Allies of Skin Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial: Glycolic + Lactic + Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, 1% Retinoid Complex. Overnight Sleeping Peel. 1.7 oz / 50 ml

This comes in an outer product box. Ingredients are listed. It is made in USA. Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid Gel - Next-generation hyaluronic acid gel provides concentrated moisture to skin. Also helps strengthen skin barrier. 7% Glycolic + Lactic + Salicylic Acids - A powerful blend of alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids work to unclog pores and lighten dark spots while boosting hydration 1% Retinoid Complex - Next-generation hydroxypinacolone retinoate reduces appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and breakouts. I love that this gives the percentage of retinoid and acids. I’ve been doing tons of research through my skin care journey, and the different retinoids can be very confusing, but I thought I knew what they all were. I had never heard of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, so I had to look it up. It is shortened to HPR. Turns out it’s a newer member of the retinoid family. It is a retinoic acid ester. The active ingredient our skin cells can interpret is retinoic acid. Other forms of retinoids have to be converted by our metabolic machinery to do something. That's not the case with HPR. It binds directly to the retinoid receptors of the skin cells to work its skincare magic. The big promise of HPR is that it's similarly active as retinoic acid (no conversion needed, remember) but without the irritation. The results of HPR are very promising, but it’s still pretty new. I love that this is a leave on peel. You get the effects of the peel without having to put it on and wait around to wash it off. You just apply this and leave it on overnight! It has a creamy consistency. It’s a brown color. It’s definitely not the most appealing color, but if it works I don’t care! It has a slight smell, that I can’t really place. But, I don’t mind because it’s so slight and I’d rather have that than synthetic fragrance, which this doesn’t have! A little goes a long way. It just takes about 1 pump to do my whole face and neck area. It glides onto the skin easily. It feels very moisturizing. It leaves a kind of shiny look to the skin and even a slight greasy feel, but it’s very slight so it doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t have sensitive skin at all and do peels all the time. When I first applied this, I did feel slight tingling and my skin even got a little red, but that faded after I had it on for a little while. So, I’m not sure if this is great for someone with sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to not leave it on overnight and just wash it off after a little bit. The morning after using this, my skin is so smooth and looks brighter. I really love this! I have tried different types of peels. Usually, the ones I’ve found make the most difference for me are ones I have to apply, wait a bit, then wash off. It’s kind of an inconvenience to have to wait and wash it off. So, leave on ones always appeal to me where I can just apply it and forget about it until the next morning. But, they never seem strong enough where I notice changes in my skin. This one is different! I feel it’s strong enough because I definitely notice a difference even after just using it once! It made my skin look smoother and brighter, my skin was softer. My skin just looked healthier overall. A lot of peels can sometimes make your skin seem drier, at least for me, but this one doesn’t. My skin always looks so hydrated! I love it! It says use 2-3 nights in a row. I’ve started using it 2 nights a week. If you’re looking for a leave on peel that has great ingredients and is strong enough to make a difference in your skin, I’d definitely recommend this!

While I love how loaded this cream is with stuff that is good for the skin, I have to say that it sadly didn't agree with my skin in particular. It left my skin look dull and uneven, with larger pores. And my skin is not new to these types of ingredients. I believe the niacinamide is to blame, however, so I can't discount this product altogether. If your skin like niacinamide, this one may be a great choice for you.

The Allies of Skin (USA-made skincare brand) Multi Acids & Retinoid Brighting Sleeping Facial treatment was a surprise hit for me. I was concerned this would be too intense for my mature (over 40), Rosacea-reactive (sensitive), combination, congestion-prone face. Thankfully, it wasn't. Using it mindfully, as instructed, I tolerated the use without experiencing flares, irritation, new breakouts, excessive dryness/oiliness, or rash. Note: because I am extremely sensitive, I use it the same way I do any other retinol, as the last step in my skincare after my moisturizer, not before. I've found I get to glean the benefits and lessen the likelihood of irritation doing it this way. If you apply facial oils, I recommend using them another night or after you've applied this, not before. Facial oils can be an occlusive barrier and will inhibit the effectiveness of the treatment. Also, I am used to using retinol, AHAs, and BHAs regularly. I highly recommend anyone new to more intense treatments like this ease into use, starting off with one application and gradually increasing to 1-2 times a week to start. Per the instructions, users are urged to apply this treatment (step 4) to their face 2-3 nights in a row per week. PM only. I would not use this during the day given the concentration of actives/exfoliants. I would tell you to use an SPF in the AM as it will make your skin more sensitive to UV. Though you should be using an SPF every day regardless. Anyway, the gel is lightweight, not runny, and brown and does have a slight scent to it, but nothing overpowering or unpleasant. Doesn't linger. 2-3 pumps are more than enough with good spreadability. Coats and absorbs quickly into the skin (avoiding the eye and lip area). I "assume" Allies of Skin has formulated the amalgamation of the key exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, and Retinol complex) to play well together. Sometimes mixing certain actives can cause changes in pH, rendering one or all compounds to become inert or increases the risk for irritation for the user. The highlights are hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, along with 1% Retinoid complex. On the nights I used this treatment, I wash and tone with non-medicated (no PHAs, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C or A, derivatives) products. Then, to lessen the potential for irritation, I apply a thin layer of my favorite moisturizer and allow it time to dry or absorb into the skin. I brush my teeth, etc. Then I take a couple of pumps of this treatment and layer it over my face and neck. That's it. I will do this 2 nights in a row, maybe 3, or I will take a break between and use every other night instead of nightly ~3x a week. So far, no sensitivity, redness, or irritation. I like the use, quality, and effectiveness this appears to have on my skin. I don't wake up broken out, greasy, or dry. I think this multipurpose treatment makes for a wonderful chemical exfoliant with an antioxidant booster. I get everything I want in one tube instead of having to layer on multiple products day and night. The transparent brown treatment gel comes suitably packaged in a 1.7oz gray poly plastic tube with a pump-tip and retails for $88 as of this writing. The price point is in kind with the rest of the Allies of Skin line. So, to me, it is expensive but is also very effective. And this one is not intended for everyday use. Unlike some of their products, I would likely repurchase this as it did give me what I consider a wow factor in a short time: no irritation, cleared up and kept me from developing congestion along my trouble spots, and I don't have to use it every single night to see results. If I use it a few nights a week, I would say this tube will likely last me 3-4 months, making the cost way more palatable.

I bought this thinking that the amount of ingredients would make my skin glow. It didn’t. And the fact that I bought it for $103+ tax and 10 days later the price drops to $83 is very dissapointing. I actually wanted to return this item, but accidentally threw out the box it came in.

This sleeping facial has been really nice for my mature, cranky skin. I used it 3 nights in a row, and had no adverse effects. It's a gel consistency, and when you've applied it, it feels a bit like you have a mask on. That feeling does go away. It's also pretty neutral scented without any fragrance added. I'm new to Allies of Skin, but I've been pretty impressed with their products I've tried so far. My skin tends to be cranky. I have mature crepiness, with occasional oil spot eruptions that can occur pretty much anywhere. Because of that, I love that they include Niacinamide in this sleeping facial. Besides being a great anti-aging and wrinkle smoothing ingredient that also can fade pigmentation spots and brighten skin, it has sebum regulating and anti-inflammatory properties that really help my skin without making it drier than it already is. It also has anti-bacterial properties which can also be helpful. Niacinamide is considered a skin care "superstar" for all that it does. The full ingredients are: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Sodium Hydroxide, Yogurt, Lactic Acid (L), Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Saccharomyces/​Xylinum/​Black Tea Ferment, Honey (Mel), Honey Extract, Panthenol (D), Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate (L), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Physalis Angulata Extract, Galactoarabinan, Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Zymomonas Ferment Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum (Giant Knotweed) Extract, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Flower/​Leaf/​Stem Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Bisabolol (L-Alpha), Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Maltodextrin, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Acrylate/​Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol Highlights: ‣Anti-acne: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid ‣Antioxidant: Galactoarabinan, Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate ‣Exfoliant: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid (L), Salicylic Acid ‣Skin brightening: Niacinamide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid ‣Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate (L) ‣Soothing: Salicylic Acid, Honey (Mel), Panthenol (D), Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Bisabolol (L-Alpha), Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside ‣Antimicrobial/antibacterial: Honey (Mel) ‣Moisturizer/humectant: Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid (L), Caprylyl Glycol, Honey (Mel), Honey Extract, Panthenol (D), Sodium Hyaluronate (L), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer-3, Zymomonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Glyceryl Acrylate/​Acrylic Acid Copolymer Most skin care products take quite a while to see results. After a few months, I'm sure my skin will thank me for the great ingredients. For now though, I already see improvement in my pore size and I've had no eruptions this week.

Allies of Skin is a "smart" beauty line, "designed with a busy lifestyle in mind to be simple to use while maximizing the functions of smart formulations that support your skin’s health." All of their products are certified cruelty-free by PETA and focused on clinical active ingredients without unnecessary additives. Their 35% C perfecting serum, has become a favorite, despite the high price point. Also very much like that Allies does NOT use any form of silicone, sulfates, alcohol, essential oils, dyes, or added fragrances. Allies' promotes a 4-step system—cleanse, tone, correct and moisturize—and all of their products are numbered as to what step they should be in your daily skincare routine. This cream is a "step 4" product, and I like that you can mix and match the Allies line to address whatever your primary skincare concern is. I'm not a stickler for a particular skincare brand though, so I absolutely mix brands, and don't always use a toner, but wash, serum, moisturize + sunscreen in the AM is my usual skincare routine, so the Allies line makes sense to me. (Remember: If you do mix and match brands, make sure you're not overlapping active ingredients, which can cause bad skin reactions.) This night cream is designed to be used 2-3 nights a week, in a row, and contains Retinols and AHA/BHA exfoliants. It's kind of a mix of the Drunken Elephant Babyface and Shani Darden Resurfacing products, but a little gentler than both, which my somewhat sensitive skin appreciated. I also really liked that Allies advises limited use, instead of just pushing consumers to use ever more of their products. Because my skin is somewhat sensitive, I only did this for two nights to start, but I did notice immediate results. Allies suggest pairing this with a spray toner and you can also layer it over a Hyaluronic Acid serum for extra hydration, the latter of which I did. Woke up with smoother, brighter skin and noticeably smaller-looking pores. (I also used a facial oil first thing in the morning, and let that soak in for an hour or two before I showered and did my normal morning routine.) Something I would definitely use once or twice a month, as a reset for my tired, aging skin. (NOTE: This does a lot of the same things as other AHA/BHA treatments, like the Dr. Gross Alpha/Beta peel pads, for example, so be sure you're not doubling up.) Allies products are definitely expensive, but I appreciate how effective and well-made they all seem to be.

Effective and beneficial resurfacing treatment that works well with the natural exfoliant action of acid peels plus adds a boost of wrinkle softening action with retinioids added. As a cosmetologist and someone who really enjoys and appreciates (both giving and receiving!) a truly effective facial, I'm always excited to find products that truly do appear to do something rather than just being hyped up products that don't really deliver any true results. This product both provides visible results using acids to create immediately softer, more radiant skin and the long-acting use of retinoids will deliver long-term results as well. I LOVE these types of products - ones that show people what they want to see now, plus what they want to see down the road with consistent and dedicated use. These are the types of products that create passionate facial treatment enthusiasts and permanent believers in good skin care. The texture of this product is thin but creamy, a little like a gel-base almost but with more of a soft consistency. A very little amount will go an extremely long way, and the results are very noticeable, so don't be put off by the price. The glycolic acid resurfacing action will be seen immediately - your skin will be smoother, have a brightness and glow to it, and will show smaller pores. Retinol/retinoid action is more about time, but guaranteed change comes with commitment. Even with clients I see weekly for deep facials (who also perform skin care at home), results using retinoids will be seen slowly - but consistency is key, so stick with it. Sensitive skin users may need to be cautious with this one as it does have a powerhouse of ingredients, but always remember you can use less, and use a product more often - so don't be afraid to go slow, work your way up to tolerance, and back off a little if your skin shows irritation. Overall I'm happy with this product and will absolutely continue to use in both my home skin care routine and my professional toolkit as it's a wonderfully effective product that uses clinically-proven ingredients to create visually brighter, more youthful looking skin. Absolutely recommended to others.

PROS & CONS Allies of Skin Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial: Glycolic + Lactic + Salicylic Acid is another new company/new product for me. But, the promoted ingredients are very familiar and are considered serious skin changers. I mean why not exfoliate while you sleep with 7% AHAs + BHA, 1% RETINOID COMPLEX, and & 7 skin BRIGHTENERS. The company sure got my attention. On top of that, the catalyst for all this transformative goodness includes Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Panthenol (a moisturizer and humectant to retain moisture), and Manuka Honey (balances skin's pH level + being antibacterial). All the skin bases were covered, no? Not to be facetious, but there's everything in this night peel but the kitchen sink. I couldn't think of any skin needs that the ingredients wouldn't meet ... and all while I peacefully slumber. But a deeper dive past all that marketing hype into the ingredient list and order of their importance told a different story. Marketing claims aside, there are some important things to remember. Those with sensitive skin and allergies, like me, should always cautiously approach a peel with this many exfoliants as possibly too aggressive. For optimal results, I was surprised that the peel is directed to be used with their Molecular Savior Probiotics Treatment Mist ($59), before and after application. Note: It would have been nice for the company to mention this fact on the buy page BEFORE ordering. I DO NOT have the mist and needing it would have changed my mind about ordering. Shelling out $147 total for correct use of an overnight peel with as yet undetermined effectiveness is more of a gamble than I want to invest. However, application is quite easy: smooth a GENEROUS LAYER over damp skin, and spray the Molecular mist BEFORE and AFTER application. How effective is the peel without the mist? Who knows. The peel is to be used 2-3 nights in a row, but no mention of how regularly to use after that. One of my concerns is that the 1.7 oz won't last long at this rate, so however frequently it might be used on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis could be a pricey investment. And of course, absolutely use a sunscreen with this product. Sun sensitivity caused by AHAs, BHAs, and Retinol demand it. AHAs, BHAs, and Retinol are terrific for resurfacing skin and wrinkles, but there's another ingredient worth mentioning in this peel. Kambucha is a good topical anti-ager, either in drink form or topically. It detoxifies and hydrates skin, while also improving skin elasticity, texture, and brightens. A great way to combat wrinkles and fine lines, so I was excited by its inclusion in the formula, but not so fast... There are more concerns. This is the second skincare product ordered this week that includes RETINAL, instead of RETINOL. There are 3 grades of Retinoids: Retin-A is a prescription; RETINAL is less potent than Retin-A but more potent than traditional Retinol; and Retinol is the least potent, most familiar, and the one that we commonly find in skincare. Never heard of Retinal before? There's a reason for that. It's VERY hard to find in an effective form in skincare, and as such, there's not much market for it. Therefore I question its inclusion in skincare, and how effective it can be when listed so far down the ingredient list. Also, in this product it's listed as HYDROXYPINACOLONE RETINOATE, which appears FAR DOWN the ingredient list near the bottom, giving it questionable significance in negligible concentration, but very much hyped in the marketing claims. As long as an ingredient is somewhere in the list, marketing will hype/overhype the importance and benefit of it in the formula. Dishonest, but technically allowed. Companies know that most consumers don't know about these chemicals or that order of ingredients matters and affects the results significantly. The Top 5 primary ingredients in this peel are so ordinary that I did a double-take: #1 Water #2 Glycerin (a common moisturizer) #3 Glycolic Acid (skin exfoliator/whitener) #4 Polysorbate 20 (a harmless sugar alcohol in skincare) #5 Propanediol (a humectant for moisture retention) These are the main ingredients in this peel -- the ones that MATTER. Just typical ingredients in skincare. There's nothing in those primary ingredients that will make this peel perform as claimed. So, all the rest about the AHAs, BHAs, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Manuka Honey, amino acids, etc., etc., etc. is hype. Those attention-getting ingredients are all of lesser importance in increasingly negligible amounts the further down the list the appear. IS THE PEEL AS APPEALING NOW? Or worth the $88 price tag for those 5 ingredients? Or paying even more for the mist? Not for me. Again, knowledge is power for a consumer. There are (and I own) other incredible products that do what this one claims, without spending $147 to purchase an additional "mist" and possibly deal with sensitivities to the LONG list of 48 ingredients! And I did NOT LIKE THE BROWN COLOR OF THE PEEL. I find more often than not that the most expensive products are pure marketing hype because consumers equate price with quality, while the main ingredients are very ordinary and can't fulfill the claims. How many consumers cross-check the claims against the ingredient list? Few. There are significant cons to consider about the expense, the bloated number of overhyped ingredients, additional cost of secondary skincare product, the number of peel applications per tube, and sensitivity concerns. Ingredient lists and order of ingredients don't lie. My favorite analogy is running a chicken foot through hot water and calling it homemade chicken soup. This peel is not good chicken soup, and the marketing is misleading compared to the ingredient list. PASS.