You’d think a company wouldn’t want to cannibalise itself…
Case in point: Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134.01%. Both brands belong to Deciem. Both promise their products will give you the same results. And yet one is considerably more expensive than the other…
Makes no sense… Shouldn’t we all go with the cheapest option and call it a day?
This is where positioning comes in. Let’s be honest here: when you can choose between a gazillion different brands all offering the same thing, you make a decision based on your values.
Are you someone who prides herself on always scoring the best skincare deals or someone who loves to show off her high-end lotions to her friends?
Are you willing to pay more for the whole package (scent, texture, packaging, etc), or just want something that works?
Do you prefer to buy from a brand that shares your same values for safety and sustainability or do you like quirky gimmicks and a kawaii aesthetic?
By selling the same (or similar) thing through two different brands, Deciem can capture two different markets: people who want results at the most affordable price and are willing to compromise on details like texture (The Ordinary) and those who want access to the latest cutting-edge beauty innovations even if it means paying a higher price (Niod).
Now the mystery is solved, which of the two is right for you: Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist or The Ordinary EUK 134.01%? Let’s find out:
- What Ingredients Do Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134.01% Have In Common?
- What Else Is In Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134.01%?
- What’s The Texture Like?
- What’s The Packaging Like?
- How To Use Them
- Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
- Availability
- Is The Ordinary EUK 134.01% A Dupe For Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist?
What Ingredients Do Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134.01% Have In Common?
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE (SORT OF…)
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist contains Superoxide Dismutase (duh!), one of the most powerful antioxidants out there.
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% uses EUK-134, a mimetic of Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase. It basically acts like it.
The two are not the same thing, but they’re similar enough. It’s like comparing L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) with Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (one of its derivatives). Let’s do it!
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme. It’s the archenemy of Superoxide radical.
Superoxide is the most common free radical in the body. It’s also the primary trigger of inflammation, a process that destroys collagen and elastin and leaves you with wrinkles and dark spots.
Superoxide is so bad because it has a long life and is very reactive:
- When it reacts with another Superoxide radicals, it forms Hydrogen Peroxide
- When it reacts with hydrogen peroxide, it forms Hydroxyl Radical (the worst type of free radical ever).
- When it reacts with an unsaturated fatty acid, it forms Lipid Peroxide.
Superoxide dismutase hunts down Superoxide and converts it into oxygen and hdyrogen peroxide so it can’t wreak damage on your cells and give you wrinkles anymore.
- Prevent wrinkles and age spots
- Helps wounds heal faster
- Helps protects against UV rays
If you can add it to your skincare routine, do it.
To make this serum part of your The Ordinary routine I recommend following my scientist friend’s course called Extraordinary Skin With The Ordinary – in it she’s teaching you how to design a The Ordinary skincare routine to get makeupless skin you love. Click here to check it out now. (affiliate link)
EUK-134
EUK-134 is the nickname for Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride (because, who would remember that?!).
EUK-134 mimics two antioxidant enzymes: Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (another antioxidant that protects against free radicals).
A study done by Estee Lauder shows that EUK-134 lowers levels of free radicals in the surface of your skin after exposure to UVA rays. Translation: it fights free radicals.
Another (non associated with Estee Lauder) study tested a soothing serum that contains EUK-134, among other things. The result? The serum reduced redness and was well-tolerated even by sensitive skin types.
These results are promising, but not enough to make me stray from Superoxide Dismutase. There’s more research backing up that one.
Related: Is Superoxide Dismutase The Best Antioxidant Of All?
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What Else Is In Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134.01%?
The Ordinary EUK 134 literally contains only EUK-134 and Propanediol, a penetration-enhancer (Niod has it too, but it’s not interesting enough to dedicate a separate section to it).
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist also includes Marine Exopolysaccharides. Marine what?!
Think of it as hyaluronic acid on steroids. Derived through fermentation of a marine bacteria strain, it’s rich in the same monosaccharide (glucuronic acid) as HA.
Translation: it hydrates skin and smooths out wrinkles as well as hyaluronic acid – but without the dryness that high doses of hyaluronic acid can cause.
The catch? The only studies on it come from the manufacturer. That’s not to say it doesn’t work. Just don’t throw away your hyaluronic acid serums yet.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
What’s The Texture Like?
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist has a thin, yet very hydrating texture.
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% has an oily feel to it.
What’s The Packaging Like?
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist comes in a see-through bottle with a pump applicator. Antioxidants can degrade – and slowly lose their effectiveness – when exposed to light. Store it somewhere dark.
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% comes in a dark bottle with a dropper applicator. I personally find this type of packaging more practical.
How To Use Them
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist goes straight after cleansing. Morning and night.
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% goes after water-based serums but before oils or heavier creams. Or you can mix it with your antioxidant serum – as long as they don’t contain L-Ascorbic Acid.
Related: What’s The Right Order To Apply Skincare Products?
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
If money isn’t a concern, go with Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist. It has the real deal, plus it hydrates skin more. If you got dry skin, go for it anyway.
Are you on a strict budget? The Ordinary EUK 134.01% is a good second option. It’s definitely promising, but I’m waiting for more studies to back up its claims.
Availability
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (£34.00): Available at Asos, Beauty Bay, Escentual, Feel Unique, and Look Fantastic
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% ($8.80/£6.90): Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Escentual, and Feel Unique
Is The Ordinary EUK 134.01% A Dupe For Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist?
I wouldn’t say The Ordinary EUK 134.01% is an exact dupe for Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist, but it’s a good second option for women (and men) on a budget.
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Superoxide Dismutase, Malachite Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Polypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract, Cetraria Islandica Thallus Extract, Sphagnum Magellanicum Extract, Arginine, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Gellan Gum, Sodium Chloride, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% Ingredients
Propanediol, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol manganese chloride.
