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Hands down, the most important product for healthier, clearer, and more radiant skin is one of the best face sunscreens, which you must wear every day, rain or shine. Despite limited sunscreen innovations in the US, we promise you there's a lightweight, comfortable-to-wear, pilling-free, and cast-free (for chemical sunscreens, specifically) formula on the market that you'll actually enjoy slathering on. And, of course, they all have broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 or higher, as per dermatologist guidelines.

In true Allure fashion, we're spilling everything you need to know about our team's favorite face sunscreens—many backed by board-certified dermatologists, to boot. These formulas glide on like a dream, never disrupt makeup, and above all else, help prevent sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer with proper usage.

Our Top Face Sunscreens

• Best Mineral Overall: Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36, $84
• Best Chemical Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT, $40
• Best Lightweight: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, $48
• Best Under Makeup: Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen SPF 30, $34
• Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, $64

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How does sunscreen work?
• What's the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Mineral Overall: Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

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Alastin Skincare

HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

$84

Amazon

$84

Shop

Allure contributing commerce editor Christa Joanna Lee applying the Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it’s worth it: Originally designed for patients fresh off lasers, peels, or injectables, Alastin Skincare’s HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 had to meet a few non-negotiables: be non-irritating, deeply hydrating, and—crucially—elegant enough that people would actually want to wear it every day. Check, check, and check. The formula relies on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection, while ectoin helps strengthen the skin barrier, retain hydration, and defend against environmental stress. “The tint blends easily for most skin tones, and you can even use it in lieu of foundation,” says May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina. (If you’re very fair, you might notice a slightly warm undertone.) It’s the kind of sunscreen you end up squeezing every last drop out of—post-procedure or not.

Lee before applying the Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“As someone with sensitive and fair skin, I’m usually picky about mineral sunscreens, and I was a little hesitant that Alastin's Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 only comes in one shade—but the tint is sheer enough to cancel out any chalkiness, yet it's sheer (I definitely wouldn't call it makeup). It blends in beautifully and absorbs quickly, leaving my skin looking even and calm. The only catch with tinted formulas is remembering to wash your hands after, but this one is so elegant it's surprisingly delightful to apply.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Type: mineral
• Sunscreen filters: 3.4% zinc oxide, 8.9% titanium dioxide
• Key ingredients: ectoin, phytoene, phytofluene
• Tinted: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Chemical Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT

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La Roche-Posay

Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT

$40

Amazon

$40

La Roche-Posay

Why it’s worth it: A new sunscreen filter getting FDA approval is apparently a once-every-few-decades kind of event, so naturally, it’s a big deal. La Roche-Posay's Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen is among the first to contain 2% bemotrizinol (BEMT), which protects against both UVA and UVB rays and stays stable in sunlight, so it doesn't break down when exposed to the sun. The formula also contains antioxidants to help protect against skin-damaging free radicals, plus glycerin, butylene glycol, and dimethicone to keep skin moisturized and feeling smooth.

Of course, even the most impressive sunscreen formula won't do you much good if you don't actually want to wear it. Luckily, this one feels just as great as it sounds. "It's silky on the skin with no white residue," Jane Yoo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. And even those with sensitive skin may get along with this formula. "BEMT is a partial exception for those with sensitive skin because it is a huge molecule and it sits on the skin so there is minimal absorption," says Dr. Yoo, who adds that the filter is considered safe for children ages six months and older.

Allure commerce writer Tasha Nicole Smith applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT

Tasha Nicole Smith

Smith after applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT

Tasha Nicole Smith

Tester feedback from commerce writer Tasha Nicole Smith

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“It’s been a long time since I’ve switched up my sunscreens but this one proved to be well worth it. The formula was hydrating but didn’t feel at all heavy on my skin. The texture was lightweight and a bit silkier than I’m used to, which gave me pause at first, but it actually ended up being quite hydrating. Even when I went to reapply throughout the day, I noticed that there was still a subtle glow to my skin, which is perfect as I love products that keep my dry skin looking glazed. It also didn’t cause any stinging or burning around my sensitive eyes. Definitely an SPF I’m excited to add to my rotation.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, commerce writer

More to know

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• Type: chemical
• Sunscreen filters: 2% BEMT, 3% avobenzone, 5% octisalate, 6% octocrylene, 11% homosalate
• Key ingredients: Cell-Ox Shield technology (litchi extract, alteromonas, cassia senna alata, and vitamin E), glycerin, butylene glycol, dimethicone
• Tinted: no
• Water-resistant: no
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Lightweight: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

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Colorscience

Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

$48

Amazon

$48

Nordstrom

$48

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Allure commerce editor Madison San Miguel applying the Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Madison San Miguel

Why it’s worth it: Tinted sunscreens have their perks, especially when it comes to disguising that chalky residue zinc oxide can leave behind. But what if you don't want the extra color or have trouble finding a shade that matches your skin? Colorescience's Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 skips the pigment altogether—yet “it goes on sheer with zero white cast,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. The formula also contains bisabolol and allantoin to soothe skin, plus antioxidants like sunflower sprout extract to help protect against environmental damage. And no matter your skin type, you'll appreciate the lightweight texture. “It feels like a silky moisturizer rather than a heavy zinc paste,” she says.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Madison San Miguel

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“I'm stuck like glue to my Colorescience Face Shield Flex, so I rarely (emphasis on rarely) venture out to other formulas—this one might have me convinced to finally try something new. While it doesn't have a tinted base like my tried-and-true, the first thing I noticed was the extra dose of hydration it gave to my skin. The recent weather shift has made my complexion drier than usual, so my everyday moisturizer hasn't been cutting it to keep that 'tight' feeling away. This was the moisture boost I needed—and if your skin isn't as dry as a desert like mine, hey, this formula could go double duty in your routine. It's lightweight enough, too, so you don't feel like you're layering on another product, and it's oh-so seamless to blend. While I can't speak too much on the no white cast claim (my skin tone falls on the light-medium side), one thing I can vouch for: The glow it leaves behind deserves all of the applause." —Madison San Miguel, commerce editor

More to know

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• Type: mineral
• Sunscreen filters: 10% zinc oxide
• Key ingredients: bisabolol, allantoin, sunflower sprout extract
• Tinted: no
• Water-resistant: 40 minutes
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Oily Skin: Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50

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Ultra Violette

Unblock Screen SPF 50

$40

Sephora

$40

Ultra Violette

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Ultra Violette was the first brand to bring bemotrizinol (BEMT) to a U.S. sunscreen, but that's not the only reason its Unblock Screen SPF 50 deserves attention—especially if you have oily skin. The formula pairs chemical filters BEMT and octocrylene with mineral zinc oxide, combining different types of UV filters for broad-spectrum protection without relying solely on zinc oxide, which can feel thick and leave a white cast.

Plus, it has a sheer tint to help minimize any chalky residue. It also contains “skin-care ingredients for oily, acne-prone and reactive skin,” says Dr. Yoo. These include Bix'Activ, an ingredient derived from annatto seeds, which helps control oil and make pores look less noticeable, while silica absorbs excess sebum for a soft-matte finish. And because oily skin still needs moisture, Pentavitin (a sugar-derived hydrating ingredient) keeps skin comfortable without adding a greasy feel.

Han before applying the Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“My greasy T-zone and I have a fraught relationship. You see, I love dewy sunscreens, but my T-zone begs to differ—and, to prove its point, it shows off its blinding shine in the selfies I take for work. As a compromise, I've been on the hunt for sunscreens that leave a more natural, balanced finish. Ultra Violette's Unblock has been particularly buzzy as of late, since it's one of the first US sunscreens to launch with the new FDA-approved filter, BEMT. Paired with octocrylene and zinc oxide, this hybrid formula is quite elegant and offers a hint of tint that evens out my skin tone—perfect for days my usual concealer-only base won't quite cut it. I can't say I feel a huge difference compared to other hybrid sunscreens I've tried before, but I will say it feels slightly more lightweight than other tinted sunscreens I've tried—accordingly, it takes less time to blend in, so we love that. Just be sure to dispense more than one pump! I did two in the demo and then added a third off-camera! One pump is definitely not enough to account for the recommended 1/4 teaspoon for your face!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Type: hybrid
• Sunscreen filters: 3% bemotrizinol, 6% octocrylene, 10% zinc oxide
• Key ingredients: Bix’Activ (annatto seed extract), Pentavitin (saccharide isomerate), silica
• Tinted: yes
• Water-resistant: not disclosed
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

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Tatcha

The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

$64

Amazon

$64

Shop

$64

Ulta Beauty

Allure former associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

Courtesy of Annie Blay-Tettey

Why it’s worth it: Dry, flaky patches and chalky, matte sunscreen? Not exactly a match made in heaven. Tatcha's The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 gives skin a little extra glow while keeping it moisturized, which a lightweight, liquid formula that uses 10% zinc oxide for mineral sun protection, plus hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture, squalane to soften skin, and niacinamide to even out skin tone. And true to its name, it contains silk extract, which helps give the sunscreen its smooth, almost primer-like feel. “Silk extract adds to a smooth, primer-like feel that makes dry skin look healthier and sits well under makeup,” says Dr. Yoo. It also has a sheer tint and radiant finish, making it a good option for days when you want to skip foundation. “I love to use this as my tinted makeup and just fly out the door in the mornings,” she says.

Blay-Tettey before applying Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

Annie Blay-Tettey

Blay-Tettey after applying Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50

Annie Blay-Tettey

Tester feedback from former associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey

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"On a mother-daughter trip to Costa Rica, I noticed Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 in her toiletry bag and, out of curiosity, tried it myself. To my surprise, the liquid-y sunscreen blended into my skin, leaving nothing behind but sun protection and a light glow. The SPF initially applies a bit purple-ish, but after some rubbing, it completely blends into my skin." —Annie Blay-Tettey, former associate beauty editor

More to know

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• Type: mineral
• Sunscreen filters: 10% zinc oxide
• Key ingredients: allantoin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, sericin, fibroin
• Tinted: yes
• Water-resistant: no
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50

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Shiseido

Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50

$39

Nordstrom

$39

Ulta Beauty

$39

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: If chemical sunscreens tend to irritate your skin, Shiseido's Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50 might be a better match. It relies on two mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, for sun protection, but without the chalky finish you might expect. It also requires less rubbing and blending, which is always a plus when your skin is easily irritated: “It goes on sheer and blends to a clear finish,” says Dr. Yoo. The 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner also contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep skin hydrated, plus vitamin E and ginkgo leaf extract to help protect against environmental damage. If redness is another concern, it includes dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-derived ingredient that calms irritation.

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after applying the Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“As with a lot of mineral sunscreens, this formal is a labor of blending love. It goes on very white at the start (especially if you're using the appropriate amount) but keep blending and you'll be able to get it to sheer out. On top of the protection it provides, the silky look it what makes this formula a winner in my book. It has a demi-matte finish, which makes it really lovely on skin prone to oiliness, but it's hydrating enough that it doesn't emphasize dry areas. Underrated element: It also makes an excellent makeup primer!” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

More to know

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• Type: mineral
• Sunscreen filters: 4.5% titanium dioxide, 17.2% zinc oxide
• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, ginkgo leaf extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizate
• Tinted: no
• Water-resistant: 40 minutes
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Under Makeup: Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

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Peach & Lily

Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

$34

Shop

$34

Ulta Beauty

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Peach & Lily’s Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

Sarah Kinonen

Why it’s worth it: Peach & Lily’s Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen is a fully chemical formula, so it goes on completely clear, but what sets it apart is how treatment-forward it is. You’re not just getting UV protection; you’re getting a full-on skin-care layer, with niacinamide to brighten, ceramides and panthenol to support the barrier, and a mix of hyaluronic acid forms to keep skin hydrated and bouncy. The Best of Beauty-winning formula doesn’t stop there: Ectoin supports environmental stress, bisabolol and Centella asiatica calm, and antioxidants like green tea and ferulic acid help defend against daily damage. Unlike some invisible sunscreens that start to pill the second you layer makeup on top, this one leaves a smooth, hydrated base—prepping skin like a primer while still feeling breathable and never greasy.

Kinonen before applying the Peach & Lily’s Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

Sarah Kinonen

Kinonen after applying the Peach & Lily’s Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen

Sarah Kinonen

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“I use this sunscreen every day! I was obsessed after the first slathering of this stuff. It's lightweight, easily blendable, and doesn't irritate my eyes, which is a feat for a chemical sunscreen. (There's nothing worse than being mid-workout, trying to blink out the sting from the SPF sweat.) It also layers well under… everything. Foundation? Yep. Copious amount of liquid blush? Also yes. It never pills and isn't greasy or sticky, and most importantly, it doesn't irritate my easily inflamed skin. A true win!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Sunscreen type: chemical
• Key ingredients: 3% avobenzone, 7% homosalate, 5% octisalate, ceramides, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, ectoin, bisabolol, Centella asiatica, green tea, ferulic acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dull Skin: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40

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Isdin

Fusion Water Magic SPF 40

$38

Amazon

$38

Dermstore

$38

Sephora

Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40

Jessica Cruel

Why it’s worth it: No, it’s not just water, but we are convinced there is a little bit of magic to Isdin’s Fusion Water Magic SPF 40. If your skin’s been looking a little lackluster, this is one of those sunscreens that does more than just protect—it subtly perks things up. The fully chemical formula has that lightweight, quick-absorbing texture the brand is known for, with zero heavy or chalky film. It delivers hydration and radiance with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to keep skin plump and fresh, plus antioxidants like vitamin E and microalgae extract to fend off the environmental stressors that can leave skin looking tired. Silica softly blurs without flattening your glow, so the finish feels hydrated, subtly luminous, and just a little more awake than when you started.

Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel

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“Too greasy, too shiny, too oily, too chalky—these are all complaints that I hear from my family when I ask them if they are using sunscreen every day. That's when I recommend this Isdin Water Magic formula. It's a chemical sunscreen that goes on like a moisturizer. The finish is not matte, but it won't leave you looking greasy. It absorbs quickly and blends seamlessly into my brown skin with no purple tint. It's the perfect fit for those who hate the idea of sunscreen because of the way it feels. This lightweight option will leave them with no complaints.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

More to know

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• Sunscreen type: chemical
• Key ingredients: 9% octocrylene, 7.3% homosalate, 4.5% octisalate, 2.7% avobenzone, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, vitamin E, microalgae
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50

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EltaMD

UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50

$49

Amazon

$49

Shop

$49

Dermstore

Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50

Elizabeth Gulino

Why it’s worth it: If you already love the EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad-Spectrum SPF 50, but wish it were a little more dialed in for acne-prone or oily skin, the brand’s 2026 Best of Beauty Award-winning UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 is where things get interesting. It builds on the original UV Clear legacy—long considered a go-to for sensitive, breakout-prone skin—but takes it a step further. The formula pairs 11% zinc oxide with 5% niacinamide to help calm inflammation, even tone, and keep excess oil in check, while the brand’s proprietary ZincAOXPro Technology adds a layer of antioxidant defense against UV rays, blue light, pollution, and smog. You still get that lightweight, non-greasy texture the brand is known for, but with added benefits for congestion, shine, and post-breakout redness.

Gulino before applying the EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50

Elizabeth Gulino

Gulino after applying the EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50

Elizabeth Gulino

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

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"It’s no secret that EltaMD has the best of the best sunscreens. I’m a longtime user of the brand’s tinted version of UV Clear, but have recently started using the new UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 in my routine. EltaMD’s clinical trials are promising — the brand found that users of its new formula saw reduced visible blemishes, excess oil, and pore size, and experienced general skin improvement over time. While I don’t necessarily have acne-prone skin, who wouldn’t benefit from a skin-care sunscreen hybrid, anyway? Compared to the original, the texture of the Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 is lighter, silkier, and all-around nicer! It's great for days when I'm not leaving my house and don't need any tinted coverage—though I hope EltaMD does launch tinted formulas in the future.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Sunscreen type: mineral
• Key ingredients: 11% zinc oxide with 5% niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sunscreen work?

As beauty journalists, at least one person on our staff chats with a dermatologist on a near-daily basis, and nearly every single one emphasizes the importance of wearing a proper broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of, at the very least, 30. Wearing one daily (and reapplying every two hours) protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. As a refresher, too much exposure to the sun's rays can result in long-lasting damage, leading to concerns like sun spots, skin sagging, fine lines and wrinkles, and so on. (UVA rays, for good measure, penetrate more deeply than UVB rays and can potentially lead to more aggressive skin cancers, including melanomas.)

As a reminder regarding efficacy, let's talk SPF, short for sun protection factor. SPF 30 guards against 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 is about 98%, and so forth. (SPF 15 only protects against 93%, which is why most dermatologists—and the Allure team—recommend at least 30.) The evidence is crystal-clear, so do yourself a favor, slather up, and consistently reapply facial sunscreen every few hours to minimize the effects of sun exposure—which, at its worst, can culminate in a skin cancer diagnosis.

What's the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens?

Sure, there are thousands of SPF products to sift through, but finding the right sunscreen for your skin tone and type can be tricky. Like any other skin-care product, personal preferences run the gamut. Those with sensitive skin may prefer mineral or physical sunscreens, which are formulated with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and "reflect ultraviolet rays off of them before the rays penetrate skin cells," as Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist, previously explained.

On the other hand, those who prefer their SPF to feel more like a lightweight serum or moisturizer (that's also more likely to induce zero white or gray cast) will turn to chemical sunscreens, which "use chemicals that absorb damaging UV rays and convert them to non-damaging heat," says Sejal Shah, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.

Common chemical filters include avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, and octisalate, but there's a new one worth knowing about: bemotrizinol, or BEMT. Approved by the FDA in 2026, it's the first new sunscreen filter to get the green light in more than 25 years. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and it could make sunscreen more pleasant to wear, too. As Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously told Allure, “We can make products with lighter texture and less greasiness in formulations.” Plus, BEMT is transparent on skin, so there's no white cast to worry about. You'll also find hybrid sunscreens that combine mineral and chemical filters, giving you even more options to choose from.

Meet the experts

• Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
• Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati
• May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• 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 the best face sunscreens, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. 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.

Courtesy of @oshababyrosalba, @geminailsbybeca, @stephb.nailsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

This season, our favorite cocktail garnish is inspiring manicures so elevated, we can’t help but raise a glass. The olive nail trend is back, whether as an all-over coat of deep, slightly yellow-green polish or in nail art that looks like it should be stirring an extra-dirty martini.

According to Spate, a trend-forecasting company, interest in "olive nails" and "olive green nails" is up year-over-year by 19.7% and 50.3%, respectively, across Google, TikTok, and Instagram. Meagan Good and Lili Reinhart were recently spotted wearing the trend. Good wore a solid olive-green manicure, while Reinhart's had chrome embellishments and 3D olives, a nod to her character in the film The Love Hypothesis. The color also appeared on runways with Bottega Veneta, Valentino, and Ferragamo incorporating it into their fall/winter 2026 collections.

The experts we interviewed for our fall nail trend reports predicted that olive would make its return. “It’s a warm autumn color we naturally gravitate toward as the weather gets cooler,” Andrea Forero, a Barcelona-based manicurist, previously told Allure. Miss Pop, a New York City nail artist, adds it’s the perfect manicure for the festivities that come with the end of the year. “We're going into holiday party season. Why not have martini nails?!”

Los Angeles-based nail artist Bana Jajour says that the appeal of the olive trend has to do with its overall vibe. It exudes that feeling you get when you’re sitting in the back of a candlelit bar, cheersing with your best friend. “You picture a girl with oval nails and olive color,” says Jarjour. “She's holding her martini glass, posing cute, and posting her pictures.” It’s the ultimate, highly photogenic, cold-weather accessory.

How to get olive nails at home

Choose your nail shape

A nail shape can make or (literally) break your look. The one you choose is your personal preference, of course, but our nail experts unanimously agree that an oval shape works best with this trend. But Sarah Chue, a Los Angeles manicurist, adds that the richness and depth of olive polish can also flatter square or stiletto nails.

Solid, olive-green nails

The easiest way to join in on the trend is by sweeping on a solid coat of olive-green polish. (Just look at how Selena Gomez wore it back in 2022.) Jajour has six in her kit, noting that polishes that complement your skin’s undertone keep your skin from looking flat and tired.

Jajour recommends The GelBottle Inc. in Khaki for those with light and medium complexions that have cool undertones; Gel by Essie in Totally Plaid works best for warm undertones. For deeper complexions with cooler undertones, she suggests OPI Nail Lacquer in Suzi First Lady of Nails, and The GelBottle in Mini Bar if you have warm undertones.

Olive nail art

Whether you’re into sleek, simple manicures or designs with more flair, there’s no shortage of olive nail inspiration on the internet. The motif is often combined with trending looks like cat-eye nails and French manicures. For a simple take on nail art, might we suggest a lone red rhinestone atop a solid coat of olive polish. Miss Pop advises you to use a rhinestone-friendly adhesive and topcoat (like the Vettsy 5-1 Top Coat) to prolong the life of this manicure.

If you’re a nail art enthusiast who loves a challenge, try hand-painting the garnish’s fine details. Miss Pop has some pro tips: Have nail-dotting tools or bobby pins on hand. To make the base of your olive, gently apply a dark green dot with your tool. Place a smaller dot of opaque white polish (like OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow) at the top of your olive, where you want the pimento to go. This keeps the pimento from appearing muddy against the green. Then pop an orangey-red polish (like Essie Nail Polish in Geranium) on top of it.

Be sure to allow each layer to dry for about 10 minutes between coats. When applying details, don’t press too hard with your dotting tools. You don’t want any donut-shaped dents.

Below are a few ways to wear the olive nail trend.

Olive Nail Inspiration

Solid olive-green nailsCourtesy of @avrnailswatchesCourtesy of @thecolornookOlive nails with glitterCourtesy of @isionailsOlive nails with 3D pimentoCourtesy of @cre8withcassCourtesy of @oshababyrosalbaCourtesy of @nails.by.mickkCourtesy of @nailsbyheather.erringtonOlive nails with chrome finishCourtesy of @ncbeautydublinCourtesy of @byjasminerosepOlive cat-eye nailsCourtesy of @isionailsCourtesy of @nailswithonenOlive French manicureCourtesy of @stephb.nailsCourtesy of @_theblushbarCourtesy of @geminailsbybecaMaximalist olive nailsCourtesy of @dglamorous.nails.jpgCourtesy of @kimchisnailsCourtesy of @blessednailsssCourtesy of @danisabsolutenailsCourtesy of @beautybysaraiCourtesy of @nailsbykimsCourtesy of @amys.clients

Shop the best products for olive nails

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Kijibae

Happy Hour Nail Strips

$20

Amazon

$20

Shop

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Glamnetic

Antipasto Press On Nails

$22

Amazon

$22

Shop

$22

Ulta Beauty

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The Gelbottle Inc

The GelBottle INC Nail Polish in Khaki

$19

Beyond Polish

$19

The Gelbottle Inc

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Sally Hansen

Insta-Dri Colorshift Nail Polish in Glo Off

$8

Ulta Beauty

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Salon Perfect

Nail Polish in Dream Gleam

$7

Walmart

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CND

Nail Polish in Shellac Olive Grove

$17

Beyond Polish

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Dealing with hair loss is a lot of things: stressful, defeating, confusing, and complex. If you’re noticing breakage, more hair in the drain, or thinning, chances are you’ve considered trying anything to help restore your hair to its fullest potential. And if you’re losing hair while also going through the ups, downs, and unexpectedness of midlife, you’re probably even more concerned about what’s going on.

For some people experiencing hair loss—including many menopausal women—trying to reverse it means adding a surprising product to their routine: dandruff shampoo. This “hack,” so to speak, has gone viral a few times in recent years, driven by social media-based conversation about the supposedly surprising effects of ketoconazole, the key ingredient in popular dandruff shampoo Nizoral. Board-certified dermatologists have mentioned it in their own social videos too: Heather Kornmehl, Neera Nathan, and Joyce Kim let their followers know it might be worth pursuing for hair loss. (Dr. Kim rated it a 7.5/10 as a hair loss treatment option.) Shereene Idriss praised its benefits for the scalp and claimed it “helps fight that pesky testosterone that causes you to lose your hair.”

With all this compelling information coming at you from your phone screen, why wouldn’t you want to pop over to your local big-box retailer, buy a $17 bottle of Nizoral, and watch your hair magically grow back? We hate to burst your bubble, but dandruff shampoo likely won’t solve your hair loss issues on its own. However, there is some truth to the social media chatter. To learn why some people are seeing noticeable results and whether or not ketoconazole can replace Rogaine and other treatments, we tapped a handful of derms to share their unfiltered thoughts about the role Nizoral plays in a hair-loss routine, if at all.

What are ketoconazole and Nizoral? Why is everyone talking about them for hair loss?

If you’ve purchased anti-dandruff shampoo in the past, the word ketoconazole might sound familiar. It’s an ingredient used in dandruff shampoos, with Nizoral being the main over-the-counter shampoo to feature it. “Ketoconazole is an antifungal we use for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis,” says Kautilya Shaurya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It’s commonly recommended by dermatologists as a way to banish dandruff, but does the blue bottle have more benefits beyond the flakes? (Hair-care benefits, we mean: It can also help with rosacea and ringworm, apparently, but that’s another story.)

According to Dr. Shaurya, there is “modest evidence” that ketoconazole can help with hair loss—emphasis on modest. He mentions an oft-cited study from 1998 that showed promising results, with men using 2% ketoconazole shampoo several times a week. The participants “saw gains in hair density and thickness roughly comparable to 2% minoxidil.” However, he flags that it was a small study that doesn’t have a ton of follow-up research, and that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved ketoconazole for hair loss treatment; dermatologists don’t typically prescribe it as a standalone for hair loss, but rather for patients with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. (In the United States, you can purchase 1% ketoconazole over the counter, but anything higher than that requires a prescription. If someone is claiming they’ll sell you 2% Nizoral on TikTok Shop, don’t hit that purchase button.) And Caren Campbell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco, flags that there isn’t strong research that supports its efficacy in women.

If you’re wondering why most of the studies are 30+ years old, Dr. Campbell says it’s likely because “we have better medications to use with a bigger impact [on hair loss].” (More on that below.) Dr. Shaurya adds that ketoconazole is sold as a generic, over-the-counter drug and is well-established (with data collection) as an antifungal. “That distinction is important in understanding why there is not more contemporary research,” he says. “The research is extensive, just not on hair loss. It has never gone through the large trials the FDA would require to approve it for hair loss.” In other words, we know this product is safe, we just don’t have a bunch of clinical testing that shows it actually prevents or reverses hair loss.

Are there theories about how ketoconazole may help with hair loss?

Hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons. For some people, it’s genetic. For others, it’s due to stress, specific medical conditions, or hormonal shifts, like the ones you go through postpartum or, yep, you guessed it, menopause. “Hair loss during menopause is influenced by hormonal changes, particularly declining estrogen levels,” explains Dawn Queen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Because estrogen plays “an important role” in the hair growth cycle, women may notice shedding and reduced hair density as their estrogen levels decline. She adds that declining estrogen levels can also lead to increased androgen activity. Androgens are sex hormones (like testosterone) that impact the hair growth cycle, and increased activity can cause thinning or follicle shrinkage in genetically predisposed women.

Many videos about ketoconazole shampoo for menopausal women in particular claim that it blocks dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is an androgen that plays a key role in hair follicle shrinkage in people who are genetically predisposed to hair loss, especially men. Dr. Queen says that while ketoconazole has demonstrated anti-androgen effects that could potentially benefit androgenetic alopecia—another name for male- and female-pattern hair loss—in a lab study, meaningful results have yet to be seen in humans. “Clinically, there is limited evidence that ketoconazole shampoo meaningfully reduces DHT levels in the scalp,” she notes.

Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, adds that while the DHT-blocker theory “has biologic plausibility” due to ketoconazole’s potential anti-androgen effects, it’s important to remember that female-pattern hair loss isn’t “simply male-pattern hair loss in women.” She also notes that “most women with pattern thinning don’t have elevated androgens, and genetics and other factors also contribute” to their hair loss. “DHT doesn’t explain everything,” Dr. Kobets continues. “Lower scalp levels of aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogens, may also play a role and science is still untangling these pathways.”

Even if the result of that untangling did point to DHT being responsible for most female-pattern hair loss and to ketoconazole as an effective DHT blocker, that doesn’t necessarily mean a shampoo would be the best way to administer it. “We don’t know how much DHT blockade a rinse-off shampoo delivers,” Dr. Kobets says. Because shampoo isn’t absorbed into the body in the same way as, say, an oral medication, doctors can’t assume it’s making the same impact.

But some people who are consistently using ketoconazole-containing shampoos like Nizoral are seeing regrowth. Dr. Shaurya says three things are “likely” happening here: “Pattern hair loss often involves low-grade inflammation around the follicle, and ketoconazole knocks down Malassezia, the yeast behind dandruff, while calming the scalp directly,” he explains. This helps promote regrowth. And because ketoconazole treats seborrheic dermatitis, which can drive shedding, it may help reduce hair fallout. Dr. Queen agrees that ketoconazole’s true power is establishing a healthy scalp environment from which new hair follicles can grow.

However, less visible shedding or having healthier-looking hair is not the same as new growth, Jenna Queller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Palm Beach, points out. That’s why you see language like “leads to fuller looking hair” rather than “reverses hair loss” on hair-care products; the latter is a medical claim only FDA-approved drugs can make. Ketoconazole shampoos’ viral popularity “should not be confused with strong clinical evidence for hair regrowth,” Dr. Queller says.

Dr. Campbell, Dr. Kobets, and Dr. Shaurya all think it shows enough potential to be a worthwhile trick to try. “I wouldn’t consider [ketoconazole shampoo] a primary hair-loss treatment, as the evidence is still fairly limited,” Dr. Campbell says. “But there is enough data to make it a reasonable add-on.” Dr. Shaurya concurs. “It’s inexpensive, low-risk, and easy to work into a routine, so I suggest it often, especially when someone also has flaking, itching, or an oily scalp,” he explains. “But it’s never my only treatment for someone actively thinning, and diagnosis comes first.” For example, someone experiencing hair loss could be dealing with iron deficiency, thyroid problems, stress shedding, or alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease), and a shampoo simply can’t fix that.

While derms are fine with patients using the shampoo as part of a routine, it doesn’t replace existing treatments with more clinically proven results. For example, Dr. Queen’s go-tos for hair loss are topical minoxidil, low-dose oral minoxidil, and, in select patients, spironolactone or finasteride. Other options, she adds, include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and low-level laser therapy.

Risks of using ketoconazole for hair loss

Dr. Queen cautions her patients not to overuse ketoconazole shampoo, as it can leave the hair shaft dry and brittle; this is particularly of note for menopausal women using the shampoo, as dry hair is another fun side effect of the hormonal shift. (People with damaged hair, chemically treated hair, and textured hair may also experience this side effect.) Since ketoconazole shampoo can be drying, Dr. Queen advises, it’s not a bad idea to follow up with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner or try a conditioning mask post-shampoo.

Dr. Queller agrees, saying, “Ketoconazole shampoos can cause dryness, irritation, or changes in hair texture in some people, potentially making hair more prone to tangling and breakage, particularly if it is already fragile or chemically treated.” This could be why some people have claimed that the shampoo caused them to lose hair, but Dr. Queller notes that “reports alone don’t establish that ketoconazole directly causes hair loss.” In general, results are not one-size-fits-all; a quick scroll through the #femalehairloss subreddit reveals a fairly even split between those who found success and those who did not.

A final word

When in doubt, talk to your derm. “The problem with TikTok is that it removes the ‘diagnosis’ step,” says Dr. Campbell. “A product that helps someone with inflammatory scalp hair loss won't help someone with androgenetic alopecia, and vice versa.” If you find joy in doing your own research, Dr. Kobets recommends looking at sources outside of any apps with an algorithmically-driven infinite scroll , like reading published studies on PubMed, and asking “Studied in whom, for which type of hair loss, and in what formulation?” when you’re in research mode. “An ingredient working in a laboratory doesn’t prove your shampoo grows hair,” she says. “Look for comparison groups, measured results, and other treatments participants were using.” Before-and-after photos can help, but lighting and styling can also make a difference, she adds.

And again, before you suds up, check with a board-certified dermatologist to make sure you’re treating what’s really going on, because hair loss can happen for so many different reasons, and one person’s experience may not be the same as yours. “If a trend sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” says Dr. Campbell. “Off-label doesn’t automatically mean ineffective (we often use treatments off-label in dermatology) but evidence still matters,” adds Dr. Kobets. “Be cautious when ‘may help’ becomes ‘clinically proven,’ or one product promises to fix every type of hair loss. Social media can start the conversation; your diagnosis should guide the treatment.”

Meet the experts

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• Caren Campbell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco
• Kseniya Kobets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in New York
• Dawn Queen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Jenna Queller, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Palm Beach
• Kautilya Shaurya, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City

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I gotta be honest: I dyed my dark blonde hair a bit darker last week, and now Margot Robbie is making me regret it! The Wuthering Heights star went brighter and shorter with her bob, and it may just inspire a slew of copycat cuts.

Robbie's been in Bob Land since spring 2026; she debuted a clavicle-length bob with choppy bangs at a Chanel show. The bob has since evolved over the summer, growing longer (as hair tends to do!) and getting a teeny bit darker with some warm, golden tones. But we got a peek at Bob 2.0 at another Chanel show, this time in Sydney, Australia.

Though people typically go darker and warmer with their hair color come fall and winter, Robbie did the opposite and added a lot of cheerful brightness with interwoven shades of baby blonde, butter blonde, and pale gold with just a hint of dark rootiness to make the color look lived in. It's a much much more “summery” blonde than we generally see come November, which is exactly what makes it feel so fresh.

Getty Images

And obviously we can't ignore the length! It certainly looks like Robbie chopped off a few inches from her spring and summer bob, as her hair now falls a few inches above her collarbone sans any layers. She wore her hair styled straight and oh-so-subtly flicked out to match the cheeky, springy vibes of her sheer white Chanel dress.

The “power bob,” or a blunt, either chin- or collarbone-length cut that signals confidence and cool, was one of our top trends for winter 2026, so Robbie's cut arrives right on time. “The power bob [has a] very strong blunt line,” Miami-based hairstylist Franck Izquierdo shared. “We’re ready for hair that feels done again.” And now I'm ready to go back to blonde…

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You can use the fanciest serums in the world, but they won’t do much if you’re not starting with one of the best face washes to give your skin a truly clean slate. Layer on collagen creams, swipe on growth factors, splurge on that $200 moisturizer—none of it works the way it should if you’re applying it over leftover makeup, sunscreen, oil, and pollution. Cleansing isn’t just step one; it’s the step that makes every other step better.

The right formula does more than remove the day. It helps balance oil, support your skin barrier, and prep your complexion so treatments can actually penetrate. And while we might’ve once believed that tight, squeaky feeling meant our skin was really clean, we know better now. True cleansing shouldn’t leave your face stripped or parched—it should feel balanced, comfortable, and perfectly prepped for whatever comes next.

Our Top Face Washes

• Best Makeup Remover: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm, $39
• Best for Oily Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Essential Scrub Exfoliating Cleansing Gel, $40
• Best for Redness: The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser, $17
• Best for Dry Skin: Man:yo Pure Cleansing Oil, $23

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Why is it important to cleanse your face?
• How should I choose a facial cleanser?
• What should I know about double cleansing?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

From creamy washes that cushion dry or mature skin to clarifying gels that help keep excess oil and breakouts in check, finding the right formula for your skin type makes all the difference. The wrong cleanser can leave dry skin feeling tighter or oily skin overcompensating with even more shine, while the right one supports your barrier and targets your top concerns from the very first step. Ahead, our editor-tested, dermatologist-approved picks to help your routine start strong.

Best Makeup Remover: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

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Farmacy

Green Clean Cleansing Balm

$39 $37 (5% off)

Amazon

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Hoffmann

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Kinonen

Why it’s worth it: There's no bigger buzzkill at the end of a long night than remembering you still have to take off your makeup before bed. Luckily, Farmacy's Green Clean Cleansing Balm, a 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner, “has a really satisfying balm-to-oil texture that makes taking your makeup off feel so easy and luxurious,” says Morgana Colombo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reston, Virginia. As you massage it onto dry skin, it breaks down everything from foundation and waterproof mascara to sunscreen. “You're never tugging or scrubbing at your skin with this cleanser," she says.

Sunflower seed oil does much of the makeup-dissolving work while helping skin feel soft, and papaya extract helps lift away impurities. There's also an antioxidant-rich blend of greens, including moringa and holy basil extracts. Add water, and the oil turns milky so you can rinse everything away without leaving a greasy film. One thing to keep in mind: This formula contains fragrant essential oils, so if your skin is easily irritated, Dr. Colombo recommends the fragrance-free version instead.

Hoffmann before applying the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after applying the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“Few products completely remove every trace of makeup quite like Farmacy's Green Clean Cleansing Balm. My skin is generally pretty clear, but when I'm not washing my face properly, my skin is quick to let me know that it's angry with me. This balm provides such a thorough, gentle cleanse that it's never made my skin unhappy.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“Waterproof mascara? No problem. Casty, mineral sunscreen? Easy, peasy! Summertime grime? You bet Farmacy's cleansing balm can remove it—and remove it quickly with ease. Trust me, as someone who has tried to smear off all of the above (and more!), there's nothing this buttery, melt-in-your-hands cleanser—made with sunflower and moringa oils and papaya extract—can't handle. I love it after a long day at the office where a full face beat is the norm, or after an incredibly stinky, sweaty workout. It removes everything in seconds, leaves skin with a smooth (not tacky) finish, and makes for the perfect first step in my double-cleansing routine.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, papaya extract, moringa seed oil, holy basil extract
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Exfoliating: Isdin Isdinceutics Essential Scrub Exfoliating Cleansing Gel

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Isdin

Isdinceutics Essential Scrub Exfoliating Cleansing Gel

$40

Amazon

Why it’s worth it: If you haven't touched a face scrub since your teen years, we don't blame you. Unlike some physical cleansers that leave your face feeling squeaky-clean (and not in a good way), Isdin's Isdinceutics Essential Scrub Exfoliating Cleansing Gel helps get rid of excess oil, dead skin cells, and buildup without being harsh on your skin. The 2026 Best of Beauty winner contains fine particles of olive seed powder that gently buff away rough skin; silica absorbs excess oil, while coconut-derived cleansing ingredients wash away dirt and grime. And because drying out skin is never the goal, the formula also contains glycerin and saccharide isomerate, two ingredients that help skin hold onto water so it doesn't feel tight or dry after rinsing.

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Isdin Isdinceutics Essential Scrub Exfoliating Cleansing Gel

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Isdin Isdinceutics Essential Scrub Exfoliating Cleansing Gel

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I'm not typically a fan of physical exfoliators/scrubs—I proudly never used St. Ives growing up, but then again, I didn't have a skin-care routine at all—but I'm always open to being proven wrong. Isdin's Best of Beauty-winning Essential Scrub is surprisingly gentle, thanks to teensy Mediterranean olive seed particles, and I love how it creates a subtle foaming effect. (I couldn't capture it to the fullest in my demo since I couldn't film at my usual bathroom sink!) It also smells so lovely—fresh, floral, and uplifting—which is the perfect way to kick off my nighttime routine. After I rinse everything away, my T-zone looks calmer and a lot less shiny, and my skin feels soft to the touch—not stripped! (Note: I do double-cleanse with an oil or balm first, so I don't depend on this to get rid of makeup.) I'm obsessed and already stashed away a backup, which is very rare for me with cleansers!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from senior news editor James Manso

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"I'm always hyper-concerned about using anything too scrubby on my face (I usually fall firmly in the chemical exfoliant camp), and hadn't used a scrub in years before trying this one. The gentleness is what keeps Isdin Essential Scrub on my sink. What starts as a primer-like consistency emulsifies into a foam, which is why I've also been shaving my face with it. It never leaves me feeling red, tight, tingly, irritated, or any of the other side effects that traumatized me into swearing off scrubs in my teen years." —James Manso, senior news editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: olive seed powder, silica, glycerin, saccharide isomerate, coconut-derived surfactants
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Mature Skin: Chanel La Mousse Cleanser

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Chanel

La Mousse Cleanser

$70

Nordstrom

$70

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: When our tester told us this was the cleanser that officially made washing her face the favorite part of her routine, we were intrigued. The moment it hits skin, the Chanel La Mousse Cleanser foams into an airy, cushiony lather that feels instantly comforting, especially for those with dry or mature skin. The mousse-like lather tackles dirt with ease, immediately whisking away sunscreen, makeup, and everyday grime, while glycerin and ceramides reinforce the skin barrier and deliver a hit of hydration. At the heart of the formula is camellia (Chanel’s signature flower), which is rich in antioxidants that help support the skin barrier and defend against environmental stressors, an elevated touch you won’t find in every foaming cleanser. It leaves skin feeling clean, plump, and refreshed—and never tight or stripped. The subtle, elegant fragrance gives it that unmistakable Chanel touch, turning a quick face wash into a self-care moment. Plus, a little goes a long way, so it’ll last a while.

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin using the Chanel La Mousse Cleanser

Shanna Shipin

Shipin after using the Chanel La Mousse Cleanser

Shanna Shipin

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“A cleanser is a necessary, but uneventful part of a skin-care routine—or so I thought, until I started using Chanel Mousse. Oh my goodness, the texture on this product. Creamy, foamy, luscious, and effective without remotely stripping your skin down. It's an expensive purchase, for sure, but just a dab is all you need, and it'll easily cover your entire face and neck once it hits the water. Plus, I used to despise washing my face at night and often skipped it (shh!) before the Mousse entered my life. Now cleansing is a favorite part of my routine. The cream foams up and gently lifts the day away, leaving me with soft, supple, clean skin that doesn't need to be washed twice.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: glycerin, camellia flower, ceramides
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Redness: The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

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The Inkey List

Oat Balm Cleanser

$17

Amazon

$17

Shop

$17

Ulta Beauty

Kinonen applying The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Sarah Kinonen

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it’s worth it: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm isn't your typical thick, scoop-it-out-of-a-jar cleansing balm. It has a lighter, almost milky texture that spreads easily over dry skin and dissolves makeup as you massage it in. Add a little water, and it emulsifies so you can rinse everything away. But removing makeup is only half the appeal, especially if your complexion is prone to dryness, irritation, or redness. The formula contains 5% oat kernel oil, which is rich in fatty acids that soothe inflammation and reduce the appearance of redness. A blend of sweet almond oil and natural waxes, including sunflower seed wax and jojoba esters, conditions skin and leaves it feeling nourished. It also includes antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn oil, which helps protect against environmental stressors that can contribute to redness. A Best of Beauty winner in 2020, this cleanser earned another win in 2026 thanks to a reformulation that makes it thinner and easier to squeeze out of the tube without sacrificing what we loved in the first place.

Lee before applying The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“My skin is naturally prone to redness, but it's been even more reactive lately now that I've been using tretinoin more often. I was genuinely surprised by how well The Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm removed my stubborn eye makeup, which usually takes a little extra effort to get off. It even passed my white towel test with flying colors—not a trace of makeup left behind. I almost felt like I could skip my second cleanse, but I still follow up with a gentle cleanser for a little extra TLC. The texture is definitely milkier than your typical cleansing balm. My only small complaint is the packaging: The oils tend to separate and settle toward the cap, so sometimes the product leaks out in storage. I've learned to store the tube on its side, and if you're using it for the first time, I'd recommend giving the tube a little massage to mix everything back together before squeezing it out.” —Christa Lee, contributing commerce writer

Tester feedback from Kinonen

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"I remember when The Inkey List's Oat Balm Cleanser first came out in 2020. It defied the category with its tube packaging, $10 price tag, and ability to smear off a face full of makeup in seconds. I loved it! But after the brand reformulated its star earlier this year, I fear I love it even more! It's lighter—now with a touch more oil—for an easier bottle squeeze. It still removes everything (makeup, sunscreen, and New York City grime) in seconds, sits nicely on my shower shelf with ease, and is priced under $20 (now $17, thanks, inflation). It's the same…but better." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 5% oat kernel oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower seed wax, jojoba esters, sea buckthorn oil
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Oily Skin: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser

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The Face Shop

Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser

$12

Amazon

$14

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser

Sarah Han

Why it’s worth it: Long before rice water became a K-beauty staple, Korean women were using the starchy water left over from rinsing rice to cleanse their skin. The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser, a 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner, puts a modern spin on that tradition, with a creamy formula that turns into a rich lather and washes away excess oil, dirt, and leftover makeup with minimal effort. Rice extract and fermented rice filtrate bring antioxidants to the mix, which can protect against environmental damage that contributes to dullness and uneven skin tone. Meanwhile, glycerin attracts moisture to keep skin from feeling tight after washing. Safflower flower extract adds another dose of antioxidants. Keep in mind that this cleanser contains fragrance, and its foaming formula may be too intense for very dry or sensitive skin.

Tester feedback from Han

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“This is one of those classic K-beauty cleansers I've known from the very start of my long K-beauty journey—I recently ‘rediscovered’ it and I'm wondering why I hadn't sooner. It's the perfect deep cleanse for my combination skin and leaves my skin looking more radiant and less congested, but most importantly, not super tight. The ingredients are super appealing to me too—natural rice water, rice bran oil, and soapwort extract (a surfactant). On days I don't wear makeup, I find that just this cleanser is enough. (And I normally always double-cleanse.) And it's $13 for a huge tube that'll probably last me six months? Yup, no notes.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: rice extract, fermented rice filtrate, glycerin, safflower flower extract
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser

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Tata Harper

Clarifying Cleanser

$68

Amazon

$68

Nordstrom

$68

Shop

Why it’s worth it: Acne-prone skin is often already compromised, so it requires a face wash that deeply cleanses without exacerbating inflamed or active breakouts. Tata Harper’s Clarifying Cleanser is here to save the day, offering a skin-renewing clean that lifts dead skin cells and excess oil away. The formula targets breakout triggers with prickly pear enzymes and naturally derived lactic and citric acids to smooth and refine texture, while white willow bark helps decongest pores. And because balance is everything when you’re dealing with breakouts, soothing ingredients like chlorella, mint extract, and raw honey help calm visible redness—so you get that satisfying deep clean without your skin feeling stripped or sensitized.

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai using the Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser

Deanna Pai

Pai after using the Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I've had breakouts for years—they're a fact of life (and hormones). But I've found that washing with this cleanser (after removing my makeup with an oil-based formula) really helps dispatch both large cysts and smaller whiteheads more quickly. It smells herbal and fresh, builds to a nice lather, and doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped of moisture. I really concentrate massaging it in around my problem areas, like around my nose, chin, and jawline, and feel like it's made a difference in my acne's lifespan and, as important, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (as in, there's less).” —Deanna Pai, contributing editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: chlorella, honey, mint, lactic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Dry Skin: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

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Manyo

Pure Cleansing Oil

$23 $17 (26% off)

Amazon

$29

Shop

$20

Ulta Beauty

Lee using the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it’s worth it: There are cleansing oils—and then there’s Ma:nyo’s Pure Cleansing Oil, a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner that’s earned a loyal following around the world. The streamlined formula leans on 14 non-comedogenic, plant-derived ingredients, including argan kernel oil, cushioning jojoba seed oil, and antioxidant-rich olive fruit oil. Lightweight grapeseed and sunflower oils help dissolve makeup and excess sebum while supporting the skin barrier, so dry skin is not left feeling stripped. Squalane and jojoba oil mimic skin’s natural lipids for a soft, balanced finish that never feels greasy. Add water, and it emulsifies into a milky rinse that melts everything away, leaving skin supple, calm, and perfectly prepped for step two of your double cleanse.

Lee before using the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after using the Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from Lee

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“I love makeup, but I can't be bothered with touch-ups, so I gravitate toward the longest-wearing, most waterproof formulas I can find. Thankfully, Ma:nyo's Pure Cleansing Oil cuts through everything—and I mean everything. Stubborn eyeliner be damned! My skin is naturally prone to redness (even more so these days thanks to my tretinoin use), so I appreciate that this cleansing oil doesn't require a ton of rubbing or tugging to get the job done. It feels incredibly hydrating on my dry skin and rinses away without a greasy film in sight. One thing worth noting: While it's free of synthetic fragrance, it does contain essential oils, so keep that in mind if your skin is particularly reactive.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: argan kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Fragrance-Free: Youth to the People Adaptogen Supershroom Calm Cleanser

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Youth To The People

Adaptogen Supershroom Calm Cleanser

$39

Amazon

$39

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: You may know Youth to the People for its viral Superfood Cleanser, packed with kale, green tea, and spinach. But if your complexion tends to get dry, red, or irritated, the brand's Adaptogen Supershroom Calm Cleanser might be more your speed. While the Superfood Cleanser is a foaming gel, this cream cleanser has a milky consistency that gently washes away dirt and buildup without leaving your face feeling tight afterward. The formula gets its name from ashwagandha and chaga mushroom extracts, which contain antioxidants that help protect skin from environmental stressors. Snow mushroom, meanwhile, works similarly to hyaluronic acid by attracting water to the skin (and there's actual hyaluronic acid in here, too, for an extra moisture boost). Oat kernel oil helps replenish the skin's natural lipids (the fats that prevent moisture loss), while ceramides and niacinamide strengthen the moisture barrier to keep dryness and sensitivity in check. The 2026 Best of Beauty winner is also fragrance-free, so that's one less potential trigger to worry about.

Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo

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"My skin is super-dry and very sensitive around my nose, and this cleanser doesn't unnecessarily strip my skin of moisture. It feels so amazingly soft and sudsy, which is a surprise because I didn’t think this could top Youth to the People's green-bottle cleanser for me!" —Briana Rengifo, designer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ashwagandha mushroom extract, chaga mushroom extracts, snow mushroom, hyaluronic acid, oat kernel oil, ceramides, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to cleanse your face?

Washing your face is the foundation of an effective skin-care regimen—and not just on days when you’re wearing a full face of makeup. “Even if you don't wear makeup, the skin on your face comes into contact with residue from other skin-care products as well as pollutants, microbes, dirt, and other debris, not to mention oils, sweat, and dead skin cells,” Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure. Only after you sweep away all the breakout-causing dirt, makeup, and excess oil on your face can your skin absorb and benefit from other products.

How should I choose a facial cleanser?

Different face washes address different skin concerns, so keep your skin type in mind when picking out a new cleanser. If you have sensitive skin, reach for a moisturizer that won't irritate your skin barrier. "You want to use gentle, hydrating cleansers that remove impurities without stripping the skin barrier of all its natural moisturizing factors," explains Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD. He also suggests looking for humectants like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, as they "help keep water in the skin," which is essential, especially for people with sensitive skin.

According to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD, people with sensitive skin should seek out “products free of artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.”

If you deal with acne, choose a cleanser with active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to tackle blemishes (like whiteheads and blackheads). Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, always recommends gentle cleansers over harsh soaps with physical exfoliants to clear dirt and excess oil. She also backs soothing, acne-fighting, and inflammation-reducing tea tree oil and green tea.

Meanwhile, oily skin benefits from a face cleanser that removes excess sebum (the natural oil your skin produces) without leaving your face feeling stripped or tight. Gel and foaming formulas are especially popular for this skin type because they can cut through oil, sweat, and buildup that accumulate throughout the day. Look for ingredients like niacinamide, which can regulate oil production over time, or salicylic acid, which works its way into pores to dissolve the buildup of oil and dead skin cells.

What should I know about double cleansing?

There's more to double-cleansing than just washing your face twice. "I define double-cleansing as using two separate types of cleansers to wash your face," Rita V. Linkner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, told Allure.

We have an entire dermatologist-approved guide to double-cleansing if you want to perfect the art, but here's the gist: Start your cleansing routine with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to break down and remove makeup and sunscreen. The type of your second cleanser is up to you, as long as it's gentle and washes away pollutants and acne-causing bacteria.

Meet the experts

• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Morgana Colombo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Intergrated Dermatology of Reston based in Reston, Virginia.
• Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, D.C.
• Brandith Irwin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Rita V. Linkner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

How we test and review products

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

For our list of the best face washes, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. 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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We have bills to pay, appointments to keep, and emails to answer. So when was the last time you ditched the phone and spent 15 minutes enjoying your local playground’s swing set? Or got crafty with some glitter and Play-Doh? This winter’s biggest makeup trends are recapturing a little of that childlike, carefree magic—giving “sensible” a rest and leaning into play and creativity.

Instead of no-makeup makeup, runways this season were showcasing in-your-face eye looks with bright colors and big, bold shapes—a great excuse to dip into the cerulean blues and canary yellow eye shadows in your palette that haven’t been touched. Better yet, go all-in on a spicy red shadow with lips to match (see: Elisabetta Franchi, Matières Fécales, and Litkovska).

Glue some gemstones on your face and cosplay as a fairy princess again! Or, for something a little more understated but equally as nostalgic, try the ’90s-inspired, frosty finishes seen at Weiderhoeft, Balenciaga, and Bluemarine, or smudgy, “I applied this with my fingers” lip liner. Get tactile and have some fun. You deserve it.

Just ask yourself: What would 10-year-old you do? Would you be concerning yourself with neutrals and daytime office looks? Or would you dig deep into a pot of glitter and pink eyeliner? I think we all know the answer to that. Below, the experts break down winter’s biggest makeup trends that younger you would definitely approve of.

Meet the experts

• Brandy Allen is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
• Ernesto Casillas is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and Lashify brand ambassador.
• Billie Gene is a New York City and Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
• Rachel Hill-Cherry is a London-based makeup artist.
• Laura Mele is a New York City-based makeup artist.
• Sarah Walsh is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.

In this story

• Eyemaxxing
• Soft-focus lip liner
• Frosty finishes
• Red all over
• Winter flush
• Face gems
• Blue eye shadow
• Sheer foundation

Eyemaxxing

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Someone once said that less is more, but we beg to differ. Sometimes, the most is more. “I feel like everyone this year was desperate for makeup to make a comeback,” says London-based makeup artist Rachel Hill-Cherry, “More eyeliner, more mascara, more color, more creativity, and more fun.”

The name of the makeup-makeup game this season is eyemaxxing (especially on the Antonio Marras, Kim Shui, and Givenchy runways), getting big and bold with shapes and intensity. But if you’re not sure where to start, working your way out from a smudgy eyeliner will get those creative juices flowing. “I would start with a kajal eyeliner. Something that's super creamy and blendable, but once it dries, it stays put,” Hill-Cherry says.

She likes Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’N’ Kohl Eyeliner pencils, which come in a range of jewel tones. Marc Jacobs Beauty Drawn This Way eyeliner also has a smooth, blendable texture, and comes in punchier colors like yellow and aqua. “Wrap it around the entire eye, and with an eye shadow brush or your finger just blend and buff in for that ultimate cool girl, lived-in eye. Repeat until desired intensity.”

Soft-focus lip liner

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

A smudgy-edged lip harkens back to a simpler time when you experimented with a 99-cent tube of NYC Color lipstick and lip liner, but lacked the steady hands and precision that would come with lots of practice. The result is a (now cool) smudgy, soft-focus lip.

“[It’s] no harsh lines, no obvious colors, just super intentional and low-key. A lip you don't have to worry about,” says Hill-Cherry. “It's great for all, but especially those who want to cheat their way to fuller-looking lips in a really natural way.”

She recommends the Rhode Peptide Lip Shapers (the thicker pencil takes some of the guesswork out of how far out to blur the line), or try Refy Blur Lip Liner, which has an even wider tip, so you’re not tempted to tightly hug the natural outline of your lips (old habits die hard). Fill in with a blush lipstick or nude balm at the center of your lips and blot it outward for a true soft-focus effect.

Frosty finishes

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Join us in traveling back to a simpler time, when school dances and red carpets were marked by crimped hair, silver eye shadows, pearly lipstick, and iced highlighter. Fortunately, no time machine needed for this one. Frosty finishes are back and decidedly very 2026. “People want more personality in their makeup [right now],” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Brandy Allen. “Frost is all about that beautiful, pearlized, light-reflecting finish, and winter is also the perfect season for that texture play. I think we’re going to see everything from soft champagne and rosy frosts to deeper chocolate, plum, and burgundy metallics.”

Lately, Allen has been particularly inspired by Mac’s recently rereleased frost lipsticks. But don’t stop there! We’re having fun, remember? New York City-based makeup artist Laura Mele likes the ’90s-inspired eye shadows she saw on Chanel’s runways, and expects to see more “washes of silver, icy blue, champagne, and pearlescent white.” She recommends Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow. For more of a dramatic snow queen finish, we also like R.E.M. Beauty Starlet Liquid Eyeshadow in Lab Coat.

You could also frost your skin in an ode to middle school body glitter (with less of the stickiness). “I like to use a high-impact highlighter all over the eyelids and browbone, the cheeks, and even the sides of the forehead,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Ernesto Casillas. Use Karla Cosmetics Multichrome Loose Pigment in Insomnia (same as the models at Harris Reed) or Kosas Shiny Objects Wet Glisten Highlighter in Opaline for a cool blue-green shift.

Red all over

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

We have to give the inventor of eye shadow palettes props for offering us options. But, to be real, we hit pan on some colors faster than others. Neutrals go quickly, and punchy commitment colors like red sometimes go untouched. Fortunately for completionists, a cheeky, monochromatic, red-on-red look is warming up winter trends.

There are a few ways to approach this in real life: First, you could dabble in an eyes-only look. “[It’s] such a fun way to switch up a smoky eye,” says Los Angeles–based makeup artist Sarah Walsh, who recommends easing your way into red-on-red with moodier tones like burgundy.

She likes to start with Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner in Bordeaux smudged along the lash line (there’s a matching mascara for anyone interested in ascending to level two), followed by a red shadow buffed all over the lid. If you don’t already have a palette with a neglected red in the mix, the KimChiChic Jewel Collection Palette in Ruby covers everything from cranberry to poppy red, or Walsh likes the Colourpop Wine and Only Eyeshadow Palette.

Level three is red lips to match. It doesn’t need to be an exact shade match to the eye shadow, but try to keep it either all cool reds or all warm reds. Fashion Week makeup artists preferred blurred, bitten reds for this look (as opposed to classic, painted-on lipsticks). Stains like About Face Blurred Matte Lip Plump or Violette_Fr Bisou Balm leave a just-kissed, diffused hue on the lips.

Winter flush

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

A full, flushy red blush gives a sporty “just off the slopes” look. And while heavy blush isn’t necessarily anything new (Sabrina Carpenter, the patron saint of blush, would take issue if we said otherwise), “what differentiates this [2026] blush trend is that it’s matte,” says Walsh. It should look as close to a real après-ski cheek as you can get without the frostbite. (Your cheeks wouldn’t have a shimmery finish when you take off your ski goggles, and if they did? Whoa!)

Stick to red or orange-red blush—a real cold weather color. “Instead of concentrating blush only on the cheekbones, blend it across the apples of the cheeks and lightly over the bridge of the nose. The goal is to make it look like the color is coming from within the skin,” says Allen, who recommends LYS Beauty Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush (or Walsh really likes Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder in Red Velvet, if you prefer a powder formula).

Face gems

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

A wise woman once commanded that we “shine bright like a diamond,” and who are we to argue with Rihanna? We have to imagine she meant it literally, so we’re more than happy to glue little sparkly gems all over our face so that we catch the light in all the right ways.

“Face gems and sparkle have been everywhere in 2026,” says Walsh, from just about every Zara Larsson concert to Fashion Week runways and too many Met Gala looks to count (Eileen Gu, Tyla, and Rihanna herself among them). To make it wearable (not all of us have gala invites on the calendar), she recommends a small smattering along the cheekbones or accenting the corner of your eyes with Half Magic or Lavaa Face Gems.

Chunky glitter like Lemonhead LA Spacejam or Unicorn Snot Macro Glitter can also have the same gem-like effect without the fussy gluing and oh-so-precise placement. You can use your fingers to swipe it across your lids and—voilà!—diamond eyes.

Blue eye shadow

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images

Back when we snuck into our mothers’ makeup collection to play dress-up, the first thing we’d reach for was a blue eye shadow. Why would you wear brown or black when you could wear blue, we’d wonder. There was just something so glamorous and striking about it. This winter gives us a second chance at that childlike urge to make a statement.

Mele puts it plainly: “Blue eye shadow is so back.” Runways at Gucci, Proenza Schouler, and Valentino sealed the deal with a palette that ranged from deep denim smoky eyes to soft washes of baby blue.

“I'm a huge fan of a navy smoky eye, which is a soft grunge way of playing with color,” says New York City– and Los Angeles–based makeup artist Billie Gene. “Apply a black or dark brown pencil close to the upper lash line and smudge it outward with a small brush before it sets,” he says. Then press a dark blue shadow (try Merit Solo Shadow in Midnight for a deep matte blue or Kiko Milano High Pigment Eyeshadow in Metallic Blue for some shimmer) over the pencil to build depth, and “switch to a fluffy blending brush to diffuse the edges.”

If you prefer a lighter touch, simply buffing a sheer light blue shadow over the entire lid is a dreamy take on the trend. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadow in Tailored Denim is a dusty blue that blends beautifully with your fingertips, or use your eye shadow brush to apply a wash of Lancôme Idole Goddess Dimension Eyeshadow in Lunar Glow, which has a bit of an iridescent sparkle.

Sheer foundation

Photo: Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images2026 Edward BerthelotPhoto: Getty Images

An artist is nothing without a canvas, and since we’re having so much fun with color, it makes sense that this season’s base would be natural and pared back (the better for your masterpiece to shine). “Winter makeup can easily become heavy as we layer products over dry skin. A lighter base feels fresh and modern, especially paired with a dramatic [feature],” Gene says.

“People want coverage they can control without losing the character of their skin,” he adds, which means sheer foundations with a little bit of strategic concealer. You should still be able to see freckles, spots, and even texture, but redness and blemishes can take a bit more coverage. “You can spot-conceal those areas without adding another layer across the entire face,” Gene says.

He suggests starting with a moisturizer (giving it a few minutes to settle into your skin) before applying a layer of skin tint, “working from the center of the face outward.” Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint and Milk Cosmetics Hydro Gel Skin Tint both have a sheer, healthy finish. Then use a small amount of powder where you want shine control, “leaving the rest of the complexion luminous.”

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When it comes to achieving a dewy, hydrated complexion, nothing delivers the way the best hyaluronic acid serums do. Don't be fooled by "acid" in its name—unlike its exfoliating counterparts, hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet that works for everyone, even those with sensitive skin. For the uninitiated: Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our skin, where it helps maintain elasticity and keeps your complexion looking smooth and supple by binding onto water (a lot of it—up to 1,000 times its own weight).

That makes a face serum with hyaluronic acid especially impactful when skin feels parched in the winter, but it can be just as useful in the summer—a.k.a. when typical moisturizers can feel heavy and oppressive. Intrigued? Layer one of these dermatologist-approved picks underneath your moisturizer to seal everything in, strengthen the barrier, and give skin that juicy, lit-from-within look.

Our Top Hyaluronic Acid Serums

• Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan, $120
• Best for Extra-Dry Skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $40
• Best for Oily Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, $192
• Best for Combination Skin: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $10

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
• Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?
• Is there a downside to hyaluronic acid?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan

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SkinCeuticals

Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan

$120

SkinCeuticals

$120

Dermstore

$120

Bluemercury

Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan

Jesa Marie Calaor

Why it's worth it: The 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan is intended for surface hydration, so it lessens the look of fine lines and folds. This updated version of the brand’s original humectant-forward serum contains the same ingredient lineup as its predecessor—hydrating hyaluronic acid, tone-brightening licorice root, vitamin E-rich purple rice extract—with the addition of Proxylane, the brand’s proprietary post-biotic ferment extract. This ingredient increases your skin’s levels of glycans, which are complex sugars naturally present in your skin, to give it a more supple feel. This skin-plumping serum is a good option to enhance the volumizing effects both after and between injectables, like hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers.

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Hyaluronic acid serums are a must in my routine for my extra-dry skin with rosacea, but many of the formulas I've tried are too runny or feel like they disappear seconds after application. This is by far the easiest and most comforting serum I've used. It is thick for a serum (no drippy mess here), glides along my face with ease, and leaves it soft and soothed.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

More to know

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• Type of hyaluronic acid: 1.3% hyaluronic acid
• Other key ingredients: licorice root, purple rice, 12% Proxylane
• Fragrane-free: yes

Best K-Beauty: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

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Anua

PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

$27

Amazon

$30

Shop

$28

Ulta Beauty

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: If you've been keeping up with K-beauty trends, you've probably heard of PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), an ingredient traditionally derived from salmon DNA that's been getting attention for its potential skin-repairing and firming benefits—though research on topical PDRN is still limited, so the jury's still out on how much it can do when applied to skin. It's a key ingredient in Anua's PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum, a fast-absorbing formula that contains multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, which work in slightly different ways to keep skin hydrated. One HA standout is hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, which is broken down into smaller pieces to hydrate the skin's outer layers, while sodium hyaluronate draws in moisture to give skin a plumper appearance. Then there's sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, which forms a film on the skin to help retain moisture. The benefit of combining all these different forms? It gives you an immediate boost of moisture and helps keep it from disappearing as quickly.

Bonus: Hydrolyzed collagen adds even more hydration—leaving skin looking smoother, dewier, and closer to that bouncy, glass-skin glow K-beauty is known for.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I love a thick and gooey serum, but for daytime, I prefer a lightweight serum that layers well with my moisturizer and sunscreen, and doesn't pill underneath my makeup. Despite being packed with 11 types of HA (3% total concentration), Anua's PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum is super fluid and feels like nothing on the skin—the only evidence it leaves behind is a healthy glow, which is my skin-care mantra 365 days out of the year. There's also PDRN and low-molecular collagen to thank…basically three ingredients my skin loves, all wrapped in one affordable, high-performance K-beauty formula.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Types of hyaluronic acid: hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate
• Other key ingredients: PDRN, collagen
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Extra-Dry Skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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Kiehl's

Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$40

Nordstrom

$40

Ulta Beauty

$40

Sephora

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: Kiehl’s has always been a great reminder that sometimes, less really is more. Case in point: The Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains just seven ingredients, all focused on keeping skin hydrated without any unnecessary extras. The star is, of course, hyaluronic acid, which comes in the form of sodium hyaluronate, a salt-derived form of HA with a smaller molecular size that penetrates the skin's outer layers more easily. Like traditional hyaluronic acid, it draws in water to plump up fine lines and relieve dryness. It's paired with glycerin, another moisture-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin feeling soft and supple. With no added fragrance or exfoliating acids, this straightforward serum is a great option for anyone with sensitive skin, an already active-packed routine, or a preference for keeping things simple.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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"Kiehl's has never done my dry, sensitive, easily irritated skin wrong, and this serum is no exception. As much as I want to love a multitasking product that does a little bit of everything, having too many ingredients in one formula is basically asking for my skin to have an allergic reaction. That's why I appreciate how simple this one is, with only seven ingredients. I know exactly what I'm putting on my face and don't have to worry about any unnecessary extras that might irritate my skin. I also love that I can use it alongside my tretinoin to give my skin some extra hydration without worrying about the two products not meshing together." —Christa Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Type of hyaluronic acid: sodium hyaluronate
• Other key ingredient: glycerin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: Erly Daily Splash Hydrating Serum

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Erly

Daily Splash Hydrating Serum

$38

Shop

$38

Ulta Beauty

Allure designer Briana Rengifo applying the Erly Daily Splash Hydrating Serum

Briana Rengifo

Why it's worth it: Founded by two dermatologists and named after their daughters, Emerson and Lyle, Erly is built around a simple idea: It's never too soon to start taking care of your skin, but there's no need to overcomplicate it. Its Daily Splash Hydrating Serum, a 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner, stays true to that by packing plenty of moisture into a lightweight formula that won't leave skin feeling sticky or weighed down. Two forms of hyaluronic acid—sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid—draw water into the skin to keep dryness at bay.

They're joined by glycerin, betaine, and sodium PCA, which also attract moisture, while saccharide isomerate helps keep your complexion hydrated for longer. Panthenol, also known as vitamin B5, soothes and supports the barrier—a plus for easily irritated skin. Even better, it's free of added fragrance and exfoliating acids, two common triggers for reactive skin types.

Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo

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"A beautifully designed bottle and a hard-working hydrating formula that gives my skin back some moisture—what's not to love about this serum? I also love using it alongside Erly’s night cream, but it's versatile enough to use with any moisturizer." —Briana Rengifo, designer

More to know

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• Types of hyaluronic acid: sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
• Other key ingredients: glycerin, betaine, sodium PCA, panthenol
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Oily Skin: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

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SkinMedica

HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

$184

Dermstore

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: SkinMedica’s HA5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum may seem like it’s just showing off with its five different types of hyaluronic acid—sodium hyaluronate, time-release, nano, cross-linked, and uncross-linked—but each has a different job when it comes to keeping skin hydrated. Sodium hyaluronate draws in water to plump up fine lines, while nano hyaluronic acid is broken down into smaller pieces to hydrate the skin's outer layers. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid forms a film on the surface of the skin to lock in moisture, while uncross-linked HA provides a more immediate hit of hydration. And as its name suggests, time-release hyaluronic acid delivers moisture gradually rather than all at once. The idea behind combining all five is to give skin both an instant volumizing effect and longer-lasting hydration, so it stays smoother and more supple throughout the day.

Along with those five forms of HA, the formula contains peptides, antioxidant-rich grape flower extract, and polysaccharides that support the skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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“I don't use a hyaluronic acid serum all the time, but when I do—namely, in the summer, when my naturally oily skin doesn't need a ton of moisture—it's this one. It disappears instantly (which is why you can't see it in my video!) but keeps my skin calm, comfortable, and plump.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Types of hyaluronic acid: sodium hyaluronate, time-released hyaluronic acid, nano hyaluronic acid, cross-linked hyaluronic acid, uncross-linked hyaluronic acid
• Other key ingredients: peptides, grape flower extract, polysaccharides
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Combination Skin: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

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The Ordinary

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

$10

Amazon

$14

Shop

$10

Nordstrom

Allure senior writer Elizabeth Gulino applying The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Elizabeth Gulino

Why it's worth it: The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 was already an Allure Readers' Choice Award winner before the brand decided to give it an upgrade. The reformulated version, which has since picked up Readers' Choice Awards of its own, takes everything people loved about the original and adds ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. Hyaluronic acid does what it does best, drawing water into the skin to bring back bounce, while vitamin B5 comforts skin and strengthens the skin barrier.

The biggest difference, though, is how it feels. While the original formula had a thicker, slightly tacky texture, this version is lighter, absorbs faster, and doesn't leave behind that sticky feeling some hyaluronic acid serums are known for. That makes it especially easy to layer under moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup without feeling like you've piled on another product.

Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino

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“I’ve been using The Ordinary’s newly reformulated Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum (with ceramides) for years and don’t plan on stopping. I first picked it up because of its approachable price point, but I’ve become a repeat customer thanks to the product doing its job by keeping my skin soft and hydrated. I use it year-round, and it layers wonderfully under moisturizer.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer

More to know

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• Types of hyaluronic acid: sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
• Other key ingredients: vitamin B5, ceramides
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Early Signs of Aging: Alastin HA Immerse Serum

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Alastin Skincare

HA Immerse Serum

$134

Shop

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Alastin HA Immersive Serum on her face.

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: Alastin's HA Immerse Serum doesn't just supply skin with hyaluronic acid from the outside in. Rather, this strategic formula also contains a peptide that encourages the skin to produce its own hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration. And, as if that weren't good enough, this overachiever contains yet another peptide that stymies the breakdown of your skin's natural hyaluronic acid, keeping its levels high over time. Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, previously called Alastin one of her go-tos for "replenishing fine lines and lost volume," making it a good choice for those with mature skin types.

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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"To me, the mark of a noteworthy product (especially a serum) is one that your routine feels truly lonely without. That's how I feel about Alastin’s HA Immerse. It makes any moisturizer I layer over all the more soothing, hydrating, and effective, but even without any next step, this serum helps me avoid the too-tight feeling I get after waiting too long to moisturize after washing my face. As someone with facial eczema flare-ups and borderline-mature skin, ever since using this serum, I've noticed fewer flakes and an all-over more supple look and feel." —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

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• Types of hyaluronic acid: sodium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
• Other key ingredients: peptides, silver mushroom extract
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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La Roche-Posay

Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$40

Amazon

$40

La Roche-Posay

Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Sarah Hoffmann

Why it's worth it: La Roche-Posay's Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a great pick for sensitive skin that needs extra hydration without skimping on soothing ingredients. It contains three forms of hyaluronic acid: sodium hyaluronate draws in moisture to plump fine lines, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is broken down into smaller pieces to hydrate the skin's outer layers, and sodium acetylated hyaluronate helps skin hold on to that moisture longer.

But hydration is only half the story. “Pure hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, madecassosides—which are wound-healing agents derived from Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica)—nourish your skin barrier, and vitamin B5 soothes and hydrates,” says Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The combination keeps stressed-out skin feeling soft, comfortable, and less prone to dryness or irritation.

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“There are few skin issues in my life that a good hyaluronic acid serum can't fix. Dry patches? Hyaluronic acid. Dull skin? Hyaluronic acid. Clogged pores? You wouldn't think it, but hyaluronic acid genuinely helps balance my skin so it's not producing the excess oil that pisses my pores off. La Roche-Posay's Hyalu is the platonic ideal of an HA serum to me: medium viscosity, non-sticky, and vaguely aquatic-smelling. My skin is always better off when I make the time to stack it in ahead of moisturizer.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

More to know

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• Type of hyaluronic acid: sodium acetylated hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
• Other key ingredients: madecassoside, vitamin B5
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Mature Skin: Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum

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Caudalie

Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum

$84

Amazon

$84

Nordstrom

$84

Sephora

Why it's worth it: Caudalie was ahead of the curve on resveratrol as one of the first brands to harness the antioxidant, which is naturally found in grapevines and helps defend against free-radical damage that can contribute to fine lines and wrinkles. But Caudalie's Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum, a 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner, does more than help ward off future signs of aging. It also tackles the moisture loss that comes with age, thanks to two forms of hyaluronic acid that draw in water to plump fine lines and leave your complexion looking smoother and bouncier. Glycerin and squalane help keep skin soft and comfortable, while peptides improve the look of firmness. Together, these ingredients make it ideal for mature skin that's feeling drier and less supple than it used to.

Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto

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"Have I had to check my carry-on suitcase after a trip to France because I got carried away at a pharmacy stocking up on this favorite serum? I will not confirm nor deny! It’s this serum I measure every other one against, and so far, nothing has beaten it. It’s hydrating even on my eczema-prone skin, and the silky finish makes a great base for makeup. I can visibly see my skin looks smoother and glowy with consistent use. If the glass bottle weren’t refillable, I’d feel guilty about how many I’ve gone through over the past few years!" —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

More to know

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• Types of hyaluronic acid: hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate
• Other key ingredients: resveratrol, peptides, glycerin, squalane
• Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?

Known as a humectant, hyaluronic acid is "great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, tells Allure. Although we naturally produce hyaluronic acid in our bodies, as we age, the quantities decrease (similar to collagen), making our skin more susceptible to dehydration.

With consistent use of hyaluronic acid, you'll likely notice an immediate improvement in the hydration of your skin, Jacquelyn Sink, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure. "Long-term benefits are seen as early as two weeks with continued improvement through several months," she adds. All year round, our skin craves moisture to counteract a range of skin-care concerns, including sun exposure, signs of aging (such as fine lines), loss of elasticity, and dehydrated skin.

As with all ingredients, over-the-counter, topical products don't have the same benefits as prescriptions or in-office treatments—but that doesn't mean you shouldn't incorporate them into your skin-care routine. "We can inject hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin to help restore lost volume, but when used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration." You can quite literally get hyaluronic acid fillers at your board-certified dermatologist's office.

Is hyaluronic acid safe for all skin types?

Because of its non-irritating nature, hyaluronic acid face serums are generally suitable for multiple skin types, including sensitive skin, according to Dr. Sink. To get the most from your serum, she shares her preferred application method. "Hyaluronic acid serums are best applied to slightly damp skin and before applying other products," says Dr. Sink. "Moisturizing with a thicker cream or serum afterward can help lock in hydration."

As we mentioned, your skin's hyaluronic acid levels decrease with age, so if you want to maintain your moisture barrier and replenish hydration, consider adding hyaluronic acid-infused products to your daily skin-care routine. (You'll also see HA commonly listed as sodium hyaluronate, a stabilized version of the ingredient.)

Is there a downside to hyaluronic acid?

Overall, hyaluronic acid is a gentle, non-active ingredient that's suitable for most skin types. According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, there are no known side effects of utilizing hyaluronic acid—it's produced in our bodies, after all—but if you’re prone to sensitivity, consult with your dermatologist before incorporating a new product into your routine. “Active ingredients, which tend to feel irritating on sensitive skin, and synthetics, like fragrance and dyes, could be the culprits of any irritation,” she says.

Meet the experts

• Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati
• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westport, Connecticut
• Jacquelyn Sink, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago

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 hyaluronic acid serums, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

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

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

Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brandsSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

There are plenty of face washes out there, but the best cleansing balms stand out for their impressive makeup-melting abilities and skin-softening effects. This type of oil-based face wash is meant to be the first step in your double-cleansing routine, serving as the clean-up crew for sunscreen and stubborn makeup—they’re basically the reason our white washcloths stay pristine. Solid and dense, cleansing balms tend to contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, grapeseed oil, glycerin, and vitamin E to leave skin feeling soft and bouncy once you rinse, whether you follow with a different water-based cleanser or not.

Below, we tapped board-certified dermatologists to learn more about how to find a cleansing balm you’ll look forward to using every night. Plus, shop our editors’ all-time favorites for washing makeup down the drain.

Our Top Cleansing Balms

• Best Overall: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm, $39
• Best for Oily Skin: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, $39
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $44
• Best Makeup Remover: Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm, $21

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• How are cleansing balms different from traditional facial cleansers?
• How do I use a cleansing balm?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

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Farmacy

Green Clean Cleansing Balm

$39 $37 (5% off)

Amazon

Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann using the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Hoffmann

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen using the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Kinonen

Why it’s worth it: Is it possible that washing your face could actually be fun? Farmacy's Green Clean Cleansing Balm, a 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner, certainly makes a case. The cleanser “has a really satisfying balm-to-oil texture that makes taking your makeup off feel so easy and luxurious,” says Morgana Colombo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reston, Virginia. As you massage it onto dry skin, “you're never tugging or scrubbing," she says.

And melting away every trace of makeup is just the beginning. Sunflower seed oil helps nourish and soften skin, while papaya extract helps loosen dead skin cells so they wash away more easily, leaving skin looking fresh and glowy. It also includes a blend of moringa and holy basil extracts for antioxidant support. Just keep in mind that this formula contains essential oils, so i your skin is easily irritated, try the fragrance-free version instead.

Hoffmann before using the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Sarah Hoffmann

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“Few products completely remove every trace of makeup quite like Farmacy's Green Clean Cleansing Balm. My skin is generally pretty clear, but when I'm not washing my face properly, my skin is quick to let me know that it's angry with me. This balm provides such a thorough, gentle cleanse that it's never made my skin unhappy.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

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“Waterproof mascara? No problem. Casty, mineral sunscreen? Easy, peasy! Summertime grime? You bet Farmacy's cleansing balm can remove it—and remove it quickly with ease. Trust me, as someone who has tried to smear off all of the above (and more!), there's nothing this buttery, melt-in-your-hands cleanser—made with sunflower and moringa oils and papaya extract—can't handle. I love it after a long day at the office where a full face beat is the norm, or after an incredibly stinky, sweaty workout. It removes everything in seconds, leaves skin with a smooth (not tacky) finish, and makes for the perfect first step in my double-cleansing routine.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, papaya extract, moringa seed oil, holy basil extract
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Redness: The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

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The Inkey List

Oat Balm Cleanser

$17

Amazon

$17

Shop

$17

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee using the The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Kinonen using the The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Sarah Kinonen

Why it’s worth it: If you've spent time evening out your skin tone with makeup, the last thing you want is to make your skin even more red trying to take it all off. The Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm is especially gentle on sensitive skin, with a rich, milky texture that glides on easily and dissolves makeup without all the rubbing and tugging that can make redness worse. A big reason it's so soothing? The 2026 Best of Beauty Award-winning formula contains 5% oat kernel oil, which is rich in fatty acids that help calm irritation and reduce the appearance of redness. It's joined by sweet almond oil, sunflower seed wax, and jojoba esters, which soften and condition skin so it doesn't feel tight after rinsing. And because sensitive skin can also be more vulnerable to environmental stressors, the balm contains antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn oil to help protect against free-radical damage that can contribute to irritation.

Lee before using the The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after using the The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“My skin is naturally prone to redness, but it's been even more reactive lately now that I've been using tretinoin more often. I was genuinely surprised by how well The Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm removed my stubborn eye makeup, which usually takes a little extra effort to get off. It even passed my white towel test with flying colors—not a trace of makeup left behind. I almost felt like I could skip my second cleanse, but I still follow up with a gentle cleanser for a little extra TLC. The texture is definitely milkier than your typical cleansing balm. My only small complaint is the packaging: The oils tend to separate and settle toward the cap, so sometimes the product leaks out in storage. I've learned to store the tube on its side, and if you're using it for the first time, I'd recommend giving the tube a little massage to mix everything back together before squeezing it out.” —Christa Lee, contributing commerce writer

Tester feedback from Kinonen

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"I remember when The Inkey List's Oat Balm Cleanser first came out in 2020. It defied the category with its tube packaging, $10 price tag, and ability to smear off a face full of makeup in seconds. I loved it! But after the brand reformulated its star earlier this year, I fear I love it even more! It's lighter—now with a touch more oil—for an easier bottle squeeze. It still removes everything (makeup, sunscreen, and New York City grime) in seconds, sits nicely on my shower shelf with ease, and is priced under $20 (now $17, thanks, inflation). It's the same…but better." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: 5% oat kernel oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower seed wax, jojoba esters, sea buckthorn oil
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Oily Skin: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

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Then I Met You

Living Cleansing Balm

$39

Amazon

$39

Shop

$39

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

Sarah Han

Less than a year after its launch in 2018, Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm won an Allure Best of Beauty Award (meaning we loved it at first scoop). The brand, founded by Soko Glam cofounder and frequent Allure K-beauty expert Charlotte Cho, actually debuted with this very product as part of a two-step cleansing duo—but it does the trick on its own, too. The golden-yellow balm gets its sunny hue from sea buckthorn oil, which is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that soften skin.

Olive and grapeseed oils do much of the makeup-removing work, dissolving everything from waterproof mascara to sunscreen as the buttery balm melts into a silky oil. It also includes persimmon extract, which has antioxidant properties and brightens dull-looking skin, plus vitamin E to defend skin from free-radical damage. One thing to keep in mind if your skin is sensitive: The formula contains fragrant essential oils, including grapefruit, rosemary, and rosewood, so it's worth patch-testing first.

Han before applying the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

Sarah Han

Han after applying the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

Sarah Han

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“In the years since it launched (2018!), Then I Met You's Best of Beauty-winning Living Cleansing Balm has undoubtedly remained my ultimate. I always have at least one, maybe two, backups on hand—it's just that good. It breaks down my toughest makeup without irritating my eyes, leaves my skin feeling so nourished and soft post-rinse, and each sea buckthorn- and persimmon-infused scoop (the reason the balm is yellow!) smells divine—so much so, that other cleansing balms that smell waxy are an immediate turnoff.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: sea buckthorn oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, persimmon extract, vitamin E
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Dry Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

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Elemis

Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

$75

Amazon

$75

Nordstrom

$75

Dermstore

Lee using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Why it's worth it: The best-selling Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a great pick for dry or mature skin, particularly if fine lines and wrinkles are a concern. That's largely thanks to its ability to replenish moisture, says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Newport Beach, California.“This balm combines elderberry and rose oils to effectively dissolve makeup and sunscreen while leaving the skin soft and hydrated,” she says. For added conditioning, this nourishing cleansing balm also contains antioxidant vitamin E and moisture-sealing shea butter, which is why Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas, also considers herself a fan of this cleanser. “If you want to splurge on an experience and use a product that does the job, too, then go for this,” she says.

Lee before using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“I use the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm even on days I’m not wearing much makeup because the formula just makes my skin feel so soft and nourished. It has this gorgeous slip that makes it really satisfying to massage in—and when I am wearing a ton of SPF or waterproof makeup, it’s the perfect first step in my double cleanse.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: elderberry oil, rose oil, shea butter, vitamin E
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

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Clinique

Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

$44

Amazon

$44

Nordstrom

$44

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Clinique's Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm has been showing us how it's done for at least 20 years, proving that you don't need a laundry list of ingredients to get results. “It’s simple, yet incredibly effective,” says Sejal Shah MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.In fact, this 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner has just nine, including safflower seed oil, which helps dissolve stubborn makeup and sunscreen while leaving skin soft and comfortable. Caprylic/capric triglyceride (a lightweight, coconut-derived, oil-like ingredient) helps break down makeup, so you don't have to tug at your skin, and there's also vitamin E for an antioxidant boost. What you won't find are added fragrances or essential oils that can irritate sensitive skin. “It rinses away without leaving a heavy oily film, which is important if you're someone who doesn't like that residue from some cleansing balms,” says Dr. Shah. And because it's allergy-tested and ophthalmologist-tested, you can tackle stubborn eye makeup without worrying about a harsh cleansing formula.

Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis

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“The Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is chef’s kiss for melting away every trace of makeup—even the stubborn stuff, like waterproof mascara. It transforms from a silky balm to a gentle oil, leaving your skin clean, but never stripped.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: safflower oil, vitamin E
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: Garnier Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid

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Garnier

Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid

$15 $12 (20% off)

Amazon

$15

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Don't let the playful turquoise color of Garnier's Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid fool you: This 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner takes makeup removal seriously. Massage it onto dry skin, and you can practically watch stubborn eyeliner and mascara disappear. Ethylhexyl palmitate, an oil-like ingredient, instantly dissolves makeup, so if washing your face isn't exactly your favorite part of the day (same), you won't have to spend forever at the sink. And while some cleansers leave you reaching for moisturizer the second you rinse them off, this one contains shea butter and jojoba oil to keep skin soft and comfortable. There's also sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid that draws in moisture to keep skin hydrated even after you've washed everything away.

Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Cleansing your face should be simple. This balm is exactly that: A no-frills formula that breaks down makeup as it slides across my face. It dissolves my waterproof makeup and sunscreen in seconds, leaving my skin clean and soft (without that filmy residue that some balms can leave behind)." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: ethylhexyl palmitate, shea butter, jojoba oil, sodium hyaluronate
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Makeup Removal: Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm

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Banila Co.

Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Calming

$22

Shop

$22

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Back in 2018, we reported that one tub of Banila Co's Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm was sold every three seconds. Fast-forward to 2025, which became the year the K-beauty favorite surpassed 90 million units sold worldwide. Clearly, people are still scooping it up. While the brand has since expanded its lineup to address different skin concerns, we're partial to the Original. The soft, sherbet-like balm seamlessly melts into a silky oil that dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. “It has such a soft, milky texture that leaves skin smoother and more hydrated,” Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Allure. Beyond its makeup-removing abilities, the formula contains bamboo extract to soothe skin, plus antioxidant-rich acerola cherry extract and vitamin E to defend against environmental stressors that can contribute to premature signs of aging.

Tester feedback from Han

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“Banila Co Clean It Zero is the blueprint for cleansing balms. It melts upon contact with my skin, and I can massage it—even around my eyes, which need the most attention when I'm wearing liquid eye shadow—without tugging my skin at all. (No premature wrinkles, please!) ”It has vitamin C-rich acerola extract for a little brightening boost, but don't expect much from any cleanser. (That's what serums are for!) I will note: If you're sensitive to added fragrance, check out one of the SEVEN other variations of Clean It Zero—such as Cica-Relief Calming." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from Lee

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“Some cleansing balms, you just know from the second they hit your skin that they’re going to be a good fit, and Banila Co’s Clean It Zero (the original pink one!) is one of them for me. The solid balm gets sooo melty almost immediately, transforming into such a silky oil that it’s hard to believe it started solid in the first place. I’m already on my third tub even with a shelf of cleansing balms to choose from, which says plenty. I get very irked if my face cleansers leave my skin too squeaky after cleansing, but this does none of that. And, importantly, it passes my white-towel test—there’s hardly any makeup residue left behind, save for the little bit my second cleanse takes care of.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: bamboo extract, acerola cherry extract, vitamin E
• Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

How are cleansing balms different from traditional facial cleansers?

Cleansing balms are oil-based formulas that can break down stubborn makeup, SPF, and excess oil more easily than your usual gel face wash alone. They’re "a great first step for removing makeup [and sunscreen] before using a traditional cleanser to clean the pores out effectively," explains board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Due to their gentler, moisturizing nature, these balmy cleansers are ideal makeup remover options for those with dry skin and eczema, Dr. Akhavan says. (Just make sure you opt for a fragrance-free option if you have sensitive skin.)

How do I use a cleansing balm?

Application-wise, Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, previously recommended massaging cleansing balms "three times around the face with gentle pressure." After a thorough massage, splash on some warm or cool (never hot) water to emulsify before washing it all off. Or, you can use a clean, wet washcloth to gently wipe away the product. Complete your double-cleansing routine with a water-based face wash, and you'll notice how clean your skin looks and feels.

Meet the experts

• Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based at the Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City
• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
• Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut
• Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Newport Beach, California
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Smarter Skin Dermatology based in New York City

How we test and review products

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

For our list of the best cleansing balms, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. 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.

Photographed by DiChen Chen; Set Design: Kelsi WindmillerSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Take it from our experience (and noses): The best perfume gift sets—from mainstream faves like Tom Ford and Valentino to niche lines such as Lore—make gift-giving a little easier. If you know the notes, brands, or fragrance families your recipient likes, fantastic, but it’s also really fun to introduce them to scents you think they’d love. Imagine hearing how much they love your present every time they spritz—you can’t put a price on that!

Whether you’re gifting your mom her longtime signature fragrance, surprising your partner with the expensive scent they’ve been coveting, or treating your teenage niece to their first “grown-up” fragrance, we’ve sniffed our way to find the best perfume gift sets to treat all of your loved ones this holiday season.

Our Top Perfume Gift Sets

• Best Unisex: Lore Somewhere But Nowhere Set, $98
• Most Foolproof: Sephora Holiday Perfume Sampler Vault, $98
• Best for Mom: Jo Malone London Holiday Cologne Collection Gift Set, $125
• Best for Dad: Penhaligon’s Mini Fragrance Set, $75
• Best Splurge: Maison Francis Kurkdjian The Discovery Set, $295
• Best Budget: Nest New York Mini Rollerball Trio, $28

Best Unisex: Lore Somewhere But Nowhere Set

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Lore

Somewhere But Nowhere Set

$98

Shop

$98

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Lore Somewhere But Nowhere is a creamy, woody blend of cedar and cardamom that easily won the coveted 2026 Best of Beauty Award for best woody fragrance, but that’s not the only reason you should scoop it up for gifting season. The warm, leathery fragrance is perfect for the colder months, with cozy notes of black tea and vanilla softening its outdoorsy profile—it’s like a hug for your senses, or one you can gift your boyfriend, your best friend, or your coolest cousin. Lore’s limited-edition holiday gift set includes a full-size scent, a travel spray, and a fun fragranced pillar candle.

More Lore gift sets:

• Fragrance Discovery Set, $28

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

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“For a smaller, newer fragrance line, I'm so impressed with Lore. I've liked everything they've released, but I reach most often for Somewhere But Nowhere. I tend to gravitate towards the woody scents in my collection, but I didn't have an appropriately spicy and subtly sweet woody scent until now. It's very bold up front, but the dry down is super lovely. I can't wait to douse my favorite sweaters in it.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor

Best for Sharing: Cyklar The Bestsellers Perfume Oil Gift Set

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Cyklar

The Bestsellers Perfume Oil Gift Set

$70

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Wait, you haven’t tried Cyklar’s perfume oils yet? We’re big fans here at Allure; the chic square vials tuck easily into your pocket or a teeny clutch, and the sugar-and-spice Vanilla Verve won a Best of Beauty Award in 2025. Their four-piece Perfume Oil Gift Set includes several fan faves: woody Sacred Santal, elevated gourmand Vanilla Verve, sensual Sex Musk, and fresh floral Naked Neroli. It’s infinitely giftable to anyone on your list since the scents are so varied, but you could also split it up for a white elephant gift exchange with your friends. (We won’t tell if you keep one for yourself.)

More Cyklar gift sets:

• Sensorial Body Wash Gift Set, $40
• Vanilla Verve Body Essentials Gift Set, $40
• Sacred Santal Rituals Set, $70

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin (for Vanilla Verve)

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“Cyklar's oil in Vanilla Verve goes everywhere with me. The compact, sturdy bottle is perfect for tossing into any bag, and with its rollerball dispenser, I never have to worry about spillage. But enough about the (great) packaging: As a proud gourmand girl, I absolutely adore this fragrance. It’s a grown-up vanilla that's equal parts mysterious and comforting, with some green notes to keep things fresh.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

Most Foolproof: Sephora Floral & Vanilla Perfume Sampler Set

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Sephora Favorites

Floral & Vanilla Perfume Sampler Set

$98

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Sephora’s perfume sampler sets are always highly sought-after gifting picks because they allow the giftee to choose their favorite perfume and redeem a full-size bottle with the included gift voucher. This floral- and vanilla-themed lineup features 12 sample-size vials from brands like Rare Beauty, Carolina Herrera, Burberry, and Kayali. The minis give them time to really live with a perfume, so you know you’re giving them a gift they’ll genuinely love—especially if they’re a fan of sweeter fragrances. This isn’t a holiday-specific activity, either; Sephora offers fragrance sampler kits year-round! (Hello, Mother’s Day gift.)

More Sephora Favorites gift sets:

• Golden Hour Perfume Sampler Set, $98
• Next Big Thing Perfume Sampler Set, $95

Tester feedback from content manager Hannah Brower (for Burberry Goddess, a Best of Beauty winner)

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“This is the perfect elevated vanilla scent, leaning toward the sweeter side of the spectrum. It's warm and inviting. If you're looking to smell irresistibly delicious without it being overwhelming, this fragrance is for you. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's vanilla-curious. It's really comforting, but not at all cloying. Nearly two years later, it’s still my go-to and, without a doubt, my most complimented perfume.” —Hannah Brower, content manager

Tester feedback from contributor Kara McGrath (for Maison Louis Marie No. 4 Bois de Balincourt )

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“Bois de Balincourt is my ideal fragrance; I get loads of compliments every time I wear this blend of sandalwood, nutmeg, and amber. It's woody, but not too earthy. It's warm, but not too sweet. It's unique, but not odd or overpowering. It's creamy, but doesn't smell like straight-up milk. I love taking it with me when I travel, since it feels appropriate in every single situation.” —Kara McGrath, contributor

Best Layering Gift Set: Phlur Cozy Layering Set

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Phlur

Cozy Layering Set

$68

Amazon

$68

Nordstrom

$68

Shop

Why it’s worth it: Cozy season is in full swing, and Phlur is here to bundle your giftee in layers of snuggled-up warmth and comfort this season. The Cozy Layering Set features 3 three-ounce body mists in fan-favorite aromas: indulgently sweet Heavy Cream, with notes of coconut, vanilla, sugar, and jasmine; warm and spicy Cashmere Skin, with notes of ambrette, almond, and cashmere; and the Best of Beauty-winning Vanilla Skin, with vanilla, pink pepper, and jasmine. They’re well poised to complement each other or shine on their own.

More Phlur gift sets:

• The Body Mist Edit, $42
• Mini Coffret Set, $59

Best Classic: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Purse Spray Set

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Chanel

Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Purse Spray Set

$200

Nordstrom

Why it’s worth it: Treat the bougie moms on your list to Chanel’s ultra-glam Coco Mademoiselle Purse Spray Set, which is exactly what it sounds like: a sleek ivory and gold perfume purse charm with two travel-size vials of the popular fruity chypre fragrance. (You can wear the charm around your wrist as an especially fancy accessory.) The jewelry-inspired set is also available in the classic Chanel No. 5 to adorn your bag, vanity, or Instagram pics with that signature Chanel glamour. Might be time to start prowling The RealReal for a designer bag to match.

More Chanel gift sets:

• No. 5 Eau de Parfum Purse Spray, $200
• Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette and Spray Set, $188
• Les Eaux de Chanel Le Voyage Collection, $275

Best for Mom: Jo Malone London Holiday Cologne Collection Gift Set

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Jo Malone

Limited-Edition Holiday Cologne Collection Gift Set

$125

Nordstrom

Why it’s worth it: Jo Malone London’s elegant, delicate fragrances are beloved by moms everywhere, but this year, the British brand is mixing things up and skipping bluebells and basil for the holiday cocktail bar. Vanilla Scotch, Ginger Biscuit, Tangerine & Honey, Whiskey & Cedarwood, and Orange Bitters are the five mini eau de colognes—one of the lightest scent concentrations available—accented with a festive spin. Each can be worn solo or layered for a custom concoction—whatever the case, each cozy scent is bound to be a hit with the mom who always makes the holidays so memorable.

More Jo Malone London gift sets:

• Coastal Ritual Travel Size Fragrance Set, $98
• Sea Salt & Bergamot Fragrance Layering Cologne Trio, $135
• Holiday Fragrance Cracker Collection, $50
• Wood Salt & Sea Sage Home & Away Gift Set, $175

Best for Dad: Penhaligon’s Mini Fragrance Set

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Penhaligon

Mini Fragrance Set

$75

Nordstrom

Why it’s worth it: Keep the British vibes going by treating Dad to a stylish set from historic fragrance house Penhaligon, which has been in business since 1870; the Penhaligon family were barbers and later went on to work for the royal family, including Queen Victoria! The green embossed gift box houses five mini scents, each with its own beautifully designed label: woody, aromatic The Cut; citrusy Blenheim Bouquet; spicy Halfeti; classic Endymion; and sophisticated London Dandy. If your dad’s idea of a good time is a night in with a glass of scotch and a crime drama on the BBC, he’ll be absolutely delighted by this charming set.

More Penhaligon gift sets:

• Mini Fragrance Gift Set for Her, $75
• Scent Library Discovery Set, $45

Best for Teen Girls: Athena Club Hair & Body Mist Trio

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Athena Club

Hair & Body Mist Trio

$48

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Why it’s worth it: Athena Club is new on the fragrance scene, but it’s already made a (body) splash with its high-end fragrances at a budget-friendly price. The three-piece body mist trio is perfect for younger fragrance lovers on your list, like a teen niece or favorite babysitter: It comes in several scent profiles like the Holiday Wardrobe, which includes the fluffy gourmand Bare Gold; cherry-forward Up Close; and craveable Sweet Talk. Each mist is lightweight enough for daily wear at school, and the cloud-top bottles couldn’t look cuter on her vanity or in her locker.

More Athena Club gift sets:

• Complete Mist Collection, $120

Best for Teen Boys: Versace Mini Cologne Sampler Gift Set

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Versace

Mini Cologne Sampler Gift Set

$42

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: ICYMI, teen boys are very, very, very into cologne—or as they call it, smellmaxxing. Show him how to do so tastefully with a set of four Versace eau de toilettes and eau de parfums from the Eros family: Energy, Flame, Najim, and the original Eros. Each one is crisp and citrusy so they won’t stifle their classmates in AP Algebra, and the deluxe minis fit neatly into his backpack for post-class touch-ups. Cologne gift sets give younger fans just getting into the world of scent the chance to learn, play, and figure out what they like and what they don’t like—and this cool Versace combo earns you major brownie points.

More Versace gift sets:

• Eros Eau de Parfum 4-Piece Gift Set, $154
• Mini Women’s Deluxe Perfume Set, $42
• Iconic Women's 3-Piece Fragrance Set, $69

Best Niche: D’Annan Memories of Japan Discovery Set

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d’Annam

Memories of Japan Discovery Set

$59

D’Annam

Why it’s worth it: First things first, this D’Annan illustrated box is so gorgeous that you don’t even need to wrap it up, and the scents inside are equally stunning. As its name suggests, the Memories of Japan Discovery Set pays homage to the sights, sounds, and scents of Japan, with nine mini scents that span from Japanese Whiskey to Matcha Soft Serve to Tokyo Nights. This discovery set is the ideal present for a friend who wants a scent no one else has, or your pal who went to Osaka this year and hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

More D’Annan gift sets:

• Discovery Set: Majestic China, $42
• Discovery Set: Enchanting Vietnam, $59

Best Floral: Marc Jacobs Daisy 4-Piece Set

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Marc Jacobs

Daisy 4-Piece Set

$58

Nordstrom

$58

Ulta Beauty

$58

Sephora

Why it’s worth it: Everybody loves Daisy, Marc Jacobs’s eternally adored, cheerful light floral. This four-piece set is basically a garden of Daisy cuteness, featuring the original Daisy, with notes of strawberry, violet, and sandalwood, and three Daisy flankers: fruity Daisy Eau So Fresh, sweet Daisy Love, and fresh Daisy Wild. The mini bottles come in Christmas cracker–inspired packaging, adding to the delightful nature of this truly precious floral present.

More Marc Jacobs gift sets:

• Perfect Eau de Parfum 2-Piece Gift Set, $100

Best Gourmand: D.S. & Durga Gothic Gourmands Eau de Parfum Set

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D.S. & Durga

Gothic Gourmands Eau de Parfum Set

$180

Nordstrom

$180

Shop

Why it’s worth it: This is not your typical ultra-sweet gourmand gift set—it’s from D.S. & Durga, after all, so these are gothic gourmands. The three-piece discovery set, which was inspired by what the brand describes as “vittles spread upon an ornate table,” includes 0.34-ounce vials of the dark, syrupy Pistachio; pineapple-and-tobacco Black Magenta; and woody cognac-and-tonka Cognac Reign.

It’s just the present for your best friend who knows everyone’s astrological sign (and their big three, obviously) and prefers Halloween to the holidays, but the scents aren’t too spooky or out-there as to make them unwearable—quite the opposite, really. You’ve got drinks, dessert, and an aperitif, all designed for daily wear; plus, we spotlighted edible notes as one of our biggest winter scent trends, so you’re right on the money with this gift pick.

More D.S. & Durga gift sets:

• The Hits Discovery Set, $195
• Deluxe Box Set, $275
• Gothic Gourmands Set, $180

Best Body Mist Set: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa All the Way Gift Set

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Sol de Janeiro

Cheirosa All the Way Gift Set

$49

Ulta Beauty

Why it’s worth it: You can’t mention body mists without shouting out the reigning ruler of the category: Sol de Janeiro. The Brazilian brand started bottling its signature “Cheirosa” (which translates to smelling delicious) scent in 2020 and now offers 10 core Cheirosa scents—which have gone (and continue to go) viral many times over. This six-piece set bundles up a handful of editor favorites, all with a warm, gourmandy vibe that makes you feel like you’re dancing on the beach: nutty, sweet Cheirosa 62; floral Cheirosa 40; ambery Cheirosa 71; fruity Cheirosa 39 and Cheirosa 48; and the fruity-floral Cheirosa 68.

More Sol de Janeiro gift sets:

• Cheirosa Anywhere Set, $49
• Intense Perfume Mist Quad, $116

Best Splurge: Maison Francis Kurkdjian The Fragrance Wardrobe Discovery Set

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Maison Francis Kurkdjian

The Fragrance Wardrobe Discovery Set

$295

Nordstrom

Why it’s worth it: The luxury fragrance house Maison Francis Kurkdjian, home of the ubiquitous Baccarat Rouge 540, bundled up eight of its best-selling scents for the ultimate splurge. And unlike other discovery sets, these aren’t tiny samples—they’re legitimate travel sprays measuring up at 0.37 oz. The collection includes two versions of Baccarat Rouge 540: the original and the more intense extrait; the luxe Oud Satin; ambery Grand Soir; fresh and musky Gentle Fluidity Gold and Silver; the clean and fresh Aqua Universalis; and the nostalgic gourmand Kurky. So many scents, so many moods, and each packaged in grandiose gold bottles. What a vibe.

More Maison Francis Kurkdjian gift sets:

• Gentle Fluidity Gold Perfume Ritual Set, $310
• Countdown Fragrance & Candle Calendar, $1,200

Best Budget: Nest New York Mini Rollerball Trio

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Nest New York

Mini Rollerball Trio

$28

Amazon

Why it’s worth it: You don’t need us to remind you that perfume gift sets don’t need to be expensive to be considered thoughtful or special. Not only is Nest New York’s adorable mini rollerball trio affordable at $28, but it’s also versatile and layerable in its own right. If you’ve got someone with a sweet tooth on your shopping list, look no further: The set features Crème de Clementine, a candied citrus; Vanilla Bourbon, a rich gourmand that blends bourbon, bitters, and brown sugar; and Lychee Rose, an effervescent fruity floral. Each can be worn solo, layered with one another, or used as a base for their daily signature scent.

More Nest New York gift sets:

• Eau de Parfum Discovery Set, $46
• Perfume Oil Discovery Set, $50

Frequently Asked Questions

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 perfume gifts, 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.

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.

Photographed by DiChen Chen; Set Design: Kelsi WindmillerSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

The holiday season is here, and so is the race to snag the best beauty gifts before they’re gone. Don’t get caught scrambling at the last minute—instead, we’ve rounded up beauty and lifestyle treasures for everyone on your list, like your bougie bestie, teenage cousin, and hard-to-please mom. With categories and price points galore, it’s holiday gift-giving made easy. So grab your hot cocoa, cue the festive playlist, and wrap up your shopping before it's too late.

Our Top Beauty Gifts of 2026

• The Glowiest of Them All: Anua Dewy Glow Holiday Amenity Kit, $37
• Holiday Soirée Ready: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Hollywood Beauty Wonderland Advent Calendar, $220
• A Gift That Makes You Go “Ooo la la:” La Mer The Mini Holiday Essentials Set, $98
• Your Skin But Better: Eadem The New Classics Everyday Skin + Lip Icons, $58
• And the Best-Smelling Stocking Stuffer Goes to…: Glossier You Discovery Kit, $15
• French Kisses: Violette_FR Bouche Duo Bêtise Edition, $43
• Head-to-Toe Aromatherapy: Kate McLeod Winter Rituals Mini Body Stone Gift Set, $48
• Best of Beauty-Winning Woody Scent: Lore Somewhere But Nowhere Set, $98
• Earning Aura: Oura Ring 5, $399

Jump ahead to:AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Best Advent Calendars
• Best Gifts Under $100
• Best Gifts Under $50
• Best Gifts Under $25
• Best Luxury Gifts
• Best Gifts for Teen Girls
• Best K-Beauty Gifts
• Best Skin-Care Gifts
• Best Makeup Gifts
• Best Fragrance Gifts
• Best Body-Care Gifts
• Best Hair-Care Gifts
• Best Wellness Gifts

Best Advent Calendars

Advent calendars are arguably the best gifts money can buy. These interactive calendars—filled with up to 25 mini-size and full-size beauty products—are a dream for indecisive buyers and equally exciting for the recipient to open up and indulge in. Plus, your giftee can repurpose the boxes as storage—makeup, jewelry, you name it. This year's lineup includes the sparkliest red drawers filled with Charlotte Tilbury's glow-enhancing makeup and one of the best bang-for-your-buck sets from skin-care heavyweight Dermstore.

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Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte's Hollywood Beauty Wonderland Advent Calendar

$220

Amazon

$220

Revolve

$220

Bluemercury

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Dermstore

Best of Dermstore: 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar

$250

Dermstore

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Laneige

12 Days of Wonder Advent Calendar

$149

Shop

$149

Sephora

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REVOLVE Beauty

12 Days of Revolve Beauty Advent Calendar

$89

REVOLVE

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MAC

24 Days of M·A·C Icons Advent Calendar

$250

Nordstrom

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Jo Malone London

12 Days of Jo Malone London Holiday Calendar

$250

Nordstrom

$250

Jo Malone London

Best Gifts Under $100

In this economy, spending more than $100 on a gift can feel like a stretch. But for those who have the extra coins, we've found some serious gems, including this Eadem set—which features two Best of Beauty Award winners: Cashmere Peel and Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm in Butter Mochi. And La Mer for under $100? Mom will be seeing stars. (P.S. We've also spotted a $50 La Mer set that we just know will sell out fast, so act fast.)

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Paula's Choice

Bestsellers Set

$69

Amazon

$69

Sephora

$69

Paula’s Choice

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Eadem

The New Classics Mini Everyday Skin + Lip Icons

$58

Amazon

$58

Sephora

$58

Eadem

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La Mer

The Mini Holiday Essentials Set

$98

Nordstrom

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Jones Road Beauty

The Pinky Bronze Kit 2.0

$90

Jones Road

Best Gifts Under $50

$50 is a sweet spot for gifting budgets. Whether you're in year one of your first adult job and budgeting accordingly, shopping for your situationship person, or buying your boss or fave coworker a little something-something to show your appreciation, these gifts—from Anua's viral PDRN + Hylauron skin care to Soft Services's delectably-smelling body buffing bars—speak volumes (and will have them feeling good).

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Anua

Dewy Glow Holiday Amenity Kit

$37

Amazon

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Soft Services

Buffing Bar Miniature Collection: Volume II

$49

Shop

$39

Sephora

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Tower 28 Beauty

SOS Stressed Skin Mini Starter Gift Set

$28

Shop

$28

Sephora

$28

Revolve

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Ouai

Hair Repair Kit

$45

Amazon

Best Gifts Under $25

These aren't your ordinary stocking stuffers—because, as professional shoppers, we know you don't have to shell out a ton of cash to gift your loved ones something they'll use and appreciate every day. Go ahead, buy multiples of these crowd-pleasers and cross off besties, sisters, and coworkers all at once—and perhaps, stock up yourself. (Personally, Clinique Nude Honey is calling my name—hello, my lips-but-better combo.)

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Clinique

Nude Honey Lip Trio Gift Set

$30

Amazon

$30

Ulta Beauty

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Biodance

Mask Discovery Set

$19

Amazon

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Glossier

You Discovery Kit

$15

Amazon

$15

Shop

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Tower 28 x Jell-O

Lil' Pudding Mini Lip Softie Gift Set

$32

Shop

$20

Revolve

$20

Sephora

Best Luxury Gifts

Yes, we have to show some restraint for most of the calendar year, but if you've got the means to splurge a little come the holidays, now is the perfect opportunity to finally help them cross off that one thing sitting pretty at the top of their wish lists. Chanel is always a good idea, as well as the Best of Beauty-winning Dyson Co-Andra 2x Multistyler in a cute Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold colorway or Shark CryoGlow, especially in the limited-edition Celestial Skies design. All of these will bring a twinkle to their eyes—quite literally, in some cases.

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Dyson

Co-Anda2x Multistyler Curly + Coily

$700

Dyson

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Medicube

Booster Pro X2

$248

Amazon

$249

Shop

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Chanel

Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss Trio

$145

Chanel

$145

Nordstrom

$145

Ulta Beauty

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Victoria Beckham

Bordeaux Collection 5-Piece Eye Makeup Set

$163

Nordstrom

$163

Bluemercury

$163

Violey Grey

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Shark

CryoGlow LED Face Mask

$340

Amazon

$349

Sephora

$349

Shark

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Flamingo Estate

The Awake Kit

$104

Shop

$104

Flamingo Estate

Best Gifts for Teen Girls

Whether you're getting a holiday gift for your 13-year-old niece or looking for the perfect Christmas present for your tween daughter, we've got you covered. Teens can be a tough group to shop for, but we did our research (ahem, TikTok scrolling) to pull out all the beauty stops. Peep an extra-adorable Squishmallows x TonyMoly advent calendar they'll basically rip apart, a sweet-smelling hair mist and claw clip duo from two of the coolest brands around (DedCool x Emi Jay), and more.

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TonyMoly

Tonymoly x Squishmallows 10-Day Skincare Advent Calendar

$30

Amazon

$30

Ulta Beauty

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Impressions

Impressions Vanity x Hello Kitty 3 Piece Makeup Bag Set

$39 $30 (23% off)

Amazon

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DedCool X Emi Jay

Gift Set In Mint Mochi Sky

$59

DedCool

$59

Emi Jay

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Marc Jacobs Beauty

Joystick Buildable Cream Blush Stick

$35

Sephora

Best K-Beauty Gifts

It's no secret that Korean beauty is a hub of innovation: The entire industry is a triple threat of affordable, gentle, and effective. While gifting glass skin never goes out of style—hello, Aestura's Best of Beauty-winning cream—we've added a few more under-the-radar picks from legendary Korean makeup artist Jung Saem Mool (you simply must try the Artist Cushion Blush) and Medicube's Rosemary PDRN Hair Care Set. Don't blame us if you update (and upgrade) your entire beauty routine with these sets—straight from Seoul to your bathroom cabinet, vanity, and shower.

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Aestura

Atobarrier365 Mini Bestsellers

$32

Amazon

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Laneige

Tint & Glow Holiday Gift Set

$39

Amazon

$39

Sephora

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Medicube

Korean Overnight Glow Mask Trio

$65 $55 (15% off)

Amazon

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Jung Saem Mool

Artist Flush Trio

$49

Amazon

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THOME

The Glow Signature

$299

Amazon

$299

Sephora

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Medicube

Rosemary PDRN Hair Care Set

$65 $52 (20% off)

Amazon

Best Skin-Care Gifts

Skin care can be a difficult category to gift, but all you need to do is tune in to some of their biggest complexion concerns. Do they often complain about their puffy undereyes? Are they prone to dryness, no matter what time of year? Are they headed off on vacation soon and need travel-size goodies to ensure their skin stays fresh and clear? See—it's easier than you think, especially when tried-and-true brands such as La Roche-Posay and Tatcha are involved.

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La Roche-Posay

Daily Hydration Dose Three Piece Discovery Set

$25

Walmart

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Tatcha

Bright, Smooth & Firm Set

$244

Shop

$180

Tatcha

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Skinfix

Better Skin Starts Here Kit for Dehydrated Skin

$38

Amazon

$38

Sephora

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Sofie Pavitt Face

The System Mini Kit

$64

Shop

$38

Sephora

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KraveBeauty

Double Cleanse

$38

Amazon

$42

KraveBeauty

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Decorté

Liposome Advanced Repair Purple Ribbon 3-Piece Set

$155

Nordstrom

Best Body-Care Gifts

In case you missed it, body care is booming. We pay such close attention to our faces, but everything below the neck needs plenty of love, too. Whether it's a heavenly-scented body wash from OSEA that makes you look forward to showering every day or Nécessaire's elevated hand cream to keep your hands buttery soft no matter how often you're washing your hands, these gifts will be well-loved and well-used.

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Kate McLeod

Winter Rituals Mini Body Stone Gift Set

$56

Kate McLeod

$48

Nordstrom

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Osea

Undaria Body Bestsellers

$68

Amazon

$68

Nordstrom

$68

Ulta Beauty

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Josie Maran

All Wrapped Up in Vanilla Vibezzz

$46

Shop

$46

Sephora

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Necessaire

The Hand Wash + The Hand Lotion Gift Set

$150

Bluemercury

$150

Nécessaire

Best Makeup Gifts

Yes, we test and shop for lipsticks, highlighters, and eye shadow palettes all year long, but the holiday season ushers in value-stuffed, curated sets that are ready to be gifted the moment you click "add to cart." Even better? When said gifts are Best of Beauty Award winners—hey, Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush and Violette_FR Lip Nectar.

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Dior

Addict & Diorshow Volume & Glow Makeup Set

$119

Nordstrom

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Rare Beauty

Hope Faves 4 Piece Set

$78

Shop

$54

Ulta Beauty

$54

Sephora

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Violette_FR

Bouche Duo Bêtise Edition

$43

Shop

$43

Sephora

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Best 12-Pan Eye Shadow Palette

Makeup By Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette: The Original

$69

Shop

$69

Sephora

Best Hair-Care Gifts

Smart hot tools that do the work of multiple devices? Shark's five-in-one tool's got you covered. Curated hair-care sets for silky-smooth strands? Rōz has stolen the hearts of many editors on our team, and the selfies are clear proof as to why. A chicer-than-chic hairbrush that'll actually be used every day? La Bonne Brosse is a 2026 Best of Beauty winner that's made of boar bristles and nylon fibers and doubles as a satisfying scalp massager. Yeah, we'll call it now: These prezzies will fit seamlessly into their shower and styling routines.

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Redken

Acidic Bonding Concentrate Holiday Gift Set

$72

Ulta Beauty

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La Bonne Brosse

Large Brush No.2 in Cherry Red

$198

Revolve

$198

FWRD

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Shark

Glam Ceramic & Powerful Air Styling & Drying System

$450

Ulta Beauty

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Dae

Daely Ritual Signature Citrus Set

$74

Amazon

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Rōz

The Mini Essentials Set

$106

Shop

$72

Nordstrom

$72

Sephora

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Pattern Beauty

Juicy Curl Set

$48

Amazon

$48

Nordstrom

Best Fragrance Gifts

Allure editors test out the latest perfumes from the biggest fragrance houses and the smallest indie brands before they even make it to market, so we can get an exclusive look—or, um, sniff—at what the upcoming season's best perfumes will be. If you think walking by a department store's fragrance counters is intimidating, you should take a peek at our shared beauty closet. Here are giftable sets that include some of our favorite scents, ever, like Lore's newly minted Best of Beauty winner, Somewhere But Nowhere.

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Lore

Somewhere But Nowhere Set

$98

Shop

$98

Sephora

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Phlur

Decadent Layering Set

$68

Shop

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Sol de Janeiro

Spritz & Sol

$39

Shop

$39

Sephora

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Snif

Mornings at Levain Candle

$46

Shop

Best Wellness Gifts

Beauty isn't just skin deep. Take these wellness gifts: They're here to help you and your loved ones sleep deeply, wake up more energized, and help them exercise at home in the dead of winter. Whether it's a smart alarm clock that wakes them up gently with a gradual sunrise or a wearable that tracks their sleep, physical activity, and so much more, these are little boosts to their daily lives that will go a long way.

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Oura Ring 5

$399

Amazon

$399

Oura Ring

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Hatch

Restore 3

$170

Amazon

$170

Nordstrom

$170

Ulta Beauty

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Bala

The Pilates Method Resistance System

$99

Amazon

$99

Nordstrom

$99

Bala

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Loop

Quiet 2 Earplugs

$25

Amazon

$25

Nordstrom

We're just getting started on our holiday shopping, and the recs are already abundant. Join us?

• These Advent Calendars Are the Gifts That Keep on Giving
• 37 Best Gifts for Teenage Girls, Straight From Their Wish Lists
• 26 Best Gifts Under $50 That Feel Surprisingly Luxe