What’s up with Allies of Skin Niacinamide Booster? Let’s find out in the following Allies of Skin Niacinamide Booster review.
The Brand
Allies of Skin was founded 2019 by Nicolas Travis in Singapore. 2020 he launched a more affordable sister brand called PSA.
- More: Allies of Skin Peptides Moisturizer review
- More: Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist
- And even more: 20% Vitamin C Serum
- And: the eye cream
- The Tranexamic Serum
AoS is a high-priced brand that prides itself on using highly concentrated, clinically proven ingredients. Its products are packed with actives – think Paula’s Choice on steroids.
Allies of Skin Niacinamide Booster review – Description
This daily booster is supercharged with 10% Niacinamide, 12 Pore Refiners and Brighteners, Pre and Probiotics, Centella, and Goji Berry Complex to visibly refine pores, brighten, and strengthen the skin barrier.
Allies of Skin
What it is
A niacinamide booster – but with benefits. Niacinamide products are a dime a dozen, but this booster comes with a few goodies that make it special.
What is niacinamide and do I need it?
Niacinamide or Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 (more about Niacinamide here!). It’s a water-soluble vitamin that’s also found in certain foods.
Niacinamide stimulates ceramide production (ceramides are generally called ‘the cement between the building blocks of our skin’ – they’re lipids that protect from transepidermal water loss) and inhabit inflammatory processes. It also helps to regulate sebaceous glands that produce oil, and helps to build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm. When it comes to hyperpigmentation, it works as an tyronase inhibitor.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Bisabolol, Silver, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Lysophosphatidic Acid, Lysolecithin, Lecithin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Ribose, Ubiquinone, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sea Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, O-cymen-5-OL, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol.
Allies of Skin
Nice and noteworthy
Niacinamide, obvi. Learn more anbout Nias here, but suffice it to say that they are the swiss army knife of skincare – they do it all, from pore refining, to anti-aging, to brightening.
For brightening, we also have Licorice Root Extract, and a lot of soothing ingredients, too. Centella Asiatica, Bisabolol (derived from chamomile) and Green Tea Extract. We also have a lot of free-radicals fighting antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid, and the pre- and probiotics mentioned in the product name. While the skin’s microbiome is a hot new keyword, it’s not really known how skincare products can boost it.
Application
Oh AoS, it’s sure as anything that your packaging will raise problems. In the case of the pump bottle we have here, the ingredients tend to crystallize around the nozzle and block it. Wipe it off after every use, and complain to CS. An 80€ serum shouldn’t have those issues. (A lot of AoS packaging does suck, though, and I’ve written about it in my reviews.)
I usually use one pump of the booster in the morning and evening, and generally mix it into my toner or moisturizer. Shake before use!
I’m rather thankful that this one doesn’t smell of anything. It’s a brownish liquid, and as a booster, works very well – it can be easily mixed into a lot of products, and isn’t sticky or in any way uncomfortable to use.
Effect
Niacinamide is one of those actives that I see only the effect of when I stop using them. It’s giving me not a directly visible effect like the glow from a mask, but whenever I stop using a Niacinamide Booster, no matter from Paula’s Choice or this, two or three weeks later I will notice my skin looking a tiny bit duller, rougher, worse.
For me, Niacinamide (preferably in a 10% concentration) is a staple in my routine. I do take care, though, that I don’t use too much of it, as higher doses can lead to irritation. Nowadays, niacinamide is in a lot of skincare and even makeup products. If I use those, I skip the booster, because too much of a good thing can quickly take a turn for the worse.
Comparison?
I mean, we HAVE to compare it to Paula’s Choice’s Niacinamide Booster, don’t we? So, you’ll be surprised to find out that the PC booster is actually more expensive when you look at cost per gram. Also, the formulation isn’t that different: both boosters come with not only niacinamide, but antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and brightening ingredients. Where they differ is the soothing ingredients: PC uses Allantoin and Panthenol, while AoS uses Centella Asiatica. PC has a dropper, AoS a (often misfunctioning) pump. I’m honestly not sure if I do favour one over the other.
Allies of Skin Niacinamide Booster review – Worth it?
If your skin likes Niacinamide, it’s a good AoS product to try.
Price & Availability
50ml for 80€ on the Allies of Skin site (wait for offers and deals, and sign up for their reward points). Zalando also often does very good offers.
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.
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