Is The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1% a dupe for Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist? You’d think a company wouldn’t want to cannibalise itself. And yet… 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 0.1%? Let’s find out:
What Ingredients Do Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1% 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 0.1% 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. Studies show it:
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?
Want more dupes? Subscribe to the newsletter below and receive the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet with all my fave dupes:
What Else Is In Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1%?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
Red: What is this doing here?!
NIOD SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE SACCHARIDE MIST
Aqua (Water): The main solvent in the formula, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
Malachite Extract: A copper-rich mineral that helps fight the damaging effects of environmental aggressors on the skin. The amount of copper it contains can vary wildly, so it’s best to use copper peptides for this.
Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides: A marine alternative to Hyaluronic Acid, it plumps up fine lines and wrinkles and hydrates skin. 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.
Mirabilis Jalapa Extract: It makes skin softer and smoother.
Polypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract: A plant extract derived from European ferns, it moisturises skin.
Cetraria Islandica Thallus Extract: A lichen that forms a soothing and moisturising film on your skin.
Sphagnum Magellanicum Extract: It makes skin softer and smoother.
Arginine: An amino acid with hydrating and antioxidant properties.
Propanediol: A solvent. It helps dissolve other ingredients in the formula.
Glycerin: A humectant. It draws water from the air into your skin, helping to keep it hydrated for longer.
Pentylene Glycol: Another humectant that increases skin’s moisture level.
Butylene Glycol: A humectant that hydrates skin and leaves it softer and suppler.
Sodium Salicylate: A preservative that extends the shelf life of your skincare products.
Gellan Gum: It enhances the texture of the product and helps it stay stable during storage.
Sodium Chloride: A.k.a. table salt, it thickens the texture of skincare products.
Ppg-26-Buteth-26: An emulsifier that keeps the formula stable.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: An emollient and emulsifier. It makes skin softer and smoother and prevents the formula from separating into a watery and an oily layer.
Citric Acid: It’s used to adjust the pH of skincare products.
Tromethamine: Another pH adjuster.
Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that kills bacteria, keeping your skincare products safer for longer.
Chlorphenesin: Another preservative that inhibits bacteria contamination.
THE ORDINARY EUK-134 0.1%
Propanediol: Yes, this serum only has two ingredients. EUK and Propanediol, a multi-tasker that hydrates skin and enhances the penetration of active ingredients into your skin. Oh, it’s a solvent, too.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1% 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).
Think of The Ordinary brand as a supplement brand. If you’re missing one ingredient in your skincare routine (in this case, EUK), this is a good way to add it. But if you’d like a multi-vitamin (to stay with the supplement analogy), this won’t cut it.
Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist is a more complete formula. Not only it contains the real deal, Superoxide Dismutase, it’s also loaded with hydrators to make skin softer and plump up fine lines and wrinkles.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
What Is The Texture Like?
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 0.1% comes in a dark bottle with a dropper applicator. I personally find this type of packaging more practical.
How To Use Them
The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1% 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. The two don’t work well together.
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 0.1% 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 (£40.00): Available at Beauty Bay and Niod
The Ordinary EUK 134.01% (£11.50): Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and The Ordinary
Is The Ordinary EUK 134 0.1% A Dupe For Niod Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist?
NIOD SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE SACCHARIDE MIST
THE EUK 134 0.1%
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Superoxide Dismutase
EUK-134
OTHER INGREDIENTS
Hydrators.
Propanediol (enchances penetration of actives).
TEXTURE
Very lightweight.
Has an oily feel.
PACKAGING
A see-through bottle with a pump applicator
A dark bottle with a dropper applicator.
PERFORMANCE
Prevents and plumps up wrinkles.
Prevents wrinkles.
IRRITATING POTENTIAL
Low.
Slightly higher.
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.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
