Review: Niod Copper Amino Isolate Lipid 1% – CAIL 1%

Where to purchase: From the Niod Website HERE

Price: £70

Volume: 15ml

What is it?: An oil/paste-version of the CAIS Serum from Niod – Review HERE (but that contains 2% Cu whereas this contains 1%) aimed at dry skins. CAIS aims to improve the skin’s health (not anti-ageing) but improve the function of one’s skin. So it’s a great supplement to one’s routine for maintenance and to ensure the functions of the skin are working appropriately.

Brand Description: The formula has a blue gel-like texture that melts into an oil. Designed to improve skin health. A pro-collagen, lipid, fat formula made to improve the skin’s barrier function. The difference between this and the CAIS liquid serum is that this uses ‘Lipophillic pathways’ to improve the appearance of the skin. It tries to improve the volume and resilience of the skin.

Supposedly Good for: Not specifically stated the exact skin types.

What I think: Aimed at dry skins. Especially dry mature skins.

This is the box the product came in. Similar to most Niod packaging.

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

Packaging: Metal, squeezable Tube with a Plastic Cap – it does mean once you squeeze it, it’ll never go back to its original shape.

pH: 5-6 (this does not feel stingy on the skin)

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Directions: Designed for PM use (probably because of the oily/greasy+ vaseline-like texture of this) – CAIL1% is designed to be used on its own after cleansing. Apply a very small amount to face and neck in the evening. If incorporated into the NIOD core regimen, Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (MMHC) may be used after the application of this product.

How I use it: I will state HERE that I did not apply a very small amount to the face and neck and did apply a pea-sized amount to the face and neck. Due to the texture of this, I couldn’t fathom applying this straight after cleansing and before watery serums. So, I applied this in the PM just after my serums and just before my moisturiser – the Stratia liquid gold. This combination did not serve very well as both of these oily/greasy products made my face a total grease ball. BUT when I subtracted the Niod Lipid – the face was more tolerable in terms of greasiness, than the other way around.

Key Ingredients: The Pro-Skin Health ingredients are: 1. Tripeptide-1 (basically Copper peptide) – at a 1% concentration (note – the liquid serum is as a 2% concentration, hence why this is cheaper). Works to ”Restore a youthful appearance to the skin” – quite a vague statement but it basically means it may be anti-inflammatory, stimulate collagen synthesis in the skin thereby helping with the firmness of the skin + wrinkles as well as helping with skin healing.

2. Zizanoic Vetiver – Helps with skin volume + firmness (supposedly)
3. Patented Dihydrodiisoeugenol Complex – supposedly aid with the elasticity + firmness in the skin)
4. Aphanizomenon Aquaflo – a blue-green algae ‘rich in vitamins, minerals + amino acids’ – supposed to help the stratum corneum barrier + improve skin elasticity.
5. Plant-derived Squalane – emollient + hydrator.

Full Ingredients: Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Glycolipids, Sucrose Laurate, Propanediol, Tripeptide-1 (Palmitoyl) Copper, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Propylmethylmethoxybenzofuran, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Extract, Aphanizomenon Flos-aquae Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

NOTE: The Incidecoder / Skincarisma have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: Initially this feels like a relatively thick-ish type balm that tugs on the skin/pulls the skin a bit when initially applying + spreading. I know this doesn’t contain petrolatum but this really does feel like Vaseline to me. I think the formula is very similar to Abnomaly’s Petrolatum-free lip balms.

It is very greasy and intensively moisturising. The paste/balm—>oil-like texture once the product has melted on the skin (due to the skin’s heat) remains sitting on the skin even after melting. Once it does melt into a more oil-like texture, this is easier to massage around the face and really spread the product. But before melting, it’s difficult.

This to me, wasn’t pleasant on the skin because it didn’t disappear + it was greasy/oily. I could totally feel this sat on top of the skin, so that’s why I think those in hot and humid weathers may not like the feel.

To me initially this looks like a blue vaseline paste (and it sort of feels that way too), quite difficult to spread across the skin. Once spread, it then melts into the skin into an oil-type balm that remains on top of the skin.

I know that this looks quite ‘liquid-y’ but it definitely feels more like Vaseline upon initial application.

Still not the easiest to spread around the skin. it takes time for the product to ‘melt’ more into an oil-like texture in order to spread it around the skin and massage it easily.

It’s still kind of sticky/difficult to spread here but it will start to melt the more I spread.

Once the product has fully rubbed in + turned into an oil. That grease does not disappear.

Do you see how the finish is simply oily / greasy? This texture and look does not disappear – I think that’s why Deciem recommend this for evening use.

Fragrance?: No added fragrance – this just smells like the ingredients i.e. a light scent of oil.

Good Under Makeup?: No.

How long have I been using this?: I used it for 3 weeks ever night until stopping

The Effect?: Definitely moisturised the skin. Did not irritate my skin either. I used this for maintenance and not to correct anything, so no visible results. I was left initially with a greasy-looking face.

What I like:

• No added fragrance / essential oils
• Moisturising
• Did not break me out or sensitise or irritate my skin

What I don’t like:

• So greasy / oily – the texture makes my skin get an uncomfortable oil slick which never disappears after allowing to sit on the skin for hours.
• I found this to induce faster facial hair growth? (please let me know in the comments if this has happened to you)
• Can’t wear in the AM
• Can mess up my pillow case as the product sits on the skin + doesn’t disappear
• I don’t like that this seems quite thick upon application (requires tugging and pulling at the skin in order to spread this around and I really don’t like doing that) fyi – it does melt once spread out over the skin due to the warmth of the skin and becomes more of an oil-like texture.
• I couldn’t actually finish this because I couldn’t handle the texture (too greasy/oily as this melts almost into a facial oil on the skin

Video: Live Texture of the Product!

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 2.8/5 – I love that this is unfragranced + contains no essential oils. I like that the ingredient list focuses on the main ingredients + moisturisation. I like squalane. I think using copper as a supplement to one’s anti-ageing routine is great. BUT this product was not made for my skin type and the kind of textures that I like. I like lightweight + watery formulas. This tugs on the skin when I apply, it feels like a balm or vaseline on the skin, it never disappears and just turned greasy / oily on my skin and wasn’t comfortable to wear or sleep in. My skin felt like it couldn’t breathe – just not a good match. I think people in hot and humid weathers would find it unpleasant (unless you like to smear something equivalent to vaseline on the face?) HOWEVER I do think for those with dry skins, this would be lush! a lovely, moisturising, oil-loaded type paste. I think if you wanted a thicker more moisturising version of the CAIS liquid serum, then you’d enjoy this. But for me, I’ll opt for something less greasy and more watery.

Would I repurchase?: No – too uncomfortable for my liking.

Dupe?: The Lighter / Watery version of this which is the CAIS2 Serum – Review HERE – I prefer it. But I still get the same problem in terms of promoted facial hair growth.

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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