In terms of what to avoid, Dr. Camp says to steer clear of any ingredients that could irritate dry or sensitive skin. “These include fragrances, dyes, and some preservatives such as formaldehyde-releasing agents and methylisothiazolinone (MIT),” he says. “You should also know the difference between fragrance-free, which means the product contains no fragrance or perfumes, … Read more
What else is there? Both Dr. Peredo and Dr. Claire Chang call out moisturizing silver mushroom, calming oat extract, and nourishing ceramides as additional key ingredients that ease any irritation associated with the retinol itself. Key ingredients: retinol, oat extract, silver mushroom, ceramides, hydroxymehtoxyphenyl decanone | What skin type it’s best for: normal | Fragrance-free: … Read more
Key ingredients: human bone marrow stem cell conditioned media, niacinamide, cetyl ethylhexanoate | Type of growth factor: human | Fragrance-Free: yes | Who it’s for: people with fine lines, wrinkles, or uneven skin texture Frequently Asked Questions Do growth-factor serums really work? “Data suggest that well-formulated, high-quality growth factor serums can deliver measurable benefits,” says … Read more
Key ingredients: TNS®-MR (growth factor blend), French flax seed, marine extract, green microalgae | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, mature skin Best on Amazon: Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum Why we love it: We love a product name that gets straight to the point. Good Molecules … Read more
Key ingredients: peptides (tetrapeptide-21, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 acetate), ceramides, growth factors,, argan oil | Fragrance-free: yes Best for Dark Spots: Kinship Brightwave 10% Vitamin-C + Peptide Brightening Serum Kinship Brightwave 10% Vitamin C + Peptide Brightening Serum Why it’s worth it: The Kinship Brightwave 10% Vitamin C + Peptide Serum earned a 2023 Best of Beauty … Read more
Also known as tretinoin, retinoic acid is the most bioavailable retinoid. In other words, “Retinoic acid doesn’t need to go through any conversions, so it is readily available and faster-acting” than other retinoids, according to Sheila Farhang, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics. And because of that, Dr. Chang says, it’s … Read more
Editor Tip: The slightly tacky texture makes it great to layer beneath foundation. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ectoin, peptides | Who It’s For: Anyone looking for a serious firming and plumping effect Frequently Asked Questions What does hyaluronic acid serum do? Known as a humectant, hyaluronic acid is “great at holding water and giving skin … Read more
Since the brand’s inception in 2013, we’ve been under the spell of the best Drunk Elephant products. Drunk Elephant skin-care goods quickly became go-to’s for shoppers, beauty pros, and Allure editors alike (with plenty of product reviews to boot) for their commitment to creating effective, cruelty-free, dye-free, essential oil-free, vegan products. The brand has earned numerous Best of Beauty and Readers’ Choice … Read more
Even if I wasn’t a beauty editor, I would’ve made it my mission to research and sample the best Korean skin-care products. Most skin-care lovers are familiar with the likes of Cosrx, Innisfree, and Dr. Jart+, but thanks to social media (and retailers like Amazon and Soko Glam), we have increasing access to some of … Read more
Editor Tip: Alternate it with Kopari’s Coconut Melt, which is what helped put the brand on the map. Key Ingredients: Retinol, aminobutyric acid, pomegranate | Who It’s For: People seeking firming or tightening benefits Best Retinol Alternative: Oui the People All in All Melting Body Balm Oui the People All in All Melting Body Balm … Read more
