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If you're familiar with the sunscreen world—and you should be, considering we should all be wearing SPF every single day—you know that America is way behind in sunscreen innovation. This is in part because in the US, sunscreen is regulated as a drug rather than a cosmetic, which means it has to undergo robust testing via the Food & Drug Administration before hitting shelves. However, the FDA has finally taken a step toward approving a new active sunscreen ingredient (also called a filter), which would be the first major sunscreen-related approval since 1999—yes, 1999!

On December 11, the administration announced a formal proposal to add bemotrizinol to the list of approved active ingredients for over-the-counter sunscreens. According to the FDA, bemotrizinol (or BEMT) “provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays, has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body, and rarely causes skin irritation.” Should BEMT approvals be finalized, it will be considered safe and effective by the FDA and recommended for use for adults and children ages six months and older.

“The agency has historically moved too slowly in this area, leaving Americans with fewer options than consumers abroad. We’re continuing to modernize the regulation of sunscreen and other over-the-counter drug products,” FDA commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement. “Americans deserve timely access to the best safe, effective, and consumer-friendly over-the-counter products available.”

In the past, the FDA has declined to comment on its approval timelines, and it'll likely be a long while until products formulated with BEMT are approved and made available. In the meantime, interested parties can review the full amendment proposal. Starting December 12, anyone interested can participate in the public comment process, which allows Americans to share direct feedback with the FDA for or against a proposal. If you've got strong feelings about sunscreen, it may be time to hop in the FDA's comments.

Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously wrote in Allure that chemists in the US have a “pretty limited toolbox” for sunscreen formulation: just 16 active sunscreen ingredients, only eight of which are commonly used. For contrast, in Japan, formulators can choose from over 30 approved filters. According to Dobos, who attended the 2025 Sunscreen Symposium, BEMT is manufactured by DSM-Firmenich, which has been trying to get the ingredient approved in the US for 20 years; it cost them roughly $20 million to bring it to market.

BEMT approval will give cosmetic chemists another ingredient in their toolbox, and Dobos praises it for its efficiency. BEMT provides “true broad-spectrum protection with two distinct absorption peaks, one in the UVA range and one in UVB,” she explains, which means better defense against both sunburns and aging rays. “Unlike older filters that often require high concentrations to achieve adequate SPF, BEMT allows chemists to use lower overall levels of actives while still meeting high SPF and UVA protection targets,” Dobos tells Allure. It may also improve the sunscreen experience: “We can make products with lighter texture and less greasiness in formulations. And, like other organic filters, it's transparent on the skin.”

The American Academy of Dermatologists is also on board with BEMT. “Unprotected exposure to UV rays is a major risk factor for skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States,” AAD president Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, said in a statement, noting that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. “Because dermatologists see firsthand the impact that skin cancer has on patients and their families, they recommend everyone apply sunscreen, seek shade, and wear protective clothing to protect their skin from sunburn, early skin aging, and skin cancer. The Academy has been advocating for many years for the availability of more sunscreen options for US consumers. The United States lags behind many other countries that have nearly twice as many approved sunscreen ingredients.”

Dobos says she's “very excited” about BEMT and putting it to work in sunscreen formulations. “Many times in the past, I felt like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls that football away just as he's about to attempt a kick, as progress would start and stall,” she says. “I've been following this my entire career. But this time, it finally feels like we're really going to get a new sunscreen active.”

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Wondering why your face feels tight after cleansing, your body gets itchy the second the weather changes, and daily shaving leaves your cheeks looking irritated? Here’s the truth: Your skin barrier is taking a beating. It’s the protective outer layer that's meant to keep hydration in and irritants out, and we put it through a lot. Hot showers, over-cleansing, skipping moisturizer, not using SPF consistently, and aggressive shaving can all chip away at the barrier until the skin becomes dry, red, reactive, or just uncomfortable.

As a licensed esthetician since 2021, I see this all the time–particularly in my male patients, who often put their sensitive skin through constant shaving and lack consistent skin care routines. And, as a guy, I’ve also personally dealt with barrier issues. The products below are ones I use and love because they make a noticeable difference. If you want healthier, calmer, smoother skin, start here.

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Ian's Skin Barrier Faves

The Facial CleanserCaldera + Lab The Clean Slate Purifying Gentle Facial CleanserJump to review$45 $36 (20% off)

Amazon

The MoisturizerDoctor Rogers Face CreamJump to review$78

Amazon

The Body WashLa Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Moisturizing Body & Face WashJump to review$20

Amazon

Cleansing Balm: Good Light Strawberry Moon Grinding Cleansing Balm

Good Light

Strawberry Moon Grinding Cleansing Balm

$29

Ulta Beauty

Why I recommend it: If you wear sunscreen daily and reapply it often (hint: you should!) or wear makeup (even just some concealer), then starting your P.M. routine with a cleansing balm makes all the difference. I love this one's strawberry-sorbet scent and how nourishing it feels thanks to moringa oil, which works to melt sunscreen and makeup effortlessly while moisturizing skin. It pairs perfectly with a gel cleanser and keeps the barrier happy, since there’s no harsh rubbing or stripping required to get everything off.

Face Cleanser: Caldera + Lab The Clean Slate Purifying Gentle Facial Cleanser

Caldera + Lab

The Clean Slate Purifying Gentle Facial Cleanser

$45 $36 (20% off)

Amazon

$45 $34 (24% off)

Ulta Beauty

Why I recommend it: I love this cleanser because it’s truly gentle, but still makes my skin feel super-clean after I rinse. It’s a gel formula powered by gentle surfactants, which are cleansing agents that help remove dirt, sweat, and sunscreen, as well as amino acids to protect your skin barrier. If you usually avoid cleansers because they leave your face feeling tight or dehydrated, then this is the one to try.

Face Moisturizer: Doctor Rogers Face Cream

Doctor Rogers

Face Cream

$78

Amazon

$78 $62 (21% off)

Credo Beauty

Why I recommend it: This is one of the most elegant and reliable barrier-repair creams I’ve used. I like that it’s rich but not heavy, and made with deeply moisturizing ingredients—like squalane, a fatty acid that's naturally found in the skin barrier—for compromised skin. When my face feels tight, irritated, or raw from over-exfoliation, this cream brings it back to life. It gives you that immediate comforting effect while also supporting deeper barrier recovery.

Body Wash: 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

Why I recommend it: It’s easy to focus all your attention on your face and overlook the skin on your body, but the barrier from your neck down needs support, too. This wash is rich in niacinamide (which can rev up ceramide production for a stronger moisture barrier) and shea butter, which is packed with fatty acids that work together with the lipids in your skin to help your barrier function properly. And it’s even been accepted by the National Eczema Association (which vets the formula for safety and gentleness). Bottom line? It’s a game-changer for dry or sensitive skin, helping keep skin balanced and comfortable from head to toe.

Body Moisturizer: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

Cetaphil

Moisturizing Lotion

$16

Amazon

Why I recommend it: The best time to lock in moisture is right after a shower—since it's an opportunity to seal in any hydration your skin absorbed—ideally with this everyday body lotion. It’s lightweight and fast-absorbing, and won’t leave you feeling greasy while you get dressed. I love the inclusion of vitamins B3 (a.k.a. niacinamide) to boost ceramide production and B5 (a.k.a. panthenol) to soothe irritation. It’s affordable, reliable, and easy to build into your daily routine.

Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Restore Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50

EltaMD

UV Restore Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50

$52

Amazon

$52 $42 (19% off)

Dermstore

Why I recommend it: Your barrier can’t repair itself well if it’s getting hit with UV damage every day. This is my go-to sunscreen for sensitive or winter-worn skin because it supports recovery while also calming visible redness. The green tint neutralizes windburn or flushing, and the SPF 50 mineral protection is ideal for compromised skin, as mineral sunscreens tend to be gentler than chemical sunscreens. (They sit on top of skin to reflect UV rays instead of being absorbed, as chemical filters are.) I wear this often on cold days or after an in-office treatment, when my skin needs some extra care.

Lip Care: Remedy Hydrating and Healing Lip Balm Ointment

Remedy

Hydrating and Healing Lip Balm Ointment

$16

Amazon

$16 $12 (25% off)

Remedy

Why I recommend it: The skin barrier on the lips is much thinner and more fragile than that on the rest of your skin, which is why dry, cracked lips can happen year-round—but they're especially common in the winter. That's why this lip treatment has quickly become one of my go-tos; I love how nourishing (not sticky) it feels. Keep one on your nightstand and another in your work bag or pocket, so you always have one handy.

Moisturizing Balm: KaramMD Enriched Breathable Barrier Balm

KaramMD

Enriched Breathable Barrier Balm

$100 $70 (30% off)

KaramMD

Why I recommend it: I use this balm at night, when my skin needs a little more TLC. Think of it as a breathable seal—a thin, not-too-heavy layer over your moisturizer that helps lock everything in. Thanks to ultra-hydrating cupaçu butter, it’s perfect for what I call “micro-slugging,” or supporting your skin with extra cushion and support overnight so you wake up to a noticeably calmer, more hydrated complexion.

Face Mask: Dr. Sam’s Flawless Revival Mask

Dr. Sam’s

Flawless Revival Mask

$54 $49 (9% off)

Dr. Sam's

Why I recommend it: This is the product I reach for when my skin needs intensive help. Niacinamide, soothing plant oils, and a barrier-boosting lipid complex make this mask incredibly comforting. You can use it for 10 minutes for a quick reset, but I also love applying it as an overnight mask when my skin feels compromised.

The Takeaway

A strong skin barrier changes everything: It can support hydration, comfort, clarity, and even how well your skin tolerates shaving. In my practice, I’ve found that we men often weaken our barriers without realizing it by using harsh, stripping cleansers, skipping moisturizer because we assume we don’t need it, or shaving over already irritated skin. Inconsistent routines also play a huge role—your skin can’t repair itself if you’re constantly changing products.

These are the products I trust, use, and recommend to my clients because they effectively restore and maintain the barrier. Commit to using a few of them consistently, and your skin will look and feel better every day.

Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Allure editorsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

If you're not familiar with SkinMedica, let alone the best SkinMedica products, you're probably thinking: The name sounds no-BS. And you'd be right, because this clinical-grade skin-care brand isn't about the fluff. After all, if you're paying $300 for a serum, it better give you results. We don't take terminology like “medical grade” and “clinical grade” lightly—brands need the research, data, and in-depth clinical studies to back their formulas. Plus, every SkinMedica product listed in this story is backed by board-certified dermatologists (and us, of course). Interest piqued? Time to dive into the SkinMedica skin-care products that we wholeheartedly approve of and use every day.

Our Top SkinMedica Products

• Best Overall: TNS Advanced+ Serum, $295
• Best Exfoliator: Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads, $60
• Best for Dry Skin: HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator, $192
• Best for Oily Skin: AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, $48
• Best for Combination Skin: HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer, $78
• Best for the Neck: Neck Correct Cream, $135
• Best for the Body: Firm & Tone Lotion for Body, $165
• Best for Fine Lines: Age Defense Retinol Complex, $80
• Best for Discoloration: Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment, $178

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

Best Overall: TNS Advanced+ Serum

SkinMedica

TNS Advanced+ Serum

$295

Dermstore

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum (old packaging)

Sarah Han

Why we love it: The crème of the SkinMedica crop easily goes to the TNS Advanced+ Serum. This Best of Beauty Award winner has the clinical studies to prove why it deserves to be a mainstay in your skin-care routine. “SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum is probably the single-best growth-factor product in the US market, and it’s the one that started it all,” Saami Khalifian, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in California, has told Allure. “It combines growth factors—proteins that stimulate cellular repair and regeneration, boosting collagen and elastin production to improve skin firmness and texture—with other advanced ingredients to target fine lines and wrinkles.”

Science aside, it has a silky, lightweight consistency that's won over many beauty editors and derms alike, because what good is a serum if it's not pleasant to apply? What really justifies the high price point, of course, is the resulting plumpness and radiance you get from each pump of this highly-studied, innovative formula. Take it from our 48-year-old executive beauty director Jenny Bailly: “My skin looked noticeably duller when I recently ran out of this serum after several years of regular use.”

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“At 32, I'm not not concerned about fine lines creeping in. But what I can actually report on for this product is how plump and glowy it makes my skin look after every single application. I can't fully explain how growth factors work but I do know that ingredients that support and encourage collagen and elastin production (which decreases as we age!) are vital to any skin-care routine. Growth factors and peptides? A dream team for an immediately more radiant complexion and slowing down signs of aging in the long run.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen

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“TNS is the true definition of a desert-island product (well, OK, in the event you're stranded on a very fancy, high-tech island). I'll be honest, I'm not 100% sure how the very advanced science behind this formula works—all I know is that it does virtually everything I need my skin care products to do: it hydrates, plumps, and soothes my rosacea-induced redness like very few products can. If I could have this on hand at all times, my skin-care routine would basically only consist of this, a cleanser, and some sunscreen. She's that girl!” —Nicola Dall'Asen, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: growth factor blend, peptide complex, French flaxseed
• Who it's for: yes
• Fragrance-free: aging and sagging skin

Best Exfoliator: Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads

SkinMedica

Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads

$60 $48 (20% off)

Dermstore

Allure features director Dianna Singh using the SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads

Dianna Mazzone Singh

Why we love it: Dark spots and hyperpigmentation, meet your match—in the easy-to-use format that is toner pads. “[Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads] have been part of my personal morning skin-care routine for years,” Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, previously told us. “I like how easy they are to use. Grab a pad and gently rub it all over your face after cleansing.” Though they're gentle enough to use daily, Even & Correct is packed with powerhouse actives, namely tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and witch hazel extract, to exfoliate, promote cell turnover, and brighten your complexion.

Plenty more derms, including Saami Khalifian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California, approve of these pads, which also help maintain and even enhance results from in-office treatments. Basically, these individual treatments address just about any skin-care concern you have: discoloration, fine lines, dullness—what are you waiting for?

Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh

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“In the fight against dark spots, using tranexamic acid is among the best offensive moves you can make—at least in my experience. These pads are loaded up with the discoloration-reducing ingredient along with glycolic acid (for gentle exfoliation) and niacinamide (which is anti-inflammatory). A couple nights a week, I whisk one of these pads across my face (post-cleanser but pre-serum) and I swear my skin is brighter for it.” —Dianna Singh, features director

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I'm so prone to hyperpigmentation that I get a dark spot if I even think about a zit (or so it feels), so following a gnarly breakout, I usually come in hot with these exfoliating pads. They're not what I'd call gentle, but that's what I like: The combo of glycolic acid and witch hazel basically resurface my skin, leaving it brighter and baby-soft.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, witch hazel extract
• Who it's for: anyone with hyperpigmentation
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Oily Skin: AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

SkinMedica

AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$48 $38 (21% off)

Dermstore

Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai applying the SkinMedica AHA + BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: Sometimes you need a cleanser that simply cleanses, but for those with breakout-prone skin and hyperpigmentation, a face wash that exfoliates can be a small yet game-changing tweak. SkinMedica's AHA + BHA Exfoliating Cleanser stands out from the competition thanks to a blend of alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic), and jojoba spheres that dive deep into pores to sweep away debris. Tiffany J. Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rhode Island, says this particular concoction of actives helps “to mildly exfoliate skin and improve skin's texture and complexion.” In other words, this cleanser ensures a clean, smooth slate for the rest of your skin care to perform its best.

Tester feedback from Pai

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"This exfoliating cleanser does the impossible: It leaves my skin super-soft and smooth, even when I'm dealing with hormonal breakouts, but never feeling squeaky-clean or overly tight. That's a big deal, considering the potent ingredients in its lineup. Plus, the combo of AHAs and BHA targets my two primary concerns, hyperpigmentation and acne, respectively." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, jojoba beads
Who it's for: oily skin types
Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Combination Skin: HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer

SkinMedica

HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer

$78

Dermstore

Han applying the SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer

Sarah Han

Why we love it: There are moisturizers…and then there are really good moisturizers that melt into skin instantly and don't feel like a chore to apply morning and night. SkinMedica's HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer falls into the latter category and gives you a natural finish that layers with sunscreen and makeup so seamlessly—you'll be convinced that this formula isn't as hydrating as it actually is. But make no mistake: Five types of hyaluronic acid—to penetrate your skin at different levels—are infused with vegan collagen to deliver intense moisturization that lasts through every commute, errand, and blast of cold winds.

Tester feedback from Han

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“It's common knowledge (if you read a lot of Allure stories) that I love a water-cream or gel-cream moisturizer. My combination skin drinks them up, leaving my skin looking fresh and plump, but my shine doesn't get out of control. Plus, the last thing I need is a thick layer of goo after I've gone in with a hydrating essence and serum. SkinMedica products are always treats, so why would I expect anything less from the HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer? It's extra refreshing when I apply it in the morning and it absorbs so fast so I can move onto my sunscreen basically ASAP—and of course, my skin looks dewy as heck, thanks to five types of hyaluronic acid. Yum.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: five types of hyaluronic acid (hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid,sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, sodium hyaluronate, etc.), vegan collagen, squalane, urea
• Who it's for: people with combination, oily, or acne-prone skin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator

SkinMedica

HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator

$192

Dermstore

Christa Lee applying the SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator (old packaging)

Christa Lee

Why we love it: We all know—or should know—that hyaluronic acid and peptides are gold-standard ingredients for hydration. HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator ups the replenishing ante with five types of hyaluronic acid, including a time-released HA that continuously hydrates skin for up to eight hours. Suppose that wasn't enough to win you and your dry skin over. Like its sibling, the just-as-lauded HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, this plumping serum is fragrance-free and non-irritating for those with reactive, sensitive skin, as Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, pointed out. TL;DR HA5 Hydra Collagen is a valuable addition to just about any skin-care routine. Hydration (and preventing transepidermal water loss) is king, baby.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I have dry skin year-round, so I’m always on the hunt for something that actually hydrates and sticks around. SkinMedica’s HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator has a gel-cream texture that—wait for it—doesn’t instantly absorb, which I actually love. It gives me a chance to really see where I’ve applied it (and where I’ve missed). It takes a minute or two to fully settle in, which feels more intentional than hydrators that disappear as soon as they touch your skin. Once it settles in, my skin looks super plump and dewy, to the point where I’ve skipped moisturizer a few times. I wish the photos did the in-person glow more justice!” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: five types/weights of hyaluronic acid, hydra collagen, vitamin F, passionfruit seed oil
• Who it's for: people with dry or sensitive skin, or prefer fragrance-free products
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Fine Lines: Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5

SkinMedica

Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5

$80 $64 (20% off)

Dermstore

Pai applying the SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5

Deanna Pai

Why we love it: Retinol is the heavyweight of skin care. What can't it do, honestly? Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5 is no exception, which shines with its abilities to reduce the look of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and overall dull skin. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends that patients start with twice-a-week application for the first two weeks, and slowly ramp up the frequency over five to seven weeks. Though it's technically formulated for the face, it acts as an excellent hand cream. “It features a calming bisabolol and antioxidant-rich formula, which helps soothe the skin while protecting against environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution," Dr. Khalifian attested. “I like how it absorbs quickly, so it won’t leave your hands greasy and pairs beautifully with a rich hand cream if you want to lock in hydration.”

Tester feedback from Pai

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“I've never been loyal to a retinol, but this has worked for well that I keep coming back to it: I've never experienced any kind of irritation (though I'm not beginner) and I've seen a big improvement in my breakouts and hyperpigmentation. It also absorbs instantly and doesn't have a noticeable scent—two big pluses for me.” —Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: retinol, niacinamide, squalane, vitamin E, glycerin
• Who it's for: anyone who wants to incorporate retinol into their routine, mature skin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for the Body: Firm & Tone Lotion for Body

SkinMedica

Firm & Tone Lotion for Body

$165 $132 (20% off)

Dermstore

Why we love it: While no topical product can literally tighten skin, body lotions formulated with ingredients that can bolster collagen production, such as retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, can ease outer skin laxity. “[SkinMedica's Firm & Tone Lotion for Body] is backed by clinical studies showing its effectiveness in improving the appearance of crepey skin,” Dr. Khalifian previously shared. According to said clinical studies, SkinMedica says you can see ”enhanced body skin texture" in as little as two weeks. But, of course, you should use it consistently for a few months to see more visible improvements, especially when it comes to sagging skin. Dr. Khalifian also credits the blend of caffeine and botanical extracts—green microalgae and shitake mushrooms support collagen and elastin structure—for its efficacy. It doesn't hurt that this cream feels luxurious on the skin as you massage it in.

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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“I’ll admit I often fail at moisturizing my body, mostly because I hate the feel of sticky lotion against my clothes. This body lotion absorbs so quickly though that I have no more excuses. It’s more than just a nicely scented hydrating balm too (it reminds me a bit of lemon curd), because it also contains smoothing peptides and caffeine.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shiitake mushroom extract, green microalgae, caffeine, ginger root, Japanese parsley
• Who it's for: people concerned with crepey and/or uneven skin texture, postpartum skin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for the Neck: Neck Correct Cream

SkinMedica

Neck Correct Cream

$135 $108 (20% off)

Dermstore

Why we love it: Don't neglect the neck, as just about anyone who loves skin care will remind you. “[SkinMedica's Neck Correct Cream] deeply hydrates, addresses hyperpigmentation, and tackles existing wrinkles while preventing new ones,” Noah Gratch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously shared. This Best of Beauty winner keeps things taut with a blend of retinol, peptides, microalgae, and vitamins C and E. Just about anyone can benefit from this neck cream because, in case you needed a reminder, "The neck area has thin, sensitive skin compared to other parts of the body," Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, previously told Allure. Add in constantly craning our necks towards our laptops and smartphones, and it's an area uniquely at risk for fine lines and sagging. According to the brand, after three months, 98% of participants said this product made their neck feel smoother—very promising, as our editors will also attest.

Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“Like every other young person in America, my screen time is horrifying. I’m on my phone for most of the day (for both work and pleasure) and because of that, I’ve developed the ‘ole tech neck. Tiny fine lines now etch across my once-smooth neck and sometimes, they are all I see in the mirror. So lately I’ve been reaching for SkinMedica’s Neck Correct Cream, a serum-like treatment made with firming peptides and hydrating squalene, twice a day to target said fine lines. It’s super lightweight and doesn’t interfere with any of my other skin-care products, nor does it irritate my sensitive skin (especially the thin-skinned neck area), so here's to hoping it tackles those wrinkles while I work on finding a new hobby…away from my phone.” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director

Tester feedback from Dall’Asen

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“To be totally frank, I'm probably too young to be using a neck cream for aging reasons. That said, my tech neck is pretty intense, so it can't hurt for me to be investing in a formula that hydrates and firms now. SkinMedica's Neck Correct is just that: a blend of extracts, proteins, and peptides to keep neck skin looking fresh.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, shiitake mushroom extract, microalgae, vitamins C and E
• Who it's for: people concerned with neck lines
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Discoloration: Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment

SkinMedica

Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment

$178 $142 (20% off)

Dermstore

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the SkinMedica Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment

Sarah Hoffmann

Why we love it: Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment is a Best of Beauty winner that's "a sophisticated brightening product with many tone-evening ingredients, including tranexamic acid," Karan Lal, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona, previously stated. Unlike other acids and hydroquinone, tranexamic acid is suitable for all skin types, people who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, and pairs well with other brightening ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C. You can also use this serum in conjunction with the Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads mentioned earlier for a one-two punch of discoloration-fighting ingredients. Though tranexamic acid is anti-inflammatory by nature, it's accompanied by antioxidant-rich humectants such as phytic acid, niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate that help soothe sensitivity. An all-rounder treatment, as we say.

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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“In the winter, my skin shows its discontent by looking as dull and lifeless as a piece of printer paper. It's also more easily irritated when it's cold—two for one, woo! SkinMedica's Even & Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment is a double whammy helper for both of these issues. My skin has been in a rough state for the last couple of months, and a daily dose of this creamy treatment has definitely helped soothe my skin. You definitely notice the touch of hydration too. It's pretty rare to find a brightening treatment that doesn't leave my skin feeling tight and sticky—this one would never.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: tranexamic acid, phytic acid, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, grape flower cell extract
• Who it's for: anyone with discoloration or uneven texture
• Fragrance-free: yes

Meet the experts

• Saami Khalifian, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics in San Diego
• Noah Gratch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and founder of Lightsaver
• Tiffany J. Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rhode Island and Mohs surgeon at Brown Dermatology
• Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, Alabama
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital 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 SkinMedica products, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page involved in our reporting, check out our complete review 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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I loveeeee reading, but there's no doubt that over the last couple of years, I've taken my passion for the hobby to the next level. I doubled my book count, discovered the magic of audiobooks, and officially joined the BookTok community—and I've never been happier.

And now that the bookish life has become my entire personality, I've realized that aside from my very old e-reader and a few new releases added to my shelves, I haven't really embraced the accessory side of the hobby. And it's silly because there are so! many! accessories!

In the spirit of the holiday season, I've put together a list of gift ideas for book lovers like myself, who would love nothing more than to receive these book-centric presents to pair with their preferred reading platform (e.g. physical book, e-reader, or audiobook). Consider this bookish roundup the ultimate guide to leveling up your giftee's reading experience—you can also call it my personal wish list, ha!

Need more gift-spiration? Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide for 2025.

My Favorite Gifts for Book Lovers

• For the On-Trend Reader: Bookshop.org Gift Card, $10 and up
• For the On-the-Go Reader: Kobo Clara Colour, $160
• For the Cozy Reader: Viozon Tablet Stand Pillow, $45
• For the Audiobook Lover: Libro.fm Credit Bundles, $30 and up
• For the Spicy Audiobook Lover: Apple AirPods Max, $542
• For the Indecisive Reader: Blind Date with a Book, $30
• For the Late-Night Reader: Glocusent Rechargeable Book Light, $19
• For the Corporate Reader: Born to Read Books, Forced to Read Emails Sweatshirt, $60
• For the Bed Rot-Loving Reader: Hantuswus Lazy Glasses, $10
• For the Physical Book Reader: Sprout Bookmarks, $9 and up

For the On-Trend Reader: Bookshop.org Gift Card

Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org Gift Card

$10

Bookshop.org

A quick snapshot of The Ripped Bodice bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen selected this bookstore to support every time she shops at Bookshop.org.

Courtesy of Sarah Kinonen

If your reader pre-orders new releases like it's their job (and what a fun job that would be!), or if they're already talking about next year's most-anticipated reads, then they'll love a gift card to a bookstore. I always recommend shopping locally (they're are so many great independent stores to support), but if for some reason your reader can't, Bookshop.org can help! The online retailer partners with independent shops, so every purchase made onsite will benefit the neighborhood store of your choosing—no matter where you live.

For the On-the-Go Reader: Kobo Clara Colour

Kobo

Kobo Clara Colour

$160

Kobo

Back in 2020, when sheltering in place was required, my mother-in-law kindly gifted me a Kindle Paperwhite—and it's been my go-to reading companion ever since. But after a few accidental falls and spillage without a protective covering (oops), I needed an upgrade. Enter, the Kobo Clara Colour.

As its name suggests, this e-reader comes in color! (Well, the ink does.) The design itself comes in two different shade options—black or white—and weighs less than half a pound. (I just got the white one.) In terms of what's inside the device, that's completely up to the reader, thanks to its 16 GB storage. You can fill it with all your favorite e-books and audiobooks from the Kobo Store or loaned out directly from your local library via Libby (IYKYK).

With as much traveling as I do and the number of books I read a month (usually around 15!), the lightweight, easily packable, and waterproof (!) e-reader will certainly come in clutch.

For the Cozy Reader: Viozon Tablet Stand Pillow

Viozon

Tablet Stand Pillow

$48

Amazon

If you've ever accidentally dropped your phone, Kobo, Kindle, or tablet onto your face mid-scroll while supine, may I introduce you to this hands-free and incredibly cozy pillow stand? It'll hold your electronics in place with its rotating arm, while the middle cubby console will keep your emotional support water bottle and snacks steady—leaving you empty-handed to do…anything!

For the Audiobook Lover: Libro.fm Credit Bundles

Libro.fm

Libro.fm Credit Bundles

$30

Libro.fm

As someone who has listened to up to 25 audiobooks in a month, having access to a subscription service, like Libro.fm, is a must. Not only will the monthly credits keep your giftee from spending extra on piecemeal audiobooks—which can get costly real fast at $20 a pop—but it'll also keep them in the loop on all of the new releases ahead of launch.

But what makes Libro.fm's platform different than the rest is that when you create an account, you simultaneously select a local bookstore to support. So every credit used (or bought) will directly benefit both Libro.fm and a neighborhood shop. How neat!

You can shop credit bundles for your listener (starting at a two-pack, all the way up to a 24-pack), and when they run out, they can always scour the sales because Libro.fm often has deep discounts on trending books.

For the Spicy Audiobook Lover: Apple AirPods Max

Apple

AirPods Max

$549 $450 (18% off)

Amazon

$549

Apple

Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen listening to a spicy audiobook with her Apple AirPods Max headphones.

Courtesy of subject

Listen…no, literally listen. I don't want to be That Girl who hypes up every single Apple product, but the sound quality of AirPods Max headphones is actually very nice. If your book-loving giftee is as into audiobooks as much as I am, they're going to want the best noise-canceling option on the market, to not only drown out ambient sound but to ensure no one would ever be able to audibly catch them listening to spicy audiobooks in the wild. 😉

For the Indecisive Reader: "Blind Date with a Book"

Etsy

Blind Date with a Book

$30

Etsy

Feeling uninspired by your towering TBR? Let fate decide your next read with "Blind Date with a Book." I love this gift's concept because not only does it take the guesswork out of searching stacks and stacks of shelves for a great book, but the surprise element makes it fun for both the gifter and the giftee—no one knows what's been wrapped up until it's opened! If you know your giftee's preferred genre, you can select from a variety of options (romance, fantasy, thriller, etc.), share their Goodreads account, and…voilà! A neatly packaged book, along with some cute extras, like stickers and bookmarks, will be sent straight to the reader recipient—how fun!

For the Late-Night Reader: Glocusent Rechargeable Book Light

Glocusent

Rechargeable Book Light

$19 $13 (32% off)

Amazon

$17

Walmart

Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen reading Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo with a book light.

Courtesy of Sarah Kinonen

For the night owls, insomniacs, and readers who can't bear to go to bed until the enemies-to-lovers book finally gets to the lovers part of the story, this dimmable, rechargeable book light will keep your book (or e-reader!) illuminated without disturbing others. I'm partial to the green light, but if Brat Summer isn't your vibe, you can choose from pink, purple, blue, or white colorways.

For the Corporate Reader: Born to Read Books, Forced to Read Emails Sweatshirt

Etsy

Born to Read Books, Forced to Read Emails Sweatshirt

$14

Etsy

Presented without comment. This crewneck, which comes in a variety of colors and sizes, speaks my language. I'll be honest: If I could, I'd be reading right now. Or listening to an audiobook. (Okay, fine, maybe I am currently listening to an audiobook, but that's neither here nor there.) Since I can't read and work at the same time, I'll just wear this sweatshirt in protest. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I just happen to love reading a little bit more. Gift this pullover to your book-loving friend who feels the same.

For the Bed Rot-Loving Reader: Hantuswus Lazy Glasses

Hantuswus

Lazy Glasses

$17

Amazon

Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen wears the “lazy glasses” while laying flat in bed reading.

Courtesy of Sarah Kinonen

Are these quite possibly the most ridiculous things you've ever seen? Yes. Do I still want them? Double yes. As a cozy bed reader, I often jump into my books while I'm horizontal, which one, probably isn't great for my neck and lower back, and two, means I have to hold my Kindle up or MacGyver a makeshift pillow prop to keep my e-reader upright (see above request for a tablet pillow). With these goofy glasses, I can lie completely flat while still being able to read and maintain supreme comfort, thanks to the geniusness of their prism lenses.

For the Physical Book Reader: Sprout Bookmarks

Genuine Fred

Sprout Little Green Bookmarks

$10

Amazon

Genuine Fred

Magic Sprout Mini-Mushroom Bookmarks

$9

Amazon

Polaroids, receipts, scraps of paper—you name it, and I've probably used it as a makeshift bookmark at some point. And while random objects around my house certainly work great as page-holders in a pinch, nothing compares to the convenience and cuteness of these sprout- and mushroom-shaped bookmarks. Join me in stocking up on these teeny-tiny fawn and fungi friends, which make for the most adorable gift for the reader in your life.

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

Overwhelmed is the only emotion I can muster when I open my spare closet, which is now full of diapers, wipes, and other baby products. When I was carrying my now seven-month-old daughter, there was no shortage of friends and family who were eager to shower me with the best gifts for pregnant women—diapers, wipes, teddy bears, and even big-ticket items like bassinets and strollers. While I was (and still am) beyond excited and grateful for the outpouring of love, my holiday wishlist was admittedly full of products that have less to do with baby and more to do with…well, me.

The Very Best Gifts for Pregnant Women

Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly BalmJump to review$29

Amazon

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState TumblerJump to review$40 $35 (13% off)

Amazon

Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50Jump to review$64

Amazon

If you have a soon-to-be mama in your circle, chances are they feel the same way, although they may be shy about admitting it. But the truth is, after all the Pampers and bottles are packed away, expectant moms want gifts that make pregnancy—and postpartum—a little more comfortable. Scroll ahead for presents they secretly wish they could put on their registries.

Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay's picks

Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm

Summer Fridays

Babymoon Belly Balm

$29

Amazon

$29

Revolve

One of the first things people tell you when you become pregnant is to oil up that belly. Stretch marks are a common part of pregnancy, and while creams and oils may not fully prevent marks from forming, adding a silky belly balm to your body routine is a great way to pamper yourself either way. My go-to belly-soothing product is the Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm. This velvety balm squeezes out like a gel but turns into a lightweight oil when rubbed in. It has a light scent (no triggered nausea here!) and leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized for hours.

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

Stanley

Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

$40 $35 (13% off)

Amazon

$40

Nordstrom

I always felt a twinge of guilt when my OB-gyn asked if I’d been drinking water, knowing that my hydration game could be stronger. Adding a Stanley Cup to my everyday routine was an easy way to make sure I was staying hydrated—plus, it comes in so many cute colors.

Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

Tatcha

The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

$64

Amazon

$64

Ulta Beauty

$64

Tatcha

I made the switch from chemical to mineral sunscreen in my first trimester and, after trying a bunch of options that all left a white cast, landed on Tatcha’s Silk Sunscreen SPF 50. It has a lotion-like texture that blends easily into the skin and leaves a dewy glow behind—plus, the slight beige tint gives it a seamless, undetectable finish on all skin tones.

Momcozy U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Momcozy

U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

$45

Amazon

$60 $45 (25% off)

Walmart

As pregnant bumps get bigger and bigger, a full night of sleep gets increasingly rare. Gift her some better rest with this comfy, supportive U-shaped pillow from Momcozy. The huggable, full-body pillow comes in velvet and cooling fabrics—the former has rescued me from many sleepless nights.

Dagne Dover Large Landon Carryall

Dagne Dover

Large Landon Carryall

$240

Nordstrom

Upgrade her hospital bag with this spacious weekender duffle from Dagne Dover. The padded neoprene bag is comfortable to carry, and the multiple slots, pockets, and holders make it ideal even for the mom who overpacks. Shoe bag? Check. 16-inch laptop sleeve? Check. Exterior phone pocket? Also, check.

H&M Mama Straight Jeans

H&M

Mama Straight Jeans

$55

H&M

I’m frequently bummed out by the frumpy selection of maternity clothes in store aisles, but these bootcut maternity jeans from H&M offered a glimmer of hope for what a maternity wardrobe could be. These jeans come in a trendy dark wash and have a supportive belly band, so you don’t have to choose between style and comfort.

Ugg Disquette Slippers

UGG

Disquette Slippers

$120

Amazon

$120

Nordstrom

She may not always be able to kick her feet up, but these Ugg slippers will make shuffling around the house more enjoyable. The plush sheepskin lining feels like you’re stepping on a cloud, and the neutral color options are versatile enough to pair with any loungewear set.

DoorDash Food Delivery Gift Card

DoorDash

Food Delivery Gift Card

$50

Amazon

Growing a baby is hard work. Help her fuel up by taking care of dinner (lunch, breakfast, and dessert, too). Takeout nights always offer much-needed relief, especially when lower back pain and intense fatigue make cooking a drag.

Calpak Diaper Tote Bag

Calpak

Diaper Tote Bag

$195

Nordstrom

$195

Calpak

This gift might technically be for the baby, but trust: Mom will love having a stylish bag to tote around all that baby stuff. The Calpak Diaper Bag is equal parts functional and fashionable, with six colors to choose from, a pocket for your laptop, and room for just about anything you’ll need to carry.

Willow Wave Wearable Manual Breast Pump

Willow Wave

Wearable Manual Breast Pump

$35

Amazon

$35

Walmart

If the mama-to-be you're shopping for plans to breastfeed, odds are she already has her eye on a breast pump. If she hasn't considered this one, do her a favor and get it in her hands. This first-of-its-kind wearable manual breast pump will be a lifesaver in the early postpartum days, when mom isn't quite pumping yet but needs some relief as her milk supply comes in. This pump fits comfortably in any nursing bra and works without a motor, so she can control the output.

Embrace Soft-Cup Nursing Bra

Embrace

Embrace Soft-Cup Nursing Bra

$55

Embrace

I was gifted this incredibly soft nursing bra in my third trimester and figured it wouldn't hurt to wear before I technically started nursing—and wow, was I right. This wireless bra makes nursing a breeze with its wrap design—there's no need to even unclasp anything. Plus, it's comfy enough to sleep in. Even if you're not nursing, this bra will make all the changes your breasts go through during pregnancy and postpartum a lot more comfortable.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft

Amazon

Kindle Colorsoft

$250 $190 (24% off)

Amazon

After Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor said great things about the Kindle Colorsoft, I knew I had to get my hands on it. "It's vivid, but easy on the eyes, so you can sneak a moment with a book while baby sleeps," she said. I had a ton of baby books I wanted to read but very little room in my apartment, so this was the perfect way to consolidate my library.

Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket

Cozy Earth

Channel Cuddle Blanket

$248

Cozy Earth

I spent the bulk of my pregnancy on the couch—between first-trimester fatigue and third-trimester body aches, I always just wanted to lie down with a soft plush blanket. This one from Cozy Earth lives up to its name, evoking the same feeling of warmth and comfort as a snuggle from your favorite person. It's perfect for those days when you want a hug, but your pregnancy rage is also saying, “Nobody touch me.”

Allure social media director Kassidy Silva's picks

The Original Makeup Eraser Cooling Clouds Makeup Eraser Undereye Patches

The Original MakeUp Eraser

Cooling Clouds Undereye Patches

$20 $19 (5% off)

Amazon

$20

Nordstrom

Pregnant people aren’t the only ones who love this product—our entire Allure team loved it so much, we gave it a Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award. The MakeUp Eraser Cooling Clouds Undereye Patches are washable and sit comfortably under the eye without sliding around. Even better, they never have to be refrigerated. “You would never guess the amount of sleepless nights I’ve had, thanks to Makeup Eraser’s Cooling Clouds Undereye Patches,” says Allure social director (and new mom) Kassidy Silva. “A quick 15 minutes in the morning with these patches instantly brightens up my complexion. Plus, they’re reusable, so I can toss them into the fridge and use them time and time again.”

Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket

Bearaby

Cotton Weighted Blanket

$199

Amazon

$199

Bearaby

Weighted blankets provide a source of comfort and warmth, whether you’re pregnant or not. For expecting moms, a weighted blanket can be especially comforting if you don’t want to bother your sound-sleeping partner for cuddles while you turn like a rotisserie chicken through the night. “This Bearaby weighted blanket has become a constant companion at 3 a.m. while endlessly scrolling BeautyTok, thanks to pregnancy insomnia,” says Silva. “It’s the warm hug every pregnant person needs during those late, lonely nights.”

Allbirds Wool Lounger Mule

Allbirds

Wool Lounger Mule

$63

Allbirds

A lot of things get bigger when you’re pregnant—including your feet. So, the right pair of shoes can make all the difference. “My swollen ankles sent me a personal thank-you note after I got my first pair of Allbirds Wool Lounger Mules,” says Silva. “The ultra-soft Merino wool paired with a cloud-like sole has made these my everyday staple.”

AirPods Max

Apple

AirPods Max

$549 $450 (18% off)

Amazon

During the second trimester, babies gain their listening ears in the womb, which means it’s time to start indoctrinating them with all your favorite music. Silva enlisted the help of her Apple AirPods Max for the job. “They’re the perfect investment for pre-and-post-baby; my girl and I had our nightly jam session to Taylor Swift with my headphones snuggly across on my belly," says Silva. "They also helped this mama find some quiet time once baby girl made her debut.”

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Chantecaille

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

$72

Amazon

A tinted moisturizer with SPF gives extra polish (and protection) before they head out for a quick walk—with or without a stroller. “I use a separate sunscreen before this, since it only contains SPF 15—but I appreciate any extra protection,” says contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai, who has one toddler and a second baby on the way. “Anyway, I'm in it for the lightweight coverage: It evens out my skin tones, lightly nourishes my skin, and generally makes me look a little more alive.”

Vince Women's Cashmere Jersey Short Sock

Vince

Women's Cashmere Jersey Short Sock

$95

Vince

Correct: This is an absurd price to pay for socks. But they're the softest, thickest cashmere socks out there, guaranteed to keep their feet cozy whether they're out and about or laid out on a couch. “I asked my brother for socks and he got me these, and the only thing I'm mad about is that I only have one pair,” says Pai. “I've tried other cashmere socks but nothing gets close how cushy these are."

The Ten Year Affair: A Novel by Erin Somers

Erin Somers

The Ten Year Affair: A Novel

$28 $22 (21% off)

Amazon

Two suburban parents meet at an infant group and explore the possibility of an affair in this novel, which splits into parallel realities (one in which the affair happens, and another in which it doesn't). It's like John Cheever for millennials. “I've wanted to read this since hearing the author speak about how it explores the ennui of millennials-turned-parents—basically me—but my local library has an extensive waitlist for it,” says Pai.

Trudon Libra Scented Candle

Trudon

Libra Scented Candle

$390

Nordstrom

If they're going to be trapped inside with a baby for a while—it's the reality!—make it smell as incredible as possible with this stunning candle. The scent—a woody amber with warm notes of tonka bean—adds a cozy feel, while the constellation-inspired design makes the vessel stand out. "I've started burning all of my 'good' candles, and it's been a way to treat myself while my kid is napping or at daycare," says Pai. “I'd love to add this one to my collection, too.”

Courtesy of @crybabyricecake and @addy.tattooSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

You couldn’t escape the aughts without overhearing someone say, “You don’t put a bumper sticker on a Bentley.” I think of that 2009 quote by Kim Kardashian a lot, as it perfectly captures how far we’ve come in our appreciation of tattoos. What was once seen as taboo or tacky is now a commonly accepted form of expression. Tattoos capture feelings (even if it’s just “I’m bored after work”), honor the people who’ve had a hand in shaping our personalities (think: a tribute to a relative who has passed or, in my case, the Spice Girls ink on my left bicep), and freeze moments in time.

Tattoos also tell stories. They reflect a sense of time, place, and our cultural experience. The trends of 2026 will capture the coming year’s vibes, just as the fingerstache summed up the obsession with hipster and twee culture in 2011. See also: the lavender sprig that took over forearms after 2015, the disco ball boom of 2020 (Taylor Swift’s “Mirrorball” might have had something to do with that), and the soaring number of angel-number flash tattoos in the last couple of years.

“I think if you are trying to get a trendy or ‘Pinteresting’ piece, you need to realize just that: It’s trending,” says Jes Valentine, a New York City-based tattoo artist and owner of Haven Studio. “Will that thing you’re thinking of inking matter to you in eight or so years?”

If the lavender sprig is still calling you by your full government name, then book the appointment and wear it with pride. “Own it with intention. If you love a lavender sprig, make it yours—change the flow, add texture, integrate meaning,” says Emmanuel Fortunato, a New York City-based tattoo artist, who adds that the goal shouldn’t be to avoid trends. “Your story makes the tattoo timeless.”

We spoke with tattoo artists regarding the trends they expect to dominate the new year, and if tattoos are any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a nostalgic and romantic year.

Your Pet in a Locket

Getting a pet portrait is classic, but Valentine says that more and more of her clients are asking to have them inked inside heart-shaped locket designs. “It’s a trend that the client makes super personal,” she explains, because both elements of the tattoo are highly customizable. Your fur baby can have its toothy smile, for instance, and the locket can be as ornate or understated as you want.

Courtesy of @kimi.pokesCourtesy of @kimi.pokesCourtesy of @soff_carrillo

Nostalgic Themes

Here’s your sign to get that Titanic-inspired “Heart of the Ocean” tattoo or the vibrant Lisa Frank dolphin you once had on your math binder. There’s a growing interest in imagery from the early 2000s, the ’90s, the ’80s, and the ’70s across all ages, says Lindsee Boyer, a tattoo artist in Minneapolis.

Even people who didn’t live through these eras have been getting tattoos inspired by them, Boyer notes: “Young people get excited because the style feels new and fresh to them.”

Valentine echoes this, adding that she’s seeing an interest in motifs from the late ’90s and early ’00s, specifically. “Think tribal designs, cherries, and bows,” she says. “Basically, all the things I got when I was 18, which is fun, but makes me feel super old.”

Courtesy of @jesvalentinetattoosCourtesy of @jesvalentinetattoosCourtesy of @lindseebeetattooCourtesy of @lindseebeetattoo

Microrealism

If you love the idea of a detailed depiction of your favorite trinket or your go-to bagel order inked onto your person, you’re not alone. This tattoo style has become extremely popular in our artist friends’ shops.

“Microrealism designs are so impressive,” says Kayla O’Connor, a tattoo artist at Fleur Noire’s San Diego studio. “They can be done in full color or black and gray, and are a great option if you decide to go small-scale with your tattoo.”

Carefully consider the placement of this delicate style, O’Connor continues: “You want to avoid getting it in a place that gets a lot of sun exposure, like the top of the forearm, or a place where tight clothing often rubs, such as near your bra and along your waistline,” she says.

Courtesy of @addy.tattooCourtesy of @girlknewyorkCourtesy of @tattooer.ariCourtesy of @law_ink and @atelier.evaCourtesy of @crybabyricecakeCourtesy of @crybabyricecake

Fine-Line Florals

Delicate, airy, floral pieces are in full bloom. “This style of tattoo shows just enough negative space to highlight both the artwork and the person wearing it,” says Jojo Lu, an Orange County-based tattoo artist at Playink Tattoo Studio, adding that the beauty is in the detail of these designs.

Thanks to the organic shapes created by florals, each piece can be tailored to flatter any placement area. “Floral, geometric, and fine-line pieces are quite versatile,” Lu says. “They work beautifully on the arms, legs, ribs, back, and sternum. These areas provide natural flow and movement that complement these designs well.”

Courtesy of @addy.tattooCourtesy of @nicetattooparlorCourtesy of JK Kim

Ornamental Designs

Ornamental tattoos use fine lines, pointillism, and shading techniques to adorn and enhance the natural contours of your body. With patterns that call back to Art Nouveau aesthetics and lacework, they are as detailed as they are stunning—but it’s important to recognize and understand the significance of motifs rooted in specific cultures. “Sacred geometry has that meditative, almost spiritual quality, and every line has a purpose,” says Fortunato. Before springing for that Mandala or Celtic knot design, make sure to read up on its meaning to avoid appropriating any cultural or spiritual themes.

Courtesy of @miss__jslCourtesy of @miss__jslCourtesy of JK Kim

Meet the experts

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Lindsee Boyer is a Minneapolis-based tattoo artist and owner of Bee Tattoo Studio.
• Emmanuel Fortunato is a New York City-based tattoo artist and ambassador for Hustle Butter tattoo aftercare.
• Jojo Lu is a tattoo artist based at Playink Tattoo Studio in Orange County, CA.
• Kayla O’Connor is a tattoo artist at Fleur Noire Tattoo in San Diego.
• Jes Valentine is a New York City-based tattoo artist and owner of Haven Tattoo Studio in Brooklyn.

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We’ve tested our fair share of overpromising hair elixirs, so when we call these the best hair oils for shiny, moisturized, and frizz-free strands, you know it’s real. If you’ve been avoiding hair oils for fear of greasiness, rest assured that our favorite picks impart a glossy, softening effect without leaving heavy residue. Some even double as aromatherapeutic mood boosters and heat protectants that speed up drying time and guard your strands from damage.

Our Top Hair Oils

• Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, $59
• Best for Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Treatment Original, $50
• Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, $65
• Best Pre-Wash: Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil, $38
• Best for Frizzy Hair: Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil, $45
• Best for Curls: HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil, $22
• Best for Flat Hair: LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil, $33
• Best for Second-Day Hair: Ouai Hair Oil, $32
• Best for Protective Styles: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil, $44
• Best Drugstore: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil, $14
• Best Strengthening: Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum, $16

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How do hair oils work?
• Which hair oil is right for me?
• When should I use hair oil?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Despite being packed with blends of moisturizing emollients (like argan oil, squalane, and castor oil), these formulas feel surprisingly lightweight and absorb in a flash. Just a few drops along your mid-lengths and ends are enough to smooth frizz, revive dullness, and leave your hair looking effortlessly polished every time.

Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Oribe

Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

$59

Amazon

$59

Nordstrom

Allure social director Kassidy Silva applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil.

Kassidy Silva

Why it's worth it: Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil is the ultimate indulgence for every hair type. Silky and weightless, it tackles dryness and frizz with a powerhouse blend of argan and jasmine oils, plus Oribe’s Signature Complex—a mix of antioxidant-rich watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts—to keep strands strong, hydrated, and shiny. It has a subtle sandalwood and bergamot scent that leaves hair smelling as luxe as it looks. We crowned it our favorite hair oil overall for its instant smoothing effect, effortless shine, and color-enhancing boost—it’s basically a little bottle of hair happiness.

Silva before applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Kassidy Silva

Silva after applying the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

Kassidy Silva

Tester feedback from Allure social director Kassidy Silva

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“Two pumps of the Oribe Gold Lust oil are all it takes to keep my hair shining all day long. After towel-drying my hair, I pump a quarter-size amount into my palms and work it through the ends, and run a comb through a few times to lightly distribute the product to my roots. If my hair is looking a little dull after drying, I'll add one more pump once I'm finished styling.”—Kassidy Silva, social director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: jasmine oil, argan oil, edelweiss flower, lychee
• Hair it's best for: all hair types
• When to apply: damp or dry hair
• Additional benefits: repairing split ends
• Scent: bergamot, sandalwood, jasmine
• Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.

Best for Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Moroccanoil

Treatment Original

$50

Moroccanoil

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Lily Wohlner

Why it’s worth it: Moroccanoil’s Treatment Original has been a hair-treatment staple for over a decade, and for good reason. Loved for its lightweight feel, this argan oil-based formula smooths, detangles, conditions, and boosts shine without ever tipping into greasy territory. (The treatment even comes in a Light version for superfine hair.) Furthermore, it’s also infused with linseed extract, which is rich in fatty acids that leave hair looking glossier on contact. Use it on dry hair to smooth flyaways and frizz, or work it through damp strands to help speed up drying time and give them that silky, brushable feel when using a round brush or straightening brush.

Wohlner before applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner after applying the Moroccanoil Treatment Original

Lily Wohlner

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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“My hair is on the finer side but comes with plenty of frizz and flyaways, so I basically need a hair oil within arm’s reach at all times. This one has been a staple in my routine since way before my 20s. I first bought it for the divine amber scent, but I kept repurchasing once I realized how well it tames my hair without weighing it down. I keep the full-size bottle in my bathroom and a mini at my desk for emergency touch-ups.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: argan oil, linseed extract
• Hair it's best for: fine, frizzy hair
• When to apply: damp or dry hair
• Additional benefits: quicker dry time, shine, detangling
• Scent: amber
• Sizes: 3.4 oz., 1.7 oz., 0.85 oz.

Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

K18

Molecular Repair Hair Oil

$65

Amazon

$65

Sephora

Why it's worth it: A winner in the Splurge category of the 2023 Best of Beauty Awards, K18's Molecular Repair Hair Oil works to address frizz on two levels: first, by reversing structural damage caused by heat styling and salon treatments through the brand’s namesake K18 peptide, and second, by conditioning hair with natural lipids, like avocado and sunflower oils. Whatever your hair concerns, Lazaro Lambertucci, a New York City-based hairstylist and colorist, confirms that the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is "weightless and amazing for all hair types.” (Not just damaged!) It also helps prevent future damage by providing heat protection up to 450 degrees. This multitasking oil can be applied to damp hair before styling or used as a finishing oil.

Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Jennifer Hussein

Hussein after applying the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil

Jennifer Hussein

Tester feedback from former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein

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“My head of bleached, dryness-prone hair needs a hardworking oil, and K18’s gloss-enhancing formula fits the bill. My dehydrated hair usually needs a hefty drench of oil to feel anywhere near soft, but this oil leaves it feeling silky-smooth after just six drops. I also love the lightweight feel; it doesn’t leave any residue behind but gives my hair glass-level reflection.” —Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: squalane, avocado oil, sunflower oil
• Hair it's best for: frizz and flyaways due to breakage
• When to apply: damp or dry hair
• Additional benefits: enhanced color vibrancy, heat protection
• Scent: floral
• Sizes: 1 oz.

Best Pre-Wash: Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Fable & Mane

HoliRoots Hair Oil

$38

Amazon

$38

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Not all hair oils are meant to be used before washing. Inspired by Ayurvedic hair oiling, a 5,000-year-old practice in India that involves massaging warm, herb-infused oils into the scalp and strands to nourish, Fable and Mane’s HoliRoots Hair Oil is designed to be worked into the scalp section by section before your shower. Leave it on for at least five minutes—or overnight—for stronger roots, reduced breakage, boosted circulation, and deeply hydrated, healthy-looking hair. Key oils like castor, olive fruit, jojoba, grapeseed, and sesame, along with Ayurveda classics like ashwagandha and amla (which are known to stimulate keratin production), work together to nourish strands and calm the scalp. Rest assured: Despite being packed with oils, you won’t find any residue in your scalp post-shampoo. Rather, your strands will feel softer, silkier, and stronger.

Han before applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Sarah Han

Han after applying Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil and washing/blow-drying her hair

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I’ve been using this product pretty consistently for two years, applying two droppers of product to my scalp for at least 10 minutes—sometimes even longer, if I’m watching a show—before I hop into the shower. I also like using a scalp massager to work the product more deeply. It rinses away swiftly down the drain, and my scalp feels lighter post-shampoo. I don’t wash my hair as often as I probably should, so I like to make the very most of each session.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ashwagandha; amla, castor, olive fruit, jojoba, grape seed, and sesame oils
• Hair it's best for: people with dry, broken strands looking to boost growth
• When to apply: dry hair pre-shower
• Additional benefits: hair growth
• Scent: earthy
• Sizes: 1.8 oz.

Best for Frizzy Hair: Rōz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

RÔZ

Santa Lucia Styling Oil

$45

Amazon

$45

Nordstrom

Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: Frizzy hair doesn't have to ruin your day. Case in point: Rōz's Santa Lucia Styling Oil protects against heat and humidity—two of the foremost causes of frizz—and smooths using five plant-based oil extracts, including jojoba and argan oils. We especially love the vetiver and citron scent, which elevates this oil to hair-perfume status. If you want to level up from the drugstore hair oil you've been using for a few years but aren't ready to drop a Benjamin on anything too fancy, this one serves as a perfect middle ground.

In our testing, we found that this hair oil worked equally well on wet or dry hair—especially if you have thick, curly, dry, or frizz-prone hair. (If you have hair on the thin or oily side, you'll want to primarily apply it closer to the ends to avoid greasiness.)

Shipin before applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after applying the Rôz Santa Lucia Styling Oil

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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"This is, hands down, my favorite hair oil. It smoothes frizz, smells heavenly, and has consistently calmed my hair—which seemingly expands by two feet in circumference—when the humidity hits. But what I love almost as much as the oil's performance is that the brand's founder, Mara Roszak, grew up in Laurel Canyon (a legendary area in Los Angeles), and Rōz's entire line perfectly captures the magic and mythology of the landscape!" —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: jojoba oil, argan oil, Roman chamomile, jasmine, aloe vera
• Hair it's best for: frizzy hair
• When to apply: damp and dry hair
• Additional benefits: heat protection
• Scent: vetiver, citrus
• Sizes: 0.5 oz., 2 oz.

Best for Curls: HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Haruharu

Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

$22

Amazon

$22

Yesstyle

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Deanna Pai

Why it’s worth it: Hair porosity can make all the difference in how well your strands hold onto moisture, and Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil is built to work across the spectrum, from pin-straight to curly. The foundation is nutrient-rich black bamboo water, which hydrates and softens, while argan oil and sugarcane-derived squalane lock in moisture without weighing hair down. Lightweight enough for fine hair but powerful enough for thicker strands, it tames frizz and smooths split ends without leaving any residue. To strengthen and repair, the formula blends 10 hydrolyzed plant proteins, 17 amino acids, and eight peptides, boosting elasticity and fortifying weak areas, all while surrounding hair with a bright citrus aroma, softened by notes of lavender and geranium.

Pai before applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Deanna Pai

Pai after applying the HaruHaru Black Bamboo Frizz-Free Hair Oil

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"Hair oil and I don't really mix. While I could probably use the frizz control, my hair is so fine that oil just tamps it down at the crown and smushes any bit of volume. That's where this stuff has proved different. Instead of just pairing oil with oil, the argan oil and bamboo water feel a lot more lightweight—think a serum. And while it doesn't completely eliminate my frizz (an impossible task), it gave my hair a nice shine and smoothed some of the flyaways around my hairline." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: black bamboo water, argan oil, peptide complex
• Hair it's best for: all hair types, especially curly hair
• When to apply: dry hair
• Additional benefits: shine-boosting, smooths flyaways
• Scent: grapefruit, orange, lime, lavender, bergamot, and geranium
• Sizes: 2.7 oz.

Best for Flat Hair: LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

LolaVie

Lightweight Hair Oil

$33 $23 (30% off)

Amazon

$33

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Nicola Dall'Asen

Why it's worth it: Pulling off the (near) impossible, LolaVie’s Lightweight Hair Oil leaves hair with a patent-like shine without flattening your meticulously-styled blowout. The dilemma with most hair oils is that they have at least some weight, which can lead to a deflated style, especially if you have naturally fine, thin, or otherwise flat hair. But LolaVie’s nourishing formula vanishes as quickly as you apply it, only leaving behind a vibrancy-enhancing finish. Plus, its ingredients list reads like a recipe for shiny strands that could put diamonds to shame and includes heavy-hitting moisturizers like sunflower seed oil, bamboo extract, and proteins derived from lentils and chia seeds.

Dall’Asen before applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Nicola Dall'Asen

Dall’Asen after applying the LolaVie Lightweight Hair Oil

Nicola Dall'Asen

Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen

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“Short, fine hair like mine and oils don't always get along, but I never have to worry about that with LolaVie's Lightweight Hair Oil—hell, its distinguishing factor is right there in the name. Just a few drops of this keratin-based oil gives my hair the hydration and shine it desperately needs, and thankfully without that heavy, greasy feeling.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, olive leaf extract, chlorella vulgaris (algae) extract, chia seed extract, bamboo extract
• When to apply: after towel-drying and/or after styling
• Additional benefits: minimizes breakage
• Scent: coconut
• Sizes: 1.5 oz.

Best for Second-Day Styles: Ouai Hair Oil

Ouai

Hair Oil

$32

Amazon

$32

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Not only does Ouai's Hair Oil deliver intense shine, but this lightweight formula is brimming with strand-softening ingredients like antioxidants and fatty acids that provide protection against damage stemming from pollution, UV exposure (meaning less color fading), and hot tools. It's weightless enough for fine hair but potent enough to smooth coarse hair, so it's perfect for refreshing second-day blowouts.

Allure features editor Dianna Mazzone Singh applying the Ouai Hair Oil

Dianna Mazzone Singh

Singh after applying the Ouai Hair Oil

Dianna Mazzone Singh

Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh

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“There are only a few oils I dare rake through my fine strands, and Ouai's is one of them. So imagine my delight when I learned that the same lightweight formula is now available in the brand's signature St. Barts scent with notes of dragonfruit, tuberose, and amber. Each time I catch a whiff, it feels like I've teleported from my office to the beach.”—Dianna Singh, features director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: galanga oil, ama oil, borage oil
• Hair it's best for: all hair types
• When to apply: after styling
• Additional benefits: enhances color vibrancy
• Scent: floral
• Sizes: 1.5 oz.

Best for Protective Styles: Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

Cécred

Nourishing Hair Oil

$44

Ulta Beauty

$44

Cécred

Why we love it: We all want hair that can withstand a full Beyoncé choreography, and it starts with the right oil. Cécred's Nourishing Hair Oil features a blend of 13 plant-based oils designed to hydrate, protect, and shine. At the heart of the formula is an African oil Blend (baobab, moringa, and black seed oils) that keeps strands supple and resilient while they’re tucked away in your style, while sea buckthorn oil replenishes with fatty acids and vitamin E. keratin ferment takes it a step further, reinforcing the hair’s natural barrier, reducing breakage, and restoring protein with every braid, twist, or knot.

“This oil is the best for medium to thick, curly, or straight, and every texture in between,” New York City-based cosmetologist Cataanda James told Allure. She says a little goes a long way when working it into wet or dry curls.

Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

Jailynn Taylor

Taylor after applying the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil

Jailynn Taylor

Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor

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"I've tried countless oils searching for one that nourishes my locs without causing buildup, and the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil delivers on both fronts. Upon application, my locs feel softer and better sealed with the moisture they need to stay strong and flexible. Rather than sitting on the surface, this oil absorbs well and keeps my locs hydrated for days with a subtle sheen. I apply a few drops to my scalp and along the length of my locs between wash days, and the results are immediate: less dryness, more movement, and easier manageability. The Temple Oud fragrance is pleasant and lingers just enough without being overwhelming." —Jailynn Taylor, contributor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: baobab oil, sea buckthorn oil, bioactive keratin ferment
• Hair it's best for: all hair types, especially coily
• When to apply: after styling
• Additional benefits: adds a subtle sheen, reduces breakage
• Scent: oud, sandalwood, jasmine, vetiver, violet leaves
• Sizes: 1.7 oz.

Best Drugstore: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil

SheaMoisture

Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil

$14 $10 (29% off)

Amazon

$13

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: SheaMoisture’s super lightweight Coconut & Hibiscus Smooth & Shine Oil leans on manketti oil—known for its UV protection, antioxidants, and damage-repairing benefits—to deliver next-level smoothness and light-catching glossiness. Coconut oil keeps frizz and flyaways in check, while hibiscus flower, a natural conditioner, helps calm the scalp. Just a pump or two is enough to turn dull strands into silky perfection.

Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

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"This lightweight hair oil infuses just the right amount of moisture into my strands without leaving my curls greasy or weighed down. I pump about two to three drops into my palms, rub them together, and lightly scrunch into my hair. It gives my hair a subtle sheen, plus, it smells delightfully sweet and floral.”—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: coconut oil, hibiscus flower, manketti oil, neem oil
• Hair it's best for: all hair types
• When to apply: damp or dry hair
• Additional benefits: reduces breakage, humidity control
• Scent: coconut and hibiscus
• Sizes: 3.3 oz.

Best Strengthening: Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum

Camille Rose

Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum

$16

Ulta Beauty

$15

Walmart

Why it’s worth it: Designed to strengthen fragile strands and encourage healthy growth, Camille Rose’s Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum sits somewhere between a serum and an oil because it’s thin enough to easily massage into and around the scalp. The squeeze-tip applicator makes it easy to target your scalp directly, so you can get right to the areas where breakage, thinning, or dryness are showing up. The formula leans on virgin amla oil to strengthen and condition follicles, while brahmi oil increases circulation at the scalp to create an ideal environment for growth. There are also honey, jojoba oil, and macadamia seed oils for an extra dose of moisture and softness.

We love using this as an overnight treatment—massage it into your scalp before bed and leave it on until your next wash, whether that’s the next morning or a couple of days later under a slicked-back style.

Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry

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“Working in beauty means I've tried just about everything. So, when I dub something my favorite, I mean it. This Camille Rosa Cocoa serum has been my go-to since 2021. It smells ah-mazing for one, and two, it makes my strands super strong, silky, and well-moisturized. I use this oil on my cornrows, when I'm wearing wigs, and my twist-outs and braid-outs for ultimate hydration and frizz-free styling.”—Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development

More to know

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• Key ingredients: virgin amla oil, brahmi oil, honey, jojoba oil, macadamia seed oil
• Hair it's best for: dry, damaged hair
• When to apply: dry hair before bed or as needed
• Additional benefits: shine
• Scent: chocolate and almond
• Sizes: 8 oz.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do hair oils work?

"Hair oils help smooth the hair cuticle and reduce styling breakage while minimizing frizz," cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos says. However, it isn't the oil smoothing the cuticle. "Most hair 'oils' on the market actually contain very little oil; they're primarily made from siloxanes and hydrocarbons,” explains Dobos. These ingredients, also known as silicones and mineral oils, respectively, are added to many hair oils because some of the lipids in natural oils can weigh hair down and cause fine hair to look greasy. Therefore, products with a high oil concentration are better on thick, textured, or coily hair, Dobos says.

Which hair oil is right for me?

"Rather than choosing an oil for your hair type, you should consider what you need the oil to do for your hair," says Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist in New York City. For example, if you're looking to enhance shine and softness, olive, carrot, and jojoba oils, all of which act as moisture-sealing emollients, are helpful. On the other hand, avid users of hot tools like blow-dryers or straighteners should reach for silicone-infused products to protect the hair's cuticle. Keep in mind, however, that silicone has long-term effects. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells Allure, "Continued use of silicones over time can weigh down the hair, so it's important to regularly wash hair to prevent any buildup."

When should I use hair oil?

Hair oils can have varied application directions, so be sure to read the bottle before you start your treatment. While many hair oils are applied to dry or damp hair on the mid-lengths and ends for a smooth finish, others are meant to be applied pre-wash. "The main benefit of pre-wash oils is that of an emollient, which provides a coating over the hair shaft, which seals the cuticle and traps moisture inside," Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, told Allure. Apply your pre-wash oil from mid-lengths to ends and to your scalp if it feels dry. Gently massage it in, let it sit for at least 10 minutes (or however long the instructions state) or overnight, and then shampoo and condition the hair. For extra absorption, you can wrap your strands in a warm towel or a shower cap while the oil sits.

Meet the experts

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist
• Sophia Emmanuel, a hairstylist at Crown Worthy in New York City
• Vladyslava Doktor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Center Boston

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

For our review of the best hair oils, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, professional stylists, cosmetic chemists, and board-certified dermatologists—who spoke about how to choose a hair oil and its range of benefits, depending on hair type, texture, hair concerns, and desired outcome. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, formula, and application. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

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

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

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

Apples may be synonymous with fall, but they never really go out of season. Thankfully, neither do the best apple perfumes. Fruity and juicy, sweet, and tart—and perfectly ripe for unexpected pairings—apple contains endless possibilities as a fragrance note. It’s no wonder that the crisp fruit has emerged as one of the year’s most popular scents. Whether you’re craving a festive perfume to top off a holiday look, want to smell like a chic candy apple, or like leaving a trail of apple blossom in your wake, there’s a perfume that will become, ahem, the apple of your eye.

Our Top Apple Perfumes

• Best Overall: Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love, $115
• Best Second-Skin: By Rosie Jane Birthday Suit Body + Hair Mist, $32
• Best for Date Night: Kilian Apple Brandy on the Rocks, $275
• Best for the Office: Henry Rose Smyth (Travel-Size), $35
• Best for Hair: Phlur Mrs. Smith Hair + Body Mist, $38
• Best Floral: Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede, $118
• Best Citrusy: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, $114
• Best Classic: DKNY Be Delicious, $100

That said, you may need some help navigating the category. The best apple scents range from fresh to floral, gourmand to musky, and wintry to vacation-ready, and the selection can be dizzying. That’s where this edit comes in.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up a bushel of the best fragrances to bring a taste of the season’s hottest fruit to your fragrance wardrobe. No matter where your taste (or scent preferences) lie, there are no bad apples in this Allure-approved list.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love

Ellis Brooklyn

Apple Love

$115 $98 (15% off)

Amazon

$115

Nordstrom

$115

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: Every Allure editor has a favorite Ellis Brooklyn perfume—and for many of us, Apple Love is a top contender for the title. You can call it hometown pride, perhaps, since perfumer Bee Shapiro has said that she designed it as “a fragrant love letter to New York City.” But the appeal goes beyond the origin story: It also smells like a fresh red apple wrapped in a cashmere scarf of amber. In a lipstick-red bottle that makes it (almost) as fun to display as it is to spritz, the eau de parfum has accents of peach skin, muguet, plum blossom, sugarcane, and vanilla. Plus—like any true New Yorker—it’s fabulous at layering. If the caramel-apple-but-make-it-chic vibe appeals to you, try pairing this with Ellis Brooklyn’s Queens Caramel.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“The fact that I've just hit a decade in NYC makes this fragrance all the more special. Even though this isn't a scent that should be relegated to one season, Apple Love does remind me of taking a stroll through the West Village or Greenpoint during the autumn season, when you're just starting to dust off your sweaters from storage. It's cozy, thanks to the musky dry-down notes, but not too warm. I love that apple is the star note but that it's not overwhemling. The peach skin and mandarin blend in beautifully, like an olfactory symphony of fruits.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key notes: red apple, peach skin, muguet, plum blossom, sugar cane, vanilla
• Sizes: 0.25 oz, 0.33 oz, 1.7 oz

Best Second-Skin: By Rosie Jane Birthday Suit Body & Hair Perfume Mist

By Rosie Jane

Birthday Suit Body & Hair Perfume Mist

$32

Amazon

$32

Nordstrom

$32

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: We can always count on By Rosie Jane for lightweight scents that have that your-skin-but-soapier (and slightly sexier) vibe. While Rosie is its most classic skin scent, Birthday Suit also has that freshly showered smell. (Plus, it layers beautifully with Rosie.) A modern take on musk, Birthday Suit opens with orchard-fresh notes of sweet apple, tangerine water, and lemon blossom. Its tropical heart mixes island lily with jasmine petals and salt air, and it all dries down to a warm, musky base of radiant amber, skin musk, and sunwashed cedar.

Tester feedback from contributor Jenny Berg

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“It’s no secret that I love a good skin scent. I have several that I spritz on a regular basis, and Birthday Suit is the one I reach for when I need an ultra-light fragrance to pep me up a bit. The mist has a citrusy, ephemeral vibe that reminds me of that burst of scent you get when you peel an orange or a lemon. And actually, that’s fitting: It makes a good little garnish for any scent you’ve applied earlier in the day. I’m wearing Birthday Suit right now over Parfums de Marly’s spicy, ylang-ylang-heavy Safanad–and let me tell you, it’s not bad!” —Jenny Berg, contributor

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• Key notes: sweet apple, tangerine water, lemon blossom, island lily, salt air
• Sizes: 3.9 oz

Best for Date Night: Kilian Apple Brandy on the Rocks

Kilian Paris

Apple Brandy on the Rocks

$275

Nordstrom

$275

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Kilian’s Apple Brandy on the Rocks proves just how nighttime an apple fragrance can be. With a heart of cedarwood and ambroxan, the spicy, warming scent melds notes of apple brandy with rum, vanilla, and moss. A touch of cardamom adds another dash of spice, while bergamot infuses the fragrance with a twist of citrus. Like a mixologist’s take on apple (rather than a baker’s), the fragrance comes in a weighted-glass bottle that looks like expensive barware. It’s the kind of sultry, wintry scent that pairs best with a luxe sweater dress. You can also try spritzing it onto a winter scarf so the smell of a candlelit cocktail lounge wafts up every time the wind blows.

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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“This fragrance is not uber sweet (like a good apple cider) or super fresh (like a Honeycrisp apple in September), instead it’s a smoky and warm mix I like to spritz for a night out. It must be the top ‘on the rocks’ note, which the brand describes as ‘a blend of bergamot, pineapple and cardamom’ that then leaves behind a vanilla-like apple scent. The bottle is also a work of art that would look right at home in a shelf of my bar among my favorite old-fashioned glasses.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

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• Key notes: cedarwood, ambroxan, apple brandy, rum, vanilla, moss, cardamom
• Sizes: 1.7 oz

Best for Hair: Phlur Mrs. Smith Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

Phlur

Mrs. Smith Hair & Body Fragrance Mist

$38

Amazon

$38

Nordstrom

$38

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Whether it’s the Best of Beauty Award-winning Vanilla Skin or the scrumptious Heavy Cream, Phlur’s hair and body mists have made a splash with Allure editors. For any apple perfume lover, this mix of Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady apples, and apple blossom is a feast for the nose. Zippy and floral with a dash of sugar, the scent has a mellow side, too: Its cozy base mixes pink praline and musky nectar. The fragrance can be spritzed anywhere, and that’s a good thing—based on our testers’ feedback, you’ll want it everywhere. (Including in your hair!)

Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards

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“DKNY’s Green Apple from the 2000s was one of the first fragrances that sparked my love for the fruit. That’s why Phlur’s new body mist feels nostalgic—its blend of crisp green apple, apple blossom, and musk creates the perfect sour-then-sweet effect.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager

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• Key notes: Granny Smith apple, pear, apple blossom, violet
• Sizes: 3 oz, 8 oz

Best Floral: Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede

Jo Malone

Peony & Blush Suede

$118

Nordstrom

$118

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Jo Malone’s Peony & Blush Suede cologne wraps red apples in a bouquet of peony, jasmine, and rose. The unisex scent has a suede base, adding a layer of warmth to the springy melange—but you can mix it up as you wish. A perennial best seller for Jo Malone, the scent is known as a “combiner cologne.” Designed for layering, it creates a light base for endless fragrance combinations. Though the brand insists that there are no rules when it comes to mixing and matching, Peony Blush & Suede is said to pair particularly well with Wood Sage & Sea Salt, another unisex scent with a mineral, woody profile.

Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo

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“A light, inviting apple and floral concoction, I found Peony & Blush Suede to be easy to wear and not too overpowering. It has a bright floral opening but then you can get the apple. If you're a fan of cozy, intimate, and clean scents, you would enjoy this. The only downside is that the scent faded pretty quickly during the day—I only really smelled it on my clothes for about three hours.” —Briana Rengifo, designer

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• Key notes: red apple, peony, suede
• Sizes: 0.3 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

Best for the Office: Henry Rose Smyth

Henry Rose

Smyth

$35

Nordstrom (Travel-Size)

$35

Credo Beauty (Travel-Size)

$120

Henry Rose (Full-Size)

Why it’s worth it: At Allure HQ, nearly everyone has an office fragrance; and if that wasn’t a thing, well, we made it one. When it comes to apple scents that aren’t apple-pie-cozy or brandy-spiked and boozy—in other words, scents that don’t exactly broadcast yes, I have those deliverables for you—Smyth is the ultimate pick. Crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, the unisex scent makes a statement without being overpowering. It opens with a medley of fruit notes, including Granny Smith apple, melon-pineapple sorbet, and apricot nectar. As it dries down, the fragrance morphs into something more sophisticated; it has a musky, woody base of sheer white woods, sandalwood, layered musks, and amber.

Tester feedback from senior art director Ingrid Fowler

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“Smyth is a super fresh, crisp scent. I love to wear it as a daytime fragrance. The apple notes are mildly sweet and not too strong, balanced with bright watery notes. It doesn’t scream apple, but it’s the main scent in the mix with some warm, floral elements. I love the whole Henry Rose line, but this is currently my go-to to wear daily to the office.” —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director

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Best Citrusy: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

Dolce & Gabbana

Light Blue

$114

Amazon

$114

Nordstrom

Why it’s worth it: For the past 25 years, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue—a lemon-tinged eau de toilette spiked with notes of Granny Smith apple and cedarwood—has brought Amalfi Coast vibes to pulse points everywhere. Inspired by the waves, flowers, and lush vegetation of Capri, the eau de toilette is just the thing to spritz on vacation, so it’s a good thing a travel-size version is available. But you don’t need to leave home to enjoy it: During a particularly dreary winter, spritz it as often as needed for an instant mood boost. Bonus: After its recent reformulation, the scent is more long-lasting than ever. Per the brand, it can stay on for up to 16 hours.

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• Key notes: Sicilian lemon, Granny Smith apple, cedarwood
• Sizes: 0.33 oz, 1 oz, 1.6 oz, 3.3 oz, 6.7 oz

Best Fresh: DKNY Be Delicious

DKNY

Be Delicious

$100 $50 (50% off)

Amazon

$100

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: First launched in 2004, DKNY Be Delicious is an aughties classic that still smells fresh. Reportedly a fave of Emma Watson’s, the perfume looks like a crisp green apple. It smells like one, too—but it’s not a literal take on the sweet-and-tart fruit. Magnolia, tuberose, muguet, rose, and violet give the apple note a floral edge, while its base is a musky mix of sandalwood, blonde woods, white amber, and musk. By the way: If your apple preferences lean more Pink Lady than green, DKNY’s Be Delicious Orchard Street is worth a sniff. The scent wraps the rose-colored fruit with notes of jasmine, cedarwood, and pink pepper for a spicy-floral effect.

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• Key notes: apple, magnolia, sandalwood
• Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

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If you want to make a plastic surgeon squirm, just ask them about "trends" in the field. The T-word sets them on edge. And we get it: It's deeply unwise to allow the whims of fashion to dictate the age at which you get a facelift or the size of the breast implants you put in your body. After all, if you're unhappy with your purchase, you can't simply return it as you would a disappointing pair of barrel jeans. Nevertheless, plastic surgery isn't immune from the influence of culture, the virality of social media, or the fluctuating preferences of the people. Each year, surgeons see the demand for certain treatments swell, and the interest in others recede.

When we asked these doctors how they foresee the aesthetic landscape shifting in the months ahead, they were quick to confirm the staying power of certain procedures and phenomena that Allure has recently covered: the GLP-1-propelled boom in body contouring, the enduring appeal of liposuction, the downsizing of breast implants, the rise of tissue-preserving facelifts and boob jobs, the increasing demand for ready-to-use fat (a.k.a. Alloclae), and even the anticipated growth of rib remodeling. While that last one may seem like a stretch (social media is, frankly, appalled), board-certified plastic surgeon Charles Galanis, MD, predicts that the controversial procedure will gain ground in 2026. “It’s all part of the year of the waist,” he says.

Surgeons also alluded, somewhat vaguely, to “regenerative” treatments, which have garnered tremendous buzz lately—and may someday have an Ozempic-caliber influence on the field—but currently lack evidence and FDA approvals. (We’re talking exosomes, salmon sperm, growth factors, and novel peptides.) By and large, “these are much more experimental kinds of concepts that have not played out yet in clinical trials,” says Daniel J. Gould, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the section editor for regenerative medicine at the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. From a scientific standpoint, he adds, 2026 will be a year for separating fads from facts in this realm, but it could be some time before these treatments yield enough convincing data to be widely adopted in practice.

So what’s emerging now and actually within reach? Ahead, plastic surgeons prognosticate on the treatments that will fizzle out, gain steam, or even revel in a rebrand.

The BBL is back—undetectable and with a new name.

The Brazilian butt lift is staging a quiet comeback. How quiet? “We don’t even mention the word BBL,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Ryan Neinstein, MD of his New York City office. Surgeons are dropping the acronym in favor of the procedure’s formal name: fat grafting to the buttocks. “The term BBL still frightens people,” Dr. Galanis explains, “so we have to be careful with that and explain that what we’re referring to is fat transfer.”

The fear is rooted in old data—namely, a survey from 2017, which reported that the BBL had the highest mortality rate in plastic surgery. The findings were hotly contested, Dr. Galanis notes, since the study had a low response rate and relied on self-reported outcomes, mostly from South Florida clinics “allegedly operating under less than ideal circumstances.” The paper also outlined technical recommendations for making the surgery safer (number one being: avoid injecting into the gluteal muscle, which can cause a fatal fat embolism). When the BBL survey was repeated a few years later (“in a more well-designed study,” says Dr. Galanis), the death rate had dropped and was shown to be similar to that of a tummy tuck. What’s more, a 2022 study looking at the disproportionately high rate of BBL deaths in South Florida, specifically, linked the majority of fatalities to “high-volume, budget clinics.” R. Brannon Claytor, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, blames these “chop shops” for “giving a bad name to a good operation.”

While the procedure hasn’t completely shaken off the stigma, in 2026, the BB… sorry, fat grafting to the butt is reemerging as a safe surgery that prioritizes shape over size. “The results are more subtle, more complementary to other procedures—like, you’re getting liposuction or a tummy tuck, and the BBL is just meant to complement the contours you’re creating elsewhere,” Dr. Galanis says. In a sense, the BBL is lending to a smooth silhouette overall, easing the transition between the waist, hips, butt, and thighs, he explains, and the end result is “not something that is popping out of clothes,” but rather “a look that someone could’ve been born with”—or perhaps built at the gym. Surgeons describe the new aesthetic as perky and athletic. “We talk about the ‘Pilates-instructor butt,” says Dr. Neinstein. In the majority of his mommy makeovers—including those on 50-, 60-, even 70-somethings—he’s “putting just a little bit of fat above the muscle,” so that the butt, when lifted, doesn’t look deflated and flat. Gone are the Kardashian comparisons. “We’ve gotten past the idea that a BBL means having a huge ass,” he says. “That’s no longer how patients think about it.”

Facelifts will target the midface through smaller incisions.

In recent years, the facelift has seized the zeitgeist. We’ve witnessed the relentless rivalry between deep plane and SMAS proponents, the incessant speculation over 30-something celebrities getting surgery, and the all-out hysteria surrounding a certain 70-year-old who shocked the internet by naming her facelift surgeon (and then inviting him to her birthday party). Each moment has helped to transform the facelift from a last-ditch surgery for seniors to a coveted glow-up for virtually anyone who can afford it.

What’s next? Some say the biggest news pertains to smaller scars, as more surgeons are offering “limited-incision deep plane lifts” (a.k.a. “midface lifts” or “endoscopic lifts”), primarily to patients who are seeing early drooping but still have good skin elasticity. In such cases, surgeons can use endoscope-guided techniques to target and reposition fallen tissues while skipping the usual incisions around the ears where extra skin is customarily cut away.

Unlike mini lifts of the past—which inspired the mantra: “mini lift, mini results”—the latest iterations go deeper and are more comprehensive and durable. These are “maximally invasive surgeries performed through minimally invasive incisions,” explains Dr. Gould. His version of the procedure elevates the outer brow and the cheeks through tiny incisions hidden in the hair behind the temples. For patients who also want to address their necks, he makes a separate incision under the chin, through which he can tighten the platysma muscle and reduce deeper structures that are detracting from a sleek jawline. As with the scalp incisions, the nick under the chin serves only as an entry portal; it doesn’t allow for skin removal.

While limited-incision lifts are having a moment, they’re not new. Andrew Frankel, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, says he’s been performing midface lifts since 1998. (He approaches the cheeks both from above, through slits in the scalp, and below, via incisions inside the mouth, freeing up the tissues and suspending them in a higher position.) While the midface lift has gone in and out of fashion over the years, Dr. Frankel has always found it to be a powerful tool for vertically lifting and “optimizing” the cheeks without adding artificial volume. “If someone doesn't have lax skin or jowls, a midface lift can redistribute the volume in the cheeks and provide a refreshed look without visible incisions,” he says.

Unsurprised by the procedure’s resurgence, Dr. Frankel attributes it to the public’s disillusionment with filler—the sad fact that it can’t lift the cheeks—as well as the uptick in 30- and 40-somethings seeking surgery as a means of beautifying. When he performs the midface lift as a standalone operation, it’s typically on younger patients (average age: 45) with the goal of enhancing cheek projection and obscuring under-eye hollows. “What it doesn’t do is affect your jawline and neck,” he notes. So, in older patients, he’ll commonly combine the midface lift with a traditional deep plane face and neck lift.

“A lot of surgeons are doing that,” adds Mike Roskies, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Toronto—meaning: incorporating endoscopic midface maneuvers into their “open” deep plane surgeries in order to boost the cheeks more effectively. In a field rife with conflicting opinions, surgeons seem to agree on this: “The midface represents the future of facelifting,” says Dr. Gould. “It’s the hardest thing to get right, but it’s where the beauty lies.”

“Submandibular glands” will be the talk of TikTok.

The next big controversy in aesthetics will focus on the neck, says Babak Azizzadeh, MD, the president-elect of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “We’re going to be hearing a lot more about the submandibular glands and how surgeons treat them,” he says. The debate over when and how to reduce these salivary glands is already in full swing at medical meetings, but Dr. Azizzadeh expects it to fully permeate the public forum next year (if not sooner: I saved three posts on submandibular gland contouring last week alone).

During a deep neck lift, which some call a “structural neck contouring,” surgeons go underneath the platysma muscle to trim the deep fat, the digastric muscles (which help to open the mouth), and the submandibular glands, which can droop and bulge with age, compromising a clean neckline. While not everyone needs a gland reduction, “in some patients, no matter how great of a deep plane facelift you do, if you don’t contour the glands, you’re not going to get a beautiful result overall,” Dr. Azizzadeh says.

The pursuit of next-level outcomes is compelling facelift surgeons to address the glands with a greater frequency than in the past. Dr. Azizzadeh says he treats the glands in 50% to 70% of face and neck lift cases; five years ago, the number was less than 10%. Dr. Roskies adds that in about 80% of his patients, “gland reduction is a necessity to get the results we want.”

But not every surgeon is trained in gland reduction or comfortable navigating the deep neck, where there’s an increased risk of bleeding and nerve injury. In the past, those doctors simply avoided the glands and blamed mediocre results on unfavorable anatomy. “They’d say, ‘Oh, they’ve got a tough neck,’ and chalk it up to that,” Dr. Claytor. In 2026, however, with social media showcasing neck angles few mortals are born with, expectations are sky-high—for patients and doctors alike. At every level, surgeons are aiming to up their game. “They’re looking at a handful of facelift leaders across the world, who are getting results that they wish they could get for their own patients, and they’re trying to mimic every aspect of their techniques,” Dr. Roskies says.

Aesthetically speaking, deep neck specialists say they’re already seeing the trend being taken too far. “We don’t want sculpted jawlines that make women look like Chads,” says Dr. Roskies, referring to the alpha-male stereotype with a hyperchiseled chin. “We want feminine jawlines—and sometimes that means reducing the glands in a more conservative fashion than we would have in the past.”

Facial fat grafting will continue to rise.

For years, surgeons have been suctioning fat from areas of excess and processing it into microfat and nanofat before injecting it into the face. While microfat contains intact fat cells that lend volume and structure, more finely filtered nanofat—which results from rupturing fat cells to release their stem cells and growth factors—is lauded for its healing and rejuvenative effects. Doctors often use nanofat around the eyes and mouth to smooth the skin. Some inject it into the scalp to help regrow hair or under the skin to treat inflammatory conditions, like rosacea and melasma, as well as acne scarring.

“Fat is far and away the most superior volumizing agent that we currently have and it’s one of the richest sources of stem cells in our body,” says Faryan Jalalabadi, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. He sees fat emerging as a safer, more natural alternative to overhyped regenerative treatments, like salmon sperm, exosomes, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which are understudied in aesthetics and illegal to inject in the U.S. With nanofat especially, “we can deliver your own exosomes and stem cells,” adds Dr. Claytor. He frequently uses nanofat to treat stubborn lines around the mouth, applying it after CO2 laser resurfacing and microneedling in order to speed recovery and allay pain.

(The purported stem cell benefits of fat are still largely anecdotal, it’s worth noting. “There are regenerative properties to fat that we can see in our surgical results,” says Dr. Roskies. He credits the stem cells in fat with hydrating the skin from within, for instance, and lending vitality to the skin. However, he adds, “until we take biopsies of skin on healthy cosmetic patients and analyze the difference before and after, we won’t really know [its true effects].”)

Further driving interest in fat grafting is the public’s dwindling appetite for hyaluronic (HA) acid injections. “We’re in an era of filler fear,” Dr. Roskies says. “We lost the plot by taking it too far and using it in ways it should never have been used.” (Looking at you, “liquid facelift.”) As a result, Dr. Roskies’ office has seen a 400% increase in fat transfer inquiries in the last year alone. Dr. Jalalabadi says he’s also seeing more interest in fat from patients of all ages. He attributes the boom to a growing awareness of filler’s “downstream effects”—potential long-term issues like swelling, lymphatic obstruction, and interference with future surgery and recovery.

While most of the doctors I interviewed believe there’s still a role for HA in aesthetics, they also expect the popularity of fat to continue to soar as more people sour on filler. To meet the demand, some are now offering fat grafting as a standalone treatment under local anesthesia. (Historically, it’s been most often used alongside facelifts.) Dr. Gould, for example, commonly uses it to maintain previous facelift outcomes. Three to five years post-lift, he says, some patients come back for a round of fat grafting to “perk up” the face. “We’re seeing a lot more of that,” he says. “In an hour and a half, we do a little bit of fat grafting and it goes a really long way.”

Nonsurgical skin tightening as a substitute for surgery will plummet.

In October, the FDA alerted the public to reports of serious complications from radiofrequency (RF) microneedling devices. Among them: burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement, and nerve damage. Some in the field say the warning was long overdue, as doctors have, for years, been cautioning about RF-related complications, which typically occur when inexperienced practitioners deliver excessive energy beyond the dermis, into the fat and deep tissues, in an attempt to lift and tighten the face. On social media, injured patients have banded together to speak out about the dangers these devices can pose. With myriad factors eroding trust in nonsurgical skin tighteners, experts say we may soon see them go the way of noninvasive fat reduction modalities, which fell by 40% between 2023 and 2024.

“The trend of people coming in and asking for Morpheus8 or Sylfirm or whatever [brand of RF microneedling]—that trend is down by about 50% in our practice,” Dr. Azizzadeh says. “It has flown off the cliff.” He believes the manufacturers of these devices created “a negative self-fullfilling prophecy” by falsely advertising the technology as a replacement for facelift surgery—an outcome that no device can deliver. Given the backlash, he adds, “I think it’s going to take a year or two for [this category of treatments] to acclimate and for practitioners to learn where these tools benefit the patient and when to use them and when not to use them.”

In Dr. Azizzadeh’s experience, RF microneedling “can be a fantastic tool” for addressing fine wrinkling or poor skin elasticity, particularly after a facelift. Dr. Gould says the same, adding that he confines the energy to the skin, going only one to two millimeters deep. (Some RF microneedling devices have the potential to reach up to 8 millimeters.) Other surgeons echo the importance of staying shallow. “I think energy-based devices have a place in the future of aesthetic medicine where the indication is for skin health—improving the texture and porosity of the skin or superficial acne scarring,” says Dr. Roskies. “But the second you expand that indication to lifting, you risk damaging structures and shrinking the fat underneath the skin.”

Tummy tucks are going 360, scars be damned.

In some practices, the standard hip-to-hip tummy tuck is taking a backseat to extended and circumferential versions of the procedure, which sculpt the entire torso in one fell swoop. (While the circumferential or 360 incision encircles the waist, the extended incision wraps around the hips but doesn’t approach the butt.) Forcing the procedure’s evolution: GLP-1s, for starters. “Because patients are losing so much weight so quickly, we’re seeing more people with excess skin on their tummies, flanks [love handles], and lower backs—there’s laxity everywhere,” says Michael Stein, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City. In those cases, “if we do a traditional tummy tuck, they look great in the front, but then they’re pinching their flanks and their backs, and they eventually come back for another surgery [to address those areas].”

While some surgeons are just now shifting to more comprehensive tucks when warranted —usually following pregnancy or any major weight loss—Dr. Neinstein says he began moving away from what he calls the “legacy tuck” after the pandemic. As GLP-1s entered the mainstream, “people became looser everywhere,” he says—and the goalpost of patient desires advanced in a big way. “I realized we weren’t doing enough,” says Dr. Neinstein. By addressing only the front of the abdomen, “we were kind of renovating the upstairs bathroom and hoping the whole house would look different,” he says. “Patients’ expectations have dramatically evolved since the original tummy tuck was first described, and a 40-year-old operation can’t match the demands [of the modern patient]. We have to evolve, too.”

In Dr. Neinstein’s practice, 60% of the tummy tucks he performs are circumferential, 20% are extended, and the other 20% are front tucks. One third of his 360 tucks are revisions of previous tucks that lacked the “wow factor,” he says. Dr. Gould is also seeing more candidates for circumferential tucks. “Every patient is unique—some need it, some don’t,” he says. “But when the old-style tummy tuck can’t totally address the patient’s problems, we’re not doing them any favors by offering smaller surgeries.”

During a circumferential tuck, surgeons remove skin and fat from all around the torso and repair separated abdominal muscles to strengthen the core. They also lift the butt and thighs by tailoring the skin on the outside and tightening the fascia on the inside. Preserving this layer of connective tissue, which is rich in lymphatic vessels, offers the unsung advantage of forgoing drains. (These tubes prevent fluid from collecting under the skin post-surgery, but can be uncomfortable and restrict movement.) By sparing the fascia and its intrinsic channels, “we’re leaving the body’s sump pump in place, so the lymphatics can drain on their own,” says Dr. Claytor. Dr. Neinstein adopted this technique about nine months ago and says he hasn’t placed a drain since. (Surgeons often pair the fascia-preserving strategy with something called progressive tension sutures—internal stitches that anchor the skin to the underlying muscles, further minimizing fluid buildup.)

Not everyone expects the circumferential tuck to take off. Dr. Galanis believes the surgery will remain a relatively niche solution for massive weight loss patients. “There will be some surgeons who use it [more broadly] as a way to optimize contours,” he says, “but in most cases, I think the combination of aggressive liposuction and a [basic] tummy tuck will accomplish the same thing without the added scar.” About that, though: Multiple surgeons have told me that patients of the GLP-1 era are generally more accepting of the scars that accompany tissue-tailoring procedures. “Ten years ago, the scar was a major issue, but now it doesn’t even really come up anymore,” Dr. Neinstein says. (Tummy tuck scars should be thin and low enough to hide in a bikini.) Dr. Stein’s take: People are realizing “that a beautiful result with more scarring is better than a suboptimal outcome with a shorter scar.”

Meet the experts

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• Babak Azizzadeh, MD, is the president-elect of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
• R. Brannon Claytor, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
• Andrew Frankel, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
• Charles Galanis, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon.
• Daniel J. Gould, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the section editor for regenerative medicine at the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
• Faryan Jalalabadi, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
• Ryan Neinstein, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who performs mommy makeovers exclusively.
• Mike Roskies, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Toronto.
• Michael Stein, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City.

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More times than I can count (or care to) I’ve declared that, although I am zealous about every woman’s right to decide what, if anything, she wants to do to her face, I myself have deep roots firmly planted in the no-surgery camp. At 75, I’ve had plenty of time to think about it, weighing the pros and cons, giving full reign to my imagination about the delicate intricacies (and gory details) of invasive procedures, recovery processes, and eventual outcomes.

All that thinking has only strengthened my conviction that learning to love your face without objectification is a powerful way to counteract the damaging and distressing messages from a beauty culture that prizes youthfulness and hypersexuality. I could say without ambivalence that I’m not a candidate for elective surgery. Until now.

It isn’t wrinkles or sagging per se that have changed my outlook. I love an old face. (Including my own.) The problem is with a particular manifestation of aging, which I’ve described this way: The corners of our mouths droop, making us look impatient or fretful when we’re not—intensifying resting bitch face (RBF) if we’re already prone to it. That situation is exacerbated by an unfortunate combination of gravity, bone loss, and reduced soft tissue volume.

It isn’t wrinkles or sagging per se that have changed my outlook. I love an old face. (Including my own.)

Neuromodulator injections and filler can help lift the corners of your mouth, but I’m not into injections in that area, because there’s a very slight risk of losing the ability to enunthiate thertain conthonanths.

Because of this inevitable loss of structural support, the area around my mouth seems to have set itself into something that looks exactly like disdain. Disdain! The emotion I am least likely to succumb to, ever! Interestingly, it’s not even the look on my face that disturbs me; it’s the consequences of the look. Because unless I’m smiling, someone who catches me glancing at them would most likely believe not only that I think they’re hardly worthy of my attention, but that I am suffused with contempt.

So not me. So very much not me.

I might’ve anticipated this situation when I noticed that my 93-year-old mother, a remarkably cheerful woman in her oldest age, often seemed to look very discontented. What was wrong, dear Mom? “What? Nothing!” she’d declare, her face suddenly blooming into a smile. “I was just thinking of…your father, my grandchildren, the delicious soup I had last night…” While any number of pleasant memories were playing in her head, you might’ve thought, looking at her face, that she’d just fallen into an open grave.

Unless I’m smiling, someone who catches me glancing at them would most likely believe that I am suffused with contempt.

Lest you think this preoccupation with my newly unappealing expression is vain or self-involved, actually, now that I think about it, it is (so shoot me). But there’s more to it. Facial expressions are one of the most important forms of non-verbal communication, according to an editorial in the academic journal Frontiers in Psychology, citing many studies. Mimicking facial expressions is a way of sharing emotions, for example. Being aware of that, I’ve always loved noticing how, in conversation, someone will raise her eyebrows as I raise mine, or reflexively smile at my own smile. The feeling that generates? We’re in this together.

Among other things, facial expression can also influence decision-making: A happy expression can induce more willingness in an observer to take a risk. I thought of the influence of facial expression the other day as I listened to fashion writer Amy O’Dell interviewing Sophie Gilbert, who writes often about culture and women’s issues for The Atlantic. Referring to Kim Kardashian’s neutral stare in the TV series All’s Fair and other media outlets, Gilbert says, “She has just become this avatar of immobile, provocative expressionlessness for women. She’s giving nothing.” O’Dell and Gilbert go on to mention several examples of other celebrities’ blank stares.

I don’t know about you, but what that blank stare says to me is mean girl. In fact, I remember very well clocking it on certain of my 7th grade classmates. What they were communicating—in their case intentionally—was disinterest, judgment, and subtle hostility. All of this was evident from their lack of micro-expressions, like the slight lifting of the brows that opens the eyes and softens the face.

Drawing a blank: Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, Charli XCX, and Rosé at the Saint Laurent show in Paris in September.

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This lack of expression, zombie-like at its most extreme, can, of course, be the result of too much neurotoxin injected into the facial muscles. It’s the reason I never do Botox or any of its ilk around my eyes to eliminate crows’ feet. I’ve written about why: I have strong feelings about crow’s feet: I like them. Personally, I think crow’s feet are the least unbeautiful of wrinkles; you get them from squinting, sure, but also from a fully engaged smile—called the Duchenne—in which the corners of your eyes get crinkly. It lets people know you are genuinely happy. That’s nice, right? Better: When people respond to your happiness, it precipitates a neural loop that can make you feel even happier. (For the record, I do get neurotoxin injected between my brows—because my frown lines, on the other hand, do not precipitate a happy neural loop.)

Facial expressions are one of the most important forms of non-verbal communication.

Am I saying crow’s feet are good for you? Kind of. And scientists would agree: Studies of yearbook pictures, politicians’ headshots, and dating profile photos show that deep crow’s-feet are good predictors of lower divorce rates, election victories, and how wealthy people think you are, respectively.

And they’re not just good for you, but good for the people who might care about you and your well-being. I happen to have many crow’s feet. A murder of them. Complementing them, a couple of pretty prominent under-eye bags. They may make me sometimes look tired when I’m not. But they don’t influence other people’s perception in a way that suggests I might be disdainful of them, or worse, contemptuous.

That’s what I can’t abide, and what has finally uprooted me from my comfortable position as a no-facial-surgery constituent. I’m not sure what exactly can be done to ameliorate my situation, but I think it might be something called a “lip lift,” which definitely involves a scalpel. For now, I’m voting for discovery. All this is just to say, when it comes to our decisions about aesthetic choices, we have the option to change our minds. Let’s not be judgy about it. Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve probably already been confronted by the finger-wagging arguments against aesthetic manipulation: it’s misogynistic, patriarchal, anti-feminist, destructive to your physical and spiritual self. I believe that, yes, it can be. Also, that sometimes, it is not.