Category: APPEARANCE

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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 approved a new active sunscreen ingredient (also called a filter), which is the first major sunscreen-related approval since 1999—yes, 1999!

On June 9, the administration added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted active ingredients for over-the-counter sunscreens. According to the FDA, bemotrizinol (or BEMT) “provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.” Now that the approvals have been finalized, BEMT is considered to be Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE) by the FDA and recommended for use on 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 December 2025 statement when the organization began the formal process toward approving BEMT. “Americans deserve timely access to the best safe, effective, and consumer-friendly, over-the-counter products available.”

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 comparison, in Japan, formulators can choose from more than 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 gives cosmetic chemists another ingredient to add to their list, 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 very much on board with BEMT. “The academy has been advocating for many years for the availability of more sunscreen options for US consumers,” Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, the immediate past president of the AAD, said in a statement last December, noting that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. “The United States lags behind many other countries that have nearly twice as many approved sunscreen ingredients.”

Now that BEMT is officially approved, you can expect to see sunscreens with the new filter hitting shelves this year. The first three arrived to the U.S. in September, and they all pair BEMT with filters that have been available in the States for a while. Ultra Violette's Unblock Screen SPF 50 Breakout-Friendly Skinscreen is a semi-matte, zinc-BEMT formula meant to be particularly good for oily skin. Neutrogena has two: Clear Face Sunscreen Acne-Prone Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 60 (which, like the Ultra Violette formula, is formulated for acne-prone skin) and Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 (which has peptides and antioxidants too). Both of the Neutrogena options pair BEMT with avobenzone, octisalate, and homosalate filters for full-spectrum protection.

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Ultra Violette

Unblock Screen SPF 50 Breakout-Friendly Skinscreen

$40

Sephora

$40

Ultra Violette

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Neutrogena

Clear Face Sunscreen Acne-Prone Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 60

$19

Amazon

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Neutrogena

Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70

$19

Amazon

Dobos says she's “very excited” about putting BEMT 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.”

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Allure editors leave no stone—or compact, palette, or tube—unturned when determining our Best of Beauty Award winners. And considering the number of submissions we receive (this year's count was around 5,500), you'd be correct to assume that doing so takes a whole lot of time and commitment.

But for you, dear reader, we'll happily do it again and again—and we have, for 30 years. That little red seal you see on Best of Beauty-winning products has become synonymous with trust—and that's something we take very seriously.

What else does our seal symbolize? Medicine cabinets overflowing with products, several dozen testers (and friends and family members of those several dozen testers), a whole lot of makeup remover, and an immense sense of pride.

We're often asked "when" we start working on Best of Beauty. But the better question might be: When are we not working on it? Our decisions don't happen overnight or in one long meeting. It's a yearlong process that happens steadily, in the background, as we conduct interviews with experts, meet with brand founders, attend launch events, and pass face mists around the office. Even when the process is over, it's not over—by the time the awards drop in the fall, we're just about ready to open submissions for the following year.

We know, we know: That sounds unbelievable. But we've got the receipts. Ahead, discover an annotated timeline of our 2026 Best of Beauty testing process, along with some candid, behind-the-scenes moments that make this journey as fun for us to put together as we hope it is for you to read—and shop.

Shop All 2026 Best of Beauty Winners

Mid-October 2025

We send out a call for the 2026 awards…

And brands answer. After posting an open call on social media inviting brands to submit their top products for Best of Beauty consideration, publicists and founders begin to complete our submission form.

Submissions fall into various categories such as skin, body, makeup, hair, and tools—plus niche categories like Clean and Breakthroughs (more on that later). We ask brands to submit any product, old or new, that they believe is a contender. The only condition is that it's available for purchase in September 2026, when the awards are announced—and it can't be a limited-edition launch (to ensure broad accessibility for winning products). For 2026, we received a whopping 5,568 submissions.

End of October

More than 5,500 products have been submitted, so there's a lot of sorting to do.

We start organizing the submissions—exporting all the data, making spreadsheets…you know, the fun stuff.

Simultaneously, we begin reaching out to members of the Allure team to ask which categories they want to test, based on their hair and skin types, their makeup styles, etc. This part is always exciting. Some editors go wild for fragrance while others are skin-care fanatics, so this is a chance for everyone to really lean into their favorite beauty categories. Each category has at least three officially assigned testers (although plenty of other editors won't hesitate to throw in their own opinions on formulas throughout the process).

Early November

We get really familiar with those spreadsheets.

Each editor receives a personal spreadsheet that includes a list of every category they're testing and the products within it. (This year, we had 75 in-house testers). At this point, the feedback fields on each sheet are blank, ready for the editor to add detailed notes about each product as they test (and re-test). And we mean detailed. We want to know everything from how difficult a jar of moisturizer is to open to how a foundation holds up throughout the day.

Early November to early December

Products begin to travel to us from far, far away…and some from just around the block.

Upon request, brands send us samples of their submissions (we ask for four of each), and it's time to get busy with the box cutters. These are the weeks when we focus on physically sorting all the submissions and getting them into the hands of our eager editors.

Packages and shopping bags piled up in the beauty closet during the call-in period.

Mid- to End of November

Last call!

Brands have had about a month to submit, and we close our first round of submissions.

December

It's time to get our Marie Kondo on.

Hundreds of boxes get unpacked, and products get sorted into more boxes for each editor, each labeled with the editor's name. While the majority of products are sent to Allure HQ, a few lucky (or maybe not so lucky?) editors have products sent directly to their homes, leaving them to deal with the aftermath: empty cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and possible paper cuts (ouch).

Social director Kassidy Silva turned her dining room into a makeshift beauty closet.

Global senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick carries the aftermath of opening Best of Beauty packages out of her home.

Early December to early March

Over the next three months, we methodically test products, category by category, employing every body part necessary to get the job done.

Best of Beauty editorial assistant Arietta Hallock tests the Quick-Dry winner: Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Nail Color.

Arietta Hallock

Beauty director Sarah Kinonen wears the winning LED face mask from Shark Beauty while in bed.

Sarah Kinonen

Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor tests the winning waver hot tool from GHD.

Jesa Marie Calaor

As we mentioned, some editors prefer certain categories more than others. Of course, we all love skin care, but beauty director Sarah Kinonen is especially into skin gadgets and gladly took on the task of looking like a robot a few times a week to find the best LED face mask. Other editors, like senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor, use testing as an opportunity to try trendy beauty products they've been dying to get their hands on.

Social media manager Bianca Richards testing out a lip gloss on a night out with her girls.

Senior art director Ingrid Fowler wearing mineral sunscreen and her Allure red sweatshirt.

Some editors like to take products for a test run in the wild. “When linking up with my girls for a casual weekend dinner, we like to keep the fits low-key, but the glam has to be on point. It's the perfect opportunity to test out Best of Beauty makeup contenders,” says social media manager Bianca Richards. Ingrid Fowler, senior art director, put mineral sunscreens—and the exclusive Allure merch she designed—to the ultimate test: beach volleyball.

January

We re-open our submissions for a couple of weeks so brands can submit samples of the 2026 launches that they weren't able to provide in the fall.

March

After all the testing is (mostly) complete, we create a master spreadsheet, compiling everyone's testing notes into one document.

End of March to mid-April

Did someone just put a two-hour meeting on my calendar?

Yes, yes, they did. At this point in the process, we hold team-wide meetings to go through each category and talk about the various notes for each product. Think of it as the ultimate beauty debate. We eliminate products editors disliked and argue over the products that didn't quite have a consensus.

As we debate one category after another, we determine which products require a bit more testing to reach a decision—and add a few more products to the mix that initially slipped under the radar.

End of March

Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up!

By this point, every editor's testing box (stored in the beauty closet) should be empty of products as we gear up to clear out the space and return it to its original function: storing everyday beauty launches and serving as a cute filming spot for Allure's social and video content.

Spring

We're getting closer!

Now it's time to finalize our list of winners, and to put any winners in the clean and breakthrough categories through a vetting process.

"For a beauty product to win a Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award, it has to be a first-of-its-kind: a blow-dryer that senses how far it is from your scalp, for example, or a pimple patch with LED lights," says Liz Siegel, who reported, tested, and vetted this year's Breakthrough winners. The product has to have data in the form of clinical studies to back up its claims. A panel of our judges—including cosmetic chemists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and, of course, Allure editors—is enlisted to test the product, review the data, and, ultimately, agree that it really does deliver results, and that there's nothing else out there quite like it.

There is much debate in the beauty industry over the term "clean," so we came up with our own criteria, vetted by dermatologists, toxicologists, and cosmetic chemists. Products that meet our standard are formulated without: parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, cyclic silicones, aluminum salts, hydroquinone, triclosan, talc, mineral oil, petrolatum, formaldehyde, toluene, microbeads, and chemical sunscreen filters (oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate).

Mid-Spring

After much testing, deliberation, vetting, and re-testing, our 2026 Best of Beauty winner list is finalized! The list first gets shared through a teamwide email, at which point everyone pauses their work to browse the winners and see if their favorites made the cut.

End of Spring

Yay! But also, shh!

We reach out to representatives of the winning brands to share the exciting news of their win— they also get an official letter from Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel, followed by a reminder to keep the news under wraps until it's time to share the list publicly.

Summer

It's a sprint to the finish line!

The work doesn't stop here, though. We shift gears from testing to creating all the content needed to share and amplify award results, including the landing page, social media posts, and our special-edition Allure Best of Beauty print magazine.

Mid-September

It’s all been leading up to this…

At long last, we are able to share our current Best of Beauty winners with the world! The site is live, the social posts are pushed out, and every editor breathes a brief sigh of relief. But, as you may have guessed, we're not done yet.

October 17

Time to party!

Amid the busyness of putting together the awards, some team members have also been planning Best of Beauty: The Live Event! This is an annual event during which we showcase the awards with expert panelists and beauty treatments from our favorite brands (such as dry-styling by Wella Professionals or personalized skin consultations from EltaMD). And you're invited! Together, we all gather to celebrate another successful year of the Allure Best of Beauty Awards.

By the time you're reading this, we've probably already sent out submission forms for next year. So it begins again!

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Headscarves have been one of the biggest hair-accessory trends of the summer, and if you don’t believe me, just ask celebrities like Dua Lipa, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh, who were all spotted sporting a little above-the-face fabric over the last few months. It’s as practical as it is stylish, capable of turning a less-than-cooperative hair day into something seemingly intentional yet not overtly high-effort. And now, Bella Hadid is apparently unwilling to let go. She’s bringing not only the headscarf into autumn (which officially starts next week), but she’s also insisting that an especially summery print can work with an otherwise fall-focused look.

Hadid was seen in New York City with her long, blonde hair styled in a voluminous blowout that spilled over her shoulders. Styled in a traditional triangle and secured around her loose, middle-parted waves was a red and beige scarf with an elevated take on gingham’s checkered pattern. Instead of tucking the arms of her sunglasses underneath the scarf, Hadid wore the oversized, burgundy shades right on top of her covered ears.

Photo: Getty Images

The gingham is definitely picnic-coded, but the rest of Hadid’s outfit is about as late-September as it gets. She wore a Halloween-orange Oddli 3/4 Sleeve Boat Neck Dress under a tan, corduroy jacket. Few things feel more fall than knee-high, dark brown boots like the ones she wore, and even her matching, extra-large Staud bag feels like a high-end alternative to a back-to-school backpack.

It’s not that Hadid’s pretending gingham has suddenly become a fall staple; it’s still giving summer picnic. It’s just that the rest of her ensemble suggests she’s getting that picnic in on the last few days of comfy temperatures, before we have to pack up the basket and start dining—and serving headscarf panache—indoors.

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Different phases of life call for different skin-care needs, and the best moisturizers for mature skin make those adjustments feel like a thirst-quenching treat. Just as acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may have been your saving graces as a teen, there are similarly powerful ingredients that complement and support aging skin (including, yes, but not limited to retinol). “As our skin matures, there is a natural decrease in collagen and elastin production, which are the supportive structures of the skin that help give youthful skin its firmness and bounce,” Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously shared. That’s when moisturizer comes in: Alongside relieving dryness, a moisturizer tailored for mature skin can also restore elasticity, brighten dark spots, and treat fine lines for stronger skin. While these are normal characteristics of later-in-life skin, we'd never judge anyone seeking a little epidermal pick-me-up.

Our Top Moisturizers for Mature Skin

• Best Overall: Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer, $98
• Best with Retinol: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream, $28
• Best Retinol Alternative: La Mer The Rejuvenating Night Cream, $230
• Best for Deep-Set Wrinkles: Medik8 Advanced Pro Collagen Peptide Cream, $99
• Best for Dry Skin: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced, $185

Scroll ahead to discover your new favorite daily moisturizer for mature skin, as vetted by dermatologists and Allure editors.

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What ingredients should I look for in moisturizers for mature skin?
• What do moisturizers for mature skin do?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

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Alastin

Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

$98

Amazon

Why it's worth it: You’d be hard-pressed to find a dermatologist who hasn’t recommended Alastin. Most of the brand’s formulas, including the Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer, feature its signature TriHex Technology, a proprietary blend of peptides designed to help clear out damaged collagen and elastin while supporting the production of new, healthy fibers. But what makes this one especially easy to love day-to-day is how it balances long-term skin support with immediate comfort: Ingredients like oat kernel extract calm irritation and reinforce the skin barrier, while linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) replenishes lipids, smooths roughness, and reduces moisture loss.

You’re also getting a steady hit of hydration from glycerin and tremella mushroom extract (a hyaluronic acid-like hydrator), plus soothing extras like bisabolol and antioxidant-rich sunflower and rice bran extracts. “It’s lightweight enough to layer under serums or SPF, but still delivers rich hydration and soothing benefits, which is crucial for mature, sensitive skin,” Jenna Queller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Florida, told Allure.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, oat kernel extract, linoleic acid, phospholipids, rosemary
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it's for: people with mature skin that’s dry, sensitive, or irritated

Best With Retinol: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream

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RoC

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream

$28

Amazon

$38

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Using retinol in a serum or as a standalone product has its own benefits for mature skin. But in a moisturizer, it comes with an even greater advantage: skin-firming benefits in addition to soothing hydration. Case in point: RoC’s Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Cream. It pairs a powerful, proprietary form of retinol with a moisturizing base (featuring bio-ceramides and shea butter) to smooth the look of fine lines and deep wrinkles while combating signs of dryness and minimizing irritation, which is why Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends the product. (Editor’s note: RoC doesn’t disclose the exact concentration of retinol, so beginners, proceed with caution.)

More to know

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• Key ingredients: retinol, bio-ceramides, squalane, allantoin, shea butter
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Retinol Alternative: La Mer The Rejuvenating Night Cream

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La Mer

The Rejuvenating Night Cream

$230

La Mer

Why it's worth it: Nighttime is when your skin is in repair mode, so sleep tight with La Mer’s The Rejuvenating Night Cream, a newly crowned 2026 Allure Best of Beauty winner. The luxurious formula consists of an antioxidant-rich blend of sea kelp and lime tea concentrate (an antioxidant-rich complex) to support resilient, healthier-looking skin while you snooze. The star ingredients are accompanied by rich butters, like shea and mango seed butters, that help bolster the skin barrier to keep hydration locked in—a.k.a. preventing transepidermal water loss that often occurs while you sleep—even when morning hits.

If you’re typically sensitive to traditional retinol, this moisturizer offers a solution: A retinol alternative called MRA-3 (sea plant extracts) encourages collagen production and healthy cell turnover from dusk till dawn, helping to plump fine lines and wrinkles, smooth over texture, and enhance radiance—all without the potential irritation associated with retinol. Plus, the rich, plush texture and La Mer’s signature floral scent make bedtime feel like a luxury ritual.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“For years, my nighttime skin-care philosophy was basically: Slap on my morning moisturizer and call it a day. And as a devout Crème de la Mer fan—it’s been a fixture on my birthday and holiday wish lists for years—I didn’t think I was missing much. Little did I know my dry, sensitive skin could get along so well with something this rich. Thick creams have historically felt more suffocating than nourishing on me, but The Rejuvenating Night Cream has the dreamiest texture: plush and comforting without making me feel like my skin can’t breathe. I’m in the final stretch of my 30s (a long-winded way of saying I’m 39), and fine lines, dullness, and a little laxity have become increasingly noticeable, especially around my eyes, where shadows can make the area look more hollow. I love waking up to skin that feels deeply moisturized and looks plumper and fresher. I reach for it on the nights I take a break from my prescription tretinoin, and its gentle retinol alternative already seems to be helping smooth my skin. I’m excited to see what a few more months of consistent use can do.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: shea butter, sea kelp, lime tea concentrate, MRA-3 (retinol alternative), mango seed butter
• Fragrance-free: no

Best with SPF: Revision Intellishade Original SPF 45

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Revision Skincare

Intellishade Original SPF 45

$89

Amazon

$89

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Your dermatologist, your mother, and all of us here at Allure will never stop saying it: Sunscreen is your best defense against fine lines and wrinkles. The Revision Intellishade Original SPF 45 combines hybrid sun protection with SPF 45 hydrating ingredients, including glycerin and squalane, to act as one multi-functional step in your routine. (Reminder: The American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, recommends an SPF rating of 30 or above, so this formula passes with flying colors.) Dr. Garshick especially likes the moisturizer because it also contains three peptides, which help improve “the appearance of fine lines and uneven tone while protecting against further environmental damage.” To streamline your routine even further, the moisturizer comes in a tinted version to lightly conceal and even skin tone on the spot.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 7.5% octinoxate, 5% octisalate, 3% zinc oxide, 3.5% titanium dioxide, peptides, vitamin C (THD ascorbate)
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Deep-Set Wrinkles: Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream

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Medik8

Advanced Pro Collagen Peptide Cream

$99

Amazon

$99

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: If you haven’t been following the peptide hype by now, here’s the 101: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as the foundation for collagen, elastin, and keratin—helping support healing, boost firmness, and slow signs of aging. Think of peptide-infused formulas, like Medik8’s Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream, as your needle-free shortcut to Botox-like effects. The hydrating moisturizer features growth factor-inspired “mini proteins” that support collagen production, so it’s not just hydrating skin; it’s working beneath the surface to reinforce the skin’s structure. (That deeper support is what helps soften the look of more etched-in wrinkles.) You’ll also find barrier-supporting ceramides to keep skin strong and supple, plus carnosine, which helps maintain collagen flexibility.

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffman

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“I've been a dedicated user of Medik8's Liquid Peptides Advanced serum for some time now, so I pounced on the Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream when the samples landed in our office. While I don't have noticeable wrinkles—yet—to track progress against, I do notice an overall plumping effect on my skin when I consistently use this moisturizer. The finish is really satin-y, absorbs quickly (a through line with Medik8, I'll always award bonus points for speedy applications), and I really feel like my skin texture and tone have never been better.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: carnosine, squalane, shea butter, ceramides, amino acids
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Firming: Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream Ex

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Sulwhasoo

Essential Firming Cream EX

$124

Amazon

$124

Nordstrom

Why it's worth it: If you’ve yet to find a face cream that makes you actually look forward to using it, consider this your cue to pick up a jar of Sulwhasoo’s Essential Firming Cream Ex. With every application, you’re getting the brand’s proprietary Jisun Firming Complex—a blend of goji berry, arrowroot, hydrolyzed soybean, and carnosine—to defend against oxidative stress while supporting elasticity and firmness. True to Sulwhasoo’s signature blend of traditional ingredients, it’s also infused with a lineup of herbal extracts—like peony, lotus seed, Solomon’s seal, white lily, and rehmannia—that fortify the moisture barrier and boost hydration. Add in squalane for that soft, replenished feel and adenosine to iron out the look of fine lines, and you’ve got a cream that feels “luxurious and does double duty in hydrating while smoothing out saggy skin,” Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, told Allure.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Jisun Firming Complex (goji berry, arrowroot, hydrolyzed soybean, and carnosine), peony, lotus seed, Solomon’s seal, white lily, and rehmannia
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Night Cream: Caudalie Premier Cru Cream

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Caudalie

Premier Cru Cream

$119

Amazon

$119

Nordstrom

$119

Sephora

Why it's worth it: What makes the Best of Beauty-winning Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream so good? To start, it's a concoction of hyaluronic acid and sugars derived from honey locusts—hear us out. The latter ingredient helps firm and plump the skin, targeting issues like sagging and fine lines, explains New York-based board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD. This cream also contains grapeseed oil and shea butter, two lipids known for their deep moisturizing abilities. If you have especially dry skin, consider Caudalie's Premier Cru The Rich Cream, another Allure Best of Beauty winner.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, Viniferine
• Fragrance-free: yes

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

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Isdin

Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer

$152

Amazon

$152

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: Bedtime is the new Botox, thanks to Isdin's Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer. Instead of retinol, this nighttime moisturizer is powered by melatonin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, and carnosine—an amino acid compound that slows glycation, “a process where sugar binds to collagen and elastin, breaking them down faster,” Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, previously explained. Translation: more elasticity. The cream goes on super smooth and works the night shift to hydrate, protect against free-radical damage, and brighten skin by morning. It's also a favorite of LA-based board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. Bonus: The moisturizer is mineral oil-free and non-comedogenic for those worried about richer creams clogging their pores.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: melatonin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, carnosine
• Fragrance-free: yes
• Who it's for: people with sensitive skin looking for a retinol alternative

Best for Dry Skin: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

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SkinCeuticals

A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

$185

Skinceuticals

$185

Dermstore

$185

Bluemercury

Why it's worth it: Like we’ve already established, mature skin experiences a decrease in elasticity and an increase in dryness over time. For instance, when sugar molecules attach themselves to skin-supporting proteins (a.k.a. glycation), such as collagen, they can expedite the natural aging process. SkinCeuticals’ A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced slows said process by using a high concentration of plumping proxylane (a beech wood derivative), anti-inflammatory wild fruit flavonoids (an antioxidant), and brightening glycyrrhetinic acid (an active in licorice root). Dr. Garshick says the trio specifically improves “the appearance of firmness, wrinkles and skin quality, while still helping to nourish and hydrate the skin,” which are all important in reversing the impacts of glycation (and even help smooth the look of deeper folds and lines around your eyes and mouth).

More to know

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• Key ingredients: proxylane, wild fruit flavonoids, glycyrrhetinic acid, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

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CeraVe

AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

$20 $15 (25% off)

Amazon

$20

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: When it comes to skin-care multitaskers, CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is one you’ll never feel guilty about restocking, ringing in at just $20 (and it’s often on sale). The facial moisturizer relies on hyaluronic acid, a water-drawing humectant, and ceramides, a naturally occurring lipid for skin barrier support. It also incorporates brightening niacinamide to address dark spots, calm irritated skin, and boost the barrier-soothing benefits. Beyond hydration, the hybrid formula comes with UV protection of SPF 30 that Brendan Camp, MD, recommends applying from the neck and chest up. For overnight dryness relief, the brand has a PM version we love, too.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: niacinamide, a ceramide blend, hyaluronic acid, 10% homosalate, 5% octinoxate, 2% octocrylene, 8% zinc oxide
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients should I look for in moisturizers for mature skin?

There are quite a few skin-care ingredients for mature skin that are worth considering when you shop, such as brightening vitamin C, which is "a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals which would otherwise cause oxidative stress to the skin and lead to premature aging," says Dr. Green. (In other words, it's great for treating signs of sun damage.) She also recommends adding niacinamide skin-care products, hyaluronic acid serums, and ceramide-packed formulas (to your routine for moisture-locking and skin barrier reinforcement. If your skin is particularly dehydrated, humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin can draw water into skin, while occlusives (think rich butters, petrolatum, and plant oils) lock in all of those benefits.

Retinol is also an important ingredient to look for not just in a moisturizer, but in any skin-care routine for aging skin. “Retinoids are truly the fountain of youth,” Saami Khalifian, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Encinitas, California, previously shared. They target crepey skin and hyperpigmentation, among other concerns. Starting slowly with a lower dose (like a 0.01% over-the-counter retinol) is best for beginners as your skin adjusts—and always follow up with a sunscreen with anSPF rating of 30 or more, of course. If you can’t handle retinoids, peptides can help boost elasticity without risking irritation.

What do moisturizers for mature skin do?

While all facial moisturizers for mature skin provide deep hydration, active and inactive ingredients vary between products, meaning the perks will vary, too. If hydration is your main target, Dr. Khalifian called hyaluronic acid a “hydration superhero” because of how well it attracts and retains moisture (which, in turn, lends a youthful glow). And if your moisturizer also contains niacinamide, you’re doubly in luck: When paired with hyaluronic acid, the two support a stronger skin barrier for plump, radiant skin. However, using a moisturizer with retinol can help boost skin cell turnover, promote collagen production, and increase elasticity, while alpha- and beta hydroxy acids are essential for smoothing skin and addressing discoloration concerns. "Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acids help exfoliate the outermost layer of cells," adds Dr. Green. “This can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while evening out your skin tone and skin texture.”

Meet the experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
• Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Saami Khalifian, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at SOM Aesthetics in Encinitas, California
• Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Center Aesthetic & Dermatology based in New York City
• Jenna Queller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Florida
• Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates based in Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City

How we test and review products

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

For our list of best moisturizers for mature skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers, editors, and contributors, determined that every product excelled in each category—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

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

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

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People can be so obsessed with the idea of twins that sometimes they see them when they’re not even there. Maybe that’s because there’s a thrill to imparting some sinister subtext to the lives of twins: spooky telepathy, midnight rituals, clueless-husband swapping. And of course, everyone wants to know, who’s the evil one? Some fans of the modeling business spend an unusual amount of time pitting non-twins Gabbriette, 29, and Amelia Gray, 25, against each other. I’m aware of a narrative that insinuates this duo is a case of copycat-ism between mortal enemies—one model allegedly stealing the other’s steez a few years ago—yet I witness no sign of it when I meet them both at Gray’s sleek midcentury home in the Hollywood Hills.

On Amelia: J.R. Malpere hat. Cosabella bra. Chanel cuff. On Gabbriette: J.R. Malpere hat. Chanel jacket. Dolce & Gabbana bra.

Gray is a rangy five feet nine with incredible, furry brows. Her outfit is reminiscent of her famous mom, Lisa Rinna, and the uniform Rinna wears in her dance videos online: a tee with FreeCity sweatpants that start at $195. She has a pimple patch on her face, which is clear of any makeup. She considers herself a dedicated homebody. Gabbriette is in heels, making her petite five-foot-four frame a bit taller. Her hair and makeup are done, with her signature pale skin, dark, pencil-thin brows, and frosted lips. She has a more social persona and loves to go out to dinner and drinks with her friends, at least on the weekends.

“That is part of the dichotomy of Amelia and Gabbriette,” says Gray. “Gabbriette is always put together. I could never. This bitch is wearing jeans on the plane!”

“Gabbriette is always put together. I could never. This bitch is wearing jeans on the plane!”

Skin care, though, is where Gray puts in the extra effort. She describes herself as “high-maintenance to be low-maintenance,” sharing her treatment regimen with the detail of a forensic accountant. She’s fond of so-called regenerative injectable treatments like platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF, and says she’s done the hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable Skinvive in her lips for hydration.

Conversely, Gabbriette says she needs to write down all of Gray’s skin-care details to prepare for her nuptials (which took place after this interview, in July) to The 1975 singer Matty Healy, as she doesn’t have much of her own regimen at the moment. She stopped getting Botox because she fears passing out from the needles—and no, she didn’t get buccal fat removal.

Allure sat down with the two stars of our Best of Beauty 30th-anniversary portfolio to discuss how they first met and when they learned of the comparisons between them. They’re not twins. Not copycats or looks-cannibals. “Kindred spirits” is a phrase that feels more apt.

Ashi Studios dress. Dolce & Gabbana intimates. Chrome Hearts earring and rings. To create a similar makeup look: MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Tilt, Dazzleshadow Eyeshadow Sticks in Demure Diamonds, and Lipglass High Shine Lip Gloss in Ruby Woo. (Gabbriette is an ambassador for MAC.)

Jewelry by Alexis Bittar, Misho, Ben-Amun and Laurel Dewitt. To create a similar makeup look: YSL Beauty Couture Mini Eyeshadow Clutch in Over Orange, Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss in California Sunshine, and Kiss Shaper Long-Lasting Sculpting Lip Liner in Cocoa Flirt. (Amelia Gray is an ambassador for YSL Beauty.)

Allure: You’re both online. You see what people say. There's this whole thing about “who stole whose look”….

Amelia Gray: I stole Gabbriette’s. [Laughs.]

Gabbriette: And I stole every ’90’s person ever.

Allure: Did you know each other when that narrative started?

Gabbriette: No. We showed up to a shoot, and our friend Loftjet, who was doing the makeup, was like, “Are you stupid? This is the whole narrative.” But there was no negative connotation behind [doing] the shoot together.

Amelia: I had bleached eyebrows back then. I did it for a shoot and it ended up being the only thing that would get me booked in the beginning of my career. It got me signed. And Gabbriette's thing is having thin eyebrows.

Gabbriette: Then we saw each other, maybe four months into it being “nasty,” and I didn't know if I was supposed to be responding. I'm not very vocal on the internet. We saw each other at a dinner, and we were like, “Do we hate each other because the internet says we do? We don't even know each other!” So we laughed it off.

Full Saint Laurent RTW + ACC.

“We saw each other at a dinner, and we were like, ‘Do we hate each other because the internet says we do?’ We don't even know each other!”

Amelia: I've never had a feeling of, “Oh, I need to become somebody else,” and I'm so grateful for that. I was raised very secure about my quirks and my weirdness. I'm a rising Aquarius. I'm fucking weird. But to my point, the internet started telling me who I was. I was so confused. Like, “Oh, fuck, have I been copying this girl and completely stealing her steez?” Lisa Rinna is my mom; she taught me to fucking own it. At that dinner I went up to Gabbriette, and I was like, “I am so fucking sorry.”

On Amelia: Dolce & Gabbana bra. On Gabbriette: Cosabella bra.

Allure: When I first heard this narrative, I wondered if there was a way you could use this to your benefit.

Amelia: That's why we both wanted to do this.

Gabbriette: Because we literally don't care. [Addressing Gray:] Yes, we look similar, but you are on a completely different spectrum. You're taller, you're more of a runway thing. You are an insane, Gisele-type editorial model.

Amelia: Gabbriette is a pop culture icon.

Gabbriette: If we are in the same industry, we're not going to do the same jobs, because she brings so many different things to the table.

Amelia: And that’s what’s so beautiful about it, is that there's no threat. I want Gabbriette to get the job and I know she wants me to get the job.

Allure: Have your teams ever advised you not to work together?

Gabbriette: No! If anything, my agent is like, “Yes, bitch!”

Allure: Amelia, has your mom ever warned you about experimenting with your looks?

Amelia: My mom was the guinea pig of our family. Homegirl had fucking silicone in her lip. My mom told me to learn through her experience of what not to do. She was never the type of mom that [said], “No, you can't get anything done,” because she always empathized with not feeling like herself.

I remember really hating my nose, and being like, “Mom, I want to get a nose job.” My mom was like, “Listen, if that's something that you want to do, you need to decide that on your own and you need to understand and make that decision for yourself. I can't tell you that your nose is perfect, because I'm your mom and I think it is. I would be a hypocrite to tell you no, because I’ve dealt with this in my life.”

“When I was 16, I got a nose job. It changed my life.”

When I was 16, I got a nose job. It changed my life. Half of me [thinks], Why would you change what God gave you? But then the other half of me is like, I have one fucking life to live. We live in a vain world. I want to wake up and [say], “I like myself,” because at the end of the day, that's all that matters. It sucks that it has to do with beauty standards sometimes, but that's the society and culture we live in.

Allure: Gabbriette, what do you bring from your Mexican side of the family into how you think of beauty?

Gabbriette: I grew up in Laguna Beach, so I felt my version of beauty was very California standard. I was the only Hispanic girl in my grade… it felt like I was the only one. Then I started going to Los Angeles at 16 to see shows. Burger Records was the thing here, and I went to shows with my friends, and that is when I kind of saw what [a side of] Chicana culture was, with all the goth girlies.

“I started going to Los Angeles at 16 to see shows. Burger Records was the thing here, and that is when I kind of saw what [a side of] Chicana culture was, with all the goth girlies.”

When I first came to LA, I was so grateful for it. I got really into the old-car culture, and into the cholo scene. This felt like a part of me that I hadn't explored. People think I'm not Mexican enough. I'm as Mexican as I feel, and as I am, I'm half. I didn't grow up speaking Spanish, but the culture is through me. I go to Mexico every single summer and see my grandma. Not that I have to prove myself to [anyone].

Allure: When did you decide on your signature brows?

Gabbriette: It was 2017 or 2018. I was watching Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore. Then it was Angelina Jolie, Penélope Cruz, all these people. I said, “What is missing from the makeup that I like doing? It's the fucking eyebrows.” I took my mom's tweezers and I plucked them in the window light—and I didn't hold back. [My mom] fucking loved it.

“I was never the type that would go out of my way and try a new look, but when I'm Amelia the Model, I'll do anything to get the photo.”

To create a makeup look similar to Gabbriette’s: MAC Cosmetics M·A·Cximal Silky Matte 12HR Wear Lipstick in You Wouldn’t Get It and Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner in Brushstroke.

To create a makeup look similar to Amelia’s: YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipstick in Unshy Cacao and La Laque Couture Nail Polish in Noir Primitif.

Allure: Has your relationship with beauty gotten healthier as your career has kept going or do you think it's gotten worse?

Amelia: I am so down to create when I'm on set. I was never the type that would go out of my way and try a new look, but when I'm Amelia the Model, I'll do anything to get the photo. I think that has taught me a lot about the possibility of how you can change.

Gabbriette: With beauty, I know who I am. I used to get a haircut and then rebuy my entire wardrobe every three months from, like, 12 to probably 21. The only crazy thing I've done in the last five years is getting Botox, [then stopping because of the needles,] and considering getting my lips done. I want to be me, but more refined. But I’m also too carefree—I don't want to go to the doctor.

Watch Amelia Gray & Gabbriette Spill Secrets After Sipping the Truth Serum

In this episode of Allure’s Truth Serum, Amelia Gray & Gabbriette answer candid questions about beauty, love, relationships, friendship, and more. From their biggest beauty opinions to the things they’re not afraid to get honest about, the girls spill the tea and reveal a side of themselves you haven’t seen before.