To find out more about NIOD the brand, head to my Deciem brand post.
Which NIOD Mask is the best?- Myrrh Clay Firming Mask
Purported effects of the Myrrh Clay–
- Peat– a mineral and antioxidant rich mulch of decomposed plants. 9,000 year old human bodies have been found perfectly preserved in peat bogs. Hopefully adding the stuff to skincare can harness its powerful preservative properties.
- Indian Solum Fullonum– Aka Fullers Earth Aka Multani Mitti. A mineral rich clay with toxin absorbing capabilities. Especially beneficial for acne prone skin as it can suck up oils and impurities.
- Alpine Strawberry Leaf extract– High in Vitamin C.
- Myrrh extract– I haven’t been able to find out much on Myrrh. Deciem writes- “for wound healing, as an antioxidant and for age prevention, the main benefit of topically-applied myrrh is visible and immediate firmness to the skin”. I can’t see anything online about the skin firming abilities.
- Evodea Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract– Used in Chinese medicine. This has been proven in studies to reduce skin inflammation.
Yes, particularly for acne sufferers or those with blocked pores.
Which NIOD Mask?- Flavanone Mud
Purported effects of Flavanone Mud–
- Montmorillonite– An absorbent mineral clay
- Kaolin– an oil absorbing clay mineral
- Bisabolol– an anti inflammatory derived from Chamomile
- Panthenyl triacetate– stimulates skin metabolism, anti inflammatory, skin support
- Glucosyl hesperidin– a flavanoid antioxidant which increases blood supply to the skin
- Potassium azeloyl diglycinate– an Azeleic Acid derivative
- Argilla– clay
- Resveratrol– an antioxidant
- Naringenin– a flavanoid from orange peel. It has proven anti inflammatory and anti oxidant effects. In fact, it sounds pretty bloody marvellous the more I read about it.
- Arginine– building block of collagen.
- Alteromonas Ferment Extract– A polysaccharide extracted from a deep sea plant. Known for hydration and soothing.
- Perfluordecalin– delivers oxygen to the skin surface.
- Jojoba oil– a vitamin rich sebum like plant wax with emollient, antioxidant and soothing properties.
- Glycosphingolipids– a ceramide precursor essential for the skin’s moisture barrier.
- pH 7-8
- Oil, alcohol, nut, silicone, gluten and cruelty free
- £29 for 50mls jar or £38 for 100mls tube (definitely makes sense to get the 100mls) from Deciem
- Flavanone Mud is meant to be used once weekly but you can do an every day for 5 days accelerated method.
- The results can take 48 hours to show to their full extent.
I tried the 5 day accelerated method and you really do get fantastically clear glowing skin.
Which NIOD Mask?- Mastic Must
A visible immediate reduction in pore size. See NIOD.com for more information.
- Stearic acid– a fatty acid which breaks down oils. Can be comedogenic.
- Mastic Gum– the brittle sap from a Mastic tree. Has anti septic, anti oxidant, anti inflammatory and healing properties. Proven to help reduce the size and appearance of pores.
- Centaurea cyanus flower water– a flower extract with anti inflammatory properties, rich in plant flavanoids.
- Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract– Aka soapnut. A natural saponin or cleanser.
- Niacinamide– Aka Vitamin B3, known for it’s pore reducing, oil fighting abilities. Also good for the moisture barrier and helps with pigmentation.
- Honey– a natural anti bacterial.
- Arginine– a component of collagen.
- Bentonite– for detoxification.
- Lecithin– skin conditioner.
- Phospholipids– skin barrier replenishing.
- Lactobacillus ferment– a probiotic which may benefit acne prone skin.
- pH- 6-7
- Oil, silicone and cruelty free (ie contains alcohol and nuts and isn’t vegan)
- To be used in the morning, as often as you see fit. Leave on for 10 minutes and as an extra optional step- use a hairdryer on a warm setting for 15 seconds to further increase results)
- £27 for a 90ml tube from Deciem
Would I recommend Mastic Must?
Mastic Must isn’t my favourite NIOD mask as really it’s only fit for one thing.
Which NIOD Mask is the best?- Sanskrit Saponins
This isn’t touted a mask but that is how I use it and I love Sanskrit Saponins as a mask.
Cleansing. For a fuller (yet more confusing) description head to NIOD.com
Key Ingredients of Sanskrit Saponins–
- Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract– Soapnut extract. A popular Ayurvedic cleanser that is less drying than soap.
- Stearic Acid– a fatty acid which breaks down oils. Can be comedogenic.
- Arginine– building block of collagen.
- Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract– Aka Shikakai, an anti septic Ayurvedic plant extract.
- Desert Date Extract– Replenishing antioxidant rich oil.
- Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract– Skin conditioning agent, is all I could find about it.
Key Features of Sanskrit Saponins–
- pH 7-7.5
- Alcohol, oil, silicone and cruelty free and vegan
- £21 for 90mls tube or £34 for 180mls tube from Deciem.com
- To be used as a second cleanser only if makeup is worn, cannot be used near the eyes.
What is Sanskrit Saponins like?
It’s an earthy yeast smelling balmy style cleanser in a tube. It is best applied
Which is the best NIOD mask?
I use my four NIOD masks on rotation, depending on how my skin is feeling.
Mastic Must before a full face of makeup to give a smooth poreless finish.
Myrrh Clay when I’m having an acne breakout to bring down inflammation.
Sanskrit Saponins as a deep second cleansing mask.