Deciem - The Abnormal Beauty Company, is a Toronto-based company founded in 2013 by a beauty entrepreneur named Brandon Truaxe. "The company name comes from decima, which means 'ten' in Latin. Brandon called his company Deciem since everyone was always telling him not to do ten things at once, and he wanted to do exactly that. The name is to reflect this message and so it will stay the same even when we have more than ten brands." The ten brands of Deciem are: The Ordinary, Niod, Hylamide, Hand Chemistry, Fountain, HIF, White RX, AB Crew, Inhibitif and Grow Gorgeous.
Having spent a few days in Toronto over the holidays, my sister, best friend and I took a stroll to the Christmas market in the Distillery district and that is where I discovered the brand Deciem and their line The Ordinary. I spoke with a beauty advisor and she suggested a list of magical potions, which I will share with you below, to combat any breakouts, uneven skin tone, hydrate and moisturize and to overall improve the health of my skin. Since starting my new skin care regimen, I have barely had a breakout and the products are like magic; transforming and doing wonders on my skin tone.
A few years ago, I had an incredible cosmetician who used AHA products on my skin and since she moved away, I have been on a hunt for products containing these natural plant based products to no avail. These types of products are usually difficult to get your hands on as you have to be very careful how you use them and were normally only in the hands of professionals or extremely expensive. However, the Canadian company, Deciem is changing the stigma surrounding luxury skin products and have made the basic line The Ordinary a skin lover's dream. I have had compliments on my complexion and have been sharing my secrets of my new favourite products with all who will listen. Skin care products can run your wallet dry when stocking up on essentials and what I love about The Ordinary brand is that it is super effective yet affordable.
Here's what I got and have been using religiously:
Glyolic Acid 7% toning solution - Ideally, this should be using after cleansing your skin in the PM, but my skin can handle the usage after AM cleansing as well. I use this as you would a toner and it does not contain alcohol or oil and leaves my skin feeling exfoliated and refreshed. This formula contains a studied Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to help reduce irritation associated with acid use. This derivative is of plant origin and varies in colour seasonally and this colour variation may be apparent in the formula from time to time. The formula is further supported with inclusion of ginseng root and aloe vera for both visible radiance and soothing benefits.
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution with Witch Hazel - This acid is a beta hydroxyl acid (BHA) that exfoliates the skin. This 2% treatment solution helps exfoliate the inside walls of pores to fight the appearance of blemishes and for better visible skin clarity with continued use. I normally use this after my cleansing and toning in the evening as when I have used it in my morning routine, my makeup was not staying on smooth, so I also recommend that you use it once daily.
Lactic Acid 10% + HA - Lactic Acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin. This 10% formulation offers mild exfoliation and is supported with a purified Tasmanian pepperberry known to reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with exfoliation. I do not use this every day, but every other day and in the evening.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of HA determines its depth of delivery in the skin. This formulation combines low-, medium- and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next-generation HA crosspolymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration. This system is supported with the addition of Vitamin B5 which also enhances surface hydration. I apply this every day, after cleansing and toning, after acids in the evening and this helps keep my skin hydrated throughout the day. I also wear a sunscreen cream on top, before I apply my makeup, as using acids on skin can also increase the sensitivity of your skin and it is important to prevent sunburn.
Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane - This water-free solution contains a 2% concentration of an advanced retinoid active complex called Granactive Retinoid that has been shown to offer better results against multiple signs of aging than retinol without any of the irritation and drawbacks common with retinol. Again, this is not a product I use every day and I only use it in the evening as am certain to wear a sunscreen on my skin for further protection.
Remember, these products were chosen by a cosmetic specialist at the shop for my skin tone and concerns I had. I do not suggest to use the same skin regimen as I have, as we all have various skin sensitivities. If you have not used AHA or BHA products on your skin before, it is always best to consult with a cosmetician or dermatologist to see what would work best for you.
For those who are not able to go visit the store in Toronto, there are plenty of shops popping up around the globe and there is also the ease of online shopping. Those living in Budapest who are interested in taking a look at the Canadian products, should go check out the small shop which recently opened, Tinamu as they carry many of the Deciem products.
