Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands, Allure editorsSave this storySave this story
The best face moisturizers are non-negotiables, regardless of skin type or concerns (we’re looking at you, oily skin types). No matter the season, your skin needs moisture-sealing creams to plump, soften, and comfort skin in ways that lighter-textured products like toners and essences just can’t deliver. Skip this step, and your natural moisture barrier can gradually break down, leaving your skin feeling dry, tight, and prone to irritation. In other words, a great face moisturizer is your skin’s first line of defense against dehydration and discomfort.
That said, finding the best face moisturizer can be easier said than done. It’s a process that ultimately relies on your skin type, concerns, and desired results. The good news? We’ve tested hundreds, so whether you're looking for a lightweight moisturizer with SPF to wear during daylight hours or a souped-up version with hardworking actives to use as a night cream, chances are your perfect match can be found on this very list.
Our Top Face Moisturizers
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, $155
- Best for Mature Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream, $40
- Best for Oily Skin: Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream, $20
- Best Budget: The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer, $22
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, $29
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream, $54
- Best Lightweight: Then I Met You Bong2 Bounce Cream, $46
Here, we've rounded up the best face moisturizers we’ve ever tried, including Allure Best of Beauty Award winners and recommendations from dermatologists, to keep your skin bouncy, hydrated, and protected all year long.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Why do you need a face moisturizer?
- What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?
- Meet the experts
- How our staff tests and reviews products
- Meet our staff and testers
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
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SkinCeuticals
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Dermstore
SkinCeuticals
Bluemercury
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it’s worth it: The SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 gets its name from its concentration of key ingredients: 2% ceramides (pure ceramides 1 and 3), 4% cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids. “This ratio infuses skin-identical fatty acids into the barrier in the exact proportion that naturally exists in our barrier," Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, previously told Allure. As cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson explained, these ingredients help the formula mimic youthful skin as closely as possible, making it a solid choice for anyone looking for plumper skin. With cholesterol leading the charge, the cream helps reinforce the outer barrier, support repair, and smooth things out—think softer texture, refined-looking pores, and a natural, lit-from-within glow.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“Finding a moisturizer to use with my tretinoin was challenging. I test hundreds each year, yet I still had trouble finding a formula that didn’t sting upon application and kept my skin moisturized for more than a few hours. That is, until I returned to this one. It’s an oldie but a goodie, feeling rich but not heavy. It isn't oily or sticky, so I’m not leaving marks on my pillows when I sleep. It feels like a comforting blanket.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: proxylane, wild fruit flavonoids, glycyrrhetinic acid
- Texture: balmy
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream
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La Roche-Posay
Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media director Kassidy Silva applying the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream
Why it’s worth it: La Roche Posay is known for its moisturizers, which are loved by derms and editors alike, and this newest addition to its lineup is especially worth paying attention to. The Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream is designed with mature skin in mind. It delivers serious hydration, thanks to three different sizes of hyaluronic acid that penetrate various layers of the skin to even further plump and smooth the look of fine lines. It’s also powered by ectoin, which helps your skin cells fight and heal damage from environmental stressors—locking in moisture, strengthening the skin barrier, and supporting elasticity over time. But it still has the brand’s signature thermal spring water, packed with minerals and antioxidants, that soothes skin from the first drop.
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
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"Over the past year, my skin has started to quickly show signs of aging. A one-year-old will do that to you! When looking for a new facial moisturizer, I was looking to target fine lines and re-plump my skin. The new La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream checked all my boxes. I apply it at the end of my skincare routine, followed by SPF in the mornings. With a quarter-sized amount, I've seen a healthier glow overall. I have really dry skin, so I toss most moisturizers by day three since they can't keep me hydrated all day. The La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream dries down quickly enough for me to apply makeup in the 10 minutes I have in the morning and keeps me glowing all day. My only qualm: I have a love/hate relationship with any product in a pot."—Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ectoin, thermal spring water
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, especially mature
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream
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Cocokind
Electrolyte Water Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Coockind Electrolyte Water Cream
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Oily and combination skin types merit a moisturizer that does the most—without looking like it. Cocokind’s Electrolyte Water Cream, a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, delivers truly lightweight hydration that doesn’t tip into greasy territory, thanks to a blend of anti-inflammatory magnesium and zinc that keeps the skin barrier strong, balanced, and calm. Glycerin and sodium PCA (a humectant derived from amino acids) pull moisture in, while beta-glucan adds a cushion of hydration that feels refreshing and never heavy.
The gel-cream texture melts instantly, cooling on contact and leaving skin plump, smooth, and comfortably hydrated. Over time, skin looks less reactive, redness is dialed down, and excess shine stays in check. It’s the kind of moisturizer you can layer morning and night without a second thought.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Gatorade for your face? That's what I thought of when Cocokind's Electrolyte Water Cream popped into my inbox—and honestly, it's not a bad analogy. My combination skin—revved up by NYC’s extreme seasons—treats this cooling gel-cream like it's a lifeline and slurps it right up. It dries down immediately and leaves me looking slightly glowy but not overly dewy or worse, greasy. Now, I just need a way bigger tube so I don’t run out as quickly! (Also, the turquoise packaging makes me happy just looking at it, and more motivated to reach for it, tbh.)” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: magnesium PCA, zinc PCA, sodium PCA, glycerin, beta- glucan, microalgae peptides
- Texture:
- Best for: all skin types, especially mature
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Budget: The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer
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The Inkey List
Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying The Inkey List’s Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer
Sarah Kinonen
Why it’s worth it: The Inkey List’s Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturizer may come with a very reasonable price tag, but the payoff feels luxurious. At its core is a bio-active ceramide—designed to be easily recognized and absorbed by skin—that helps boost hydration, firmness, and bounce. The formula also uses Gransil Blur X-11, comprised of soft-focus powders, to smooth the look of fine lines almost immediately, giving skin a soft-focus, blurred look. Shea butter rounds things out by sealing in moisture and reinforcing the skin barrier, so the plumping benefits actually last.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"There's nothing I love more than hitting empty on a skin-care product. It's just so satisfying. What's even more satisfying is that I've emptied almost three jars of this Inkey List moisturizer—it's that good. My sensitive skin just drinks up the ceramides." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, shea butter, glycerin
- Texture: thick cream
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
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Illiyoon
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Amazon
Olive Young
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: Illiyoon’s beloved K-beauty cream has tons of fans (including us!), but it’s extra great for those with sensitive skin. The fragrance-free formula is loaded with barrier-boosting ceramides and hydrating glycerin, and it’s gentle enough for both adults and kids (which says a lot). It quickly soothes red, flaky skin, replacing irritation with a calm, smooth, deeply hydrated feel. With continued use, flare-ups become less frequent, and those with acne-prone skin can use it confidently, as this formula won’t trigger breakouts. Apply it morning and night to keep skin comfortable throughout the day and quietly repair it while you sleep.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“This Illiyoon cream has completely transformed my acne-prone, combination skin over the past two years, and I have its high concentration of plant-based ceramides to thank. It has strengthened my skin barrier, giving me that healthy, hydrated glow and a bouncy, soothed feel, all without irritation or breakouts (which is rare for me!). As a beauty writer who tests endless products, the fact that this moisturizer has remained a constant in my routine for two full years says it all.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, glycerin
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types, but especially those with sensitive, reactive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
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Skinfix
Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: Acne-prone and oily skin need moisturizer, too—but it has to be the right formula. The star ingredients in the Skinfix Barrier+ Restoring Gel Cream include moisture-binding saccharide isomerate and hyaluronic acid, oil-absorbing niacinamide, and a proprietary lipid complex that repairs a stressed skin barrier—all without clogging pores. It's also free of silicone, which makes it lighter and less likely to feel occlusive on skin. "For people with oily, acne-prone skin looking for a lightweight moisturizer, this is excellent," says David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. "One to two pumps is all you need, and it gets absorbed instantly."
If you have drier skin and want richer, thicker moisture, Allure editors also swear by Skinfix's Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream, which won a 2025 Best of Beauty Award in the clean category.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“I've only just started using this lightweight gel-cream, but it's totally changed the game for me—already. My combination skin is prone to acne, and I love knowing that the non-comedogenic formula won't make matters worse. I can apply it right after my post-run shower (when I'm usually still sweating) without it ever feeling greasy or occlusive.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: B-L3 Barrier Lipid Complex, niacinamide, peptides, saccharide isomerate, zinc PCA, hyaluronic acid
- Texture: lightweight gel-cream
- Best for: people prone to breakouts or congested skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Then I Met You Bong2 Bounce Cream
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Then I Met You
Bong2 Bounce Cream
Amazon
Soko Glam
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying Then I Met You’s Bong2 Bounce Cream
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it’s worth it: Another K-beauty staple loved by Allure editors, Then I Met You’s 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Bong2 Bounce Cream is the glowy skin-topper of our dreams. It’s ultra-lightweight and breathable, yet it locks in long-term moisture with ceramides, sea buckthorn, and squalane, then brightens with vitamin C–rich hallabong (a citrus fruit grown on Jeju Island, South Korea)—leaving skin with a bouncy, lit-from-within look. In case you’re wondering, the bright marigold hue is al naturale, a.k.a. the high lycopene and carotenoid content found in sea buckthorn.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen
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“I like to call the process of moisturizing with this product putting on my ‘glow goo’ because this golden jelly gives me dewier skin than just about any other I've used in my lifetime. Plus, it’s astonishingly lightweight, so it never pills and rubs off.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
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- Key ingredients: vitamin C, ceramides, hallabong fruit
- Texture: gel
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Rich: Rhode Barrier Butter
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Rhode
Barrier Butter
Sephora
Rhode
Calaor applying Rhode’s Barrier Butter
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it’s worth it: If you’re dealing with super dry skin, a psoriasis flare-up, or even rough spots on your elbows and knees, Rhode’s Barrier Butter delivers serious hydration, thanks to five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid that penetrate multiple layers of the skin, leaving it smooth, plump, and bouncy. To lock in that moisture, it’s also loaded with barrier-repairing ceramides and rich murumuru butter, so skin stays soft and protected all day without that dreaded greasy cast.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"Despite what others might say, Rhode actually cracked the code for putting out the best moisturizer on the market. The Barrier Butter is ultra-rich in texture and instantly soaks into the skin so well—perfect for those who experience dryness and are looking to improve the skin barrier for long-term skin health. I've repurchased this product twice because it's just that good, and I can honestly say it's done wonders for helping to strengthen my barrier for a more natural, supple glow over time." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, murumuru butter, ceramides, polyglutamic acid
- Texture: balm
- Best for: anyone who wants an intensely moisturizing, balmy moisturizer
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Face and Body: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
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Aestura
Atobarrier 365 Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Allure features director Dianna Singh applying the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream
Dianna Singh
Why it's worth it: The twin to Aestura's Best of Beauty Award-winning lotion, the Atobarrier 365 Cream is a lightweight cream you can apply to your face and body (bye-bye, rough patches). Formulated particularly for dry, sensitive skin, Aestura’s dreamy cream is infused with micro triple-lipid capsules (composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids) that burst upon contact with skin, supplying a surge of skin-smoothing moisture. Its fast-absorbing texture means you can slather this lotion all over your body and immediately put clothes on without fabric sticking to your skin.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“I love Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream as much for what it does for my skin as what it doesn't: The rich formula is deeply hydrating without causing irritation or congestion. When I apply it before bed, my skin feels noticeably softer and smoother come morning.” —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids
- Texture: cream
- Best for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Rosacea: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
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Dr. Jart+
Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: Dr. Jart+ makes some of our favorite cica-infused skin-care products, like the Intensive Soothing Repair Cream, to curb sensitivity and redness. Used in Asian medicine for centuries, "cica (short for Centella asiatica) is believed to soothe and repair irritated skin," Ellen Marmur, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, told Allure. The Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream pairs a cica complex with allantoin to calm irritation, while niacinamide provides a gentle boost of radiance. It layers beautifully beneath sunscreen and makeup but also holds its own as a nighttime moisturizer.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream has become my go-to for calming down the redness around my nose and under my eyes (hi, allergies). It’s silky, semi-matte without being at all drying, and wears nicely under makeup. Just a heads-up: It comes out of the tube fast, but any extra is great for soothing dry patches on your body, too.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, allantoin, niacinamide, shea butter
- Texture: midweight soothing cream
- Best for: sensitive, redness-, or rosacea-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
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Tatcha
The Dewy Skin Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: Tatcha's The Dewy Skin Cream has earned its crown by doing exactly what dry, thirsty skin craves—and then some. The formula is packed with plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid and red algae to draw hydration deep into the skin, while squalane locks it all in for long-lasting comfort. Antioxidant-rich Japanese purple rice adds an extra layer of protection, helping defend against free radical damage that can otherwise lead to dullness, uneven tone, loss of firmness, and dark spots.
The texture feels rich and indulgent—making it a dream for dry skin types—yet somehow melts in without ever feeling heavy. Instead, its cushiony texture leaves skin looking and feeling healthy and hydrated.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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"This lotion is by far my favorite moisturizer! I love how it feels light and silky and not greasy, but still incredibly moisturizing. It's pretty no-frills (meaning it doesn't have a ton of active ingredients) so it pairs perfectly with my brightening serums. If I could bathe in it, I would! It leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated; it absorbs quickly and doesn't peel under makeup; it doesn't tingle or burn even on my dry patches when I have them; it can be layered with serums that have active ingredients. Just check, check, check!"—Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, red algae, squalane, Japanese purple rice
- Texture: rich, bouncy cream
- Best for: all skin types, especially dry
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a face moisturizer?
"Moisturizers are an essential part of every skin-care routine," says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "Just as our bodies require us to hydrate with water, so does our skin." While our skin appears dewier almost instantly, the real benefits show up in the long term. The consistent use of moisturizers slows down the rate and intensity at which fine lines and wrinkles appear, Dr. Idriss says.
This daily philosophy applies to all skin types and not just dry skin. "Overwashing without the appropriate use of a moisturizer will trigger an overproduction of oil on your skin," says Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California. In short, if you don't rehydrate your skin, it will become dried out and irritated, which then opens your skin up to a cache of troubles.
"People confuse oil with hydration, so they don't properly hydrate the skin," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD. "We now have really great ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, which balances oil and water in the skin." Increased hydration supports a stronger barrier, Dr. Day says, which also helps curb oil production.
What step is moisturizing in a skin-care routine?
Consider your moisturizer as the cellophane that seals in the rest of your skin-care routine. In our beginner-friendly skin-care guide, dermatologists recommended three simple steps: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (during the day, of course).
A basic rule of thumb is, after cleansing, use products with the lightest texture first and work your way down to denser formulas like moisturizers. Using your moisturizer after serums and treatments like toners and essences is crucial for getting the most out of your products, according to Wilson. "They seal in serums on your skin, which can make them more effective." After moisturizing, you can layer oil to make your skin look even dewier. And again, never forget to apply your last (and arguably most important) layer, sunscreen, if you're headed out for the day.
Meet the experts
- David Kim, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California
- Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist based in New York City
How our staff tests and reviews products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best face moisturizers, 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 who test and recommend moisturizers almost every day. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Meet 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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