Singapore-based beauty brand Allies of Skin combines supercharged concentrations of clinically proven actives that support the skin in as few steps as possible. These formula-first, science-based products work for every skin type and give noticeable results.
The Start of Allies of Skin
As a teenager, Allies of Skin founder Nicolas Travis was dealing with acne and skin issues. After experimenting with every skincare product he could try, Travis realized he would need to create his own formulas to get the results he was after.
Travis received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical and pharmaceutical science, followed by a master’s in international business. Wanting to combine these two aspects, Travis spent half a year developing a startup skincare business plan before putting it on hold to work in PR and social media. However, it wasn’t a fulfilling position.
Travis started working on Allies of Skin in 2013 and spent two-and-a-half years doing research and development. Realizing he only had enough money to launch one product, his brother and sister gave Travis a loan, leading to the official launch of three products in the spring of 2016.
In 2019, Sephora Asia launched Allies of Skin in every store. While visiting stores in countries like Malaysia and Thailand, however, Travis realized that the cost of one Allies of Skin product—roughly $120 for a moisturizer, at the time—was a quarter to a third of the monthly salary of a typical retail employee in those countries.
This led to the creation of clinically efficacious skincare that was also accessible. In 2020, Travis launched another skincare brand, PSA, with a price cap of $69, biodegradable packaging, and boxes printed with sustainable ink.
After a decade of developing and iterating on formulas, combining and experimenting with new active ingredients, and finding the right balance and amount of each, Allies of Skin now boasts more than a dozen simple skincare solutions.
About Allies of Skin
Travis describes “allies” as “people who have your back,” which is why Allies of Skin is a “customer-first, people-powered beauty brand.” The goal is to only create products that they themselves would want to use.
Allies of Skin focuses its line on “supercharged” formulas and flexible solutions. Each product uses high concentrations of clinically proven active ingredients to create results in as few steps as possible.
With actives such as vitamin C, retinol, antioxidants, and peptides, Allies of Skin combats common skin, from breakouts and dullness to uneven textures and dryness.
Allies of Skin also makes creating and adjusting a skincare routine easy with each box and bottle labeled with its order. With step 01: cleansers, step 02: mists, step 03: serums and boosters, and step 04: treatment moisturizers, eye creams, and oils, there’s no more guesswork when mixing and matching products for a customized routine.
In an interview with Allure, Travis said, “We’ll never be the kind of brand that says you have to use 10 steps from us to have the most success.”
As the brand grew and raised more funding, Travis began thinking more about what kind of brand he wanted Allies of Skin to be, and what the company would stand for. This is when he decided he wanted to move away from single-use plastic packaging. Today, all the Allies of Skin serums come in durable, high-quality glass packaging.
The company is also looking into refillable solutions as they continue to scale in an effort to be a more mindful and environmentally friendly skincare brand.
Furthermore, Allies of Skin is 100% cruelty-free and PETA-certified. While there are offices in Singapore, Berlin, and Bangkok, all the products are made in the United States under ISO and FDA standards and strict regulatory requirements.
The Products
Our skin is our body’s largest organ, so it’s natural that it needs extra care and nutrients to thrive and produce collagen. Allies of Skin focuses on fast-absorbing and luxurious-feeling formulas to “feed the skin what it needs and get out of its way,” as Travis told The Peak Magazine.
With an ethos of precision and quality, Allies of Skin’s products go through multiple rounds of rigorous testing before launch to assure the highest level of safety. They’re also dermatologically tested to minimize the risk of irritation while working with every skin type. The result is skincare with supercharged nutrient reservoirs perfect for busy modern-day individuals.
Every year, Allies of Skin creates new and unconventional products made fresh from the lab that push the boundaries of cosmetic dermatology. Here are some best-sellers to try out:
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
A staple in Travis’ own skincare routine, the Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream targets the undereye area to firm, brighten, and depuff the skin. It quickly and effectively minimizes the appearance of under-eye puffiness and gives an instant brightening and hydrating effect, but also works in the long term by helping build collagen and elastin for a firmer look, filling in fine lines, and can reducing the appearance of dark circles with consistent use.
As well as peptides and hydrating omega-rich oils, this nourishing cream features 1% Bakuchiol, 2% Squalane, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), and Ceramide. These ingredients add “supercharged” results, including moisture retention, and minimizing dullness, roughness, and signs of fatigue.
A newer Allies of Skin addition from 2021, Travis created this formula with a high-performance blend of four peptides “to ensure that it would be the only eye cream you’d ever need.” The rich, quick-absorbing texture leaves the skin looking and feeling more supple, and with daily use, this eye cream notably improves the appearance of dark undereye circles and crow’s feet.
The delicate eyelid skin is the thinnest and most sensitive skin on the body, but this cream works without irritation. It’s also vegan as this product does not contain any animal derivate.
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
The first creation of Travis and Allies of Skin, and the most-loved formula worldwide, the Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment hydrates, firms, brightens, refines, and protects the skin.
Created in 2016 (plus years of further development), this five-in-one treatment is “supercharged” with multiple peptides, seven brighteners, nine antioxidants, and a 3% Teprenone Complex.
The Teprenone Complex is an anti-aging active that helps extend the skin cell life span and protect against premature aging. The 7% peptide blend boosts collagen production, increases water content and retention, reduces redness, and improves the skin’s resilience. Finally, the brighteners and antioxidants smooth, refine, firm, and protect the skin for an even and radiant look.
This firming and damage-repairing treatment also contains 1.5% caffeine and 2% niacinamide to awaken and hydrate the skin.
With the concentration of a treatment mask and the ease of a moisturizer, this breathable formula absorbs quickly (despite its rich texture) for a seamless finish.
35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum
Another staple of Travis’ skincare, the 35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum brightens and firms the skin while providing antioxidant protection.
Created in 2018, this is the world’s first waterless 35% vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is a difficult-to-formulate ingredient as it starts to oxidize and turn brown when in contact with water. As a waterless formula, this serum remains fresh and highly potent.
The 35% concentration comes from 25% Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid and 10% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which minimize imperfections, boost collagen, provide photoprotection, and combat free radicals and harmful environmental aggressors, like UV rays and pollution.
This formula also features Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione. Superoxide Dismutase is a potent antioxidant produced naturally in our cells that also combats free radicals, premature aging, and dullness while evening the complexion. Another potent antioxidant, Glutathione helps target photoaging and battles both oxidative stress and free radicals for clearer, firmer, and more even-looking skin.
Another benefit of this water and oil-free serum is that it absorbs seamlessly without feeling heavy or greasy. It’s a preventative skincare solution that can also improve the appearance of discoloration and hyperpigmentation
Apply this serum after cleansing and misting or toning to very damp skin for optimal absorption. It can be used daily in the AM and/or PM and sits comfortably under makeup or without. Follow this serum with a moisturizer or face oil, and always use SPF protection as the final step in your routine.
Discover more supercharged skincare solutions from Allies of Skin here.
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