We are committed to looking at the aging process of hair in a different way – with curiosity, science and optimism. Not fear, shame or guilt.
Our Story
Arey | 'a-ray': Derived from the French word arrêt, meaning “stop".
Known as The Wrinkle Cream of Haircare®, Arey is the first functional beauty brand to target aging hair with a proactive, science-driven approach.
The seedling for Arey originated when our co-founder Allison Conrad saw her first grey hairs, which prompted her to question why there wasn’t an alternative to accepting it, or covering it up with chemical dyes that have been shown to increase the risk of cancer. With a plethora of creams to prevent wrinkles, SPF to protect our skin and exercise regimens to keep our bodies in shape, there simply wasn’t a proactive solution for getting on top of aging hair.
Upon discovering that science has shown there is only one gene (IRF4) that accounts for 30% of why we go grey, she began to research vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that could aide in replenishing the body with what it needs to preserve hair pigment and counteract oxidative stress. After creating a daily regimen that included more individual pills than she'd like to admit; she set out to create a single supplement to support hair color.
Thus began a journey with her beloved hairstylist Jay Small, who shared the same passion for creating a solution to a problem he's seen many times over with his clients over the past 20 years. Along with a group of talented and experienced medical and scientific professionals, they created an entirely new category in haircare. From a daily supplement to topicals, Arey offers a full line of clean, innovative products formulated with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and a clinically efficacious peptide to slow and repigment greys- with the added benefit of growing thicker, fuller, softer, and healthier hair.
Allison Conrad is an entrepreneur and operator focused on consumer brands and e-commerce. Allison received her BA from Duke University, launched a side-hustled fashion brand online, received her MBA from Stanford University, ran a beauty brand and most recently has been consulting and advising tech-enabled consumer companies.
Jay Small is a sought-after hair stylist in Los Angeles with over 18 years experience, whose clients consist of high profile business and creative leaders. He trained as an apprentice to the owner of Paul Mitchell and worked in education and product development for Paul Mitchell Systems. Jay is incredibly passionate about the creative process both in terms of styling hair as well as developing effective products.
Valerie George is a cosmetic chemist, hair and hair color expert, science communicator, educator, leader, and avid proponent of transparency in the beauty industry. She most recently worked on the latest research in hair color and hair care as Executive Vice President at a leading salon professional brand. Today, she formulates for and lends expertise to brands at Simply Formulas. She is a two-time past chair of the California Chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, past chair of the Committee on Scientific Affairs for the National Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and a recipient of the California Chapter Merit Award for her services to the Society. Valerie is also the co-host of The Beauty Brains podcast.
JoAnne Conrad MS RD received her Master of Science Degree in nutrition at Kansas State University and completed a dietetic internship at the University of Michigan. She has served as a clinical dietitian, a clinical research consultant in the biotech industry, and a clinical supervisor at Kaiser Permanente. Most recently, she has been instructing continuing medical education courses for over 10 years to pharmacists on dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals.
Dr. Ken Conrad MD received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania and his post-graduate training at the University of Kansas and the University of Colorado. He is board certified in internal medicine and clinical pharmacology and was on the faculty at the University of Arizona. He was the head of clinical pharmacology for pharmaceutical and biotech companies before launching Conrad Pharmaceutical Consultants Inc., overseeing clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies for over 20 years.
We are Arey.
Have questions? Say hey@areygrey.com.