Key ingredients: sesame seed oil, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, macadamia seed oil, kukui nut oil

Best for Frizz: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

Why it’s worth it: When frizzy hair reaches all-time highs, Velez suggests spritzing your hair with the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. “It’s a great frizz and heat protectant that gives you that shiny hold and mends the ends together for a seamless blowout finish,” she says. This long-lasting spray deserves a spot in your hair-care routine for its ability to protect against heat of up to 380°F, diminish frizz, and create an ultra-glossy barrier against humidity and rain for up to three washes post-application.

Key ingredients: hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed keratin, cross-linking copolymers

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hair breakage?

Here’s the hard truth: almost everything you do to your hair can cause some degree of damage. That said, one of the biggest culprits behind hair breakage is chemical treatments—think bleach, relaxers, and dyes. “Overly processed hair causes the probability of breakage to increase exponentially,” says Toronto-based board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. Harsh chemicals found in these treatments can break down the bonds along your hair shaft, making strands weaker and more prone to breakage.

If your curling iron, flatiron, or blow-dryer is a daily staple, we hate to break it to you—these heat-styling tools are major contributors to hair breakage as well. “Daily heat styling can be damaging to the hair and scalp and using heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling irons too frequently can lead to dryness, breakage, and split ends,” Whitney Tolpinrud, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego, California previously told Allure. She explained that heat opens up the hair cuticle, causing moisture loss and increasing the risk of breakage, frizz, and split ends.

Depending on your hair type, your hair can simply be prone to breakage. “Breakage is a huge problem, especially for those with curlier, coarser hair textures due to the lack of ability for the oil produced by the scalp to extend the full length of the curly hair shaft,” says Birmingham, Alabama-based board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD. Dr. Yadav adds that those with gray or aging hair can also be prone to breakage mainly due to age-related thinning. “Aging hair, especially gray and white hair, tends to be coarser and resists moisture absorption,” she says. “It has also lost elasticity, making it ripe for breakage.”

How can I prevent hair breakage?

Your plan for preventing hair breakage depends on the cause of the situation. If you’re dealing with chemical damage, James Corbett, colorist and owner of James Corbett Studio in New York City, previously told Allure to ditch the box dye and find a professional colorist who will respect the integrity of your hair. “Some things that make a difference are proper use of color chemicals, not using too strong of a developer for the texture, and avoiding unnecessary overlap of color or bleach on previously colored hair. I often do a conditioning treatment instead of a gloss, because gloss still has peroxide in it,” he said. For color maintenance at home, stick to products that are safe for color-treated hair and don’t contain stripping ingredients like sulfates.

The formula also features alpha hydroxy acids—lactic and glycolic acids—and squalane and niacinamide to hydrate and calm the skin.

Key ingredients: retinol, glycolic acid, niacinamide | Who it’s for: people prone to hyperpigmentation or those with uneven texture | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Body Wash: Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash

Why it’s worth it: Target breakouts on your back, chest, and shoulders with Murad’s Acne Control Acne Body Wash. This shower sister features 1% salicylic acid to dig deep into clogged pores and treat active breakouts, while an exfoliating duo—date seed powder, a physical exfoliant ideal for oily skin and removing stubborn oil buildup, and glycolic acid—unveils smoother, revived skin. Green tea and licorice root extracts step to stave off irritation, thank goodness.

Since this formula includes a chemical exfoliant, be gentle as you lather. “If you scrub too vigorously, you end up over-drying the skin, which causes the skin to produce more oil, subsequently causing more breakouts,” New York-based dermatologist Valerie Goldburt, MD, previously hared with Allure.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid (1%), glycolic acid, date seed powder, green tea, licorice root | Who it’s for: those with active breakouts | Fragrance-free: no

Best Body Lotion: CeraVe SA Lotion

Why it’s worth it: New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, vouches for the CeraVe SA Lotion (along with the SA Body Wash), which features salicylic acid while managing to stay gentle and deeply hydrating. “BHA is lipophilic, meaning oil-loving, so it’s great for clearing excess oil from the skin and, therefore, preventing acne,” Dr. Kim explains. (However, he notes that CeraVe doesn’t disclose the exact concentration of salicylic acid.) Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides round out the skin-comforting formula to ensure all-day hydration.

Occasionally, body moisturizers can be cloying and exacerbate body acne, but this lightweight lotion leaves you feeling super soothed and clog-free—so it’s a great option to pair with other acne products on this list.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Who it’s for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Spot Treatment: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Why it’s worth it: When you’re battling body acne concentrated mostly on your shoulders and chest, Dr. Mraz recommends Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment, a prescription-strength topical retinoid available over the counter. “It helps to keep the pores open, ridding them of clogging sebum and bacteria,” she tells Allure. Did we mention it’s won three Best of Beauty Awards to date? It simply works.

Key ingredients: seaweed extracts, spirulina, probiotics, niacinamide, blueberry extract | Skin type it’s best for: weather-worn, dry, and dull skin | Size: 15.2 oz | Scent: santal/vetiver

Best for Glassy Skin: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Body Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Another strong, anti-acne option, the K-beauty brand Some By Mi brings us the many-lettered AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Body Cleanser. This cleanser is a star at combating excess sebum production that might lead to below-the-neck breakouts. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Y. Claire Chang, MD, pointed out that the powerful combination of salicylic, mandelic, and citric acids helps unclog pores and even out skin texture. Model Peter Clarkson is a years-long fan of the product for keeping his skin glassy in shirtless pics. “I don’t have any issues with body acne but found that this gives me just absolute butter skin,” he told Allure.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid | Skin type it’s best for: people with body acne | Size: 13.5 oz | Scent: fragrance-free

---

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I choose a body wash?

When choosing a body wash, consider your general preferences as well as your skin care goals and concerns. Keep in mind that, unlike your average bar soap, body washes can include active ingredients to target acne, eczema, and dryness. “Patients who have acne can use products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide,” says Dr. Bunimovich. “Patients with eczema should avoid those same ingredients due to their irritating effect and instead look for moisturizing ingredients, such as natural oils, ceramides, and glycerin.”

Dr. Piliang steering clear of washes with fragrance, as these can potentially irritate the skin. “They do not enhance the cleansing ability of the body wash, so it is best to avoid fragrance,” she explains. However, if you know you tolerate fragrance in body care well, go for it.

What’s the best way to use body wash?

While it’s tempting to cloak yourself in that delicious, delicious soap, Dr. Piliang warns against overdoing the body wash. Overuse can lead to dry, irritated skin, especially during the winter months when the skin is already stripped of moisture. “Taking hot showers and baths can magnify the problem as the hot water removes even more of the skin’s natural oils,” she explains.

Dr. Bunimovich recommends that you stick to once-daily showers with lukewarm water and use a moisturizer after cleansing to prevent further overdrying of the skin. Also, pay special attention to washing the folds of your skin, as bacteria likes to hang out there. Don’t attempt to use body wash as face wash, though, as it could clog pores and worsen acne.

How do I know if I’m allergic to my body wash?

As with any new skin-care product, finding a new body wash may require trial and error. And that error? A potential adverse reaction. Nothing dire, necessarily, but your skin could become irritated or itchy if it disagrees with the formula. Daniel Belkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously explained that an allergic reaction to a body wash can be different than an allergic reaction to a beauty product. “Usually allergic contact dermatitis [caused by a beauty product] will present as a red, itchy rash at the site of exposure, but an allergy to body wash is an exception because body wash is used all over and washed off,” he said. “It will, therefore, present as a patchy and diffused rash, probably sparing the face because most body wash is used from the neck down.”

Dr. King also raises other concerns that prevent regulators from making tretinoin more widely accessible—namely, it’s an ingredient that could impact a fetus. When taken orally, retinoids (like isotretinoin, aka Accutane) have been found to potentially cause birth defects or miscarriage. It is not known if topical retinoids could pose danger to a fetus, but most dermatologists and OBGYNs don’t believe the risk is worth taking and recommend avoiding all retinoids—even weaker versions sold over the counter in the U.S.—during pregnancy.

Though this still doesn’t entirely explain the high cost in the U.S.

After speaking with a few dermatologists, I frankly didn’t come away with one clear answer on why tretinoin is at least three times as expensive in the US as some of the tretinoin available abroad. The doctors seemed to agree that the ingredient tretinoin itself is not costly. But other ingredients—the ones that make certain formulas more “cosmetically elegant,” in the words of Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD—could drive up the price tag.

“Getting tretinoin is like buying a pair of jeans,” Dr. Gohara says. Differences in formulation and packaging among skin-care brands are just like the differences in stitching and fabric blends among denim brands. Different means of production lead to varying price points.

At least one dermatologist did also point to the profit-driven price hikes that we’ve seen from US pharmaceutical companies around other prescription products, like insulin and injectable epinephrine (the EpiPen). And Dr. King highlights the way American insurance companies weigh the value of covering claims for tretinoin, which is another factor that can affect how much a person might pay for it. Some insurance plans may require prior authorization before dispensing tretinoin, meaning a doctor needs to submit additional paperwork to the insurer to justify the prescription. Dr. King says she has noticed that insurance companies aren’t as likely to cover the cost of tretinoin if they think that patients are seeking it for cosmetic indications—like smoothing fine lines—rather than acne treatment.

Finally, other countries often have more government control over medication costs which could contribute to generic versions of tretinoin being more readily available and affordable. The market forces and patent protections we have in the US can make drugs pricier, sometimes prohibitively so.

Affordable tretinoin might not always be the safest or most effective tretinoin.

While I have been experiencing positive results from using tretinoin I purchased abroad (more on that in a second), every cream doesn’t fit all. “While affordable options abroad can be tempting, differences in formulation standards may impact safety and efficacy,” Dr. Gohara says. “It’s always wise to consult with a board-certified dermatologist who understands these nuances, especially for long-term treatments.” Dr. King echoes this sentiment and implores people not to be wooed solely by low cost. “I would always just give a word of caution about ingredients because I can’t vouch for what the policies are in different countries,” she says.

Oh, you thought the mob wife aesthetic’s moment had come and gone? Perhaps it took a summer vacation, but as we approach 2025, it looks like it’s already very much back. Just a couple of days after Sabrina Carpenter put her super-cute spin on the style, Cardi B has brought her boldness, and she definitely didn’t disappoint—especially with her lofty and fantastically flirty hairdo.

Cardi attended the grand opening party for the Skims New York flagship store—perhaps you saw the announcement on Kim Kardashian’s own nails—looking appropriately snatched (Skims is shapewear, after all), and wearing the brand’s leopard-print bodysuit from the recent Dolce & Gabbana collaboration. Under it were fishnet stockings; over it was more leopard print in the form of a fabulously unorthodox trench coat. She completely the sartorial portion of her mob wife look with a huge cross necklace and pointy heels in—guess what—more leopard print.

But the mob wife aesthetic isn’t complete without the beauty factor, and Cardi B seriously served with her voluminous updo. What looks like pounds of hair is piled in a fountain-like silhouette atop her head. A huge swath of hair—call it side bangs, call it a super-tendril—hangs in front, perfectly blown out to a shiny finish with a glamorous hint of curl, and fully obstructing Cardi’s right eye. She was seen occasionally moving it out of the way (an understandable, natural instinct) with her French manicure, but the peek-a-boo look really added to the drama of the overall ensemble.

Getty Images

Tester feedback: “Like many things, I have my favorite candles, which leads me to introduce you to Lafco. Chances are, you’ve heard me rave about their Signature Scent but my newest favorite for the holiday season is Woodland Spruce with notes of birch bark, evergreen spruce, and palo santo,” shares associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez. “It’s airy, piney, and fresh, resembling the comforting aroma of a real-life Christmas tree in my tiny NYC apartment.”

Notes: birch bark, evergreen spruce, palo santo | Size: 15.5 oz | Burn time: up to 90 hours

Future Society Floating Forest Candle

Why it’s worth it: The Future Society Floating Forest Scented Candle is tranquil but never boring, with an ethereal vibe. You’ll dig the top notes of black pepper and bergamot and middle notes of freesia, water lily, and rose absolute. At the base lays a blend of salted musk, wet stones, and driftwood.

Tester feedback: “This candle smells fresh and woody—creating a weekend-getaway-at-a-cabin vibe when I’m just at home typing away at my laptop,” says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. “I burned through this candle so fast because I was eager to have it lit every day.”

Notes: black pepper, bergamot, freesia, salted musk, wet stones, driftwood | Size: 10 oz | Burn time: up to 56 hours

Apotheke Cardamom Chestnut Candle

Why it’s worth it: Apotheke makes some of our all-time favorites (Charcoal, anyone?), so when this Cardamom Chestnut Candle hit the scene, we were tickled. Its snuggly energy makes for a wick you’ll want to light time and time again. In addition to the cardamom and chestnut notes, this candle features vanilla and warm wood.

Tester feedback: Contributor Deanna Pai can’t get enough. “I’m obsessed with this gourmand candle, which has made my home office feel cozy and welcoming. It has great throw when lit, and the simple, sleek vessel makes it feel appropriate all winter—not just during the holidays.”

Notes: chestnut, cardamom, vanilla, wood | Size: 12.5 oz | Burn time: up to 70 hours

---

Keep the good smells rolling with more Allure editor-approved picks:

Confession: Ellis Brooklyn has me hooked. These fragrances aren’t just scents—they’re full-on personalities, moods, and memories bottled up into the prettiest packaging imaginable. I’m talking about perfumes that can instantly turn your day around, make strangers ask, “What are you wearing?” and give you that extra boost of confidence you didn’t even know you needed. And I’m not alone here, turns out many of my coworkers at Allure are equally as obsessed with the scents the brand has to offer.

Whether you’re channeling sultry and mysterious, fresh and carefree, or warm and cozy, Ellis Brooklyn has a scent for every version of you. Trust me, I’ve sniffed them all (multiple times), and I’m here to guide you to your perfect match. These are the absolute best Ellis Brooklyn fragrances to buy right now—and once you find your favorite, don’t blame me if you start planning your entire vibe around it.

My Top Pick: Miami Nectar by Ellis Brooklyn

My personal favorite is Miami Nectar (no, it’s not only because I recently moved to South Florida). This scent feels like that first sip of a margarita on a sunny day—zesty, cool, and just the right amount of sweet. The first notes to hit your nose are bright and refreshing bursts of lime and coconut water before they settle into this soft, beachy vibe that sticks around like a tan after vacation. It’s not loud or in-your-face, but people will definitely lean in and ask, “What are you wearing?” Perfect for pretending you’re on a tropical getaway when it’s 40 degrees outside.

More Allure editors on their favorite Ellis Brooklyn fragrances:

Lexi’s Pick: Florist by Ellis Brooklyn

“I will forever be a sucker for a floral scent, and Florist by Ellis Brooklyn is one of my absolute favorites. The light, breezy scent transports you to a sunny afternoon walking through a lush garden. It’s long-lasting, lush, and the perfect amount of intensity for any season.” — Lexi Herrick, senior director, audience

Kara’s Pick: Après by Ellis Brooklyn

“Imagine your favorite, evergreen-scented holiday candle: crisp, herbaceous, and a little spicy. Now imagine you’re sipping an old-fashioned as you light the candle, adding notes of sweet bourbon and smoky bitters to your overall olfactory experience. That’s this perfume in a nutshell. It’s unlike anything in my collection, and I wear it all winter long.” — Kara McGrath, content director

Sarah’s Pick: Sun Fruits by Ellis Brooklyn

“As someone who doesn’t wear fragrance too often—but will spritz one when the occasion calls for it (I’m in a slump! I’m going on date night!)—Sun Fruit is the clear winner in the Ellis Brooklyn lineup. This “vacation in a bottle” is the perfect blend of fruity and floral—a.k.a. not too heavy in either category—and I’m instantly energized with every spritz. Even though the vibes lean toward summer and spring, the mood-boosting qualities are enough for me to wear all year round. Can you blame me? Fresh fig, jasmine, and vanilla are too scrumptious to pass up!” — Sarah Han, commerce editor

Deanna’s Pick: Dear Sky by Ellis Brooklyn

“To be fair, I’ve been a fan of fruity florals since high school—you say basic, I say classic—but this one is different. It does have an easy-to-love lineup of honeydew, strawberry leaf, and peony, but what sets it apart is the crisp quality—think waking up a desert at dawn. It’s cleaner and fresher than juicy, which I’ve been loving.” — Deanna Pai. interim shopping director

Talia’s Pick: Bee by Ellis Brooklyn

“Sweet honey, gourmand rum, and a touch of vanilla bean are just a few notes in this warm and fuzzy fragrance, which makes an excellent base for any fragrance layering. I like to pair a generous few sprays with a floral-forward jasmine fragrance (like Ellis Brooklyn’s Myth), which almost guarantees a handful of compliments throughout the day.” — Talia Gutierrez, associate manager, special projects

To shop all of Ellis Brooklyn’s scents visit ellisbrooklyn.com. We promise you (and your nose) won’t regret it.

Tester feedback: “I thoroughly enjoy how this dynamic curl duo helped whip my curls into shape and tame them without adding additional product after washing out a blowout,” says social media manager Bianca Richards. “The scent is super tropical with notes of milky mango, creamy coconut, and sweet papaya, which all remind me of visits to Puerto Rico.”

Key shampoo ingredients: coconut butter, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, cocamidopropyl betaine | Key conditioner ingredients: coconut butter, sunflower seed oil, argan oil | Scent: mango, coconut, papaya

Best Budget: Raw Sugar Living Moisture Smoothie Shampoo and Conditioner

Why it’s worth it: If you’re trying to stay within a tight budget, Hawkins suggests Raw Sugar Living’s Moisture Smoothie Shampoo and Conditioner. “This product is packed with natural ingredients such as coconut, agave, and sweet almond milk to hydrate and nourish dry hair, leaving it soft and shiny,” he says. Along with those heavy-hitting moisturizers, both formulas contain shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and macadamia oil for maximum conditioning benefits. The sulfate-free shampoo won’t over-strip your hair of its natural oils, either, so you can use it every day without worry.

Key shampoo ingredients: coconut milk, agave, sweet almond milk, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate | Key conditioner ingredients: coconut milk, agave, sweet almond milk, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, macadamia oil | Scent: coconut

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes dry hair?

Dry hair is, according to Hawkins, caused by lack of moisture, which can be attributed to a long laundry list of factors. Our delicate strands come by a lot on a daily basis, including overexposure to harsh chemical treatments and environmental stressors like cold weather and dry heat at your home or office, according to Ruszczyk. “Frequent washing or using products that strip moisture can deplete the scalp’s natural oils,” adds Lordet. According to all three experts, your hairstyling tools can also cause dryness. “Heat-styling tools, like flatirons and blow-dryers, can damage the hair cuticle, leading to moisture loss,” says Hawkins.

How can I minimize dry hair?

Both Lordet and Hawkins agree that incorporating hair treatments and products with moisture-replenishing ingredients is key to enhancing the look and feel of your hair. “To combat dry hair, look for ingredients that hydrate and restore moisture balance like argan oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, glycerin, panthenol, and honey to help restore moisture, reduce frizz, and keep hair looking healthy and shiny,” says Lordet. Hawkins is also a fan of shea butter, which he calls “incredibly moisturizing and helps to smooth frizzy, brittle hair.”

Meet the experts

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

Coco Jones is having such a moment right now. She’s been casually hanging out on the charts—no biggie—with her single “Here We Go (Uh Oh),” which she sang on the Colossal Wave of Wonder float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And not too long after, she swung back around a few blocks to visit Rockefeller Center for the star-studded annual tree-lighting celebration, where she treated the live and television audiences to “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and the song “String of Lights” off of her Christmas album, “Coco by the Fireplace.” But before she hit the stage, we had the pleasure of joining the singer for a get-ready-with-me that found her getting outside of her beauty comfort zone for this special occasion.

As Jones sat in a comfy-looking gray hoodie, she was surrounded by a glam team to her hair and makeup in the holiday spirit. “Today, we’re doing an elevated cherry, cranberry energy,” she tells Allure. “I normally never really do a lip color, but I’m trying to branch out.” Spoiler alert: the branching out pays off, as a cranberry ombré lip ended up framing her million-dollar smile.

But before she got her lip color on—and right in the middle of getting a shimmering champagne eye—Jones was called for a quick dress rehearsal. When she got back, her makeup artist, Andrea Ventura, finished up the radiant look, and her hairstylist, Elizabeth Semande, who was curling her wig before it was placed on her head, did some quick touch-ups to complete the timeless, bombshell look.

Getty Images