NIOD’s Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (MMHC) was one of the first few products that I had reviewed back in May 2017 when I just started my blog (Read full review here). I knew at that time that Deciem was in the midst of revamping the formula for MMHC and was about to release MMHC2 in a few months time. I’ve always wanted to try MMHC2 for the longest time but got distracted by some other hydrating serums along the way that I never got to it.

Well, as luck would have it, during the Chinese New Year period in February this year, I received a discount code from ASOS for 15% off. When I saw that the NIOD MMHC2 was listed on their website, I went for it and grabbed 3 bottles in one go. Heh! Now that I’ve been using it for around one month plus (and already more than halfway through one bottle), I think that it’s time for me to reveal my thoughts on this product. Will it live up to its predecessor? Will it exceed it? Or will it be a disaster? Read on!

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Butyroyl Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Algae Extract, Sodium Salicylate, Lecithin, Polyglucuronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Citric Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Propyl Gallate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol.

How does the NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex 2 (MMHC 2) fare?

NIOD’s Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex 2 is the second generation of MMHC, combining 15 forms of hyaluronic compounds to visibly hydrate skin. The formula offers a multi-dimensional approach to topical hyaluronic supplementation by combining 15 forms (vs the 12 forms of HA in the original MMHC) of hyaluronic compounds, hyaluronic precursors and a hyaluronic support technology in a peptide-charged delivery system. It offers water-based hydration and helps skin surface look plump, elastic, comfortable and uniform.

So what’s so special about MMHC2? Well, Deciem had included an extremely rare direct form of hyaluronic acid amongst the 15 hyaluronic compounds. In the world of beauty, the term “hyaluronic acid” is used loosely to refer to “sodium hyaluronate” which is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. When brands refer to “hyaluronic acid” in their information and marketing materials, in almost every case the reference is to forms of “sodium hyaluronate” which appears in the ingredient listing of the products. In fact, I had only encountered hyaluronic acid in its direct form before in Jordan Samuel Skin’s Hydrate serum (Full review here). While several sodium salt forms of hyaluronic acid are included in MMHC2, the formula also includes 1.0% direct hyaluronic acid which appears as “hyaluronic acid” in the ingredient listing. Direct hyaluronic acid offers pro-repair support far beyond basic water hydration that sodium hyaluronate offers, resulting in improvements to the elastic appearance and the general healthy look of skin.

Below is a table of comparison between the ingredients in the original version of MMHC and MMHC2. You can definitely see the inclusion of hyaluronic acid as well as a rise in the position of the various hyaluronic sodium salts (which translates to higher levels of hyaluronic sodium salts added in the revised formula).

However, I’m sure that if you are reading this review, you would be more interested to know whether the MMHC2 is as hydrating as MMHC or even more so. Well, I can definitely confirm that this version is indeed a far superior formula than the original one. How could I tell, you may ask? It’s simple. I find that on days that I use this serum, the fine dehydration lines on my forehead are very much lessened and my cheek area looks more lifted and plump. Most importantly, the hydration actually lasts throughout the day. This serum, like its predecessor, also comes in a watery formula which sinks into my skin nicely without interfering with the rest of my other skincare products. Since hydration serums are a non-negotiable part of my skincare routine (that is, I must use a hydrating serum in both my day and night routines), it is imperative that there’s no “rolling” or “flaking” even when I layer other products over it. 

If you are looking for an excellent hydrating serum which does exactly what it claims to do, I would highly recommend that you give this product a try. Because this serum has such a light watery texture, it would also be suitable for all skin types.

Thank you for reading!