Low Key, Alo Yoga’s New Skincare Is Really, Really Good

Recently, TikTok influenced me into buying Alo Yoga's Off-Duty baseball cap. Austin-based influencer Jenna Palek wears the black one in many of her vlogs, so does her friend (not boyfriend) Bachelor alum Connor Saeli. I liked the cool, minimalist logo — it just reads 'alo' in lowercase — so I walked to Alo's Flatiron location in NYC and picked up the hat in white.

The thrill of in-store browsing after a full year of shopping exclusively online, inspired me to shop around. I grabbed a pair of retro high socks, a half-zip windbreaker, black bike shorts, and a bottle of the 'Radiance' serum from Alo's new skin-care line.

I've always liked Alo's activewear. The fabric is comfortable for walking, and the aesthetic is casual, but cool enough where I wouldn't be embarrassed to run into an ex wearing the windbreaker and my hair in a low bun. Still, I was skeptical of the label's expansion into skincare. Lululemon did the same thing a few years ago, and it felt unnecessary. Personally, I don't need a specific, "sweatproof" moisturizer for a Youtube pilates class in my living room — my regular one works just fine.

What differentiates Alo's skincare, though, is that it's not marketed towards sweating or an exercise-specific need. The entire Alo Glow System collection is simple: For the face, there are three products that can fit into most any minimalist skin-care routine: a cleanser, serum, and a moisturizer. Then, there are a few body-specific lotions and oils. The reviews are good, too. The Head-To-Toe Glow Oil — you might've caught it on Addison Rae's vanity in He's All That — has eighty one perfect reviews, and has become one of Alo's best-sellers, right up there with the Off-Duty hat.

Specifically, I use the Radiance Serum every day, after essence and before moisturizer. It's both hydrating and brightening, made with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and Amla, an Indian gooseberry known for its naturally-potent vitamin C. While the serum itself looks has no scent or colour — it drips out of the pipette like gelatin water — my thirsty skin absorbs it, and after a few seconds, instantly looks shiny and feels soft. It's been almost four months of consistent use, and I haven't had any breakouts and dullness is a nonissue. On the average Thursday, I skip makeup altogether. But, if I leave the apartment, I might throw on a baseball hat.