NIOD is a brand from DECIEM, which also includes Hylamide, The Chemistry Brand, and The Ordinary in its lineup. DECIEM is a Canadian company based in Toronto. All products are still manufactured in Canada. The Story of DECIEM The story of DECIEM is the story of its founder, Brandon Truaxe, who unfortunately left us too soon. After several years at Indeed Labs, he decided to leave and start his own company, DECIEM (a Latin word meaning TEN, like the TEN brands he would create). Due to his previous experience at Indeed Labs, he had a 3-year non-compete clause preventing him from creating any facial products. So instead, Brandon launched dietary supplements, body, and hair products. Success came quickly with The Chemistry Brand. Their anti-aging hand cream was so effective that women also used it for facial wrinkles. During interviews, journalists frequently asked Brandon if he used his own products, and the answer was no. Because Brandon was always in the lab, he had access to the most advanced technologies. After a few years of “do you use your own products?”, Brandon launched NIOD, which was his answer. He could now say he uses SS, CAIS , and MMHC from Niod. NIOD stands for Non-Invasive Options in Dermal Science, which in French translates to “options dermatologiques non invasives,” implying it’s as effective as invasive options. Initially, he didn’t expect such a craze for Niod, because NIOD was first intended for the very specific demands of Brandon and his colleagues, a sort of cosmetics for cosmetic geeks. NIOD targets a niche: skincare-addicts who seek products with long-term effects, who enjoy reading labels & deciphering ingredients, all while trying to understand how such-and-such active is delivered to the epidermis, and how it remains stable in its container and on the skin. But users have decided: CAIS receives numerous glowing reviews and cosmetic awards. Brandon noticed that many cosmetic brands tout the merits of well-known actives like Vitamin C or niacinamide, talking about them as if they were newfangled and selling them at a premium. In contrast, NIOD, which is a true powerhouse in the industry with technologies years ahead, isn’t given its due credit. So he decided to launch The Ordinary, the 11th brand, with very accessible prices to show us “look, timeless actives should cost this much. If NIOD costs that much, it’s because there’s real technology behind it, along with expensive ingredients.” The best-selling serum from The Ordinary, the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% costs $1 in ingredients, and DECIEM sells it for $5.6 overall while still making a margin (Brandon claims The Ordinary has higher margins than Niod). The genius idea behind The Ordinary was to get the public interested in actives, and then get them interested in Niod. This strategy worked perfectly for me at least; after being blown away by the copper peptides from The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%, I wanted to find a better-formulated product and bought my first NIOD: CAIS 2 In short, if The Ordinary only sells highly concentrated actives, some as old as time, Niod (and Hylamide) offer products completely formulated, highly concentrated in active ingredients, and ultra-innovative. NIOD is Brandon’s vision. It’s the brand that resembles him the most, it’s his ideal of cosmetics. Whereas with The Ordinary, for business reasons, he released products to please users that he doesn’t believe in, like the highly concentrated acids AHA + BHA and retinols. Is it effective? I’m just posting the photo before/after 6 weeks : 3 weeks of using CAIS 2 and MMHC 2, then 3 weeks of using other NIOD products to repair my skin barrier (full routine here). That’s why I love this brand so much. I hope I don’t shock anyone. It’s my skin, it’s not perfect but it’s healing. The breakouts are gone even on days when I wear a mask all day long. Maskne is behind me, hallelujah, I just need to take care of the dark spots now. The best-sellers at Niod If you don’t feel like getting a PhD to understand and use these products, here’s a simple description of the best NIOD products, where reviews are almost unanimous on their effectiveness. This is a summary of the notes I took after reading many blogs, forums… and watching many videos I could consult before choosing which products to buy for myself at NIOD. The products are already listed in order of application Note: this post is not NOT sponsored NIOD France doesn’t exist, their official website website is only available in English. But I’ll show you with screenshots at the bottom of the article how to place an order. NIOD products are classified into 4 categories: CORE REGIMEN: these are basic products that all skin types need SUPPORT REGIMEN: these are products that correct a specific problem: dark spots, congested skin, texture… SURVIVAL: products that protect the skin against external aggressions, they’re full of antioxidants YEŠTI: formulations grouped under the code name YEŠTI. These are very deep cleansing products Classifying these products into categories makes the choice even harder and confuses users. So I just mentioned it in case you’re wondering, but we’re just going to list the best-sellers without worrying about categories here. Step 1: Facial Cleansing SS – SANSKRIT SAPONINS Very effective cleansing balm It cleans pores deeply, capable of removing sebum & oil: it’s like changing your oil: replacing the old oil and sebum on your face with “fresher” sebum to use every other day (can be used daily, but the brand recommends every other day) No chemical detergents, no micellar water Uses Ayurvedic plants Texture is quite surprising, and feels more like a mask (actually, you can really use it as a purifying mask, leaving it on for 5 minutes). Weird smell but you get used to it pH: 7.00-7.50 Overall verdict: pores, missing in action. Some consider it one of DECIEM’s best products and can’t live without it My detailed review, ingredient analysis, and before/after photos here Price: €27 for 90ml (Deciem link), €19.16 or 25% off with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) Step 2: Serums SDSM – SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE SACCHARIDE MIST 2 Hydrating & antioxidant mist to replenish and improve skin quality Fights pollution, water loss, and inflammation This is not a toner The product is as concentrated as any serum, but it gets absorbed by the skin too quickly, hence the importance of using it as a spray/mist This is a major slap in the face to Caudalie, because this product contains Superoxide Dismutase, an anti-inflammatory compound derived from yeast from grape skin, but it’s 1000 times more effective than any Caudalie product Overall verdict: this product is always out of stock because people love it too much pH: 6.0-7.0 Price: €41 for 240ml (Deciem link), €30.76 or 25% off with code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) CAIS 2 – COPPER AMINO ISOLATE SERUM 2:1 Repair serum that boosts collagen production and creates the optimal environment for healthy skin If there’s one product to buy from NIOD, it’s this one Goal: achieve healthy skin (++ elasticity, collagen, less texture). Product with long-term goals Mix the two bottles together when you receive the product for extra “freshness” Accelerates cell renewal, like retinol, but without negative side effects Highly concentrated product: 4 drops are enough for the entire face, very liquid texture Can be used on the neck & eye area My take: I can’t live without it, this serum repairs skin in record time : Detailed review and ingredient analysis here pH: 4.6-5.6 Price: €45.60 for 15ml (Deciem link), €34.36 or 25% off with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link), FeelUnique link RP – RE: PIGMENT Anti-dark spot serum Shake well before applying a few drops to the face It stings a bit (feels like the serum is working) but that sensation fades quickly Use morning & night. In the morning, be sure to apply sunscreen after use Very liquid texture General review: very slow effect, but it’s by taking before/after photos over 3 months that users realize its incredible effectiveness, even for stubborn stains and, in rare cases, on melasma pH: 5.50-6.50 Price: €34 for 15ml (Deciem link), or €25.56 i.e. -25% with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) MMHC 2 – MULTI-MOLECULAR HYALURONIC COMPLEX Hydrating serum, making skin plumper, more comfortable and more even-toned If there’s a second product to buy from NIOD, it’s this one Contains 15 types of hyaluronic acid of different molecular sizes, contributing to water retention at different levels of the skin Boosts the production of hyaluronic acid that the skin naturally produces Short-term goal: skin will look plump very quickly Very concentrated product: 4 drops are enough for the whole face, very liquid texture, like water Can be used on the neck & eye area Note: hyaluronic acid serums should be used with a moisturizer on top According to DECIEM’s own CEO, a cheaper dupe of MMHC2 is SubQ Skin from Hylamide (€21 for 30ml) but MMHC 2 is a much more advanced and complex version than Hylamide My review: no incredible effect on my already well-hydrated skin, but when using it with CAIS 2, my skin is plump, super super glowy Detailed review and ingredient analysis here pH: 4.00-5.00 Price: €30 for 15ml (Deciem link), €22.76 i.e. -25% with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) NEC – NECK ELASTICITY CATALYST Neck lotion Does not stick, contains no water or oil, deeply hydrates the neck, greatly contributes to skin elasticity can be used on the upper eyelid for more elasticity General review: finally an anti-aging lotion that doesn’t cause breakouts on the neck and really works pH: 4.50-5.50 Price: €60 for 50ml, €45.56 i.e. -25% with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) FECC – FRACTIONATED EYE CONTOUR CONCENTRATE Eye concentrate Not intended for signs of aging (for aging, CAIS 2 and MMHC2 can be used on the eyes too) It is intended solely for puffiness, dark circles & dehydration lines Can be used generously, without stinging the eyes General review: people are delighted and see a real difference with this product pH: 4.00-5.00 Price: €51 for 15ml (Deciem link), $39.16, i.e. -25% with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) Evenings only NAAP – NON-ACID ACID PRECURSOR 15% Chemical exfoliating serum Replaces acids and retinol Brandon doesn’t like acids (which he considers harmful to the skin in the long run), so he created the acid-free version Contains good bacteria (probiotics) & amino acids that deliver the same effects as acids & retinol, while keeping the skin hydrated A few drops are enough, use in the evening only Texture: like a light cream, leaves the skin slightly shiny The dropper isn’t practical, so you can buy the Niod pump for your bottle It doesn’t sting or irritate, but you shouldn’t overdo it either. Patch test mandatory before any use General opinion: the exfoliating power is less visible than AHA/BHA/retinol because the effect is rather slow, but sensitive skin types appreciate it greatly. My detailed review & ingredient analysis here pH: 4.00-5.00 Price: $42 for 30ml (Deciem link), $31.96, i.e. -25% with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) Step 3: Emulsion / cream MG – MODULATING GLUCOSIDES Skin barrier repairing emulsion Reduces signs of irritation, discomfort, redness, rosacea Highly concentrated product: 4 drops are enough for the whole face does not contain niacinamide or hyaluronic acid General opinion: those with rosacea love this product. pH: 4.50-5.50 Price: $27 for 30ml (Deciem link), $19.16, i.e. -25% with the code NEWFAN at Lookfantastic (link) S0 – SURVIVAL 0 Antioxidant A must-have at NIOD Fights against the harmful effects of blue light, free radicals & pollution… all external elements that attack our skin Use in the evening alone OR during the day under a sunscreen Works best when mixed with another product (I often mix it with a moisturizer) Unlike the version with sun protection (S10, S20, S30), this version has no sun protection but also contains no silicone Milky texture, like an emulsion My opinion: extremely pleasant product … Continue reading NIOD: Reviews & Best-Sellers Overview – Before/After Photos 3 Weeks