Adaptogens, Spiritual Healing and a Lot of Serums: The Real Routine of Allies of Skin's Nicolas Travis
August 19 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
We’re lifting the curtain on the habits of the truly beauty-obsessed – in glorious, granular detail. Their going-to-bed routines, the facialists in their Instagram ‘Close Friends’ and the weird and wonderful rituals they usually keep behind closed doors. Total honesty, zero gatekeeping and product recommendations galore: take note.
What do Jessica Alba, Phoebe Tonkin and Lola Tung have in common? A close friendship with the founder of Allies of Skin, Nicolas Travis. Since launching his skincare brand back in 2016, Travis’ supercharged formulas have prepped endless red-carpet faces, cementing itself as a firm beauty favourite of A-listers everywhere.
But Travis’ journey hasn't always been glamorous. Allies of Skin was inspired by his skin difficulties growing up, a journey which culminated in a freak accident, reconstructive surgeries and several hospital stints. “My therapist said… ‘If you had no choice but to live, what would you want to achieve by the time you’re 30?’ It was then that I came up with the idea of having a skincare line,” Travis previously told MECCA Memo.
After decades of mental, physical and spiritual healing, Travis is an expert in finding calm among the chaos. Here, the skincare mogul shares everything he does in the name of beauty – from sound baths to stem cells.
Custom Skincare Creations
Travis’ top shelf is filled with his own creations – the serums, moisturisers and masks coming soon to the Allies of Skin range.
“Right now, I’m truly obsessed with custom exosomes. I’m also a big believer in brightening my skin without exfoliating,” he explains. “Sometimes I use our Azelaic & Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum, sometimes I use our Retinal 0.1% & Peptides Advanced Repair Night Cream, or I use them together. Right now, I use three serums a day, and that works for me. I’m not saying more is more, but serum layering has worked for me because I know exactly which actives to pair together to get the best results.”
Putting In the Spiritual Work
The best thing Travis has ever done for his skin? “I grew up with trauma, and the spiritual work I’ve done has given me better skin. I look at myself differently,” he says. “When you forgive people who have hurt you, when you forgive your past, when you forgive yourself... things start to shift. You start to look at yourself differently, and that’s when you start to look truly radiant. It’s a glow that’s not from products. It’s standing in your power – your skin is a reflection about how you feel about yourself on the inside.”
On Going With His Gut
Movement and Meditation
In addition to working out with a trainer five to six times a week, Travis regularly finds time to meditate. “I really value those moments when I can be by myself, talk to God and allow myself to daydream. I don’t get a chance to daydream enough. When I’m feeling frantic, like a hamster on a wheel, I try to sit, pause and reflect, to think about my future desires,” he says.
“In saying that, I think I’m still figuring out what sleep hygiene is,” he laughs. “My new thing is listening to a sound bath and reading for a few hours before bed. I’ll eat an early dinner, put a face mask on and read – it’s multitasking! You’re taking care of your nervous system, your skin and your mind. It’s all about doing the inner and outer work."
Skin on Lock
When it comes to treatments, Travis loves to get regular lymphatic drainage facials and sports massages, as well as pico short-pulse laser treatments and potenza microneedling for smooth, radiant skin.
Having a comprehensive routine and trying cutting-edge health treatments benefits Travis beyond just having really, really good skin. “That’s why I’m able to travel every week, across different time zones, and not fall sick. I’ve prepared my body to handle that pressure,” he says.
