At the end of last year, I made the trip through from Glasgow to Edinburgh to visit DECIEM's first and only Scottish store. And when I was there I was given a skincare consultation by the lovely manager Alexx who picked out some products from The Ordinary and NIOD for me to try.
This coincided with TerraCycle launching in the Edinbrugh store. In case you're not already aware, TerraCycle is an initiative that encourages shoppers to dispose of their empty beauty products in the correct manner. Most beauty brands sign up to the initiative just to dispense of their own products but DECIEM has taken on the additional charges to ensure that it can be done for any beauty packaging, be it from DECIEM or not.
Since visiting, I've pretty much been exclusively using those products, to really put them to the test.
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And here are the products that have made the biggest difference to my skin;
NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex* (£25)
I don't know about you but it can be so tricky to know exactly which products or ingredients to use for our skin type. As someone with dehydrated skin, I know that hyaluronic acid is key for helping skin to retain moisture. Had I not been able to speak to one of the DECIEM team, I would have no doubt added their Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 to my basket and then been a bit unsure what else to try. But I am someone who needs some serious hydration. And that's where The Ordinary's sister brand, NIOD, and the Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex came into play.
This isn't your average hyaluronic acid but instead combines fifteen hyaluronic compounds and is delivered by a peptide-charged system. In layman's terms, this is hydration on a whole different level. Honestly, my skin has never felt so hydrated before and I've tried many a product promising intense hydration that hasn't done anywhere near enough.
If you also suffer from dehydrated or dry skin, this is a must-try!
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane* (£2.75)
I'd been looking to introduce an oil into my skincare routine but had been put off by the £25+ prices. This, on the other hand, costs under £3!
It is ideal for dry or lacklustre skin and is a natural emoliant that doesn't block pores. It's really lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly, which is exactly what I was looking for in an oil. You can also use it on your hair!
And at £2.75, it is well worth a try.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (£6.30)
The Edinburgh store was sadly out of stock of this particular product on the day that I visited as it quite literally flies off the shelf. And I can understand why. Designed with dull or acne prone skin in mind, this is also great for those of us who have combination skin.
My biggest skin issue is uneven texture, primarily on my forehead and around my nose and I've been wanting to dabble with chemical exfoliators but wasn't sure how to ease myself and my skin, in. Basically start with the product that follows below but this is a perfect weekly treatment.
Okay, so it does look a little scary when applied because of its red colour. But do not let that put you off. The amount of glow this product gives the skin and how smooth it feels is unreal! If you try just one product from The Ordinary make it this one.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%* (£5.80)
Unlike the Peeling Solution, this can be used daily, or nightly as I do and is suitable for all skin types. It doesn't make my skin feel irritated or more sensitive. It also gently keeps on top of any build up of dead or dry patches of skin.
If you have pigmentation, acne scarring, age spots or skin texture issues, this is a great entry product when it comes to chemical exfoliators.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque* (£9.90)
Now this mask isn't technically designed with dry skin in mind, as it can be quite drying. But I just had to include it in today's blog post as it really is game changing. If you have oily or blemish prone skin, you simply have to try this! As I've gotten older, I've found that breakouts, particularly around my time of the month, are angrier, larger and sometimes even boil like. Yup, not great at all. And what I've used previously hasn't been strong enough to make a huge difference to them, until now.
As you will have seen in my The Top 10 Face Masks For Every Skin Type blog post, this mask is seriously impressive. It is a blend of charcoal and clay and a fraction of the price of other big name face masks. It can be quite drying, since that's what it's doing to any blemish. So I use it sparingly and only when I really need it. But it gets to work fast and really reduces inflammation, redness and even pain.
So those are my absolute top picks from The Ordinary and NIOD. Don't get me wrong, the Squalane Cleanser, Natural Moisturizing Factors and Serum Foundation are all really nice as well. But the five products in today's blog post are some of the best that I have ever tried!
In addition to the Edinburgh store, there are several DECIEM stores in London, in the UK. You'll find others in Canada, the US, Australia, Amsterdam, Mexico, Hong Kong and South Korea.
Or you can shop The Ordinary, NIOD and their sister brands from the comfort of your own home. You'll find them on Feelunique, Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic, ASOS and even Boots.
Have you tried anything from The Ordinary or the other DECIEM brands? If so, what do you think of them? And what do you think of the price point?
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