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You may not be able to drink or chew your way to firmer, bouncier skin with collagen supplements, but the best collagen creams might take your skin in the right direction. Our skin's natural production of collagen, the structural protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity, starts slowing down in our mid-twenties, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines. Wellness and beauty brands have started offering quick fixes via ingestible and topical collagen that claim to boost collagen production for bouncier, glowier skin. But the truth is, collagen loss cannot be replaced by a collagen-infused smoothie or face cream.
That’s not to say collagen creams don’t come with benefits—in fact, they can have a rejuvenating effect on your complexion that hydrolyzed collagen supplements promise if they are formulated with proven collagen-stimulating ingredients, says board-certified dermatologist Nina Desai, MD. While some creams use animal-derived collagen (typically from bovine, porcine, or marine sources), others now feature lab-engineered or vegan alternatives that mimic collagen’s amino acid profile as well as other ingredients such as PDRN—short for polydeoxyribonucleotide, a compound derived from salmon sperm DNA that’s been studied for its regenerative and healing properties—or peptides, which boost firmness and elasticity.
Our Top Collagen Creams
- Best Overall: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream, $32
- Best Lightweight: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream, $23
- Best for Barrier Repair: Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream, $22
- Best for Dry Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, $140
- Best for Minimizing Pores: Biodance Pore Perfecting Collagen Peptide Cream, $29
- Best Overnight Mask: Abib PDRN Collagen Overnight Mask, $24
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Dieux Air Angel Daily Moisturizer, $44
- Best with SPF: Neutrogena Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer, $23
- Best Eye Cream: Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $60
- Best Body Cream: Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream, $48
- Best for Redness: First Aid Beauty Firming Cream, $44
- Best for Deep-Set Wrinkles: Parëva Beauty Coll20 Gel Cream Moisturizer, $109
Ahead, Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists share the best collagen creams that help firm, tighten, plump, and rejuvenate skin over time.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Does collagen cream actually work?
- What ingredients pair well with collagen?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream
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Sungboon Editor
Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: One look at the bouncy gel texture studded with bright yellow capsules, and you can already tell this isn’t your average face cream. Inside this K-beauty fan favorite, hydrolyzed collagen—broken down into ultra-small molecules your skin can actually absorb—delivers a rush of hydration to help skin look plumper, firmer, and smoother. You’ll feel a light, tingly sensation from pore-sized spicules (tiny, needle-like structures derived from marine sponges) that create a gentle needling effect to help actives absorb better and kick-start cell turnover. Add retinol, and you’ve got a powerful formula that smooths fine lines while keeping your skin supple.
Bonus: You can tweak the retinol to your needs. For dry skin, double up on the capsules with less gel (2:1). Keep things even for normal skin (1:1). Or, if you’re oily or sensitive, add more gel to lighten the mix (1:2).
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Leave it to Sungboon Editor to make retinol…fun? The experience of scooping out the sunshine-yellow capsules from the Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream is a delight, and the gel is really refreshing—perfect for calming down my skin after a long day. I like layering my more hydrating essences and serums—peptides, growth factors, you name it—before slathering on a 1:1 ratio of this capsule cream to balance out my combo skin. I know the jury is still out on spicules, but I find that this cream is gentler and less alarming than the more intense spicule serums I've tried—just my two cents!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 7 types of collagen (including collagen extract, collagen amino acids, and soluble collagen), retinol, hyaluronic acid, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
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Anua
PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
Why it’s worth it: We haven’t met anyone who doesn’t want glass-like skin, and Anua’s PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream (the “100” refers to Anua’s claim of 100 hours of dermal hydration) delivers every time. The moment it hits your skin, it leaves behind that ultra-clean, glazed glow we’re always chasing, while infusing a powerhouse blend of PDRN, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolyzed collagen (meaning it’s been broken down into smaller molecules that penetrate the skin more easily) to improve texture and radiance over time. On top of that, glycerin pulls moisture in, squalane locks it in, and aloe soothes and calms. It makes total sense why we can never put this dream cream down.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“My perfect moisturizer is lightweight, non-greasy, and deeply hydrating. This one from Anua checks every box. As the thin cream sinks in, it gets to work, moisturizing my sensitive skin (dry, flaky patches and all) while giving me a great glow. I also love that it comes in an easy to squeeze tube, so I don't have to stick my fingers into a jar of cream.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: PDRN, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, aloe
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Repair: Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
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Medicube
PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
Bianca Richards
Why it's worth it: Another K-beauty capsule cream worth picking up, Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream is a double act of collagen and PDRN to help stimulate skin repair, boost elasticity, and improve hydration. Scoop out the little pink capsules (fun, right?) and watch them melt right in, flooding skin with moisture and a healthy, springy bounce. In addition to PDRN and collagen, the soothing formula also blends hyaluronic acid and niacinamide into the gel base for even more lightweight hydration.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“For my 30th birthday, I decided to treat myself to a salmon DNA facial, and it's easily one of my favorite treatments ever! To prolong the effects of the treatment, I stocked up on the Medicube PDRN collection, and the peptide cream is the perfect choice for everyday use to keep my skin looking plump and smooth!” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: salmon DNA (PDRN), hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen extract, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
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Elemis
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Sarah Felbin
Why it's worth it: With so many collagen creams flooding the market, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream truly makes waves (pun intended) with its hero ingredient, padina pavonica, a Mediterranean algae that helps restore bounce and hydration. Known for its silky, gel-cream texture, it hugs the skin in hydration—never feeling heavy or greasy—to deliver lasting hydration and a firmer, smoother feel. Thanks to its balance of effectiveness and wearability, “it’s an easy addition to any skin-care routine to address hydration, fine lines, and skin firmness,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, California. The scent is another highlight for some: Notes of rose and mimosa feel like you’re at the spa.
Tester feedback from Felbin
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“This is one of the thickest, most hydrating creams I've tried. The super-soft texture is so satisfying, and it leaves my skin looking dewy and bouncy after every use. Elemis has become my favorite step in my skin-care routine—it seals all of my products in and gives me some serious glow. It does take a little longer to fully sink in than other moisturizers I've used, but the results are well worth the extra wait time. If you have super dry skin, I just know you'll love this!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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"It has a gel-cream texture and just a trace of a soft floral scent (rose and mimosa). I've slathered a thick layer over a treatment product before bed and awoken to silky (but not sticky) skin. And I've applied a thin layer under my sunscreen and makeup in the morning without seeing a single pesky pill." —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: algae extracts, collagen amino acids, carrot root extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Minimizing Pores: Biodance Pore Perfecting Collagen Peptide Cream
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Biodance
Collagen Pore Perfecting Collagen Peptide Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Biodance Collagen Cream
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: If you’ve already fallen for Biodance’s viral sheet masks, you’re going to love what its Pore Perfecting Collagen Peptide Cream can do. This lightweight yet mighty formula utilizes ultra-low molecular weight collagen (small enough for your skin to absorb extra quickly), along with peptides to plump, firm, and smooth your skin. It’s not just surface hydration, but real bounce and juiciness from within. Hyaluronic acid keeps things dewy, antioxidants protect your glow, and pores look tighter and more refined with every use. It does all that without the luxury price tag, proving glass-like skin doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I’m already such a fan of the Collagen Real Deep Mask, so I was excited to try this collagen-infused cream—and it didn’t disappoint. The lightweight texture absorbs instantly, but I like to really slather it on and let it sit like a mini mask for a few minutes before gently rubbing any excess into my neck and décolletage. It leaves my skin feeling bouncy and refreshed all day.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: collagen water, collagen extract, mineragen complex, elastin, hyaluronic acid, fibroblast blend
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Overnight Mask: Abib PDRN Collagen Overnight Mask
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Abib
PDRN Collagen Overnight Mask
Amazon
Olive Young
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Abib PDRN Collagen Overnight Mask
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Noticing a PDRN trend? There’s a reason—it really does live up to the hype for strengthening the skin. Unlike other moisturizer-forward formulas on this list, this one is designed for overnight use. Apply it like you would a moisturizer before your head hits the pillow, and wake up to smoother, plumper skin thanks to a low-molecular collagen extract called 300Da (Da is the unit for Daltons, which measures the weight of the molecule), panthenol to strengthen texture, and niacinamide to brighten and refine. Its jelly-like texture hugs the skin, locking in moisture all night for a glow that Allure editors agree is nothing short of shocking (in a good way!).
Tester feedback from Han
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“Fair warning: This stuff goes on sticky, especially if you’re heavy-handed like me. That being said, I can look past the stickiness when it comes to overnight treatments that I expect to pull their weight, and then some! Abib’s mask truly seals in all of my essence and serums, wrapping all of that good moisture in for the long haul (well, 7 to 8 hours of sleep, if I’m lucky). How do I know? I can still feel very faint stickiness come morning, so the seal of it all is very strong. My skin always looks noticeably radiant and well-rested, which is always the goal, isn’t it?” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vegan PDRN (derived from cica), 300Da, panthenol, niacinamide
- Fragrance-Free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dieux Air Angel
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Dieux
Air Angel
Sephora
Dieux
Allure contributor Devon Abelman applying the Dieux Air Angel
Devon Abelman
Why it's worth it: True to its name, Air Angel is a weightless, cloud-soft gel cream that swoops in to plump, smooth, and calm your complexion. A cocktail of humectants—glycerin, urea, trehalose, and hyaluronic acid—pulls in moisture, while vegan collagen helps plump and smooth. Beyond surface hydration, vegan collagen offers an added edge: It’s lab-engineered for purity and consistency, making it both skin-friendly and more sustainable than animal-derived sources. A proprietary Barrier Repair Complex (peptides, ceramides, and other emollients) further reinforces the skin barrier, keeping your complexion balanced and resilient over time.
Tester feedback from contributor Devon Abelman
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"This velvety gel enhances the natural glow of my skin without making it look too shiny or dewy. It layers seamlessly under sunscreen and makeup and even helps the latter go on smoother and gives it a fresher finish. I went through a bottle of this way too quickly and look forward to replenishing my Air Angel stash." —Devon Abelman, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, urea, ceramides, vegan collagen, amino acids, sodium hyaluronate
- Fragrance-free: yes
More collagen creams we love
Best with SPF: Neutrogena Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer
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Neutrogena
Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Protect the collagen you've already got with the help of Neutrogena's Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer (its non-SPF sister version won a 2025 Best of Beauty Award). Not only does it moisturize skin, but it's also spiked with SPF 30 to protect skin from UV damage, says Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Peptides and hydrolyzed collagen join typical chemical UV filters such as avobenzone to bring additional plumping, collagen-production-boosting benefits to the SPF-infused cream. As a bonus, this formula comes in a pump bottle, which means less mess, especially when you’re in a pinch.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“The best defense is a good offense, which is where Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer really shines: It helps you get ahead of the natural collagen loss that happens as we age. And the lightweight, nongreasy formula is easy to layer with other products. I use the non-SPF version, but the added protection in this one is always a bonus for those in a hurry or who don’t want too many steps in their routine." —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: avobenzone (2.5%), homosalate (6%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (8%), hydrolyzed collagen, peptides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Eye Cream: Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream
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Kiehl's
Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream is designed to tackle the full checklist of eye-area concerns in one step. The lightweight, nourishing formula combines niacinamide, collagen peptides, and hyaluronic acid to smooth fine lines, enhance firmness, and provide deep hydration. It also contains bilberry seed extract, an antioxidant-rich botanical that helps protect against environmental stressors while brightening the under-eye area. Unlike heavier eye creams that can feel greasy or migrate into the eyes (ouch), this one has a silky, cushiony texture that absorbs quickly—perfect for use under makeup or as a nighttime treatment.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: collagen peptide, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, bilberry seed extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Cream: Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream
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Sol De Janerio
Beija Flor Elasti-Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Come for the fruity-floral Cheirosa ’68 scent, stay for the hydration and bounce. Sol de Janeiro’s Beija Flor Elasti-Cream doesn’t just smell like a tropical vacation; it delivers skin-care benefits that make it a staple. Collagen amino acids and polypeptides help support elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines, while cacay oil, cupuaçu butter, and squalane nourish the skin with lasting moisture. The rich, velvety texture melts right in without feeling heavy, so your skin feels plump, supple, and nourished long after application.
Tester feedback from Lee
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“Every Sol de Janeiro product smells incredible, and this one’s no different—the fruity-floral scent is almost good enough to eat. But what really stood out was how plumping it is. My skin tends to get a little rough and bumpy year-round (keratosis pilaris likes to keep me on my toes), and this cream makes everything look smoother and feel way bouncier.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vegan collagen amino acid, cacay oil, vegan squalane, polypeptides
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Redness: First Aid Beauty Firming Cream
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First Aid Beauty
Firming Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: If sensitivity or redness is your biggest concern, First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream delivers on all counts. It features colloidal oatmeal, which calms on contact along with niacinamide to hydrate, improve texture, and support barrier health. “This is also a great product for those looking for firmer, healthier skin,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. The formula pairs collagen with peptides—“a type of protein that works to improve elasticity by stimulating the creation of collagen,” she says—to strengthen skin and restore bounce. Despite its rich, buttercream-like texture, it feels “cloud-like,” leaving skin deeply moisturized, smoother, and more radiant.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, colloidal oatmeal, collagen, ceramides, peptides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Deep-Set Wrinkles: Parëva Beauty Coll20 Gel Cream Moisturizer
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Why it's worth it: Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, IN, sings the praises of Parëva Beauty Coll20 Gel Cream Moisturizer, saying she's impressed by the science and results. “This is a scientist-developed formula that focuses on ingredients that signal youthful collagen regeneration while helping improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she says, touting the brand’s proprietary technology called Molecur 3, which houses a vegan bio-identical collagen peptide that can improve skin texture and plump the skin, as well as squalene for hydration and niacinamide to support a strong skin barrier. “Its formula makes it more than just any basic moisturizer,” she says, adding that it specifically helps strengthen your skin barrier, so skin looks firmer and smoother with regular use. The gel-cream texture is designed to be deeply hydrating yet lightweight and never greasy, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Molecur 3, niacinamide, squalane
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
Does collagen cream actually work?
The answer to this question depends on your intentions for adding a collagen cream to your skin-care routine. A collagen cream will definitely work if you only want to combat dryness and moisturize your skin. "[Your] skin will look healthier and plump," Dr. Desai says. After all, the only true benefit of topical hydrolyzed collagen is moisturizing skin, as cosmetic chemist Ginger King previously shared with Allure.
If you want your collagen cream to boost collagen production, smooth fine lines, and amplify the elasticity of your skin, topical collagen itself cannot do so, according to board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. The collagen molecules used in skin-care products are too large to effectively penetrate the skin barrier and stimulate collagen synthesis.
Fortunately, collagen creams can work to firm and rejuvenate skin if (and only if) topical collagen is joined by ingredients that have been scientifically proven to enhance collagen production, as Dr. Desai mentioned earlier.
What ingredients pair well with collagen?
The most effective collagen-boosting skin-care products are formulated with peptides or retinoids, Dr. Desai says. Unlike topical collagen, these ingredients are known to restore firmness and smooth wrinkles and have dozens of studies to substantiate this.
Some other helpful ingredients to look for in collagen creams include niacinamide, ceramides, and plant-based retinol alternatives, like bakuchiol.
Meet the experts
- Anna Chacon, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami.
- Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, IN.
- Dendy Engleman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Ginger King is a cosmetic chemist based in New Jersey.
- Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
- Mamina Turegano, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans.
- Mona Mislankar, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cincinnati Skin Center, based in Cincinnati.
- Nina Desai, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan Beach, California.
- Peterson Pierre, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology, based in Thousand Oaks, California.
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 collagen creams, 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.
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