Aging is simply a part of life. However, it’s all too common to be in a state of shock when the first gray hair or wrinkle appears, seemingly out of nowhere. Questions like “When did this appear?” and “Now what do I do?” often arise. But, as you enter your forties and beyond, this initial shock becomes more familiar, and you begin to focus on what you can control. For many people, this means considering options like Botox or dermal fillers to address signs of aging, but for others, it can mean maintaining a healthy lifestyle, embracing self-care, and nurturing your skin with an intensive skin-care routine.

It’s worth noting that an increasing number of people, including celebrities like Courtney Cox and Kristin Davis, are choosing to dissolve their fillers and embrace their “natural” selves. This trend indicates a growing desire for a more authentic and less artificially-enhanced look (although, we stand by the idea that there’s no “wrong” way to go about this—you should ultimately do what makes you feel good).

It’s a face lift in a bottle! A filler alternative! Nature’s Botox! You’ve likely heard the eager testimonials or even seen the slogans slapped on product labels themselves.

In the beauty industry, these promising claims are often met with an eye roll—they’re hyperbolic at best, potentially problematic at worst. Even the most sophisticated topicals can rarely replicate the effects of a cosmetic procedure, so if one promises to manually lift the skin? Meh, likely folklore.

But the industry is constantly evolving, and right now marks an exciting time in the firming topical space. Recently, a slew of innovations has caught our attention: patented peptides, epidermal growth factor technologies, topical exosome therapies, and so on. And it turns out, their firming capabilities are not so far-fetched.

Scalp health is key to beautiful, thicker, and healthier hair.

You likely have a pretty curated hair care routine, with shampoos and conditioners selected to suit your type, texture, and color, an assortment of stylers, and a bevy of hot tools at your disposal. But do you have a scalp care regimen?

Despite the important role that the scalp plays, it often goes neglected, which can disrupt the delicate balance of the skin in this area. When your scalp’s microbiome isn’t functioning properly, hair won’t grow to its full potential, and can result in irritation, flakes, and plain discomfort.

Thankfully, beauty brands have taken note. Until recently, scalp care was almost exclusively focused on dandruff treatments, but there’s been a shift. Now, formulas are designed to maintain, soothe, nourish, clarify, and stimulate the scalp. There’s truly something for everyone — all you have to do is find your perfect match. Here, we’ve curated a selection of the best scalp treatments for every concern, plus tapped experts to break down exactly how to give this special skin precisely what it needs.