Next year will bridge the gap between wellness and beauty even more, and the neurocosmetics space is definitely having a moment. It’s not because it’s futuristic or complicated, but because it finally speaks to the way we actually live. Our faces are doing overtime, reacting to every notification, subway delay, Slack ping, and existential spiral, so it’s no wonder the beauty world decided to step in with formulas built to handle the emotional side of things, not just the visible ones.
These products aren’t promising enlightenment, but they are simply acknowledging that your skin doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It responds to your mood, your nervous system, your stress levels, your sleep (or lack thereof). And now, thanks to a new wave of neuro-active ingredients and sensorial design, skincare is starting to respond back.
These products are the ones you reach for on the mornings when your skin looks exactly how you feel, or at night when you want your routine to shut your brain up for 30 seconds.
Ahead, the neurocosmetics that actually deliver—here are the top 10 formulas that improve your skin and shift your mood.
Neuraé
Énergie The Cream
Énergie is one of the clearest examples of what a true neurocosmetic looks like. The formula is designed to interact with the skin–brain connection, using neuro-fragrance technology to spark a subtle lift in mood while the actives brighten and smooth. The result is an awake, energized feeling that makes your skin looks more alive.
BeautyLab
Relax Neuropeptide Serum
Relax Neuropeptide Serum goes after the kind of stress your skin actually feels—the tightness, the heat, the overwhelm. The neuro-active peptides help dial down those signals before they show up on your face, so everything looks a little smoother and a lot less reactive.
Selfmade
Rumination Recovery Balm
Selfmade’s Rumination Recovery Balm is basically skincare for when your mind is feeling a little overactive. The formula leans on neuro-active botanicals that help break the stress loop between your brain and your skin, so that tight, reactive feeling starts to ease up.
Youth to the People
Adaptogen Skin Repairing Moisturizer With Peptides for Sensitive & Dry Skin
Youth to the People’s Adaptogen Moisturizer is the one you reach for when your skin feels fried and your nerves aren’t far behind. The adaptogens help quiet the stress response happening under the surface, while the peptides repair your barrier.
The Serotoner doesn’t act like a regular face mist—it kind of snaps you back into yourself. The blend of botanicals and Griffonia gives your skin a quick hit of moisture, but there’s also a subtle mood lift that you feel the instant it settles.
HigherDose’s Endorphin Oil is what I reach for when I need a mood boost in bodycare form. The blend of magnesium, cacao, and warming botanicals helps your skin relax while giving you the super-hydrating benefits—much needed in this chilly winter can make us feel so dry.
Revision Skincare
CMT Post-Procedure Cream
Revision Skincare’s CMT Post-Procedure Cream gets your skin back to baseline fast. When everything feels hot, touchy, or overstimulated after a treatment, this cream steps up and works extremely effectively. It’s one of my favorites to use after a hot laser or microneedling.
Origins
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Cream
Mega-Mushroom fits into the neurocosmetics world because it doesn’t just soothe what you see—it quiets the stress signals happening underneath. The reishi and fermented mushrooms help dial down the skin’s overreaction mode, which is often tied to your nervous system firing too hard—the power of mushrooms is strong.
Ranavat
Brightening Dark Spot and Anti-Aging Facial Serum With Saffron and Turmeric
Ranavat’s saffron and turmeric serum goes on light and unfussy, but it does more than brighten. The botanicals have neuro-active properties that help dial down the stress signals that make skin look dull and tight. The result is a beautiful, clear complexion.
Dermalogica
Neurotouch Symmetry Serum
The NeuroTouch Symmetry Serum is designed to help your skin and nervous system get back on the same page. The formula targets the micro-tension patterns that make your face look uneven or stressed, using neuro-active ingredients to create facial balancing.