Hyaluronic acid is one of the hyped-up moisture injecting ingredients in the beauty world that is making its round of being one of the star products for trends.ย I’ve been seeing more and more hyaluronic acid toners these days in the K-beauty world, but one hyaluronic acid product I cannot pass up are the two from Deciem under the brands the Ordinary and NIOD.ย
I’ve been a fan of Deciem’s philosophy for a couple of years now, yes even this K-beauty snob can jump back out to the Western world once in a while.ย They sent me both products to try out and NIOD’s multi-molecular hyaluronic complex was one of the three NIOD products I got introduced to.ย Knowing the Ordinary has their own affordable hyaluronic acid option, I knew I had to pit these two together and see which one is the more effective one.ย So let’s get into the review and compare the two!
Full name of product:
NIOD multi-molecular hyaluronic complex
Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent
Description of product:
“MMHC2 is the second generation of MMHC. The formula offers a multi-dimensional approach to topical hyaluronic supplementation by combining 15 forms of hyaluronic compounds, hyaluronic precursors and hyaluronic support technology in a peptide-charged delivery system. It offers water-based hydration and helps skin surface look plump, elastic, comfortable, and uniform.
Amongst the 15 hyaluronic compounds is an extremely rare direct form of hyaluronic acid. Almost universally in the world of beauty, the term “hyaluronic acid” is used loosely to refer to “sodium hyaluronate” which is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. When brands refer to “hyaluronic acid” in their information and marketing materials, in almost every case the reference is to forms of “sodium hyaluronate” which appears in the ingredient listing of the products. While several sodium salt forms of hyaluronic acid are included in MMHC2, the formula also includes 1.0% direct hyaluronic acid which appears as “hyaluronic acid” in the ingredient listing. This inclusion is exceptionally rare for a broad range of formulation and commercial reasons. Direct hyaluronic acid offers pro-repair support far beyond basic water hydration that sodium hyaluronate offers, resulting in improvements to the elastic appearance and the general healthy look of skin.
The formula also contains a hyaluronic support system of adaptogenic water-starved clary sage flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides from narrow leaf plantain and several dermal amino acids. This complex system acts as a non-clogging, water-protective barrier to optimize the function of hyaluronic compounds and help support dermal water retention.
-Direct Form Hyaluronic Acid (MMHC2)The rare and direct form of hyaluronic acid, not in the commonly-available sodium salt form (known as sodium hyaluronate), this very active raw form of HA offers pro-repair support for healthy-looking skin with improved elastic appearance.
-Enzyme-Reacted Glucosamine Amide HA Pre-Cursor (Rapid Reaction)Highly complex compound is derived by enzymatic phosphorylation of N-acetyl-glucosamine through a green chemistry process.
-Bio-Yeast HA Pre-Cursor (Moderate Term Reaction)Contains oligomers of acetylated glucuronic acids derived from fermentation.
-Novel HA Pre-Cursor Peptide Complex (Sustained Reaction)Worldโs first peptide complex that is pro-decorin and pro-lumican.
-Marine Hyaluronic Complex of Exopolysaccharides (MMHC2)Derived through fermentation of marine genus Pseudoaltermonas sp., sustainably sourced from Brittany, this complex supports water content of tissues in exposure to temperature variations.
-Tamarind-Derived Hyaluronic ComplexVegetable-derived parallel to the bodyโs own hyaluronic acid offers hydration in the short-term while promoting elastic-looking skin with continued use.
-Mushroom-Derived Hyaluronic ComplexFungi-derived parallel to the bodyโs own hyaluronic acid offers 400% more surface hydration than hyaluronic acid (which already attracts 1,000 times its weight in water) but without the strong water affinity that can prevent penetration of water-bound technologies.
-Locust-Bean-Derived Hyaluronic ComplexA higher-weight saccharide from the locust bean offers non-tacky, weightless surface hydration immediately upon application and encourages skin surface to attract atmospheric water more readily.
-Hyaluronic Acid CrosspolymerA unique cross-linked non-animal form of hyaluronic acid that delivers water and water-soluble actives through its nonequilibrium gel structure, helping to maintain water content with continued use. Complex delivery of water-bound content through this system allows for smaller-sized technologies to remain effective topically even in the presence of (high-molecular-weight) hyaluronic acid that ordinarily actually impairs absorption.
-Very-Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic ComplexA hyaluronic complex in near-impossible molecular weight for lasting hydration with continued use in a form never before associated with hyaluronic acid.
-Hydrolyzed (Low-Molecular-Weight) Hyaluronic ComplexOffers lasting comfort and hydration for the skin with continued use.
-Mid-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic ComplexOffers short-term comfort and hydration.
-Fermentation-Derived (High-Molecular-Weight) Hyaluronic AcidHighly-purified fermentation-derived hyaluronic acid offers superb surface hydration and comfort while helping to prevent moisture loss.
-Hyaluronic Acid ButyrateUnique anfipatic complex from a reaction of butyric acid and hyaluronan helps support epidermic barriers to improve signs of cutaneous wellness.
-Hyaluronic Support System of Adaptogenic Water-Starved Clary Sage Flavonoids, Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Narrow Leaf Plantain and Dermal Amino Acids (MMHC2)Acts as a non-clogging water-protective barrier to optimize the function of hyaluronic compounds and help support dermal water retention.
Alcohol free, oil free, silicone free, nut free, vegan, cruelty free.”
Price:
$35 USD for 15 mL
$60 USD for 30 mL
Amount of product:
15 mL or 30 mL (I have the 30 mL version)
Duration before expiration:
6 months after opening
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Canada
Animal testing?:
Deciem as a whole does not test on animals nor do they have brick and mortar stores in China.ย They do sell to mainland China through cross-border operations to avoid animal testing practices.ย They are also cruelty-free and have a certified Leaping Bunny stamp.
Where to buy:
Deciem
Amazon
Cultbeauty
Beautybay
Ingredients:
Butyroyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Algae Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Lecithin, Polyglucuronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Citric Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Propyl Gallate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol.ย
When I first got this, I was kind of a silly person and could not figure out how to open the box.ย The cardboard box it comes in is so lux and heavy-duty, I’m definitely going to try to reuse this somehow.ย Maybe if I collect enough of this size, I can stick it all together and make me a cute little stationery cabinet!!ย Yes, it is THAT heavy duty!ย Reduce, reuse and recycle guys ๐
All of Deciem products come in these glass bottles with the droppers inside, just like a science lab.ย Niod’s bottles are the same size as the Ordinary, but the bottle itself isn’t frosted and are all in dark brown UV protective glass bottles.ย I’m actually in the process of making skincare labels to put onto my bottles because I got so many that look the same, I sometimes forget what each product actually does.ย So please watch out for that!ย I’m just waiting for the envelopes to come in so I can use it to ship :).ย The store will be on Etsy!
Full name of product:
the Ordinary hyaluronic acid 2% + B5
Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Permanent
Description of product:
“Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of HA determines its depth of delivery in the skin. This formulation combines low-, medium- and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next-generation HA crosspolymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration. This system is supported with the addition of Vitamin B5 which also enhances surface hydration. A more advanced HA formulation with 15 forms of HA, including precursors of HA, is offered by our brand NIOD inย Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex.”
Price:
$6.80 USD
Amount of product:
60 mL
Duration before expiration:
12 months after opening
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Canada
Animal testing?:
Deciem as a whole does not test on animals nor do they have brick and mortar stores in China.ย They do sell to mainland China through cross-border operations to avoid animal testing practices.ย They are also cruelty-free and have a certified Leaping Bunny stamp.
Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.
Packaging for the ordinary hyaluronic acid 2% + B5 has the same glass bottle with the dropper inside. If you are familiar with the Ordinary, it is all the same other than the writing on the bottle.ย If you aren’t familiar with the Ordinary, where the heck have you been??
The box for this is a little less glamourous and minimal. Remember, you are paying for the product, not so much the packaging.ย Just remember to recycle, please!ย If you didn’t know, Deciem accepts beauty product bottles and jars in partnership with Terracycle to reduce beauty packaging waste from going to the landfill.ย Simply bring them to your closest Deciem store and they will do the rest!
Now, what is the difference between the two other than the huge price difference?ย For one, the bottles are different colors and glass finishes, but both have droppers to dispense. I do wish they have a stopper inside from product spilling out.ย It is always nerve-wracking when I open the bottle ahhh!ย If you tip it, the product will spill out!!
The droppers are a different shape, but they both dispense fine.ย The one from NIOD (black cap) does drop out a little easier while the Ordinary (white cap) gathers a bit before dripping out.ย They are both glass so be careful!
To my surprise, there aren’t that many ingredients that are shared between the two versions.ย Here are all the ingredients which both products contain:
-Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer:ย type of Hyaluronic acid, Humectant
-Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate: preservative, antioxidant
-Propanediol: Solvent, viscosity controlling
-Citric Acid: Chelator, buffering agent, pH adjuster
-Ethoxydiglycol: Solvent, Viscosity control
-Ethylhexlglycerin: moisturizer
-1-2-Hexanediol: synthetic preservative, moisture-binding agent
-Caprylyl Glycol: alcohol derived from Capyrylic acid found naturally in palm and coconut oils
-Phenoxyethanol: preservative
NIOD’s multi-molecular hyaluronic complex has 15 types of hyaluronic acid, while the Ordinary has 3 types of hyaluronic acid (low, medium, and large molecular structures) to penetrate the skin.ย Most of the time, the cosmetic industry like the play the whole “more the merrier” game and try to outnumber other company’s percentage when it comes to a one-star ingredient.ย I have tried a lot of other products with just 3 hyaluronic acid ingredients and work fine, but the one from the Ordinary pales in comparison compared to the NIOD one.
For one, NIOD’s version has a light and thin consistency, while the Ordinary hyaluronic acid almost has the same texture as snail mucin, somewhat goopy and stringy.ย NIOD’s hyaluronic acid sink’s into the skin effortlessly and leaves my skin with no residue or greasiness and instantly feels hydrating.ย I even wake up to my skin looking plumper and when I feel my face, it still feels hydrated and gorgeous.
The one from the Ordinary leaves a gross film that doesn’t sink into the skin and doesn’t hydrate my skin as the NIOD does.ย There’s just a night and day difference between the two.ย I’ve tried a lot of hyaluronic acid products including the Hada Labo line, but they all have just disappointed me one way or another.ย They don’t give me the same results as how the NIOD multi-molecular hyaluronic acid does and I’m definitely a believer in this product.
If you do want to try the NIOD multi-molecular hyaluronic complex but can’t fork out $60USD for the 30 mL, start off with the 15 mL for $35 since they do expire after 6 months.ย I’ve used the 30 mL bottle for more than 2 months now and still have 70%!ย Hmm, Black Friday is coming up, so let’s see if they will have some sales again :).
I’m usually an advocate for affordable skincare options, but if the affordable ones don’t work as well as the expensive counterpart, you are just wasting your money.ย Get your best bang for your buck!ย Happy skincaring everyone <3.
*PR sample
