Category: SPORT

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TL;DR:

• What it is: A body lotion
• What it does: Moisturizes from head to toe
• Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a lightweight, full-body lotion with a subtly fresh scent

We may only be two weeks into the new year, but… I could use a vacation.

However, since booking a trip less than a month into 2026 is about as realistic as pigs flying, I’ll have to outsource a cozy, idyllic English countryside escape with my skin-care routine.

Enter the Mitchell and Peach English Leaf Body Soufflé. Because despite the addition of English honey, I don’t actually need to travel across the pond to experience the deliciousness (and versatility) of this full-body cream.

It’s super lightweight, can be worn day and night, and has a refreshing scent (citrus, coriander, and basil) that layers nicely under (or instead of) my perfume. (I like to pair it with my go-to, The Harmonist Sacred Water.)

I also find that the best time to apply the lotion is when I’m fresh out of the shower and towel-dried. My skin immediately soaks it up! While it’s great for hands and limbs, I start slathering at my décolletage and work the cream all the way down to my toes—a little goes a long way!

You can find the Mitchell and Peach English Leaf Body Soufflé, along with other editor-loved products, in the January Allure Beauty Box.

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Mitchell and Peach English Leaf Body Soufflé

$28 at Mitchell and Peach$28 at Mitchell and Peach

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Whether you’re a self-tanner devotee or just dipping your toes into the bronze life, the best facial self-tanners will have you glowing in no time. Throughout our extensive research, we found six formulas that won’t turn you into an Oompa Loompa, disappear after a single rinse, and don’t have that dreaded chemical smell. Yes, they exist! Many of these formulas are also infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, so you get added benefits along with your glow. During testing, we assessed each pick for ease of application, how well it layered with existing skincare, shade development, and overall finish. Keep reading to see the Allure editor–approved favorites worth adding to your routine now.

Our Top Facial Self-Tanners

• Best Overall: Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum Drops, $48
• Best Color Payoff: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops, $50
• Best Exfoliating: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face, $48
• Best for Beginners: Saltyface Tanning Water, $42
• Best Shade Range: Isle of Paradise Face Self-Tanning Glow Drops, $30
• Best Hydrating: Lux Unfiltered N°12 Self Tanning Face Drops, $42

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Is it okay to put body self-tanner on my face?
• How do I apply a facial self-tanner?
• Will facial self-tanner clog my pores?
• What's the difference between facial self-tanner and bronzing drops?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum

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Dolce Glow

Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum

$48

Nordstrom

$48

Ulta Beauty

$50

Revolve

Why we love it: It’s no surprise that Dolce Glow tops our list—between its Best of Beauty Award wins and its top spot on our list of the best self-tanning mousses, the brand knows what it takes to deliver a believable glow. The Goccia Di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum is another just-left-the-beach trickster we keep in constant rotation. Powered by hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening vitamin C, and smoothing niacinamide, it leaves skin looking bronzed while staying soft, smooth, and plump—so you never have to choose between tan and hydration. Beyond the skin-care perks, it delivers a natural-looking, lasting glow—one that stood out as the most believable throughout our extensive testing. The scent is subtle and fresh, not overpowering at all, and doesn’t linger as it develops, making it easy to stay consistent with application. When one of our testers applied it at night, her tan lasted about five days before fading evenly, and her skin felt hydrated the entire time.

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han before applying Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum

Han four hours after applying Dolce Glow Goccia di Sole Hydrating Self-Tanning Serum

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I’m very much a self-tanning newbie, and what better time to start experimenting than the dead of winter when my face is looking its palest and most dull? Plus, facial self-tanners seem far less intimidating than body self-tanners. (We’ll cross that bridge…maybe never.) These Dolce Glow drops are by far the easiest product I’ve tried so far. They feel like a usual face serum that’s super easy to spread evenly, thanks to its slip, so I get a nice, even tan after a few hours. I initially went the route of mixing the drops into my moisturizer but I prefer applying them directly to my face for much more noticeable results. Again, I’m at my palest right now, and want that extra boost of color—but maybe, in the summertime, I’ll revert to the moisturizer method to help ‘maintain’ my naturally warmer color. I love where I landed: a subtle glow that so clearly livened up my complexion—and honestly, I feel like I don’t even need makeup on these ‘tanner’ days because my skin looks less red.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis

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“I always find that when I self-tan my face over any active acne, the blemish spots come out darker than the rest of my skin, but the niacinamide in this serum helps even it all out so there’s no patchiness, which is such a huge bonus for me.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Type: drops
• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide
• Shades: 1
• Development time: 4 to 8 hours
• Fragrance: fresh, subtle scent
• Lasts up to: 5 days

Best Color Payoff: Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

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Tan-Luxe

The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

$50

Amazon

$50

Nordstrom

$55

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Listen, the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops are it if you want a customizable glow that makes you look like you just returned from a Mediterranean getaway. They have everything a great facial self-tanner should have: skin-loving ingredients (hi, hydrating raspberry seed oil and vitamin E), two shade options, and a fresh scent.

As far as application goes, we like mixing a few drops with our night cream (as we normally do with self-tan serums), and by morning, we’re left with a natural-looking warmth—no streaks or weird orange tint here! The smell? Almost nonexistent, which is a huge win in the self-tan world. Our testers noticed the glow lasted a solid four days, which is impressive, given how often we test the best face washes, exfoliants, and the list goes on.

Allure former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Angela Trakoshis

Trakoshis 9 hours after using the Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops

Angela Trakoshis

Tester feedback from Trakoshis

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“This serum actually feels like skin care, so it’s so easy to implement into your routine. There are no streaks or weird orange payoff, so it looks like a believable tan, and its long-lasting wear is also impressive.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Type: drops
• Key ingredients: raspberry seed oil, aloe vera, vitamin E
• Shades: 2
• Development time: 4 to 6 hours
• Fragrance: minimal, fresh scent
• Lasts up to: 4 to 5 days

Best Exfoliating: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face

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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face

$48

Nordstrom

$48

Dermstore

$48

Sephora

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face

Lily Wohlner

Why we love it: Dr. Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Glow Pads really are as simple as swipe and go—but they’re doing much more than just delivering color. The pads exfoliate and tan at the same time, so skin looks instantly smoother and noticeably glowier within the hour. While exfoliating and tanning might sound counterintuitive, the formula uses a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids to polish skin while the encapsulated DHA takes effect and develops into a natural-looking tan in under an hour—no rinsing required. Vitamin E rounds out the formula, keeping skin hydrated throughout the process. Think of it like exfoliating before a body tan, except this is a true two-in-one (and yes, there’s a body version, too). We like using the pads twice a week as part of our exfoliation routine for a sun-kissed glow, no matter the time of year.

Wohlner before applying Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face

Lily Wohlner

Wohlner four hours after applying Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner for Face

Lily Wohlner

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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“Whenever anyone asks me about my favorite facial self-tanner, I always point them to these. I usually use a mousse on my face when I do a full-body tan, but because I’m constantly washing my face, it fades much faster—these help keep my face just as tan as the rest of my body between full sessions. About three days after a full tan, I swipe one on to refresh my glow (I seriously get compliments every time) and keep everything looking seamless, without that harsh line. Major bonus points for how incredibly easy they are to use.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

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• Type: wipes
• Key ingredients: alpha hydroxy acid (lactic, glycolic, and phytic), beta hydroxy acid, DHA, vitamin E
• Shades: 1
• Development time: 1 to 6 hours
• Fragrance: minimal
• Lasts up to: 3 days

Best for Beginners: Saltyface Tanning Water

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Saltyface

Tanning Water

$42

Saltyface

Allure senior art director Ingrid Fowler applying the Saltyface Tanning Water

Ingrid Fowler

Why we love it: You’d swear you were misting your face with a hydrating spray, but it’s actually Saltyface’s Tanning Water—a no-fuss staple we reach for when we want an effortless glow. The fine mist delivers a natural-looking, streak-free tan, with two shades to choose from (Light to Medium and Medium to Dark) for a more customized finish. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like aloe leaf and cucumber flower for hydration, plus calendula flower and linden leaf extract to support smoothness and firmness—all without clogging pores (yes, it’s acne-safe). We’ve even spritzed it on our face and neck before heading to the office—and at our desks for a midday refresh—and come home looking like we just landed from a Caribbean vacation.

Editor's note: This product recently got a packaging upgrade. It previously had both mist and dropper options (the latter shown in Fowler's video), but now comes in a sturdier glass bottle with a singular fine-mist spray top.

Fowler before applying the Saltyface Tanning Water

Ingrid Fowler

Fowler after applying the Saltyface Tanning Water

Ingrid Fowler

Tester feedback from senior art director Ingrid Fowler

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“This is my favorite facial self-tanner, and I’ve tried many. It feels weightless on my skin after application, which is something I tend to dislike about tanner. The ‘Light to Medium” color leaves me with a very natural bronzy glow that blends seamlessly. Conveniently, one bottle lasts a long time. My one tip is to just be sure to wash your hands well right after application!” —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director

More to know

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• Type: mist
• Key ingredients: hibiscus extract, green mandarin water, hyaluronic acid
• Shades: 1
• Development time: 4 to 8 hours
• Fragrance: tropical, fruity scent
• Lasts up to: 3 to 4 days

Best Shade Range: Isle of Paradise Face Self-Tanning Glow Drops

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Isle of Paradise

Face Self-Tanning Glow Drops

$30

Amazon

$30

Sephora

Why we love it: Choose your own adventure with the Isle of Paradise Mini Self-Tanning Glow Drops: Mix a few drops into your moisturizer or apply them directly to the skin. There are three shades to choose from (Light, Medium, and Dark) to customize your color and intensity to your liking. These lightweight bronzing drops feature a blend of coconut, chia seed, and avocado oils, so it feels akin to hydrating skin care. There is a slight tan smell, but we overlook it because of how beautifully the tan develops.

Trakoshis applying the Isle of Paradise Face Self-Tanning Glow Drops

Angela Trakoshis

Trakoshis 12 hours after applying the Isle of Paradise Face Self-Tanning Glow Drops

Angela Trakoshis

Tester feedback from Trakoshis

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“This is another formula that feels (and looks) like glowy skin care—so much that the bronzing hue it leaves behind seem like a bonus. I use the shade Medium because I have a olive skin tone, fyi. There is a slight tan smell, but I overlook it because of how beautifully the tan developed overnight.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor

More to know

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• Type: drops
• Key ingredients: coconut oil, chia seed oil, avocado oil
• Shades: 3
• Development time: 4 to 6 hours
• Fragrance: light, clean scent
• Lasts up to: 5 days

Best Hydrating: Lux Unfiltered N°12 Self Tanning Face Drops

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Lux Unfiltered

N°12 Self Tanning Face Drops

$42

Amazon

$42

Sephora

Why we love it: Lux Unfiltered’s 2022 Best of Beauty Award-winning N°12 Self Tanning Face Drops have tons of skin care ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, coconut water, apple fruit extract, passionfruit oil, and pomegranate extract. Long story short: Hydration is the name of the game, which means this is a perfect match for dry skin. For more subtle results, add about three to five drops to your moisturizer, but if you want to go darker, some of our editors like to apply up to eight drops directly to the skin. It does take a little while longer than the others for this one to develop, so we like to sleep with this on to give it a full eight hours.

Tester feedback from Wohlner

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“If you looked up ‘dry skin’ in the dictionary, you’d probably see my face (ugh)—which is exactly why I stick to tanners that deliver glow and hydration. This is my go-to when my skin feels especially tight and dry because it genuinely brings some bounce back, thanks to all its hydrating ingredients, especially when layered under a thick moisturizer.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, coconut water, apple fruit extract, passionfruit oil, pomegranate extract
• Shades: 1
• Development time: up to eight hours
• Fragrance: fragrance-free
• Lasts up to: 4 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to put body self-tanner on my face?

While there are overlapping ingredients in facial self-tanner and body self-tanner, David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, advises against using them interchangeably. "I would not use body self-tanner on the face," he tells Allure. "It's much more comedogenic and oily and can often break you out." Plus, facial self-tanners often include ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that specifically benefit your face's skin, so if you use body self-tanner on your kisser, you'd be missing out.

How do I apply a facial self-tanner?

Facial self-tanner goes on easily but, ideally, requires a little prep leading before you uncap the bottle. "Preparation starts with gentle exfoliation the day before ensure skin is smooth and free of dry patches, which can make color uneven," Cincinatti-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos tells Allure. "Cleanse skin to remove makeup and traces of oil just before applying the self-tanner. Pay extra attention to blending around the hairline and avoid the eye area and lips. Be sure to wash your hands if you're not using some sort of applicator like a mitt," she adds.

Before applying the self-tanner to your face, confirming you've chosen the right shade or planned the right amount of drops for your desired outcome is essential. "The lower the concentration of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the more gradually you can build color and avoid uneven spots and splotches," says Dobos. "Because the color fades as the top layers of your skin naturally exfoliate, it can be near impossible to quickly correct areas that have gone too dark."

Will facial self-tanner clog my pores?

Some self-tanners have the potential to clog your pores, depending on the type and sensitivity of your skin. "I recommend looking for oil-free and 'non-comedogenic' options to make sure they're appropriate for oily acne-prone skin," says Dr. Kim. When a product is non-comedogenic, the formula won't cause pore blockages, also known as comedones or blackheads/whiteheads. Before you add a facial self-tanner to your cart, look at the fine print.

What's the difference between facial self-tanner and bronzing drops?

Facial self-tanner and bronzing drops may sound like synonyms, but they aren't. "Bronzing drops contain iron oxides and pearlescent pigments to provide an instant bronze glow. They are basically a form of makeup and can be washed from the skin," says Dobos. "The main difference between the two is that bronzing drops are temporary and rinse down the drain once it's time to wash your face, while tanning drops usually have a semi-permanent pigment. The latter relies on dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a sugar that safely darkens the skin," Dobos concludes. If you're looking for bronzing drops, however, you can't go wrong with the following:

Meet the experts

• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about several factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of facial self-tanners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, skin needs, ease of application, and longevity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.

$20 at Blake Brown BeautySave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

TL;DR:

• What it is: A hair mask
• What it does: Hydrates and softens strands
• Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a deep-conditioning treatment

Blake Lively doesn’t do conditioners. When she played Serena Van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl in the early aughts, she noticed that the show’s hairstylists only used masks after shampooing her hair. “They were like, ‘Oh God, no, we don't use conditioners,’” she told Allure in a previous interview.

Since then, she’s been conditioner-free—and hopes that now, you will be, too. In its place, you’d use her hair-care line’s Blake Brown Beauty Fundamental Nourishing Mask, which is chock-full of glycerin and sunflower seed extract to deeply hydrate and soften hair.

Even after just twisting off the tub’s gold top, it was clear to us that its cozy cardamom and cedarwood scent is worth the switch alone. Can you tell we’re big on fragrance here at Allure?

Like most hair masks, this one was formulated to be used after shampooing and rinsing. Instead of your go-to conditioner, you’d rake a dollop of this thick, butter-like cream into hair, starting from mid-lengths and working down to the ends.

The brand recommends leaving it on for two to five minutes (a good time to shave your legs, wash your body, or just vibe), then rinse it out for smoother, shinier strands come dry time. We found the best, most consistently shiny results after using it once a week. Thanks, Blake!

You can find the Blake Brown Beauty Fundamental Nourishing Mask, along with other editor-loved products, in the January Allure Beauty Box.

Get The Box

Blake Brown Beauty Fundamental Nourishing Mask

$20 at Blake Brown Beauty$20 at Blake Brown Beauty

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We can't see into the future, but we can always confidently predict that Megan Fox is going to have creative, intricate, enviable nail art. And today, she proved us right with a manicure that we can only describe as gorgeous pieces of a melting crystal ball.

Fox's favorite nail artist and founder of Lost Angels, Brittney Boyce, shared two beautiful close-ups of the actor and author's latest set, and it's absolutely magical. Finely shimmering teal seems to be swirling around under asymmetrical metallic trim, creating a uniquely mesmerizing effect.

Boyce tells Allure that Fox found her inspiration for the manicure on Pinterest (stars, they're just like us!), and from there, she got to work creating her version of the vision. “I created a custom press-on set for Megan using Aprés long, sculpted, almond tips for the extension base. The look was built by layering a jelly turquoise shade, then adding white stone detailing from Daily Charme for texture and contrast,” Boyce tells Allure. “I finished the set with a chrome effect using Kiara Sky chrome powder and added rhinestone accents for dimension and shine.”

Photo: Brittney BoycePhoto: Brittney Boyce

Somehow futuristic and Renaissance-coded all at once, these exquisite nails feel like exactly the kind of mystical, fantastical manicure Fox often gravitates toward. (And can't you just picture her going full fortune teller?) And while it may last only a few weeks, you don't need a crystal ball to know she'll have another mind-blowing manicure soon.

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In the Red Light Wars, publicists, too, are soldiers. Marie-Laure Fournier, the owner of an eponymous public relations firm which represents a variety of beauty clients, entered battle triumphantly. Her black glasses are a signature, as is her reliable ability to commit grand acts of PR—like placing her client Currentbody’s signature LED face mask in an episode of Netflix’s Emily in Paris—and her occasionally verbose press releases, like the one that arrived in editors’ inboxes in the early days of battle, August 2024, subject line: Unmasking Lyma & And Its LED Lies.

LED stands for light emitting diode, the acronym for a semiconductor that emits light when an electrical current runs through it, and describes the technology that uses light of a certain wavelength to produce an anti-inflammatory reaction in the skin, with the goal of making it appear glowier instantly and glassier over time. These wavelengths, between 630 and 700 nanometers, appear red in the visible spectrum (whereas the wavelengths of the LED inside the overhead lighting at your office appear white), and have given rise to “red light therapy.” LED treatments are often administered in dermatologist offices and spas, but have been cleared by the FDA (cleared, not approved—more on that in a moment) to be manufactured in at-home devices like Currentbody’s. This has created a growing, glowing, billion-dollar segment of the beauty market and fierce competition among purveyors of this radiant technology. And consumers are lapping it up.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania released a study a few months ago that, from November 2019 to November 2024, there was an average 118% increase in search volume for red light therapy-related terms as compared with that of other skin-care words and phrases (like “exfoliation” and “chemical peel”). As of February 2024, “red LED light therapy” had amassed more than 70 million views on TikTok, according to their analysis. The social media app has “significantly increased public interest in red-light therapy, surpassing that for traditional skin care treatments,” concludes the study. Also concluded: “This attention came despite limited scientific understanding of the long-term effects and safety, especially for home use.”

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It was a press release for the Lyma Laser, a nearly $3,000 device by the company Lyma Life, that captured Fournier’s attention and immediate ire back in 2024. The document summarized a “world-first study” that had pitted Lyma’s proprietary laser technology against the much larger LED category, claiming the Lyma Laser device performed 100 times better than LED masks and was the most powerful beauty device on the market. “What does that even mean?” Fournier wrote in response. “Wouldn’t a 100x more powerful device blast your skin completely off your face?”

Lyma says its device—which resembles a sleek flashlight—is a laser, not an LED device, the former implying deeper skin penetration and more effective results. Its laser emits a beam of a single wavelength that is “selectively absorbed into the skin,” according to its marketing, to promote skin healing and recovery. Both LEDs and lasers fall under the aims of something called photobiomodulation, which just means using light to help the skin heal itself. Lyma made the argument that their technology is a more refined version of current LED technology, and that its performance justifies its cost.

Fournier’s email also included a link to the Lyma laser’s 510(k), the documentation filed on behalf of the brand for FDA clearance. The shade cast by sharing Lyma’s 510(k) came from the brand’s indication of two LED light therapy products—not lasers—as predicates, complicating its marketing.

In January 2024, the UK’s Advertising Standards Advisory council reviewed the Lyma’s best-on-the-market and 100x-more-powerful claims and provided an exhaustive report that referenced the company’s efforts to substantiate its assertions with peer-reviewed studies, many of which were deemed irrelevant or not admissable to the council, who told the company to pull their Instagram ad and furthermore “to ensure they did not make claims about the efficacy or performance of the [laser] in the absence of adequate substantiation.” Lyma Life refuted the ASA’s ruling. They told Allure early last year that further research into the biological effectiveness of their near-infrared laser light “will be published in an independent scientific journal in the next few months.” When we followed up last month, the company shared a preliminary preclinical and clinical study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum last year that “demonstrated [the LYMA Laser’s] superior ability to influence gene expression in healthy skin compared to an equivalent LED device.” In the study, 20 patients with chronic wounds used the newer LYMA Laser PRO for four weeks and their wounds healed more fully than those in the placebo group. A representative for the company added: “The UK ruling occurred prior to LYMA receiving FDA clearance. The LYMA Laser PRO underwent a rigorous process to gain this clearance, which we received in April 2025.” (The Pro version is marketed as three times as powerful, with a larger surface area, and goes for more than double the price—$5,995—of the original.)

In its previous statement to Allure, Lyma upheld a distinction between their laser and LED products. “The term 'red light' is broadly used to explain the category but that is quite misleading,” a spokesperson said, noting that the red light seen on Lyma’s device does not mean that it is emitting 700-nanometer light but merely indicates it is switched on; the laser light itself is clear. The Lyma Laser works “completely differently,” and the brand hopes to educate the public on the difference.

For my part, I have a difficult time grasping the distinction. So do other beauty customers. Fournier’s release served less to inform the beauty press than to defend her client by striking back at a competitor attempting to undermine its integrity; a typical skirmish in the Red Light Wars. With little regulation on these devices, consumer confusion abounds about how they actually work (not to mention which ones are even using red light at all), and how much is too much to spend on them.

“Honestly, I think it all comes down to marketing,” says a senior level executive at one LED brand who asked to remain anonymous. After we spoke, she had a meeting scheduled with a spa owner, who she was hoping might ditch their LED tech for hers.

Under these circumstances, where even those who employ the technology are unsure about “the best,” consumers are left to fend for themselves. They’re shopping anyway. According to affiliate marketing firm ShopMy, in December 2025, the highest-grossing beauty product on its platform was Currentbody’s LED mask. Omnilux’s LED mask came in third, and the Lyma Laser was eighth.

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The Red Light Wars began, in earnest, around 2020. In the grand scheme of things, beauty had been booming, but at-home devices were slow to catch on. In 2017, Neutrogena tried and failed to sustain a drugstore LED mask—which utilized a combination of blue and red light—after it was deemed to possibly cause eye injury among photosensitive people or those with existing eye conditions. But earlier entrants, like Omnilux, have been planning their moment for decades.

Omnilux’s first at-home LED devices, the New-U and Clear-U, were FDA cleared in 2008 and 2009, respectively. In 2020, Omnilux released what has become the brand’s hero product for consumers: a floppy, portable mask called the Omnilux Contour, which retails for $395. Ads for the mask have run on TikTok, YouTube and Facebook, and between episodes of The Real Housewives on NBC’s Peacock app. The Omnilux mask reflects the very latest in LED technology: a flat but flexible fit, studded with diodes trained to emit light at a cosmetically beneficial wavelength.

Most at-home beauty devices require the FDA’s blessing to be sold. They do not however require FDA approval, which involves sheaths of paperwork and batteries of lab tests to prove that a drug or device or vaccine comes with minimal risk and measurable benefit. Instead, products can receive FDA’s 510(k) clearance if “they are deemed safe and substantially equivalent to existing devices,” a spokesperson for the agency told Allure.

That existing cleared device, though, could have been cleared decades ago. (The 510(k) clearance process for medical devices has been the same for 50 years, despite calls for more regulation from organizations including the National Academy of Medicine.) And it—nor the new device seeking clearance on its back—did not necessarily have to show clinical studies proving its effectiveness (the requirements vary from device to device, per the FDA spokesperson). Basically, “FDA-cleared” in no way means that the exact LED mask you’re considering has clinical research behind its claims.

LED products have gained much steam on social media, where they lend themselves to arresting selfie photography. On TikTok, #redlight and its related hashtags (#redlighttherapy, #LEDmask) continue to rack up a few hundred thousand posts a month; they fly off the virtual shelves on marketplaces like Amazon, where LED mask purveyors Dr. Dennis Gross and SolaWave have opened storefronts. Among the site’s best-sellers, though, are low-cost alternatives that will run you no more than $65, which can pose real dangers. Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recalled with horror when a patient suffered face burns from using an LED mask from Amazon; the diodes were, in fact, small incandescent bulbs, like Christmas lights. Aside from a lower-than-normal price tag, a telltale sign of a fake LED mask is if it gets hot.

But generally speaking, in most cases, there’s little harm you can do to your skin with an at-home LED device, says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine Department of Dermatology. She does suggest, though, that patients who have skin conditions that can be triggered by light or heat, like melasma, steer clear of them (bearing in mind that melanated skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation in general). For acne patients, she recommends LED masks that utilize blue light around 415 nanometers, particularly when they can’t use topical medications like spironolactone due to allergies or sensitives. Or maybe they’re pregnant or nursing. “There are a lot of nuanced situations where a blue light mask may be helpful for acne,” says Dr. Gohara.

She’s not as quick to recommend red light, which “is more about firming, minimizing fine lines, and achieving a ‘glow,’” she says. “There are a lot of other, better-studied ways to do that.” (For those curious: retinol and SPF, she says.) Some dermatologists seldom recommend LED of any color at all. “It's always been one of those murky areas within laser and light technologies,” says Tina Alster, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington DC. “It's just we don't know exactly how they work.” Neither Dr. Gohara nor Dr. Alster use an at-home LED device on their own skin, though Dr. Alster does provide LED treatments in her office to help reduce redness and swelling after laser treatments like Fraxel. Pressed for an at-home recommendation, Dr. Alster says the more diodes the better, which is why she prefers full-face masks to wands.

ArrowArrow

Most experts say that the benefits of LED can be observed over time, but only with strict adherence to its protocol. A systematic review of 31 randomly controlled trials of LED therapy for dermatologic ends, published in the journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, determined that blue light is most effective on inflammatory conditions like acne or herpes when used once or twice daily. The evidence of the cosmetic benefits of red light, like plumper, brighter skin, is more anecdotal. My friend Bela, a publicist, attributes her flawless skin to her daily Omnilux habit (she’s partial to the Contour model); she’s been on it for years. So has Adam, a grooming writer who swears by Dr. Dennis Gross’ white-and-rose-gold mask ($455). Both say that consistency is the key to unlocking LED’s benefits.

Dr. Alster agrees‚ and adds that she rarely encounters patients with the discipline to consistently use an LED mask regularly, even if it is easy. (And even if new category entrants like Therabody are souping up their masks with added benefits like scalp massage to create more incentive.) “All I can do is wash my face twice a day and slap on my vitamin C,” Dr. Alster says. “And I’m a dermatologist.” For this reason and others, these devices were slow to penetrate until March 2020, when stay-at-home orders slowed the pace of busy lives.

Convincing consumers to use a LED device should be simple, given how straightforward it is in theory. In practice, education is a slow and challenging process. “It looks too good to be true,” says Lotti Tyson, the brand director at Déesse Pro, which sells a $1,900 mask created in collaboration with aesthetician Shani Darden. “You're like, ‘well, hang on, this thing has very few contraindications, it doesn't cause any sensitivity.’ That does sound too good to be true.”

While red light is still, in comparison with other wavelengths, the most researched for its effects on skin, others—like near-infrared at approximately 800 nanometers, or yellow light near 590—have been incorporated into new masks and do have some official, if scarce, literature to back them up. (A new LED mask by the brand Sunlighten also incorporates green light to serve as a “full-face wrinkle treatment and mood booster,” according to an email sent to editors. None of the dermatologists we spoke to for this story have seen clinical evidence of green light being effective for mood-boosting or wrinkle-treating, but early studies show it can help reduce headaches.) A few independent studies have shown that near-infrared light—as opposed to far-infared light, which can be used in medical settings to treat inflammatory and cardiovascular conditions—penetrates the skin more deeply than other wavelengths to help with wound healing. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, L’Oréal Paris announced that it will launch a mask that incorporates both near-infrared and red light sometime in 2027. Yellow light, like red, has shown some promise in small studies for treating redness and rosacea, as well as soothing inflammation following in-office treatments like lasers.

Déesse says that when they looked into incorporating blue light into their devices, their own research found that it killed acne-causing bacteria at around 415 nanometers, but at 420 it killed skin cells instead. “At 420, you may cause hyperpigmentation in certain skin types, but you're certainly not killing any bacteria,” Tyson says, adding that “the crappy [masks] on TikTok” can clock in at around 450-plus nanometers. Systematic studies of blue light show that bacteria is killed between 405 and 420 nanometers; while a 2021 study out of the University of Lodz observed hyperpigmentation in skin with blue light between 423 and 450 nanometers, though much of it wasn’t permanent, researchers said. If you actually want to verify an LED device’s wavelength claims you would have to purchase a spectroradiometer, which could run you upwards of $2,200 if it covers a wide enough wavelength to be effective (and would be an impressive level of consumer due diligence).

As the FDA is unlikely to create specific guidelines around LED devices any time soon, the burden falls on companies themselves to prove their worth. Some will rely on expensive clinical trials, while others will invest in equally expensive PR campaigns, leaving us—as always!—to figure out the truth for ourselves. “I’ve reached out to several different companies asking them if they're interested in doing any clinical trials or research,” says Jared Jagdeo, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of the Center for Photomedicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. “And because of the ease of selling these devices without the need for clinical trials, [companies] oftentimes forgo investing in that and focus their energies on marketing [instead].” That said, the most valuable things to look for are, in order of importance: Third-party clinical trials of that exact device involving at least five subjects (though the more the better, says Dr. Jagdeo) that are published on a brand’s website (and ideally in a peer-reviewed journal); independent academic research on the specific wavelength employed in the device (which should be clearly listed in the product description); and firsthand reviews from people you know in real life (online customer reviews are, unfortunately, not always to be trusted). Omnilux, which has a scientific advisory board that includes Dr. Jagdeo, has been publishing its LED research in peer-reviewed journals since the company’s inception. Some brands, like Déesse, share before-and-after imagery of people who’ve used their devices consistently over weeks or months. Always look for consistent lighting and positioning in these transformation photos, because the wow factor can be misleading.

So let’s review: red light, yellow light, green light, blue light, LED, nanometers, near-infrared, far-infrared, 510 (k). You’ve got all that? Neither do we. It seems there is no clear-cut victor in the Red Light Wars. (Kind of like Star Wars in the early aughts: mired in confusion and plot chaos.). Do they work? Maaaaybe. (Just don’t slack off.) Are they safe? Probably, but depends. Are they worth the money? See questions one and two. We’ve tried our best to shine a light on the category. With all things in the beauty galaxy, there’s always a new hope, but of course a phantom menace lurks around every corner.

Source Images: Getty Images

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Graduate from using your tattered T-shirt or coarse bath towel to one of the best hair towels to dry your delicate strands (that are already weakened when wet!). And before you raise your pretty little eyebrows—yes, there is a difference. Regular towels meant for your body can be rough on your hair, spurring frizz, breakage, and pesky split ends, while microfiber hair towels are designed to gently wick moisture. The benefits? Shorter drying time and smoother, shinier hair. Plus, the towels are cute, lightweight, and boast features like elastic loops or button fasteners to make twisting and securing a breeze. Scroll on for the best hair towels beloved by Allure editors and stylists.

Our Top Hair Towels

• Best Overall: Crown Affair Hair Towel, $59
• Best Hair Turban: Turbie Twist, $21
• Softest Hair Towel: Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel, $30
• Best Stay-in-Place: Sachajuan Hair Towel, $37
• Best Cotton Hair Towel: Cozy Earth Luxe Hair Towel, $54
• Best for Long Hair: Volo Super Hero XL Hair Towel, $48
• Best for Curly Hair: Rizos Curls Microfiber Towel + Wrap, $31

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What are the benefits of using a hair towel?
• How should I use a hair towel?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Crown Affair The Hair Towel

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Crown Affair

The Hair Towel

$59

Sephora

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin wearing Crown Affair’s The Hair Towel

Shanna Shipin

Why it's worth it: Crown Affair is the “it girl” of hair towels, and the proof is in its 2025 Best of Beauty Award. l Not only is this extra-soft, generously-sized wrap a favorite among many of our editors, but New York City-based colorist Nikki Ferrara vouches for it, too. "It even speeds up the drying process, so it's great when you're in a rush and need to air-dry or just want to avoid the heat," she says. We love how the polyester-nylon blend is gentle on hair, complemented by a waffle-pattern microfiber that reduces friction as it dries. Larger than your average hair towel but smaller than a bath towel, it works for every hair length and texture.

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

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“The unsung hero of any curly girl's routine is the hair towel—and this one is, not to be dramatic, life-changing. It's gentle on hair, has an elastic band for the tail, and helps dry your hair fast. Never once has it fallen off my head, and I have thick hair that reaches my bra line. I know you're tempted to use that cotton tee, but the waffle texture on this towel makes all the difference.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director

More to know

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• Who it's for: all hair types
• Material: polyester, nylon
• Machine washable: yes

Best Hair Turban: Turbie Twist

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Turbie Twist

Microfiber Hair Towel

$20

Amazon (2-Pack)

$21

Walmart (2-Pack)

Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin wearing Turbie Twist’s Microfiber Hair Towel

Sarah Felbin

Why it’s worth it: Unlike a regular towel that you drape over your hair and try to scrunch and fuss with, the Turbie Twist has a tapered end that easily tucks into an elastic loop at the back of your head, so it stays put. The microfiber material fits comfortably and snugly (no slipping here!), so your hands stay free, and you don’t have to deal with loose fabric or a heavy towel weighing down your head. The cotton is also super soft, which helps prevent frizz and makes hair dry like a silky dream.

Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin

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“I've been loyal to Turbie Twist since middle school. They're made from thin, lightweight microfiber that holds a ton of water without feeling too wet or soggy. The little elastic on the back easily holds the towel's tail, and I love how many colors they come in to match every set of towels or robe. Plus, they're very well-made—my current pair is 8 years old and still going strong, even though I've washed them dozens of times. They haven't pilled at all and they're still just as absorbent as they were on day one.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor

More to know

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• Who it’s for: all hair types
• Material: microfiber
• Washable: yes

Softest Hair Towel: Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel

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Act+Acre

Microfiber Hair Towel

$30

Dermstore

$30

Sephora

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han wearing the Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel

Sarah Han

Why it's worth it: The cozy, comfy, fluffy, and puffy Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel has all the friction-preventing, dry-time-cutting goodness you could hope for in a hair towel. Its elite softness is super gentle on hair and less likely to cause breakage than your standard towel. Let it soak up all that moisture for five to ten minutes, and enjoy the lack of frizziness.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

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“I admit: I was in the camp that all hair towels are all the same—but now I’ve changed my tune. I can't go back to any ‘ol hair towel because Act+Acre's waffle-knit microfiber feels like I've wrapped my hair in a cloud. And the positioning of the (big) button and length of the loop is just right because I'm not yanking them towards each other and pulling at my hair, which is often the case with other towels. Ouch. My only note is that it may not fit hair that’s longer than your bust (which is the longest mine usually gets!)." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

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• Who it's for: all hair types
• Material: waffle-knit microfiber
• Machine washable: yes, lay flat to dry

Best Stay-in-Place: Sachajuan Hair Towel

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Sachajuan

Hair Towel

$37

Dermstore

$37

Sachajuan

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai wearing the Sachajuan Hair Towel

Deanna Pai

Why it's worth it: Sachajuan makes some dreamy styling products, so when we stumbled upon its Hair Towel, we were totally delighted. Many hair towels slip off easily, but this super absorbent microfiber towel has a button closure in the back to hold your hair in place after twisting it up, so whether you’re deep cleaning, lying in bed, or getting ready after your shower, this one stays put. Pair it with Sachajuan's Detangling Hair Brush for silky-smooth, knot-free strands when you're ready to brush.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai

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"I was surprised by the thick, nubby (but super-soft) texture of this hair towel—and it took me a minute to figure out how to put it on. I like how twisting it effectively squeezes extra water out of my hair without causing friction, and it doesn't feel overly large for my bob.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Who it's for: all hair types, short hair
• Material: microfiber
• Machine washable: yes, air-dry

Best Cotton Hair Towel: Cozy Earth Luxe Hair Towel

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Cozy Earth

Luxe Hair Towel

$54

Nordstrom

$54

Cozy Earth

Allure contributor Annie Blackman wearing the Cozy Earth Luxe Hair Towel

Annie Blackman

Why it's worth it: Cozy Earth's Luxe Hair Towel is basically the equivalent of a fancy hotel bathrobe for your hair. The luxe cotton gives it that sturdier feel, while the bamboo viscose blend dries your hair gently and securely, thanks to a no-budge elastic and button closure at the back. For our curly-haired friends, good news: Because experts say that microfiber towels can cause frizz in some curl textures, this cotton-based fabric is a great candidate for plopping, a.k.a. literally dropping your curls into the towel and tying it up to dry.

Tester feedback from contributor Annie Blackman

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“This is a no-fuss hair towel that I can count on to absorb quickly every time. What can I say other than it's gorg, it works, and it makes me feel fancy." —Annie Blackman, contributor

More to know

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• Who it's for: people with low-maintenance hair
• Material: cotton, bamboo viscose
• Machine washable: yes

Best for Long Hair: Volo Super Hero XL Hair Towel

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Volo

Hero Hair Towel

$48

Amazon

$48

Nordstrom

Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner wearing the Volo Super Hero XL Hair Towel

Lily Wohlner

Why it's worth it: If you’ve got longer hair, Volo offers an XL version of its Hero Hair Towel, which clocks in at 39.4 x 30.5 inches compared to the original’s 39.4 x 23.5 inches. Both, however, are incredibly soft (think wrapping your hair in a cloud), which helps explain why they’re a two-time Allure Best of Beauty winner. A thick, snug elastic band at the back keeps the towel securely in place—even when you’re dancing around while getting ready—and the brand’s nano-weave fabric absorbs water quickly, cutting down drying time.

Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner

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“I have long, curly, and fragile hair, so the thought of using a standard towel sends a shiver down my spine (hello, damage). A lot of hair towels I’ve tried don’t gather all my strands, but that changed when I found Volo’s Super Hero XL Hair Towel. It’s incredibly soft and never causes breakage—even when I’m in a rush and need to give my hair a quick scrunch. And as the name suggests, it’s big enough to hold all my hair, so no wet strands are left behind.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer

More to know

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• Who it's for: all hair types
• Material: polyester, nylon
• Machine washable: yes

Best for Curly Hair: Rizos Curls Microfiber Towel + Wrap

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Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann wearing the Rizos Curls Microfiber Towel + Wrap

Sarah Hoffmann

Why it's worth it: Rizos Curls Microfiber Towel + Wrap is ideal for curls, coils, and waves because it's super absorbent, fits all your hair, and is plenty roomy, which means a comfortable fit that doesn't pinch your strands and, even worse, encourage breakage. While traditional terrycloth towels can disrupt your hair's curl pattern, this microfiber texture is super soft and gentle, so it won't rough up your strands or cause frizz. It has a built-in band for easily and securely wrapping your hair and an oversized shape to make sure all your hair, whether long or short, is covered.

Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann

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“This hair towel made me a convert. Traditional hair towels are way too tight on my head, and this one is so easy to adjust to your desired looseness. I trust Rizos for curl products like no other brand, and the brand's hair towel is exactly the quality I'd expect, i.e. exceptional.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer

More to know

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• Who it's for: curly hair, textured hair
• Material: microfiber
• Machine washable: yes, can dry too

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a hair towel?

"Frizzy hair will be minimized, hair patterns will be more defined, breakage or split ends will be minimized, and they cut down the average drying time," explains Ferrara. So, what makes these towels so unique? Most are made from ultra-absorbent microfiber, which soaks up excess water faster than your average bath towel. "[Hair towels] also are known to be more gentle on hair because they feel more plush and soft compared to traditional terry cloth towels," Ferrara adds.

How should I use a hair towel?

If you're still dealing with any sopping after some time in a twist, California-based hairstylist Samuel Eugenio Rodney has a tip: "Gently squeeze excess water from the hair and wrap it in the towel," he previously told Allure. "Do not rub the towel aggressively to absorb water. This can damage the cuticle and leave your hair feeling dry and frizzy."

Meet the experts

• Nikki Ferrara, a New York City-based colorist
• Samuel Eugenio Rodney, a Lancaster, California-based hair stylist

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?

For our review of the best hair towels, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional stylists—many of whom are also on their hair health journey. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, absorbency, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out 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.

$28.50 at Paul MitchellSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

TL;DR:

• What it is: A styling serum
• What it does: Smooths, softens, and adds shine to hair
• Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a styler that can tame frizz and flyaways

My skin-care routine may be six or seven products long, but when it comes to doing my hair, I’m lucky if I work in a brush before leaving the house. I truly cannot be bothered with heat-styling—it’s far too damaging on my fine, color-treated hair.

Instead, I’ll shower at night, braid my long hair into a single, tight plait, and then hope to the silk pillowcase gods that my strands are smooth and my cowlick is controlled come morning. But sometimes, the gods leave me on Read, and I’m forced to take the flyways into my own hands.

Good thing the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum is so easy to use. The silky elixir—swarmed with smoothing silicones and sweet notes of apple and berries—curbs static in literal seconds (my hero!).

Although you don’t need to, I like to warm it before finger-combing it through strands. (I use about a dime- to nickel-size amount, depending on the severity of the distraught.) This also ensures I’m not rubbing gobs into sections of my hair, and that it’s evenly distributed. Whether I pull my hair back or keep it down with a slight wave (remember, from the braid?), the effect is universal: a sleek, shiny finish.

You can find the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, along with other editor-loved products, in the January Allure Beauty Box.

Get The Box

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

$28.50 at Paul Mitchell$28.50 at Paul Mitchell

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Last August, North West appeared in Rome alongside her mom, Kim Kardashian, in a black corset, a miniskirt, and five-inch platform Vetements boots, but it wasn’t her clothing that drew the Internet’s ire (although that’s happened plenty of times before). It was the debut of a new pair of dermal piercings on her right middle finger. Digital onlookers immediately declared that her choice of body jewelry was “disturbing,” and went so far as to compare her piercing to warts all over Reddit. West—a 12-year-old, mind you—has slyly defended her choice multiple times on TikTok and seems to remain completely unbothered by the backlash. In fact, it appears she’s done it again.

This week, West debuted another dermal piercing on her right hand in an Instagram Story with a photo of herself holding up her fist to the camera. She also released a snippet from a new song titled, “Piercing on my hand hardstyle outro,” and posted a close-up video of her hand on TikTok. But before I hear any flack from the online piercing police, I’d like to ask something: Can we just leave her alone?

TikTok content

For one, dermal piercings aren’t as inherently dangerous as West’s critics would like to believe. For those unfamiliar, dermals work very differently from your standard earring or belly button ring: Piercers use a punching tool to remove a small section of skin before inserting a metal anchor that holds the jewelry in place. They can, in theory, go almost anywhere—most often fingers, cheeks, collarbones, and lower backs—and the technique is designed to create the illusion of a stud that’s embedded into the skin. "Micro-dermal anchors are safe, and the body will hold them for years as long as they’re in ideal places and if implant-grade titanium is used,” piercer Billy DeBerry previously told Allure.

Unlike traditional piercings, dermals don’t have a separate entry and exit point—they sit on the surface of the skin. Board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, says that because of this, they carry a slightly higher risk of irritation, infection, scarring, or rejection, especially when they’re placed in high-movement areas like the fingers. Even so, I’m sure West has access to the very best piercers and doctors in the world (or at least in Los Angeles). With that in mind, a minor infection and potential small scars are likely her biggest worst-case scenarios.

But more importantly, West is figuring out her style as any tween would and should—and in front of the entire world, no less. That includes experimenting with beauty and fashion looks and, yes, piercings (with her parents’ permission, of course). I’m sure getting cyberbullied by the entire world is doing far more damage than a little ring on her finger, so please, have some compassion. (Should a 12-year-old be sharing her life on a public social media account? That’s another conversation, but most mental health professionals would say: No.)

At the end of the day, a small, manageable piercing may be a better way for parents to help their kids explore beauty rather than, say, letting them run rampant in a Sephora. Dr. Gohara agrees: “In context, this tends to be a much smaller dermatologic issue than the free-for-all that can happen in big-box beauty stores, where kids often experiment unsupervised with strong acids, retinoids, and trend-driven products,” she says. “As long as the risks are understood—including the possibility that a piercing may leave a scar or not be entirely temporary—this is ultimately about supervision, education, and self-expression. Skin heals, styles evolve, and not every aesthetic choice needs to be treated like a crisis."

That seems pretty aligned with the opinion of West’s mother. “I’m like, ‘Babe, if you want blue hair, it is what it is,’” Kardashian said of her daughter’s aesthetic choices on the Call Her Daddy podcast last year. “It makes her so happy. I would never take that creative [outlet] away from her.” Let’s defer to Mom on this one, OK?