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Is the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ the Best PDRN Serum You Can Buy Right Now?

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Is the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ the Best PDRN Serum You Can Buy Right Now?

Last Updated on May 20, 2026 by omgbart

There are maybe five skincare brands whose launches I follow closely enough to drop everything. Medik8 is one of them. PDRN has been building for a while and I watched it from a distance, waiting for someone I trust to do something meaningful with it. The Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ is the formula that made the wait worth it. Three weeks in, here is where I landed.

Since I love everything about the Medik8 Crystal Retinal, I have zero trust issues when it comes to innovation from the now L’Oréal-owned brand. And as with anything new, PDRN is suddenly attracting a wave of skepticism all over social media. Why? This is not a phenomenon but rather the expected reaction to any ingredient or concept that gains traction and becomes ubiquitous in the skincare space.

Medik8 Exo-PDRN serum

Is it effective? Does it actually penetrate skin? Is it comparable to the injectable treatment from Korea that started it all? Is it actual salmon sperm? What do you mean vegan PDRN? Is topical application going to interfere with my own DNA? The list of questions with matching conspiracies goes on. And on. And on.

Medik8 PDRN serum bottle on bathroom counter flat lay

What is the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ and why does it matter

Let me answer the questions in order.

Yes, it is effective. No, it is not salmon sperm. No, it will not interfere with your DNA. PDRN is a chain of DNA fragments the skin uses as a signalling and repair mechanism, not a genetic modification tool. The conspiracy content on this one is particularly imaginative.

Medik8 new PDRN serum review

Medik8’s PDRN is vegan and bioengineered via bacteria-based biotechnology, producing DNA chains in a tetrahedral structure that the brand claims achieves 100% better absorption than traditional PDRN and penetrates 61% deeper. More stable and more consistent than animal-derived alternatives. The vegan angle matters practically, not just ethically.

Medik8 PDRN serum ingredient list on box

The formula also contains a Triple Exosome Complex: Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles, Punica Granatum (pomegranate) extract, and Centella Asiatica, covering barrier restoration, calming, and energy support. Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles that tell skin cells how to behave. This is where the technology gets genuinely interesting.

Is topical PDRN comparable to the injectable treatment from Korea? No. Nothing topical replicates something delivered directly into the dermis. That is a realistic expectation to set before spending $96. What topical PDRN can do with a well-constructed formula behind it is meaningful. The question is whether this formula is well-constructed. It is.

Medik8 PDRN serum with box

What the formula is actually doing

Hydrated skin is more radiant skin. Always. A well-hydrated barrier also absorbs actives more effectively, which means everything that follows in your routine works better. What makes the Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ interesting is what sits on top of that baseline.

Medik8 PDRN serum next to box

Sodium Hyaluronate handles immediate water-binding. Panthenol and Allantoin soothe and support barrier repair. The amino acid complex, including Proline, Lysine, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, and Glycine, provides the building blocks for collagen and elastin synthesis. Oligopeptide-1, which is EGF, supports cell proliferation and regeneration. Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate fuels cellular energy processes that slow with age. The Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles and Punica Granatum extract carry the signalling intelligence of the exosome complex.

Medik8 is a certified B Corporation

Not one ingredient doing one job. A coordinated formula where the hydration layer creates the optimal environment for everything else.

Medik8 also positions this as a post-procedure step, which makes complete sense. The centella asiatica, panthenol, allantoin, and exosome complex make it a genuine healing and recovery formula in a daily serum format. Clinical data supports it: 100% of participants who had received injectable polynucleotide treatments said it was the perfect post-procedure partner.

Texture of Medik8 PDRN serum on skin

Texture, feel, and user experience

Lightweight enough to fit into any existing routine without disrupting what comes before or after it. If you are familiar with Medik8 serums, this one sits somewhere between the Liquid Peptides and Hydr8. Silky and fluid but just viscous enough to have a liquigel grip. It drips in slow motion. Not sticky in the slightest. Clear, no scent, glass bottle with a pump dispenser.

Medik8 PDRN serum in daytime routine

How to use it and my preference

Apply on clean skin before other serums and moisturizers. If you use a vitamin C serum or any other targeted treatment, the Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ goes on first. Two pumps cover the face and neck. The pump dispenses short bursts so a double press is the right approach.

Medik8 PDRN serum with Crystal Retinal at night

After three weeks of daily use, it works well in both AM and PM routines without causing pilling under vitamin C or sunscreen. What genuinely surprised me is how good my skin looks when I follow it with Crystal Retinal 10 at night. Those are the mornings when my complexion looks more even, less red, and just more radiant. The kind of skincare chess move that makes me a believer in Medik8 being the new legacy brand of my generation.

Medik8 PDRN serum before and after
the light in the far right shot is a tad cooler (standing in front of the window) but the skin really does look brighter after 3 weeks

Three weeks in

I am not going to show you a before and after. What I will show you is my skin now, which is less red and more radiant than it was three weeks ago. Subtle. Noticeable. Not a dramatic transformation and not trying to be one.

The redness across my cheeks has calmed. Not eliminated. Just subdued. That is the niacinamide, the centella asiatica, and the exosome complex working together. Overall tone of my skin also looks more even.

Medik8 review of serum PDRN

What has not changed: the visible expression lines on my forehead. Those take longer and will not be resolved by any topical regardless of what clinical studies measure. The fourteen-day wrinkle data uses instrument measurement, not the naked eye. Keeping that distinction honest feels important at $96.

The Crystal Retinal 10 pairing at night remains the combination I am most excited about. More on that as the experiment continues.

Medik8 PDRN serum: is it worth it?

Is it worth $96?

The technology is sophisticated, the formula is well-constructed beyond the headline actives, and three weeks in I have no interest in stopping. Subtle and noticeable rather than transformative and overnight, which is the honest characterisation of what good skincare actually does.

If you are contemplating a PDRN serum but leaning toward ANUA because the price is more accessible, go for it. No judgment. Just know that the comparison stops at hydration. ANUA will not deliver the exosome complex, the EGF, the ATP precursor, the amino acid collagen-building layer, or the vegan bioengineered PDRN in a tetrahedral structure. These are not the same product at different price points. Apples to apples this comparison is not.

Available now at us.medik8.com and uk.medik8.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PDRN in skincare? Polydeoxyribonucleotides — chains of DNA fragments that support skin cell recovery, barrier function, and visible rejuvenation. Originally used in injectable clinical treatments in South Korea. Medik8’s version is vegan and bioengineered rather than animal-derived.

What are exosomes in skincare? Nano-sized vesicles secreted by cells that carry proteins, lipids, and genetic signalling material. They tell skin cells how to behave. In skincare they support barrier restoration, calm redness, and promote recovery. The technology comes from wound healing and regenerative medicine research.

How does this compare to injectable PDRN treatments? It does not replicate them. Injectable PDRN delivers active material directly into the dermis at concentrations a topical cannot match. The Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ is designed as a complementary at-home step, not a replacement. 100% of participants who had received injectable polynucleotide treatments said it was the perfect post-procedure partner.

Can you use it with retinol? Yes. Use it before vitamin C in the morning and before retinol at night. Gentle enough to use alongside Crystal Retinal without conflict.

How long before you see results? Barrier function and luminosity in seven days per clinical data. Wrinkle improvement at fourteen days uses instrument measurement, not the naked eye. Redness-calming and vitality improvement visible within the first week in personal use. Deeper structural changes take longer.

Who is this best suited for? Anyone in their late thirties or above dealing with redness, uneven tone, loss of luminosity, or skin that is slow to recover after treatments or travel. Ideal post-procedure companion for microneedling, peels, or injectable polynucleotide treatments.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. It helps keep my mist habit funded and this blog running. Thank you for reading.

Here’s a Bright Idea: Body Lotions That Tackle Dullness

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Here’s a Bright Idea: Body Lotions That Tackle Dullness

Lactic acid and urea work together to gently loosen and soften stubborn buildup, while ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, and allantoin reinforce the skin barrier and calm irritation. And while we don’t want to get your hopes up that it’ll quite erase bumps overnight, despite the ambitious name, Dr. Queller notes that “consistent use leads to smoother, brighter-looking skin over time.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Do brightening body lotions work?

Yes, brightening body care can work, though managing expectations is key, says Dr. Queller. They tend to be most effective for mild to moderate cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (think lingering marks after body breakouts, bug bites, or irritation) and uneven tone, especially when formulas contain ingredients like niacinamide, retinol, vitamin C, kojic acid, or exfoliating acids that encourage cell turnover and fade discoloration over time. However, “deeper or more stubborn pigmentation may require in-office treatments or prescription-strength options,” says Dr. Queller. So while these formulas can absolutely improve skin over time, they’re better viewed as gradual brighteners rather than overnight miracle workers.

How long does it take for brightening body lotions to work?

Patience is part of the deal with brightening body lotions. “In terms of timing, patients usually start to see improvement within 4 to 8 weeks, with more noticeable results by 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the severity of pigmentation and consistency of use,” says Dr. Queller. In other words, these formulas tend to reward commitment, so think of them as a steady routine rather than a quick fix. For the best results, daily use is key—and don’t forget daily sunscreen on exposed areas, which can make a big difference in how quickly you see results.

Are brightening body lotions good for sensitive skin?

Brightening body lotions can still be a good option for sensitive skin, but formula choice matters. “For sensitive skin types, it’s important to avoid overuse of strong exfoliants,” says Dr. Queller. She notes that “ingredients like high concentrations of glycolic acid, fragrance, and certain essential oils are more likely to cause irritation,” so if your skin tends to react easily, start slowly and look for formulas that pair brightening ingredients with barrier-supportive hydrators and soothing ingredients rather than going all-in on intensive exfoliation.

Meet the experts

  • Lauren Moy, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist of Moy MD, based in Beverly Hills, California
  • Jenna Queller, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks, based in Boca Raton, Florida

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 brightening body lotions, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. 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.

Reel Review Shorts: Inolex on LexFeel® Shine and Silicone-Free Anti-Frizz Hair Care

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Reel Review Shorts: Inolex on LexFeel® Shine and Silicone-Free Anti-Frizz Hair Care

Featuring: Jennifer O’Hara, Director of Technical Marketing and Commercialization, Inolex

Summary

Jennifer O’Hara shares how Inolex is positioning its ingredient portfolio around safer, greener and “simply better” technologies for skin, hair and sun care. At in-cosmetics Global 2026, the company spotlighted LexFeel® Shinea silicone alternative for anti-frizz hair care designed to deliver performance, shine and bounce without traditional silicone-based systems.

Meet Jennifer O’Hara

Jennifer O’Hara is Director of Technical Marketing and Commercialization at Inolex.

Speaking from in-cosmetics Global 2026she explains that the company is focused on ingredient technologies for:

  • Skin care
  • Hair care
  • What’s the call?

Its ambition is to create alternatives that are “safer, greener, and simply better”.

Pull quote:“We’re boldly pursuing ingredients that are safer, greener and simply better.”

Better Alternatives for Modern Formulation

O’Hara says Inolex is looking at technologies that can offer alternatives to ingredients such as:

  • Silicones
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Microplastics
  • Quats / BTAC

For the company, the opportunity lies in improving the “chassis” of formulations — the base ingredients that make up the bulk of many cosmetic products.

LexFeel® Shine: Anti-Frizz Without Silicones

One of the key technologies highlighted is LexFeel® Shinewhich Inolex is positioning for anti-frizz hair care.

O’Hara explains that many current anti-frizz products rely on silicones, but Inolex wanted to see whether it could achieve similar — or better — performance without them.

The company tested the technology against industry benchmarks and then moved into salon trials, placing the ingredient in the hands of hair professionals to test on different hair types.

Pull quote: “Can we still get the same performance, but without silicones?”

Salon Testing and Textured Hair Performance

According to O’Hara, testing showed strong results across different hair types, including 3C hair and kinkier textures.

She says products formulated with LexFeel® Shine helped to:

  • Reduce frizz
  • Elongate curls
  • Improve shine
  • Create a lighter, bouncier feel
  • Deliver visible performance without heaviness

Pull quote: “It elongated the curls, reduced the frizz.”

Why It Matters Now

For O’Hara, the importance of LexFeel® Shine lies in its ability to combine performance with a more considered ingredient approach.

Rather than relying on “forever chemicals”, she says brands can use what Inolex calls “timeless ingredients” to create anti-frizz products that still look and feel good.

in-cosmetics Global 2026: Energy, Actives and the Formulation Base

Reflecting on the show, O’Hara says in-cosmetics Global 2026 has strong energy and a more evenly laid-out three-floor format.

However, she notes that much of the industry attention is focused on active ingredients and trend-led technologies such as PDRN. For Inolex, the bigger opportunity is to bring more attention back to base ingredients and how to make the formulation chassis perform better.

Pull quote:“I’m not seeing enough of the base ingredients and how to make chassis better.”

6 Ways To Steal Olivia Dean’s Style

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6 Ways To Steal Olivia Dean’s Style

If you’ve fallen head over heels for Olivia Dean’s music, it’s hard not to develop an enduring obsession with her wardrobe. Long before her sell-out The Art of Loving tour, the Grammy win and the inevitable status as a fashion It-girl, Dean was playing intimate London venues with the kind of effortless magnetism that made you feel as though you’d discovered something special before everyone else caught on. A graduate of the BRIT School, she comes from the same creative lineage as some of Britain’s most exciting artists – though her ascent has always felt entirely her own.

Olivia Dean’s style favourites:

Of course, it helps that she dresses exactly like the star she’s become. Frequently styled by Simone Beyene, Dean has evolved from North East London cool-girl to bona fide fashion muse at remarkable speed. One minute she’s fronting campaigns as a new face of Burberry, the next she’s perched front row at Fashion Week – most recently at Chanel’s AW26 star-studded show.

What makes Dean’s style so appealing is how unfussy it feels. There’s an ease to the way she dresses – as though she breezes through life in feathers, fringing and silk, never looking overworked or overly maximalist. Against that backdrop, Dean’s embrace of glamour, femininity and beautifully cut silhouettes is impossible to not love. The conversation on social media echoes our obsession with Dean’s wardrobe, with 15.7 million videos shared on TikTok credited to ‘Olivia Dean’s Fashion Evolution’.

In one viral video capturing the Lady, Lady signer’s tour outfits a fan penned: “I need someone to love me like Olivia Dean’s stylist loves her.” Point taken.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Abel Miami Split Is the Fragrance I Didn’t Expect to Love. Plus 5 More New Launches.

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Abel Miami Split Is the Fragrance I Didn’t Expect to Love. Plus 5 More New Launches.

Last Updated on May 21, 2026 by omgbart

Last month is a blur. I spent nearly four weeks back in the US, returned to Madrid a week ago, and the city has gone full summer in my absence. I am still unpacking, literally and figuratively, and the product haul I brought back is stacked on every surface. The good news is that the launches cheering me up right now are genuinely impressive. My skin agrees.

Speaking of things I did not expect to love: let’s start with a fragrance.

Abel Miami Split fragrance bottle on white marble countertop

Abel Miami Split

Initially, Abel Miami Split gave me pause. Green banana. White oud. Labdanum. On paper, that reads as a dare. It took the publicist’s convincing DM to get the bottle on my desk, and I am so glad she prevailed. The opening is startling. The banana note is green, bright, almost tangible, the kind of fruit note that makes your mouth water. Within minutes the composition shifts entirely. The juicy top evaporates and what remains is smoky, earthy, faintly churchy. That drydown is where the labdanum and white oud take over and it is genuinely beautiful.

Abel and perfumer Isaac Sinclair spent three years on this one, and that time shows. The banana note is upcycled from the wastewater of banana processing in Ecuador, pithy and tart rather than artificially sweet. The white oud is sourced from Vietnam, lighter and more modern than the genre typically delivers. Longevity lands around six hours on skin, and the scent carries beautifully on fabric well beyond that.

$220 (50ml) at thedetoxmarket.com

Blue Lagoon Skincare cleansing balm open jar on white marble counter

Blue Lagoon BL+ Cleansing Balm

Blue Lagoon built its reputation on masks. The Silica Mud Mask is practically synonymous with the geothermal spa experience at this point. The new Cleansing Balm makes complete sense as the next step because great masking always starts with a proper cleanse. Consider this the opening act. The balm is unscented, off-white, dense but not waxy. It applies smoothly to dry skin, dissolves sunscreen, excess oil, and makeup within seconds, then emulsifies cleanly with water and rinses without leaving a film. The whole thing has a spa-in-a-jar quality that makes a daily cleanse feel like actual skin prep.

At the heart of the formula is the brand’s patented BL+ Complex, a combination of Blue Lagoon Microalgae and Silica. Both bioactives hold separate patents and have published clinical research behind their ability to stimulate collagen synthesis and strengthen the skin barrier. A phospholipid delivery system helps these actives penetrate deeper than you would expect from a cleanser you rinse off in sixty seconds. The rest of the formula is just as thoughtful. The oil base melts the balm on contact. Candelilla Wax, vegan and plant-derived, holds the texture together until water hits. Skin is left conditioned rather than stripped. For anyone already in the Blue Lagoon ecosystem, this is the obvious first step.

$80 (80ml) at us.skinscience.bluelagoon.com

Le Prunier bottle of Plum Spritz face mist on the counter

Le Prunier Plum Spritz Dual-Phase Barrier Mist

Le Prunier has expanded slowly and deliberately since the Plum Beauty Oil put the brand on the map, and every addition has stayed anchored to the family farm’s organic plum harvest. The Plum Spritz is the brand’s first mist and it does not disappoint. One thing worth flagging: this is a bi-phase formula that needs to be shaken before use. The bottle is solid black so you cannot see the two distinct layers and it is easy to forget. Make it a habit. The nozzle delivers one of the finest mists I have come across in this category. An ultra-fine dispersion that settles on skin without any droplet heaviness.

Performance-wise, the Spritz is a hydration tool first. Use it as your first liquid step after cleansing or reach for it as a midday refresher. Either way it imparts a soft, natural-looking glow on contact. The formula combines Le Prunier’s signature Plum Beauty Oil with upcycled Plum Beauty Juice for barrier support and visible redness reduction. A quadruple Hyaluronic Acid complex works across multiple molecular weights to deliver hydration at different skin depths. Natural Moisturizing Factors reinforce the barrier further. P.S. love the scent which unlike in the face oil, is marzipan with a slightly sharper angle.

$48 (60ml) at leprunier.com where you save 15% with code BART15

Omorovicza Acid Milk bottle with cotton pad on white marble counter

Omorovicza Acid Milk

This one has been on my radar since it launched and it did not disappoint. Acid Milk is a milky leave-on liquid exfoliant, two to three times a week, nights only. The texture alone sets it apart. It has a viscous, elegant slip that feels hydrating on contact with zero tackiness. The brand suggests applying with a cotton pad, which works. I prefer to splash a small amount into my palms and press directly into cleansed skin. The texture handles both approaches equally well.

The formula is built around a four-acid blend of glycolic, lactic, salicylic, and azelaic acids, fused into a base of Hungarian thermal spring water via the brand’s patented Healing Concentrate delivery system. That combination drives actives deeper than a standard aqueous base would allow. Ceramide NP and Oat Kernel Oil reinforce the barrier while the acids work, and a marine diatom extract adds anti-inflammatory support to keep the process comfortable. The result is real exfoliation without next-morning tightness or redness. Follow with a nourishing moisturizer and ease in gradually, even if you are an experienced acid user.

$110 (100ml) at omorovicza.com, spacenk.com or dermstore.com (try my code OMGBART for an additional discount)

African Botanics Moisturizing Exosome Gel bottle with cap off

African Botanics Moisturizing Exosome Gel

The gel moisturizer category is crowded. This one has a point of view. The Moisturizing Exosome Gel sits in that useful middle ground between a serum and a moisturizer, the kind of formula that does not force you to choose. The gel texture feels substantial on application, takes a moment to absorb, and that is fine. Skin feels immediately plump and hydrated rather than coated. The herbal scent is noticeable but fades fast and never becomes a thing.

The star ingredient is Myrothamnus Flabellifolia, the Resurrection Plant, a rare African botanical that can survive near-complete dehydration and fully recover. In skincare that translates to serious moisture retention and barrier resilience. Lycium Barbarum stem cell exosomes, goji berry-derived nano-sized delivery packets that carry growth factors and regenerative signals into the skin, add a genuinely sophisticated layer to the formula. A three-ceramide complex, Polyglutamic Acid, Bulbinella Nutans, and Aloe Ferox round things out alongside Niacinamide and Vitamin C. Works AM, PM, or both.

$185 (50ml) at credobeauty.com

Ursa Major Sunny Start eye serum on white marble counter

Ursa Major Sunny Start Eye Serum

The skin immediately around the eyes has no pores. That single fact should inform every eye product decision you make, starting with how much product you actually apply. Half a pump addresses both eyes. Do not overload the area. Sunny Start gets this right from the ground up. It is a lightweight eye serum with one clear job: make the eye area look more alert and awake. The texture sits between a serum and a light lotion, has enough grip to stay where you place it, and feels barely there once absorbed. No flaking, no odd tightening, no residue.

Cedar peptides and sandalwood support firmness and a more lifted contour over time. Ash tree bark targets puffiness, particularly useful in the morning when fluid retention tends to show most. Vitamin C addresses radiance in the under-eye zone. Wild Gentian and cedar bark work on the appearance of dark circles with consistent use. Morning is the primary moment for this product, though AM and PM use is fine. Apply with whatever finger is comfortable. The ring finger convention has no meaningful impact on results. Follow with sunscreen during the day.

$52 (15ml) at ursamajorvt.com, beauty-heroes.com, credobeauty.com, thedetoxmarket.com

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. It helps keep my mist habit funded and this blog running. Thank you for reading.

Urban Decay Is Bringing Back Gash, Its Most Requested Eyeshadow Shade

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Urban Decay Is Bringing Back Gash, Its Most Requested Eyeshadow Shade

Urban Decay has never been one to play it safe, and its latest launch proves the brand is still very much in touch with its rebel roots. As part of its grunge 2.0 makeup movement, the brand is bringing back one of its most requested shades ever: 24/7 Eyeshadow Mono in Gash ($23). Deep, moody and instantly recognizable to anyone who came up during the punk-goth makeup era, consider this your official initiation into one of beauty’s most legendary obsessions.

A Shade With a Story

Urban Decay first introduced the deep, moody red hue in 1996 as a lipstick and nail polish before expanding it into an eyeshadow in 1997. But it didn’t stop there. Over the years, Gash grew into an entire universe of products—liquid eyeliner, hair pomade, mascara and lip liner all got the treatment—and that’s when the cult following truly took hold.

The celebrity stamp of approval came fast. My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way famously wore Gash around his eyes throughout the early 2000s, making it the de facto uniform of an entire punk-goth generation. Gwen Stefani was a fan, too, though she gravitated toward the lipstick. When icons across two very different aesthetics are both reaching for the same shade, you know it’s something special.

Why Now?

We had to ask Fernando Febres, head of U.S. marketing at Urban Decay, what finally made it the right moment to bring Gash back. “Urban Decay is continuing its anti-bland movement and reclaiming our brand heritage and DNA,” he tells us. “Gash was an integral part of that, and it has been the most-requested product to bring back based on what we see across our social media. We really do pay attention.”

The cultural timing wasn’t lost on the brand either. “Seeing the rise of ’90s and 2000s grunge over the last year, and the soft-goth trend focused on eye makeup, we had to raise our most famous ‘red from the dead,’” Febres says.

The Formula, Upgraded

For the purists wondering whether the new Urban Decay Gash eyeshadow lives up to the original: it does, and then some. Febres confirms that the formula has been updated to reflect the brand’s advancements over the years. It’s now fully vegan, delivers stronger, longer-lasting color payoff and applies more smoothly than ever before.

The result is a supercharged pigment with a pearl finish and warm orange undertones, wrapped in a buttery texture that blends seamlessly and wears for up to 12 hours without fading. Wear it wet, diffused, at full pigment, blurred, graphic or classic—Gash was made to be played with.

The Return of a Legend

A new generation gets to claim it now. With soft-goth eye makeup dominating feeds and ’90s grunge beauty fully back in the cultural conversation, Gash isn’t just a nostalgia play; it’s a statement. Urban Decay’s anti-bland DNA is very much alive, and this limited-edition return is proof the brand knows exactly who it is and who its people are.

But because nothing this legendary lasts forever, Gash is back for a limited time and in limited quantities. Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow Mono in Gash ($23) is available exclusively at Ulta.com and UrbanDecay.com starting Friday, May 29.

Reel Review Shorts: Croda Beauty Active Launches Matrixyl® Neolide™ at in-cosmetics Global 2026

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Reel Review Shorts: Croda Beauty Active Launches Matrixyl® Neolide™ at in-cosmetics Global 2026

Featuring: Hishda Mohamed, Senior Marketing Lead, Croda Beauty Active

Summary

Hishda Mohamed discusses Croda Beauty Active’s launch of Matrixyl® Neolide™ at in-cosmetics Global 2026. The encapsulated peptide technology is designed to support smarter peptide release, enhanced bioavailability and growing consumer demand for longevity-focused skin care.

Introducing Matrixyl® Neolide™

At this year’s in-cosmetics Global, Croda Beauty Active is showcasing Matrixyl® Neolide™an encapsulated peptide innovation based on the original Matrixyl® — the iconic collagen peptide first brought to the beauty industry 25 years ago.

The technology uses a solid lipid particle with a peptide at its core, allowing for smarter release into the skin and improved bioavailability.

Pull quote: “This allows a smarter peptide release into the skin, enhancing bioavailability.”

Responding to Longevity and Efficacy Demands

Mohamed says the launch is especially relevant now because it addresses two major industry priorities: longevity and efficacy.

For Croda Beauty Active, the aim is to make peptide technology more accessible and relevant to consumers globally.

What Customers Are Asking For

At the show, Mohamed says customers are increasingly interested in how they can support longevity claims while also delivering greater performance and more reliable technology.

This reflects a wider shift in skin care, where brands are looking for ingredients that can combine scientific credibility with visible, consumer-relevant results.

Key Takeaways for Brands

  • Peptides remain central to longevity-focused skin care innovation.
  • Encapsulation technologies are helping improve ingredient delivery.
  • Bioavailability is becoming a key performance marker for active ingredients.
  • Brands are seeking reliable technologies that support both efficacy and consumer trust.

Movies about magazines like Devil Wears Prada need to better explore the power of privilege and class in journalism

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Movies about magazines like Devil Wears Prada need to better explore the power of privilege and class in journalism

“She said to me ‘I can’t afford it anymore. I can’t afford to be this person anymore’… I was so shocked when she said it… She said the quiet part, out loud.” She describes wanting to “shed a light” on this truth and stigma that exists for those working in magazine journalism. Not to create a moral of the story or anything that explicit, but more to voice the nuances of different social classes and how they impact someone’s survival in an industry full of financial and cultural expectations.

Another journalist shining a spotlight on the crucial relationship between social class and the wider arts industry is Jessica Phillips. Recently she launched Instagram page @theproletariart which interrogates the crucial relationship between social class and a career in the arts. “Magazine journalism is as elitist as banking or law, and is as competitive to break into,” she tells Glamour. “The difference? When you ‘make it, it’ it doesn’t come with the same pay packet or job security.”

Growing up in an ex-coal mining town in Wales, Jessica broke into journalism the same way that I did – through unpaid internships. Now even less of these opportunities exist than when we started out a decade or so ago, meaning that working class creatives are having to fight even harder to make their voices heard in a middle-class magazine industry. “I’ve worked at magazines where editors have asked a room full of staff one by one which private school they went to,” Jessica tells me. “There’s an air of Bullington Club behaviour in magazine journalism. 11 years into my career, I still feel like I’m on the outside.”

She started Proleteriart to “shed light on the elitism in the creative sector. It shouldn’t be one subsection of society who get to have their stories told or who get to tell the stories of others.” Stories like Jessica’s and mine are two of many. Earlier this year, writer Kate Pasola published a book of essays from 33 working class writers in Bread Alone: What happens when we run out of working class writers? Research presented in the book confirms an uncomfortable truth: 80% of journalists come from upper-class backgrounds; 78% of working-class writers say their background has hindered their careers.

So yes, a job in magazines and the creative world is, indeed, a job that a million girls would kill for. Even 20 years on. But we must acknowledge – and do something about – this second fact: it takes a certain status, access and support to even get in line for the kill.

Zara Larsson Says We’re Wearing Super Y2K French Manicures This Summer—See the Photos

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Zara Larsson Says We’re Wearing Super Y2K French Manicures This Summer—See the Photos

Welcome to summer 2026… or is it actually summer 1999? If you’re looking to musician Zara Larsson and her nails for answers, it’s definitely the latter. Apparently we’re not done embracing all things Y2K in our beauty aesthetics; if Larsson’s square-tipped French manicure is any indication, we’re just getting started!

The “Midnight Sun” singer took the stage for the Radio 1’s Big Weekend concert in England in her now go-to manicure: a classic French mani with major Y2K vibes. Her nails were long and filed into a squared-off shape with a thick white tip and milky pink base, just like the French manicure you probably got for prom back in the day. Instead of a straight-across or rounded white tip, Larsson opted for a subtle “V” shape.

The French manicure is a bonafide forever kinda classic. It’s never going away, and why should it? It always looks great, and legions of celebs are faithful fans of the salon style, including Larsson, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato. As Allure previously reported, the French was “invented” back in 1975 for Hollywood movies and became popular in the ‘80s and ’90s, though it did briefly dip in popularity in the nail art-heavy 2010s. “When I was a kid, I spent every waking minute trying to figure out how to do a French manicure,” manicurist Miss Pop told Allure. “I’ve spent so much of my career reimagining it—it’s hard not to. It’s the most natural shape you can possibly do.” Plus, it’s endlessly customizable: play with color, add texture, decorate the tip with rhinestones, get creative! Or, in Larsson’s case, celebrate the classic French in all its old-school goodness.

Getty Images

Of course, we can’t talk about Larsson without mentioning the other signature element of her glam: her bright, Lisa Frank-esque eye makeup! She teamed up once more with makeup artist Sophia Sinot, who applied a bright turquoise shade to Larsson’s inner corners, blending it out into a true party girl pink and covering the entire lid with rhinestones. We’ve been saying it’s time for a “fun” makeup revival—including body glitter tattoos, like the ones Larsson recently wore, and frosted eyes and lips—so why not go time traveling this summer?

What Smoking Really Does to Your Skin, According to a Dermatologist

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What Smoking Really Does to Your Skin, According to a Dermatologist

You might think of smoking as a lung issue, but your skin tells the story, too. Dallas dermatologist Elizabeth Houshmand, MD sees the effects in her practice regularly—and she says the damage starts earlier than most people expect.

“I’m hearing more about nicotine use, especially vaping, nicotine pouches and social or intermittent smoking,” she says. While traditional cigarette use has declined over the decades, Dr. Houshmand notes that newer forms of nicotine delivery are keeping exposure rates high. “From a dermatology perspective, I ask about all nicotine and smoke exposure—cigarettes, vaping, hookah and secondhand smoke—because the skin is very sensitive to oxidative stress and vascular changes.”

Ahead, Dr. Houshmand explains the skin changes she notices first, how nicotine and smoke accelerate visible aging and why quitting can still make a meaningful difference.

The First Skin Changes Dermatologists Notice in Smokers

When Dr. Houshmand sees a long-term smoker, she says there’s one telltale sign she spots immediately. “I often notice a duller, more sallow complexion and a loss of healthy glow. Long-term smokers may have skin that looks less vibrant because smoking reduces microcirculation, meaning less oxygen and fewer nutrients are reaching the skin.” Over time, she adds, “I also notice more fine lines, deeper wrinkles, uneven tone, crepey texture and slower healing. The changes are often most visible around the mouth, eyes and cheeks.”

Where Smoking Ranks Among Skin-Aging Factors

Sun exposure remains the top external driver of premature aging, but Dr. Houshmand puts smoking right behind it. “Diet, sleep, alcohol, stress and pollution all matter, but smoking is uniquely damaging because it combines oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen breakdown, impaired blood flow and delayed wound healing. In other words, it affects the skin from multiple angles at once.”

How Smoking Damages Skin Cells and Collagen

The science behind smoking-related skin damage is striking. “Smoking damages the skin in several ways,” she explains. “It increases free radicals, which create oxidative stress and injure skin cells. It also interferes with collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm, smooth and resilient.” She adds that smoking can impair collagen production and increase matrix metalloproteinases, enzymes that actively break down the skin’s support structure.

Blood flow is another major concern. “Nicotine and other smoke-related chemicals constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin. That means less oxygen, fewer nutrients and slower repair, which can translate into dullness, poor wound healing, more fragile skin and accelerated wrinkles.”

Smoking Can Affect Skin at a Young Age

One of the most sobering points Dr. Houshmand makes is how early—and how quickly—the damage begins. “Even in younger patients, smoking can make the skin look dehydrated, dull, uneven or inflamed.” While deeper wrinkles and laxity develop over the years, she says the process starts much sooner than most realize. “Young smokers may not have severe wrinkles yet, but their skin quality can look less healthy compared with non-smokers of the same age.”

What About Secondhand Smoke?

Yesbeing around smoke—not just inhaling it directly—carries real risks, too. “Secondhand smoke still exposes the skin and body to oxidative chemicals and inflammatory particles,” Dr. Houshmand explains. “It can contribute to irritation, oxidative stress and impaired skin barrier function.” While direct smoking causes the most concentrated damage, she advises patients to avoid both whenever possible.

What Is Smoker’s Face?

Dermatologists have a term for the pattern of aging they see in long-term smokers, and Dr. Houshmand describes it simply. The hallmarks, she says, include a gray, yellow or sallow tone; dullness and loss of radiance; fine lines around the lips; more pronounced crow’s feet; crepey texture; hollowing or loss of facial fullness and deeper wrinkles around the mouth and cheeks. “It is not just about lines, it is the overall change in skin quality, color, texture and resilience.”

The Good News: Quitting Helps

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the skin can begin to recover after nicotine and smoke exposure stops. “Quitting smoking is one of the best things someone can do for their skin and overall health,” Dr. Houshmand says. “Some improvements can happen relatively quickly: circulation improves, inflammation decreases and the skin may start to look brighter and healthier over weeks to months.”

Deeper damage takes longer to address. “Collagen remodeling takes longer. Over several months to a year, patients may notice improved tone, better healing and less dullness. However, deeper etched wrinkles, significant elastin damage and long-standing volume loss may not fully reverse on their own.”

Still, Dr. Houshmand is clear that it’s never too late to quit. “Quitting stops ongoing injury. The skin becomes much more responsive to good skin care, sun protection, procedures and collagen-stimulating treatments. It is never too late for the skin to improve, but the earlier you stop, the more you preserve—and your dermatologist can certainly help with biostimulators, chemical peels and a customized skin-care program.”

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