THE ORDINARY vs NIOD.

THE ORDINARY vs NIOD.

Two brands I am constantly asked about, so I decided to pop into the Spitalfields store, learn more about the products, give them a go and give you my definite list of favourites. I love both these brands and how they were created for different reasons, and yes, there is a reason The Ordinary is so cheap. Read on below to find out why.

NIOD
Stands for None Invasive Options in Dermal science and is the research brand of Deciem. New technologies are constantly going into the products and these are often updated to the latest technology. It’s multi faceted brand that mixes ingredients in the products which is why the price is a little higher than The Ordinary.

Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1
Skin that is fully repaired = great skin. And this product encourages your skin into a heightened state of repair. It manages to figure out what your skin needs and adapt to it thanks to a high performance mix of tri-peptides. I love how it comes in a two part mix with the activator when you take it out the box, so the ingredients are freshly mixed and therefore more active. It’s a bright blue, watery texture that sinks beautifully into the skin. No matter what your skin is battling (be it age, scars or blemishes) this will help it. HERE

Survival 30
I’m always looking for lightweight everyday sun protection, and this one is a really great texture SPF30 – perfect for everyday under makeup. HERE

Flavanone Mud
A great way to decongest the skin without upsetting the natural balance of the skin’s surface. It doesn’t dry the skin out but rather removes impurities (from pollution, excess sebum etc) and actually helps fight against environmental congestion – so the more you use it the better your skin will be. A great weekly treatment to get you glowing. HERE

Multi Molecular Hyaluronic complex
Combining 12 forms of hyaluronic acid at different weights (this means the HA can target multiple layers of the skin, from deep down to the surface layer) this is probably one of my favourite NIOD products as it hydrates, promotes collagen and should be part of everyone’s regime. It’s great to use the CAIS, too. HERE.

Sanskrit Saponins
A pH balancing cleanser, made to clean the skin rather than remove makeup, the natural saponins (plant chemicals) clear dead skin cells without peeling the skin – which makes it great for all skin types. The product forms paste like lather and does a great job at cleaning pores and any build up on the skin. HERE

THE ORDINARY
These are commodity ingredients that can be bought at a lower price in bulk, hence the very affordable price tags. The ordinary doesn’t mix ingredients but rather sells them separately. It’s good to mix and match a few of these in each of your daily routines. 

Azelaic Acid suspension 10%
A brightening lightweight gel cream that reduces look of blemishes and feels very cooling on the skin which I liked for breakouts too. Azelaic acid is a yeast that lives natural on the skin, which is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial and also an effective antioxidant HERE

Squalane Cleanser
I love squalane so was really excited to try this one, and loved how it turns from a gel to an oil in your hands before you apply it to the face. Removes makeup well and doesn’t dry out the skin HERE

Granactive Retinol 2% emulsion
Retinol is something lot’s of people are trying to get into their routine nowadays and I was actually really impressed by this one, I like the milky texture this one has and it’s a stable form of retinoid, with no irritation. HERE 

100% L Absorbic acid powder
Vitamin C serums are made from L Absorbic and so this is essentially a powder version of vitamin C – you can mix it with a hydrating serum (don’t use at the same time as niacinamide) and apply to the skin as a very effective way to brighten and even out your skin tone. HERE

Lactic Acid 10% + HA
A serum peeling formulation containing lactic acid. One of my favourite AHA’s as it’s really gentle on the skin and so okay to use once daily (I’d recommend in the evening) HERE

100% plant derived squalane
I love squalane oil – it’s something that is found naturally in the skin and applying it topically really helps with hydration as it is an emollient that prevents moisture leaving the skin – and can also be used effectively on hair and nails HERE

Buffet Peptide Serum
Peptides are a protein in the skin that help keep our collagen alive and well – aka plump, glowing skin is down to them. This serum mixes a combination of peptides and hyaluronic acid – perfect for both morning and evening HERE

Pycnogenol 5% – high potency antioxidant
I hadn’t heard of this before, but this seemingly miraculous ingredient is an antioxidant that binds to collagen and elastin to stop them from being damaged, and also manages to recycled oxidised Vitamin C into working again. Magic? I think so. You can use alone or mixed into other antioxidants HERE

Hyalmide Glow Radiance Booster
Not a product from The Ordinary, but instead Hylamide which is also part of the Deciem family. I love this one because it’s so simple and effective at what it does: adding a little colour and glow to your skin. It does so by using Raspberry keto Sugar and gives you a beautifully natural sunkissed glow. Yes please. HERE