Meet The Founder

Prepare To Revolutionise Your Skin Care Ritual

Mum-boss-marathon runner? If you (like so many) are the definitive, time-poor multi-hyphenate, we’ve just discovered the answer to all your skin care prayers. {Allies of Skin} heralds a new dawn in the way you perceive product, and we caught up with its creator – Nicolas Travis – who talked us through what this exciting brand is all about…

{Cult Beauty} Could you begin by providing a quick breakdown of how the range came about? A little bit about your inspiration and what makes ‘Allies of Skin’ so unique?

{Nicolas Travis} I suffered from really bad acne as a teenager and found the process of shopping for products incredibly intimidating. There are so many hollow promises within the beauty industry – as well as a fear-based directive. How many times have you left a store, hundreds of dollars poorer that you’ve been guilt-tripped into buying? 

I believe that skin care should empower, and should cater to real people – I wanted to create a range that would liberate everyone (particularly women) from the pressures of disguising or concealing ‘imperfections’. The ability to up and leave the house without make up is so life-changing, and that’s what {Allies of Skin} is all about – empowering with every product. 

I’m not a fan of the term ‘anti-ageing’ because that connotes that ageing is somehow bad – instead of the privilege it really is. We get older with each new day – there’s nothing we can do to stop the process – but we can strive to be the best versions of ourselves at any age. Through {Allies of Skin}, I hope to provide the joy and freedom that comes when you feel good about yourself.

Our products are time-saving, nutrient reservoirs that reverse the effects of life well lived – neutralising the effects of too much alcohol, stress and too-little sleep.

{CB} At the moment, there are only three products – All-Day Mask, Toner Mist and Overnight Mask. Why was it important to create such a streamlined collection, and who did you have in mind when developing the line?

{NT} There’s so much noise in the marketplace right now – the last thing we want to do is contribute to the ‘white noise’.

The goal with our {24/7 Kit} (which compromises all three products) was to go back-to-basics and create an effortless solution for tired, stressed and problematic skin. We’re inspired by the modern multi-hyphenate – the individual who is a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a go-getter and while having to juggle all of that, wants to look and feel good. 

This is why we created our leave-on masks. They work throughout the day/night to repair and nourish – so you can entrust us to care for your skin, while you get on with living your (increasingly hectic) lives!

{CB} Two of your products are described as ‘masks’, and yet they’re not designed to be removed. How do the ‘All-Day’ and ‘Overnight’ treatments differ from traditional day-or-night creams?

{NT} Traditionally masks are concentrated products that you would use once or twice a week for 20-30 minutes then rinse off to give your skin a boost. We took that concept and re-energised it, because there are days when you don’t the time, patience or energy to sit and wait for masks to dry…

Our {1A Masks} are concentrated ‘booster’ treatments (a lot more concentrated than traditional moisturisers) designed to be worn daily. Think of them as multi-nutrient supplements for your skin. Just like you would boost wellbeing with a multi-vitamin, these masks are the skin care equivalent.

What’s more, they ‘shield’ your skin from the damaging effects of everyday environmental stress – a mask between complexion and the elements. Whether it’s pollution, cigarette smoke or a dehydrating plane cabin atmosphere, these masks are your first line of skin defence.

{CB} Can you adopt them into your existing skin care ritual? If you’re besotted with an oil or serum, how/at what stage would you add these ‘masks’ into your everyday routine?

{NT} The masks are concentrated enough to be used on their own, but we know that it’s fun to play with other products. Treat them as you would a moisturiser – layer on top of your serum, or supplement with a few drops of face oil. 

They’re also multi-tasking – apply to lips and cuticles, and around the eye area. 

{CB} The mist is miraculous – the whole office is obsessed. What makes it so different from your typical, sweetly-scented floral waters? Can you talk us through the ingredients?

{NT} The {Molecular Saviour Toner Mist} is more than just a toner. It’s a liquid ‘complexion booster’. Alcohol-free with a rosewater base, it’s supercharged with probiotics, antioxidants, silk amino acids, aloe vera, orange stem cells, anti-bacterial colloidal silver and a blend of precious, plant-derived oils – it’s essentially a nutrient reservoir.

With every spritz you’re ‘feeding’ skin with hydrating, blemish-battling, soothing, energising and revitalising nutrients, as well as creating a free radical-fighting shield between complexion and the elements. You can use it after cleansing – as well as anytime throughout the day (on top of make up) to counteract signs of fatigue. It’s best used just before the 1A Masks to maximise their glow-bestowing benefits.

{CB} You recommend the range for all skin types and all ages – including acne sufferers. What beauty benefits should be expected, and how long (roughly) should they take to manifest?

{NT} Every formula has been tested extensively – on people in their 20s to their 60s, of all races and skin types. Our aim is happy, healthy skin and all three products are clinically proven to reduce acne by 36% (1A All-Day Mask), 42.7% (Molecular Saviour Toner Mist) and 67.2% (1A Overnight Mask) in just 28 days.

Fundamentally, our products train your skin to become ‘smarter’ – it gets better at moisture-retention, cellular renewal and the production of growth factors, collagen, elastin… all the building blocks that keep it firm and ‘youthful’. 

You should start to see results within a couple of weeks; with clearer skin within one month. You’ll also experience an immediate tightening and de-puffing effect when you apply the {1A All-Day Mask} because of the optimal levels of caffeine. 

{CB} If you wake up and you’re full of cold/hungover/jet-lagged – what’s your ‘quick-fix’ formula for looking human, even when you feel horrendous.

{NT} I am a big believer that life’s too short not to over-indulge – wine and margaritas are a huge part of my life. I keep two teaspoons in the freezer for the mornings when I need an instant pick-me-up, and I store a bottle of {Molecular Saviour Toner Mist} in the fridge which I spritz liberally to ‘revive’. 

I follow with a generous layer of {1A All-Day Mask} – two if I’m feeling particularly ‘prunish’ or dehydrated – then add another layer of the mist. It takes less than three minutes but makes a massive difference.

Mist-Mask-Mist – that’s my formula.

{CB} And finally, are there any further products in development? What’s next for Allies of Skin? 

{NT} Yes! We have a range of ‘boosters’ in the pipeline – two multi-tasking, game-changing products that will give your skin and instant shot of dewiness and luminosity.

Thanks so much Nicolas! Now watch this space…

DISCOVER ALLIES OF SKIN >>



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...