NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex & Photography Fluid

NIOD stands for non invasive options in dermal science and described as skincare for the hyper educated - love this! It’s owned by Deciem, who regular readers have heard me rave about before. While Deciem is pretty cutting edge, NIOD takes skincare science to a whole new level and I’ve been trying out two of its products in recent months, Photography Fluid and Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex.

Bear with me, you need this!

I’ve joked in the past about wishing I could wear an Instagram filter all day every day… well NIOD Photography Fluid is basically an instagram filter in a bottle. Developed specifically for use in photography, it adds a golden radiance to skin and has been nicknamed the selfie serum. Mind blown. While I personally tend to ‘filter’ my skin with highlighting concealer and radiant powders applied over my makeup base, I can’t help be impressed by the science of this.

 

The product that really blows my socks off - applied daily since I received it - is NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex. Remember my rave about Deciem’s Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age (review here). Well think of this as Hylamide on speed. While Hylamide SubQ targets the 7 signs of ageing (very well), Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex is an advanced serum with 12 hyaluronic compounds, designed to add a plump, comfortable feeling to the skin.  

And it does.

If you’re in need of hydration, look no further as this is essentially hydration bottled. Its mega Hyaluronic content (skin’s own natural hydrator which decreases as we age), is delivered in a way that offers deeper hydration than before. The consistency is a light clear fluid, which I use daily under moisturiser and will soon be repurchasing as the bottle above is now almost empty.

I feel as if my skin breathes a sigh of relief and thanks me profoundly every time I apply this - and have had no dry or flaky patches since I started using it.

NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex, £38 at Lookfantastic.com

3 Skincare Loves

Every now and then I try skincare products that immediately click… they feel amazing on my skin, are a pleasure to use and give visible results. It doesn’t happen often. I’d been mixing and matching a number of different products, but when I settled on these three, I knew I was onto real winners: Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum and Yonka Vital Defense. Here are my thoughts after around one month of use.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is a much raved about product, with good reason. The pink rose camomile scented gel feels more balm-like massaged into my skin, smells incredible and is basically a joy to use. I use two pumps as my second cleanse at night (to clean my skin post makeup removal) and one pump in the morning - massage in, rinse to emulsify and remove with a warm damp flannel. I think this is the first time I’ve ever doubled up on the same cleanser and really shouldn’t with a luxury product, but I’m that hooked. Pore-purging pumpkin enzyme, resurfacing vitamin A and Oskia’s signature inflammation-reducing MSM (the most bio-available form of Sulphur) are just 3 of its amazing ingredients. My pores look cleaner and finer (even in my scary zoom mirror), the millia which seemed to be breeding on my face have reduced and redness around my nose and cheeks has lessened. All of the above were seriously starting to bug me, so this makes me very happy indeed. Oh and despite being dry, my skin feels comfortable after use. All that and it’s a pleasure to use.

I’m a big fan of essence-like deeply hydrating serums and am currently fangirling over Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum. A few drops dispensed into my hand and pressed into my skin provide instant comfort and give skin that lovely pillowy softness that seems to require less moisturiser and help makeup apply more smoothly. Suitable for all skins, including sensitive, Pestle & Mortar was developed by Irish woman, Sonia Deasy out of a desire to create camera-ready skin.

This is where Yonka Vital Defense Antioxidant comes in… adding further hydration and a vitality boost, via plant extracts, vitamins and peptides. This silky cream sinks in quickly, priming my skin for makeup and is one of those mmmmm…. every time I use it products as it feels so good. Scientific or what. Also, can every moisturiser please come in a lightweight tube? I’ll take a tube over glass jars every time.

If I could only have one of these, it would be the Oskia Renaissance Gel, but all three are absolute gems!

Vichy Idealia: skincare for wide awake eyes & skin

I know lots of you are fans of the Vichy Idealia range, so I wanted to share my thoughts on a couple of their products I’ve been trying out: Idealia Life Serum and new Idealia Eyes. If you like skincare products that help you fake a few hours extra sleep, these are for you!

Idealia Life Serum launched last year with an impressive 27 patents and hydrates my skin well leaving a great base for make-up. Designed for skin exposed to a busy lifestyle (pollution, lack of sleep, stress, unbalanced diet, etc), it quickly boosts radiance and gives the effect of a more even skin tone. I do find the scent quite perfumed, though my skin doesn’t seem to mind - worth mentioning for those who prefer to avoid fragranced products.

Idealia Eyes is the latest launch in the line and targets the first signs of ageing (don’t laugh), brightens tired eyes and helps smooth fine lines. Although I don’t use this every day (and need a richer eye cream at night), I reach for this on mornings when I look extra tired as I love the instant radiance it adds. The pearlised finish (see swatch above) isn’t as obvious when fully blended, but gives such a lovely brightening effect that I may have been known to add it to my brow and cheek bones (shhh). Enriched with illuminators, caffeine and vitaminB3, it definitely gives my eyes a wake up call and I need less concealer after using it!

 

The tube has a silicone applicator to help spread the product gently, which takes a little getting used to. You need to make sure there’s enough product on it before you start blending so that the silicone doesn’t drag your skin (this only happens if you use it dry). I use the applicator to spread the product, then pat in any excess with my ring finger… sucker for a gadget, me.

The full Vichy Idealia range is available with 1/3 off at Escentual.com as part of its French Pharmacy offer (ending 31 Oct so don’t hang about!)

Have you tried any Vichy products?