When it comes to slowing down the visible signs of skin aging, there’s no shortage of options. From serums that plump and firm to injectables that smooth and lift, there are plenty of solutions out there that actually work. But when it comes to our hair? Not so much.
The biggest sign of hair aging is going gray, and for so long, the only way to treat this pigment change was reactionary—or in other words, dyeing it back. It was this limitation that inspired the creation of Arey, a brand that touts itself as “the wrinkle cream of hair.” Its line of products works to slow the graying process before it happens while also re-pigmenting hair that’s already started to fade. It launched in 2021 with an oral supplement and topical serum and has since expanded with a shampoo, conditioner, and styling treatment to give consumers a full, gray-fighting regimen.
How it works
As you probably know, your hair doesn’t go gray all at once. The process happens gradually, and your hair slowly loses melanin (which gives it pigment) as it goes from brown, black, red, or blonde to white. When it’s somewhere in the middle of this spectrum—about 25 percent gray—it’s possible to revive some of its melanin, and that’s where Arey’s go-to peptide comes in. The powerhouse ingredient slows down the progression of gray hair, and in some cases, can even help re-pigment hair that’s already gray by stimulating a melanin receptor in your follicles.
For instance, Arey’s To The Root topical serum ($55) delivers this peptide directly to your scalp, whereas the Wash Shampoo ($36) distributes it to your entire hair shaft. To borrow an analogy from the skin-care world, think of To The Root as your hair’s eye cream, or a spot treatment you can use to target areas where you're already graying or where you expect to start graying based on your genetics (hot tip: you can look at your mom’s graying pattern for guidance). The shampoo, on the other hand, is your all-over active serum.
“It’s a way for us to get this peptide all over the head where you might not see or feel problems yet,” says Jay Small, one of Arey’s co-founders. “The shampoo is formulated to be gentle and used every day as a general cleanser, but it also has these clinically effective peptides and this combination of antioxidants, which work on opening this scalp so that this peptide can get to the follicle and perpetuate cellular activity.”
The Smooth Conditioner ($32) doesn't include peptides “because conditioners don’t touch the scalp,” says Small. Instead, it addresses age-related textural changes. Gray and graying hair often feels brittle and dry because color molecules provide mass inside of a hair strand, so as your hair starts to lose pigment, it’s like slowly deflating a balloon. When this happens, the cuticle (a scale-like layer on the outside of your hair) doesn’t have much supporting it from the inside, which is what causes the rough texture. So while the peptides in the shampoo work to beef up the hair from the inside, the conditioner ensures the strands get the moisture they need to stay smooth and healthy.
Small says you can use these as your go-to shampoo and conditioner or cycle them into your routine as you see fit. “When the peptides are applied, they're very active and excellent,” he says. Just know that results may not be as strong if your use is inconsistent, so be sure to work them in every few washes.
Shop more Arey products
Size: 66ml
The To The Root Serum not only prevents, but also reverses gray hairs. The star ingredient is Arey’s Mela-9 Complex, a combination of antioxidants and peptides, to restore pigment at the root while maintaining hair thickness. Its oil-free formula won’t weigh strands down or leave them feeling greasy.
Size: 29ml
Arey’s Calm It Down Scalp Serum is ideal for those with scalps that need soothing after exposure to hair dyes, relaxers, and other chemicals. It contains ingredients to relieve redness, swelling, and irritation, and the brand’s Mela-9 Complex to re-pigment gray hairs while repairing damage caused by oxidative stress.
Size: 100ml
If you have an oily scalp that’s prone to buildup, the Arey Scrub Scalp Exfoliant will keep it clear. It’s infused with a combination of salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid to unclog the pores and keep the scalp fresh and free of debris until the next wash. It also contains Mela-9 Complex to maintain the hair’s natural pigmentation.
Size: 15g
The Arey Wait A Sec Dry Shampoo packs a one-two punch to absorb oil and refresh hair while preventing grays with Mela-9 Complex. The tinted powder doesn’t leave behind a dusty residue, and its fragrance—a combination of cedar and sage—leaves hair smelling as fresh as it looks after use.
Size: 60ml
If you often style your hair with hot tools, Arey’s Mend Heat Protectant Leave-In will safeguard against temperatures up to 450 degrees. Not only does the formula offer heat protection, it also works to minimize breakage caused by using hair styling tools.
Size: 120ml
Arey’s Light Live In Mist leaves hair shinier, softer, and more hydrated, all while protecting it against UV rays that accelerate the graying process. It’s also ideal for those with color-treated hair. It’s formulated with Borēaline Protect, which helps to extend your hair color’s vibrancy and longevity.
Includes: Not Today, Grey, To The Root Serum, Wash Shampoo, Smooth Conditioner, Live In Mist Leave-In Conditioner, Wait A Sec Dry Shampoo, Scrub Scalp Exfoliant, Mend Heat Protectant Leave-In, and The Comb
If you want to experience the full array (heh) of Arey’s hair-care products, consider this 9-piece set. It comes with everything you need to cleanse, hydrate, and protect your hair, along with a medium-tooth comb that is suitable for most—if not all—hair types.
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