This summer, because of the heat wave and the anti covid mask to be worn permanently, my skin can’t take it anymore: it feels attacked and has become very fragile. It is starting to blush for no reason at all, even though I am not the type to have rosacea. I thought of spreading B5 (by Skinceuticals), but I’m a gambler so I’m going to try other things.
I noticed that my skin was soothed and the redness disappeared every time I used The Ordinary’s Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% serum (which contains copper peptides) so I decided to invest in a higher-end, better formulated product containing copper peptides: NIOD CAIS2, which belongs to the same DECIEM group.
Apparently, it is Brandon’s favorite product, DECIEM’s fire-CEO, which he would have taken with him on a desert island… And of all the NIOD products, if you have to choose one, you have to choose this one. So I told myself that I absolutely had to test it.
This post is NOT sponsored
NIOD, what is it?
NIOD is part of the company DECIEM, which also owns the brand THE ORDINARY that everyone knows. NIOD is the acronym for Non-Invasive Options in Dermal Science.
While The Ordinary offers active ingredients in an almost pure state, NIOD offers carefully formulated products with active ingredients delivered in a revolutionary way. Some products are several years ahead of today’s cosmetics.
However, NIOD uses a lot of jargon, which means that only highly motivated users can understand the language and decode only the product description.
NIOS CAIS 2, what is it?
CAIS2 is a repair serum, pro-collagen. It is intended for long-term use, for a healthy skin. nCAIS2 refers to Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1.
The first CAIS version was a worldwide success. CAIS2 is the second version of it.
The formulation has been changed slightly to make the serum more stable in use.
What does NIOD CAIS contain?
1.0% Pure Undiluted Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) + 1.0% Pure Undiluted Tripeptide-1 (GHK)
It contains GHK copper peptides known as GHK-Cu. These are small protein fragments with a high affinity for copper(II) Cu2+ cations. In this second generation formula, Copper Amino Isolate 2:1 serum contains 2% pure GHK peptide.
2% according to NIOD, is a very high concentration, never seen in a serum, especially since they claim that other competitors only use it at 0.01% concentration.
Copper peptides (GHK-Cu and GHK) are already naturally present in our plasma, helping to heal wounds.
However, they decrease with age, down to -60% when you approach 60 years of age. The copper peptides provided by this serum will help the skin to regenerate, while providing an anti-inflammatory effect.
> 9.0% Pure Undiluted Tripeptide-29 et > 4.0% Complex of Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 and Trifluroacetyl Tripeptide-2
These peptides will help boost collagen production.
0.10% Pure Mono-Dispersed Plant Glycogen, > 9% Complex of Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 et Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer
Basically, they help protect the peptides in its bottle and make them stable, but once applied to the skin, all these good things will be delivered effectively, while moisturizing the skin properly.
Thus, skins in need of repair: skins weakened by acne or other problems (cold, rosacea, dryness …) will be very happy to have this contribution of copper peptides and ingredients called “pro-collagen”, the effect will be more visible.
Another effect of the production of collagen and elastin is the long-term anti-aging effect. nSkin that is already beautiful will see long-term effects: it is a very complete product, creating an optimal environment for the skin to function normally: good elasticity, top collagen production, and a functional protective barrier.
Note: this serum has no effect on the pimples. It helps skin weakened by acne to regenerate. To reduce pimples, it is necessary to use in parallel products adapted to acne
Combien ça coûte ?
Since copper peptides are expensive, we are on a top-of-the-range treatment, at 45,6€ per 15ml, or 72€ per 30ml.. OR 34,36€ per 15ml or -20% with the code NEWFAN on Lookfantastic (link)
You can buy it directly on NIOD’s official website here. I’ve placed several orders with them, they have more stock than resellers, but moreover, the delivery is free and fast, without any customs fees.
If you don’t like the product, you can send it back and get a refund. You can find it on the lookfantastic website, which also delivers without customs fees. There are often coupon codes on this site, allowing you to save between 20% and 25% regularly.
How to mix NIOD CAIS 2 ?
Each package contains 2 bottles (one almost empty and one almost full). In order to protect the active ingredients to the end, the brand prefers that users mix the contents of these two bottles themselves.
Warning! You must mix once for all, not for each use. It sounds complicated, but once we get the hang of it, it’ll go really fast.
The contents of the ACTIVATOR should be poured into the SERUM bottle. The pipette is there to better transfer the product if necessary. Then use the activator pipette to close the serum, which is now full. Discard the empty ACTIVATOR bottle.
When you buy 15ml, the total volume of the two bottles is 15ml, and not 15ml per bottle.
open both bottles 
pour activator into the serum 
use the activator pipette to close and shake the whole thing
Ingredients
For the curious, here is the list of ingredients for each bottle:
ACTIVATOR
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Tripeptide-29, Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycogen, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Dextran, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Isoceteth-20, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
COPPER CONCENTRATE SERUM
Aqua (Water), Copper Gluconate, Isoceteth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The texture
1st bottle 
2nd bottle
Compared to Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% at The Ordinary, CAIS 2 by NIOD is much more liquid, too liquid even, and is quickly absorbed by the skin.
This texture is very criticized because it doesn’t seem to have put a lot, but I assure you that it doesn’t take much to see the results. For those who like to spread multiple products (Asian layering), it’s great because you can do your 10 steps routine without having a 5cm layer.
After 10 days, the light blue changed to blue-grey. I sent the picture and the question to the Deciem team who confirmed that the color has changed but that I can still use it.
I am still not reassured and decide to order a second bottle to compare. I think that the 1st bottle had problems because the 2nd has a vibrant blue and much more concentrated – 10 days later, it is still the same blue.
In the meantime, the blue-grey of the first bottle has turned to black and even the smell is changing so there’s no point in using it anymore. I think I stored it in the bathroom, where the sun and heat comes in every morning – during the heat wave, and it oxidized my first bottle. Now I store it in the living room, away from the light and heat.
As a result, I got a refund for the first bottle, I simply sent it back. That’s the advantage when you buy directly from Deciem, even if the bottle has been opened, they refund without any problem (within 365 days of purchase). And since I paid by PayPal, it’s PayPal that refunds me the return shipping costs (16€ anyway) to the UK
Use
Immediately after cleansing the face, it should be applied
To avoid wasting even a single drop of this serum, pipette 4 drops directly onto the skin. Then gently pat the product into the skin. Personally, I use 4 drops for the whole face.
Because the serum is extremely concentrated. There are negative opinions on this serum, because users put it on their face, as if it were a cream!
It isn’t by chance that they sell the 15ml version ! 4 drops are enough, I repeat, 4 !
Be careful, it is a care serum, so immediately afterwards, you must apply a moisturizing serum . The brand recommends MMHC2, by NIOD, which I will have the opportunity to tell you about in another article
- After CAIS2, you
must wait at least 30 seconds before applying vitamin C, retinol, tretinoid, … (it was with CAIS 1 sorry) No retinol, tretinoid, nor vitamin C with CAIS 2 - this serum is compatible with niacinamide, but if your niacinamide serum isn’t a moisturizing serum (for example the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% from The Ordinary which I have reviewed very positively), I advise against using the two together because otherwise you would have to spread a third HYDRATING serum. I will recommend again and again my favorite, the unique INTENSIVE “ANTI-SOOTHING” BI-SERUM from Clarins.
- But if you absolutely want to use niacinamide, this is the winning combo: CAIS 2, MMHC 2 from NIOD then Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% from The Ordinary then a moisturizing cream or emulsion. You can afford to spread 3 serums in a row because CAIS 2 and MMHC 2 are as liquid as water.
Results
The results aren’t immediately visible unlike other DECIEM products formulated for an immediate effect, this one has effects on me after 5 days because my skin is currently very damaged. Slowly, the red (rosacea) inflammatory borderline zones of the area where I wear the mask fade. The irritated areas hurt less, then no longer hurt at all.
I had a mosquito bite in my inner thigh, which I scraped up to the blood (not well), and I tested this serum on it, it closed quickly and in two days the wound became barely visible. Impressive!
Combined with MMHC 2, the effects are even more visible: my skin looks great the next day: repaired and rested, very soft with much, much less texture.
Here are the pictures before/after 6 weeks of use of CAIS 2 & MMHC 2. I hope not to shock anyone. It’s my skin, it’s not perfect but it’s healing. The pimples have disappeared even though there are days when I wear the mask all day long. The mask is behind me alleluia, I just have to take care of the spots now.
On normal and already healthy skin, you won’t have the WOW effect right away, but it will show in the long term.
I will come back in 3 months time to finish the serum, to give you a complete before/after. But the results after 3 weeks are so great that I couldn’t help but share them with you.
Where to buy NIOD CAIS 2?
We are on a top-of-the-range care, at 45,6€ per 15ml, or 72€ per 30ml.
OR 34,36€ for 15ml, or -20% with the promo code NEWFAN on Lookfantastic (link)
For those who prefer a more viscous texture, the CAIL version (copper peptides delivered in an oily base: squalane) has just been released but is already out of stock. Feedback on CAIL is much less positive than CAIS and CAIS 2, so I recommend you try CAIS 2 first.
For more information about NIOD, see my article where I detail NIOD bestsellers.
