NIOD Review: Top 10 Products That Are Actually Worth Your Money

NIOD is one of my favorite brands for high-quality, technologically advanced skincare products.

While you won’t really find your basic cleansers here (well . . . Sanskrit Saponins is a fan favorite . . .), you will find tons of great products to take your routine to the next level.

Whether you looking to soothe dry skin, reduce uneven skin tone, or even just improve your overall skin health, NIOD has something for you.

NIOD Survival 0 Review

If you’re going to get anything from the Deciem brands, get Survival 0. 

NIOD’s Survival range is a collection of “networked protection systems” designed to fortify your skin against environmental and lifestyle-related aggressors.

As explained by The Derm Review, the entire Survival 0 line is armed with technologies that combat challenges like superoxide radicals, nitrogen radicals, carbonyl radicals, glycation, advanced glycation end-products (AGE), pollution, smog, stress, infrared, and blue light.

So…basically everything your body is fighting off on a daily basis.

Within the Survival line, Survival 30, Survival 20, and Survival 10 offer mineral-based sun protection, but to my knowledge, they either aren’t available in the US anymore or have been discontinued altogether.

However, Survival 0 isn’t a sunscreen; it’s just a phenomenal product that works synergistically with SPF or when worn alone to combat oxidative stress and environmental damage.

This antioxidant process works to fight skin aging indirectly by preventing damage from occurring in the first place.

Some of the coolest complexes in this product include superoxide dismutase and a tomato carotenoid complex which provides its iconic orangey-reddish-brownish color.

NIOD Survival 0 vs The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum

If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, The Ordinary’s Barrier Repair Soothing Serum is another great product packed with skin-loving ingredients. 

The formula is great for reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and works well for dry, oily, and combination skin alike.

While the serum is bright pink, it absorbs quickly and dries down matte. I like to use it after dermaplaning at home or after applying tretinoin for extra barrier support.

NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate Review

This NIOD eye serum is a cult favorite among cosmetic chemists and skincare enthusiastics because it integrates over 25 different clinically proven technologies to target signs of aging in the eye contour area.

Among these technologies, a few stand out in particular:

• Fibroblast Done utilizes an encapsulated pro-hyaluronic acid peptide within a polymer core, enclosed by a Heptapeptide, enabling a targeted release and ensuring the ingredient gets to the site of activity to provide a visible “filler”-like effect

• Neuron Drone utilizes another encapsulated delivery system to specifically target the appearance of expression lines

Combined with other ingredients, NIOD’s FECC is a great product to target fine lines, skin firmness, loss of upper eyelid elasticity, dark circles, and texture concerns.

The only thing I don’t love about it is that it’s not a “cream”, and it doesn’t provide the moisturizing benefits of a traditional eye product.

NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist Review

If you ask any skincare enthusiast what their favorite NIOD product is, 9 times out of 10 they’ll either say NIOD’s Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist or Copper Amino Isolate Serum.

There’s a good reason for that:

Unlike traditional facial mists which provide basic hydration, this one is packed with dermal treatment ingredients and not only hydrates but:

• Combats oxidative stress

• Prevents transepidermal water loss

• Reduces inflammation

Among a few other powerful ingredients, the key here is superoxide dismutase which is a potent antioxidant that has been proven to:

• Fight free radical damage

• Protect type I collagen from degradation

• Prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging

So, if facial mists are your thing or if you travel a lot and need a product to combat dry cabin air, consider trying this one from NIOD.

Pro-tip: if you’re concerned about hydration, I’d suggest spraying this mist onto wet skin!

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 Review (CAIS3)

NIOD’s Copper Amino Isolate Serum has gone through a few evolutions, and this is the latest one.

This time around, CIAS3 combines 1% pure GHK peptide, 1% Copper Tripeptide-1 (aka GHK-Cu), and amino acids.

GHK-Cu (which you’ve probably heard referred to as just “copper peptides”) has been proven to:

• Stimulate wound healing

• Improve skin firmness

• Reduce photodamage, hyperpigmentation, and skin spots

• Protect your skin cells from UV radiation & support your skin barrier

• Reduce inflammation and free radical damage

• Increase hair growth and thickness & enlarge hair follicle size

• Improve overall skin appearance

Copper carbonate hydroxide mineral can be tricky to include in your routine because, depending on their formulation, they don’t always play well with other active ingredients (specifically vitamin C).

While you can apply this serum either morning or night (or both!), I like to apply copper peptides at night after allowing tretinoin or retinol to sink in for a few minutes to promote healthy skin.

In fact, copper peptides may even be more suitable for people with sensitive skin than vitamin C or retinol.

NIOD Lip Bio Lipid Concentrate Review

Since I’ve been blogging about skincare for years, it’s not often that I run into a completely new, innovative product.

NIOD’s Lip Bio Lipid Concentrate changed that.

If you’re looking for full, beautiful lips without the risk of invasive procedures, this is the product for you.

This concentrate is packed with unique peptides, and here are a few of the key ingredients:

• Palmitoyl-KMO2K-Sugar-Ester Peptide Bio-Complex increases the appearance of your lip volume and sustains a 50%+ hydration increase for up to 20 hours after application

• Lipid Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Complex is modeled after an amino acid sequence in your dermal elastin and improves the suppleness and firmness of your lips

• Nicotinic Acid Methyl Ester creates a short-term inflammatory reaction (no long term effects) to improve visible lip redness almost immediately for a darker, more pronounced appearance without the need for lipstick

. . . and all of these ingredients come in a lovely oil base of hemi-squalane and sea buckthorn oil that mimics your skin’s natural oils.

Just wash your hands thoroughly after applying it to prevent getting any nicotinic acid methyl ester on your skin as it may cause some slight redness for a few minutes.

NIOD Modulating Glucosides Review

An ideal product to use with tretinoin, NIOD’s Modulating Glucosides is packed with unique, skin-loving ingredients like:

• Bio-Active Glucosides provide immediate soothing relief & smooth uneven skin tone

• Multi-Molecular-Lipid Complex reduces skin sensitivity & signs of irritation

• Neuro-Cosmetic Peptide reverses signs of chemical-induced irritation

• Yeast-Derived Superoxide Dismutase neutralizes free radical damage

Interestingly, it has a thicker-but-still-lightweight texture which is ideal for those with oiler skin types, but dry skin types would likely need a thicker moisturizer afterward.

(P.S. – it also comes in a cool yellow color you’ve probably never seen before in a product!)

In fact, between the soothing ingredients and the near-serum texture, Modulating Glucosides is a great moisturizer option for those with rosacea or acne-prone skin.

NIOD Sanskrit Saponins Review

A rare cleanser find from NIOD, Sanskrit Saponins is a refined cleansing balm that forgoes your average cleansing agents – think synthetic surfactants and esters – for traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

Sanskrit Saponins is formulated with highly concentrated plant-based surfactants from shikakai and sapindus mukorossi for a thorough cleansing experience.

Thanks to the nature of the formula, this cleanser from NIOD is ideal for those with oily skin who need a stronger cleanser or need a good makeup remover.

NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex Review (MMHC2)

This hydrating formula from NIOD combines 15 different types of hyaluronic acid in a peptide-charged delivery system to ensure that their active ingredients get to the direct site of activity.

Leveraging more than just your standard sodium hyaluronate, MMHC2 delivers pure hyaluronic acid that provides wound healing support and improves skin elasticity.

Plus, unlike other hydrating serums, MMHC2 has a lovely, watery texture that soaks into skin immediately without leaving any sticky or tacky residue.

It creates the ideal base to layer under moisturizer and prep your skin for perfect makeup.

NIOD Flavanone Mud Review

If spa nights are your thing but you don’t want to break the bank, your next purchase should be NIOD’s Flavanone Mud.

Flavanone Mud is a departure from your typical boring, overpriced mud mask with its innovative three-phase system:

• Purifying Phase dissolves impurites like sweat, makeup, and pollutants

• Protective Phase leverages antioxidants to develop a protective shield on your skin

• Responsive Phase creates a healthy glow from true detoxification of your skin

While it may not suitable for people with sensitive skin, Flavanone Mud is a god-send for those with oily and acne prone skin.

Since the formula can be harsh, I strongly suggest patch testing it first to ensure your skin can tolerate it.

NIOD Hydration Vaccine Review

NIOD’s Hydration Vaccine is the unique spin your skin has been dreaming of and a total upgrade from the sleeping masks you’re used to.

And the craziest thing? Its super powers come from mushrooms.

Yup, fungi composite organisms help restore your skin’s moisture levels which in turn improves the appearance of your skin’s volume.

Then, blue algae extract helps from their breathable, molecular film shield which, when combined with the all-star ingredients line-up in the formula, prevents nearly 100% of transepidermall water loss.

And I’d be remiss not to mention the unique xylitol complex that studies show helps circulate water throughout multiple layers of skin.

All around, Hydration Vaccine is a great product. While NIOD suggests using it morning and night, I think it’s perfect to simply use nightly before your moisurizer and facial oil for the best beauty sleep you’ve ever had.

The Ordinary vs NIOD Skincare Review

You might be a little confused here on the relationship between these brands and Deciem.

Deciem is the umbrella, parent brand that offers both NIOD and The Ordinary as separate brands.

The Ordinary offers a minimalist skincare routine with a wide variety of single-ingredient products and basic formulations.

If you’re familiar with it, you might agree that The Ordinary is known for providing active ingredients at super affordable prices – if fact, I’d wager The Ordinary has introduced more people to skincare than any other modern brand.

On the other hand, I consider NIOD to be The Ordinary’s older sister.

In fact, NIOD stands for “Non-Invasive Options in Dermal Science” – a fitting name if you ask me!

NIOD products are carefully crafted and incorporate cutting-edge technology and advanced formulations.

This is where you’ll see the big innovations in Deciem products, and they come at a higher price point.

Aaaand Hylamide is sort of in-between the two, but it’s gone now, and that’s a story for another day.

The Bottom Line: Best NIOD Products

While you might know both Deciem brands for their innovative products, NIOD products are a cut above the rest.

NIOD typically offers more advanced formulations and specialized products as compared to other brands to level up your skincare routine and fight skin aging.

Overall, I’d suggest any of the products reviewed above for those who respect skin health and are ready to take their beauty game to the next level.

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