I’ve tried so many Allies of Skin and sister brand’s PSA products that I feel pretty confident to tell you which products are worth your money. What do I mean by that? Well, I want a product that gives both immediate and long-term results AND gives me a pleasant sensory experience. Let’s do it! Best of Allies of Skin: best bang for your buck!
The brand
Allies of Skin was founded 2019 by Nicolas Travis in Singapore. 2020 he launched a more affordable sister brand called PSA. There is no question: looking at the skincare landscape, Allies of Skin (and, to a degree, PSA) is expensive. Their line-up also tends to be confusing: looking at their products, everything seems to be ‘brightening’, ‘refining’, ‘firming’ or ‘glow enhancing’ and who doesn’t want that?!
It makes it difficult to check out the suitable products for you and your skintype, too. BUT! I’m here to help. I’ll show you which of all the AOS and PSA products I’ve tried, give you the most bang for your buck: meaning, which provide both immediate and long-term effects.
You’re looking for a brightening, glow-enhancing product?!
Now, the caveat: I’ve never tried any of their AHA or BHA products, because I usually don’t use acids, and I’ve never used their retinoids, because I’m not straying from my HGs in that department. So, there’s a lot off products I haven’t actually used – but then, a lot I actually have. What’s more, I’ve used up every product mentioned below, and in some cases, even more than one bottle.
You’re in the right place if you’re looking for a brightening product that promotes an even skintone and a bit of glow to add to your routine. Of course, their USP is that their formulas are absolutely packed with actives, so you’ll likely get a nice mix of additional antioxidants and goodies thrown in the whole thing, which will likely free you of the need to add another antioxidant product or similar into your routine. That’s their appeal, and also the reason for their price point.
(Speaking of price point, they basically axed their points system, because now, it’s completely useless. More here.)
Ranking from worst to best!
10) Follow The Light & Light Up Masks
Yeah, no. Follow the Light is a multi-acid mask in the vein of The Ordinary’s BHA & AHA ‘Vampire Peel’, while Light Up is a Vitamin C wash-off mask. Both had no to adverse effects on my skin, so they’re in the absolute last spot of my ranking. NOT worth your money. (Also, with wash-off products, I’m a bit more wary of splurging: simply because the product has little time to give off benefits, no matter how packed it is with goodies.) Also, the tubes come with problems: they often just stop working.
9) Tranexamic & Arbutin Brightening Serum
- Original review
- 1 fl/oz is $101 (not available in Europe right now)
This includes tranexamic acid, arbutin, niacinamide and the usual suspects (antioxidants, peptides). 5% niacinamide do the heavy lifting for the advertised ‘brightening’ here. I’ve never met a tranexamic serum that actually did anything for me, and it’s the same here. It also smells heavily of the mushroom extract included, which I don’t like. Neither liked the feel, nor appearance of my skin, nor did I see long-term effects. For the price, that hurts.
8) Liquid Panacea
A simple antioxidant serum. Tiny, and expensive, with a dash of hydrators and centella. No, really: they put centella and antioxidants in literally every product they release. You don’t need an extra booster. Waste of money.
7) Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist
This has mainly Niacinamide and antioxidants: it’s a glow product for acne-prone skin. I found it a bit too glowy and sticky, bit if your skin is acne-prone AND you still want glow, this might be great for you. I used it as a simple toner, because I don’t do long-haul flights any more (for which it is mainly promoted) – who knows, maybe I’d love it under different circumstances. As it is, I’m whelmed.
6) Reset Cleanser
I so loved the texture when I used this, even if the tube is the wrong kind of packaging for the runny formula. But then, it was only suitable for my morning cleanse, because it wouldn’t remove makeup. Bummer. But for the price, it should do more than ‘feel nice’.
5) Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
This is hyped, and rightly so: due to some nifty film-formers, you get some immediate firming action, but I didn’t like the side effect: my concealer would sit so badly on this. It broke up and creased every time, so I just used it in my evening routine. Therefore, I missed out on the nice smoothing effect, and also didn’t see any long-term effects.
4) The Most Serum
This actually matches my personal preferences to a Tee, and I do love it and have repurchased it. Hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and panthenol is the ingredient list of my dreams, and the hyaluronic acid actually does some plumping on my skin. Which is a first for me. It also works very nicely as a base under sunscreen.
3) Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster
The serum comes with 10% niacinamide, antioxidants, centella and soothing ingredients and is a winner. Compare it with Paula’s Choice’s Niacinamide Booster (which is actually more expensive if you look at the cost per gram) and it’s the more modern option: trendy centella and a bit more modern aox. Both do the same for me: long-term, my skin is less dull and more even. The packaging (pump mechanism) isn’t ideal, though: the product tends to crystallize around the nozzle.
2) Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
What do you look for in a moisturizer? I want a luxurious texture, and ingredients that have a bit of oomph: I don’t want neither heavy-duty actives (retinoids) nor run-of-the-mill antioxidants – those I get via my serums anyways.
THIS doesn’t disappoint. It comes with peptides, aox, niacinamide and ceramides and truly does it all: moisturize, soothe and brighten. When I got it first, I had the flu for about four weeks, in which I would be too tired to go for long skincare routines, and instead used only this moisturizer. And no matter how shitty I felt (and boy, did I feel shitty) my skin looked great. And I was a fan for life. The only downside is the horrible packaging: the tube mechanism starts sputtering and stop working in every other tube I had. Absolutely not okay for the price.
1) 20% Vitamin C Serum
This is a Vitamin C derivative in a silicone base with some mica. Look, usually, pure Acorbic C works well for me. But it comes with issues: High potential for irritation, and a short timeframe in which it’s good to use. Pure Vitamin C tends to go off really quickly. So this is a very smart formula, and what’s more is: I couldn’t see a difference if I used this derivative or pure Ascorbic Acid. This would potentially work great for people who can’t tolerate a high amount of pure Ascorbic Acid. It also gives you an insane immediate glow that doesn’t feel overly sticky. Yes, the glow is only mica, but honestly, this ticks all the boxes: immediate and long-term results in a great formula. (Beware, application comes with a learning curve: apply on wet skin only.) Love.
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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