feeling significant loss,” she says. “In many ways, that sense of loss of what one used to look like is a form of grief.” I have been known to have a “boy who cried wolf” view of the world, feeling that my cries for help have always been diminished by my overdramatic nature. But I had to advocate for myself—I couldn’t let two spots on my forehead get in the way of my life.

And as a Black woman, the pressure was doubled. My hair could be undone—I’d just throw on a wig and keep moving. But my skin? That was supposed to be untouchable. “Image is very important in Black communities; [there’s an unspoken rule of] ‘don’t look like what you’re going through,’” says therapist Vatara Scott, a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina. “When that image is not on par with our own or others’ expectations, it can feel shaming or disparaging. Rather than it being a reflection of a chronic condition… it can easily be regarded as a lack of care or upkeep.”

That stigma only deepened my spiral. DLE wasn’t just changing my skin—it was rewriting how I saw myself.

How to Treat DLE

Once I had a name for what was happening to my skin, the next big question was: What now? Discoid lupus erythematosus doesn’t have a cure, but it can be managed—and the earlier treatment begins, the better the chance of preventing scarring and pigment changes. Dr. Rambhia explains that managing DLE usually focuses on reducing inflammation, preventing flare-ups, and minimizing permanent damage like scarring.

“Medical treatment includes a combination of topical anti-inflammatory medications and oral treatments,” explains Dr. Oyetakin. “I explain to my patients that topical steroids can be safely used as a ‘fire extinguisher’ to quickly calm down intense itching and burning. Topical non-steroid medications can then be used as long-term maintenance. In severe cases, oral immunosuppressant medications are effective and should be closely managed.” When I first received my lupus diagnosis, Slutzky and Dr. Spizuoco prescribed me a stronger triamcinolone cream, just to see if a higher dose of steroids might do the trick. When it didn't, they moved me to a regimen of Opzelura cream—a JAK inhibitor (a newer class of oral or topical medications that block key inflammatory pathways in the immune system) used to treat mild to moderate eczema and nonsegmental vitiligo—along with ammonium lactate lotion to treat the dry scaly skin, and Tazorac—the brand name for the prescription topical retinoid tazarotene—to assist with the inflammation.

Lifestyle strategies are just as important: “Stress is our number one nemesis in our day-to-day lives,” Dr. Oyetakin adds. “It not only affects mental health, it also causes flare-ups in inflammatory skin conditions. I discuss stress management strategies with my patients as an important part of our management plan.” With all forms of lupus, sun protection is crucial. Dr. Oyetakin says that broad-spectrum sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and even oral antioxidant supplements like polypodium leucotomos, a tropical fern native to Central and South America which has been shown to have benefits in photosensitive conditions like lupus, are all essential tools. If sunscreen was a passion for me before, now it’s a matter of survival.

For many patients, systemic medications like the ones I’m on are necessary. “The current treatments of choice include oral hydroxychloroquine, topical corticosteroids, other strong anti-inflammatory medications, and local corticosteroid injections,” says Dr. Mackay. But new options are on the horizon: “Research into the molecular mechanisms for discoid lupus and SLE has resulted in the development of new drugs called biologic therapies that target specific pathways causing disease and may be more effective than the traditional treatments.”

Victoria Werth, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical advisor to the Lupus Research Alliance, is also hopeful. “Several phase one, two, and three trials are studying drugs that seem to work more quickly and more often than current treatments. While CLE is more common and more severe in people with skin of color, we know these populations are less likely to join trials. It is essential to increase participation to correctly assess if the therapies are working for everyone.”

How to Advocate for Yourself

I cannot overstate how much I recognize that getting to the point of a diagnosis is a privilege. Lack of access to proper medical care is an issue across the board, and I am lucky enough to know that I work in a field that not only puts me in front of some of dermatology’s best minds, but also allows me to (somewhat) afford the expensive creams and medications I need to keep my DLE at bay. There is not a single complaint in my world when it comes to that, and staying grateful and hopeful is the only thing that kept me going through the last few years.

By the time I finally got my diagnosis, I realized the only reason I made it there was because I kept pushing. That meant trusting my gut when prescriptions didn’t work, when the biopsy didn’t explain what I saw in the mirror, and when my mental health was unraveling. This problem literally lived on my face—I couldn’t ignore it.

“If your condition is not responding to the current treatment plan, always talk to your provider,” says Slutzky. “There can be multiple ways to treat a condition, and every patient can respond differently.”

Dr. Spizuoco notes that even dermatologists face tough calls: “The gold standard of diagnosis of autoimmune conditions of the skin is a biopsy. Many times these lesions are on the face, and it’s very difficult… because we know a biopsy will leave a scar. And that’s what we are trying to avoid.” I’m convinced that’s why my first biopsy missed the mark. For purely cosmetic purposes, we didn’t want to punch a hole in the middle of my forehead during the initial biopsy and risk an even worse scar developing in its place. Unfortunately, that meant the shave didn’t go deep enough to get to the actual root of the issue. In the end, trusting my instincts—and saying yes to a deeper biopsy for the lesions on my chest—changed everything.

Self-advocacy also means being prepared for how my lupus might change in the future. “It is extremely helpful for patients to keep track of the appearance of the rash—if it has improved, stayed the same, or worsened—and whether any new lesions have developed,” says Dr. Mackay. “If you have other concerns like new joint pain or hair loss, be prepared to discuss these. Even if the provider does not have an answer, at least the symptom will be considered and addressed.”

And beyond the exam room, advocacy can be collective. “If we are to improve therapies for CLE we will need to facilitate and complete these trials,” says Dr. Werth. Patients showing up in research data ensures that future treatments actually work for the people most affected.

For me, advocating meant refusing to accept “just dermatitis” as the final word. For you, it might mean asking for a second opinion, keeping a symptom diary, or finding a support group. Whatever the path, it starts with believing yourself when your body—or your skin—tells you something’s wrong.

When I first walked into True Dermatology in January, I was genuinely afraid that I was, well, a monster. Working with Slutzky did more than that. When I told her I was writing this story, I said I wanted it to be about us—because we did this together. Throughout the experience, she often told me that the emotional side of this diagnosis is just as important as the objective medical side. Our nine months of appointments weren’t just about creams or biopsies; they were about building trust. That comfort she gave me is what allowed us to get to the best place I’ve been so far. Dr Spizuoco, who guided us through the hard calls, reminded me that chronic conditions like this take teamwork. “Chronic skin conditions require a partnership between the patient and the dermatologist,” she explained. And that’s exactly what I had: a team that was willing to listen when I said, “This isn’t getting better,” and to believe me when I cried in their office because it felt like I was losing my face.

Now, my spots are slowly and gradually fading thanks to topical meds, and I’m working with a rheumatologist on the oral treatments I need to keep my DLE in check. What I thought was a bump on my face turned out to be a hurdle in my life, but it’s one I’m learning to live with. I’m being gentler with myself, reminding myself that my skin doesn’t define my worth—and yes, I am obsessively wearing sunscreen.

Because in the end, this isn’t just about a diagnosis. My mother wanted me to love my Black skin more than anything else, and I do. It’s also about what can happen when you refuse to stop asking questions, when your providers trust you enough to dig deeper, and when you let yourself believe that your skin—even scarred, even imperfect—is still worth loving.