That is – the Liquid Panacea Centella & Kombucha Firming Recovery Booster. Which is a mouthful, and also – a teeny tiny bit misleading?! (We’ll get to that.) Anyway, I tested Liquid Panacea for over a month. Here we are: my PSA Liquid Panacea review.
The Brand
PSA is the sister brand of super expensive Singaporean brand Allies of Skin (AoS) and means Purposeful Skincare by Allies. It was founded in 2020.
- More: PSA Reset Cleanser, The Most serum
What it is
(And what the eff does Panacea mean anyways?! – This is something I unashamedly love: a weird tangent. In this case, let’s go to Greek mythology, because Panacea is a Greek goddess “of universal remedy”, the daughter of Asclepios. The opening sentence of the Hippocratic Oath also mentions her. So you know. Her name, nowadays, is a byword for something “that is supposed to solve all problems – which is a pretty tall order.)
Going back to the product review at hand, here’s what the PSA site tells us about the product itself (and we’ll see why it’s called Panacea.)
Skincare woes will be no more with this booster that allows you to achieve new levels of skincare customisation. Be it dull/fatigued skin, redness or dehydration, this serum is the perfect add-on for all skin types. It’s supercharged with firming actives like 6% Kombucha & White Tea Blend, 5% Centella Asiatica Extract & Cells Blend, and Madecassoside that will improve and recover the overall quality of your skin.
PSA
Firms skin
Soothes skin
Provides antioxidant protection
PSA Liquid Panacea review: Ingredients
So. Soooooooooooooo. Sosososo. It truly does it all, doesn’t it?
It has different forms of centella, different forms of Hyaluronic Acid and some fermented stuff which is generally great for soothing and hydration. If we want soothing, firming and protection, this should do it. Why do I feel so confused then?!
Here’s why. While I was immediately sold by the “one size fits all” promise, the sad truth generally is that one size doesn’t fit all, and is, in fact, far away from it. That’s the same for skincare and socks.
Skincare brands, take note: making your claims as broad as possible, doesn’t help to sell the product. Because, if the average customer is first intrigued, they will then stare bemusedly at the product in their hands and wonder a) where the product might fit into their routine, and b) what it will actually do for their skin and c) then figure out that it doesn’t do what they hoped.
Which all, as you might’ve figured out by now, happened to me. Roped in by tag words like “firm”, “soothe” and “brighten”, I was rather disappointed when none of this happened.
But then: I finally understood.
THIS IS AN ANTIOXIDANT BOOSTER.
That’s it. That. Is. It.
Antioxidants 101
“Free radicals are produced by UVA (surprise!), smoking, and pollution. That process is called oxidative stress, and you’ll have heard about it in skincare PR many, many times. Skincare’s approach is using antioxidants topically to counteract oxidative stress.
Quoting myself from the “Antioxidants 101” post
Nevertheless, even bathing in antioxidants won’t, very likely, give you that ‘OMG have you been on a three week vacation?!’-effect. It’ll instead try to slow a natural process and to counteract environmental effects on your skin.”
Will you be able to observe the process? That’s rather unlikely. But: here’s where the PSA buzzwords come in, because oxidative stress will – on the long run – lead to sagging skin, loss of elasticity and micro-inflammations that might dull skin. All things Liquid Panacea vows to battle.
Application
PSA tells you to use “a few drops” after cleansing and toning. They also tell you that you can mix it with other products, which is what I’ve been doing. I put exactly one pump (drops are a bit difficult to produce with a pump) of the fairly thick white lotion into serums or moisturizers to give them a bit more heft. Right now, at the end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, I’m not introducing the products for a colder weather just yet. A booster with a few emollients and soothing properties is welcome, though.
Liquid Panacea plays nicely with all kinds of textures and products, used thusly, providing a good base for sunscreen and makeup. I still use it more often for my PM routines.
Effect
Cards on the table: I haven’t seen ANY soothing, brightening or firming effect from Liquid Panacea. That is to say – I haven’t seen any ADDITIONAL effect from it. I think I do reap all the soothing, brightening and firming effects from my usual skincare routine that is targeted especially towards those effects.
But, as we have seen, it’s exceedingly difficult to see an effect from antioxidant products (which is why they so often come with additional actives with potentially more dramatic results).
Comparison
I rarely go for products that’re simple antioxidant serums, boosters, or creams. I actually like a fairly minimalist (yes, really) skincare routine, and because antioxidants get used fairly often in whatever serum, cream, toner or whatever you’re using, I rarely see the need to spring for a product that does nothing but bring you antioxidants.
Texturally, from all antioxidant serums I’ve ever used, this is my favourite (here’s a closer view on Niod’s Survival 0 and Paula’s Choice’s Super Antioxidant Concentrate). Is it the best? That depends a bit what kind of antioxidants you want.
PSA Liquid Panacea review: Worth it?
Let me say that I don’t like the marketing for this one. As an antioxidant booster, it’s fine, but it’s also tiny, and expensive. I’m whelmed.
Before you commit to buying, please check your skincare routine: do you have a product that also comes with a whopping dose of antioxidants, like a lot of Paula’s Choice’s or Allies of Skin? Then very likely you don’t need another antioxidant product.
Availability and Price
I ordered at the AOS/PSA website, and was very pleased with the quick shipping (the warehouse for Europe is in the Netherlands). Niche-Beauty, Beautylish, Asos and Boots also carry the brand. 15ml/0.5 fl.oz. are $30/30€.
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
I’m with you, I like a product that saves me time and fuss but still delivers results. What’s your favourite all rounder?
Hi Deb, I absolutely love Paula’s Choice’s Ceramide-Enriched Moisturiser (it’s more of a serum imo) that combines VitC, Retinol and Ceramides – all things that my skin loves. Allies of Skin’s Peptides Moisturiser is also great, but the price tag is ouch!
That’s sounds interesting, I’ll give them a look. Thank you.
There’re also reviews for both on the blog here, if you’re interested!