One of the brands under the oh-so-hot Deciem company (others include Niod and The Ordinary) whose mantra is “ skincare for every depth of your skin “. With technologically advanced ingredients and delivery mechanisms, their products are designed to not just reach the surface, but all layers of our skin.
If you’re looking for something a little fancier than The Ordinary, but aren’t quite ready to splurge on Niod products, Hylamide is a great brand to consider.

Closer look at the Hylamide brand

One of the brands under the oh-so-hot Deciem company (others include Niod and The Ordinary) whose mantra is “ skincare for every depth of your skin “. With technologically advanced ingredients and delivery mechanisms, their products are designed to not just reach the surface, but all layers of our skin.
If you’re looking for something a little fancier than The Ordinary, but aren’t quite ready to splurge on Niod products, Hylamide is a great brand to consider.

Closer look at the SubQ Anti-age ingredients

Copper Lysinate/Prolinate – helps improve overall skin conditions by promoting collagen synthesis within our skin. This and methylglucoside phosphate (another key ingredient) form the anti-aging complex Neodermyl™. (source)
Nonapeptide-3 Retino-Complex – A new technology that delivers better(?) anti-aging results than Retinol with less irritation
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 – Aka Matrixyl Synthe’6™ , an ingredient that helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles (source)
5 forms of hyaluronic acid – they work together to target surface hydration and promote rehydration from within, helping the skin look plump and healthy
Multi-functional saccharide – identical in form to skin carbohydrates that offers lasting rehydration, improves skin texture, and supports healthy skin barrier functions
Antarctic and Hawaiian algae complex – supports renewal and help prevent moisture loss
Skin binding glycoprotein – helps optimizes skin exposure to active ingredients for a boosted effect

I’m not sure why there aren’t that many reviews for this product, as I think it’s fantastic. Impressive ingredient list aside (which I won’t even bother analyzing because Deciem already did a fab job at it), it works for all skin types and all ages. Anti-aging should be a preventive measure, not a reactive treatment, so don’t think it’s too early to start adding anti-aging products in your routine! From the bright pop of purple on the packaging to the super-light texture, I feel like this serum was made for the younger crowd that find traditional anti-aging serums off-putting.

As someone with combo (and now slightly sensitive) skin, this serum works beautifully with my skin and with other products. I did experience a bit of redness and tingling with this when my skin was irritated from Curology, but that’s more due to my comprised skin barrier than the serum itself.

Now for the million dollar question: does it work? I do have a few fine lines around my eyes (only visible when I squint) and one pesky smile line that’s a result of me sleeping on my side, but I haven’t noticed any significant improvements. At the same time, I haven’t noticed any new lines appearing either, and I’ve found my concealer creases less around the eye area. So while the results aren’t significant, there are definitely small improvements that I’m hoping will be more obvious as I continue using the product.

As for being anti-wrinkle and anti-aging, it may have some effects, but those are harder to fix with something you just put on your face. I find that sleeping on my back does more to prevent wrinkles than any cream or serum. Also, a good diet and hydration are key. One of the major Dermatologists in New York City who does a lot of Botox and peels and has very high end clients says that diet does more to give his clients a glow and good skin than what he does in the office. Biotivia’s Pteromax, which is a resverotrol and super antioxidant supplement helps my skin heal quickly from sun exposure in the summer and is good general anti-aging for the entire body, not just the face (Biotivia supplies the scientific researchers doing the actual studies with their resveratrol- not all resveratrol products are the same quality).

Hylamide SubQ Anti-age, 1 Ounce

I have been using Hylamide SubQ for 2 weeks. I have dry cheeks that are aggravated in the winter, and my regular moisturizer wasn’t quite cutting it. I now apply this under my moisturizer, and since using it, the skin on my cheeks has thickened and not been so sensitive. Supposedly this product will balance your internal moisture balance in 2 weeks on its own, but I didn’t want to use only this product and wait as my skin was so dry and uncomfortable without moisturizer. Maybe I will try doing that in the summer. I used to have a lot of scaliness that could only be seen after applying foundation. Since using Hylamide SubQ, I have not had issues with scaliness and having to exfoliate my already dry and sometimes irritated skin. I don’t get a buildup of excess skin cells on my oilier T zone either. Hylamide SubQ has balanced my skin and gotten rid of the need to over exfoliate.

I like the packaging. Some have complained about the dropper getting drippy, but that has never happened to me. I pull it out of the bottle, put 3 drops in the palm of my hand, and put the dropper back in the bottle with no problem.

I do not have a lot of skin problems besides the dry cheeks and was looking for something more preventative, as I am in my mid 30s. I like the ingredients and pricing of this product. I did a lot of research on Hylamide and Deciem, their parent company, before buying. I feel this product is one of the better serums on the market, and I have tried quite a few over $100 products. I like that Hylamide focuses on repairing and balancing the skin, rather than irritating it and causing inflammation to induce repair. Long term inflammation causes more aging over time, so products like harsh acids can cause more aging if used for long periods without rest periods.

As for being anti-wrinkle and anti-aging, it may have some effects, but those are harder to fix with something you just put on your face. I find that sleeping on my back does more to prevent wrinkles than any cream or serum. Also, a good diet and hydration are key. One of the major Dermatologists in New York City who does a lot of Botox and peels and has very high end clients says that diet does more to give his clients a glow and good skin than what he does in the office. Biotivia’s Pteromax, which is a resverotrol and super antioxidant supplement helps my skin heal quickly from sun exposure in the summer and is good general anti-aging for the entire body, not just the face (Biotivia supplies the scientific researchers doing the actual studies with their resveratrol- not all resveratrol products are the same quality).

I will use this bottle until it is done, then I may wait a few weeks before reordering. I find that I often don’t appreciate what a product does for me until I stop using it for a while. The best products take time to work and keep on working for you. Deciem’s founder says that Hylamide SubQ will help you see results quickly and is packed with a lot ingredients to address a lot of different issues. If you want more long term prevention and positive results, his Niod line has some more concentrated copper peptide compounds. I decided to try this first as it is more affordable and works more quickly. I have really liked having thicker skin on my cheeks and having them be less ruddy and irritated.

Fragrance?: NO! 🙂 And also this doesn’t smell bad like the Niod MMHC which smells of cheese.

Review: Hylamide SubQ Skin

Anti-age was the old name. I’m intruiged to think why they changed the name….

Where to purchase: Available at Look Fantastic: HERE

Price: £18

Volume: 30ml

Good for: Those who are concerned about ageing skin or need hydration.

What it supposedly targets:

• SURFACE HYDRATION
• FINE LINES
• BELOW-SURFACE HYDRATION
• WRINKLES
• DYNAMIC LINES
• TEXTURAL IRREGULARITIES

MY opinion: I’m intrigued to know why they changed the name of this product from Anti-age to skin…perhaps legal reasons to the actual effect of the product? Not sure.

Description: In my opinion – an upgraded version of the ‘Buffet’ serum from the Ordinary. I would say upgraded because the texture of this, to me, is better (doesn’t ball up on my which often the ordinary serum does. The website states that it’s a concentrate of hyaluronic complexes (so multiple HAs), peptides and ‘biotechnologies’ to help rehydration.

Plumping up the skin with hydration means it reduces the look of fine lines and helps soften the texture of your skin. I don’t know how these can help with long-term wrinkles as I’m not sure peptides have been scientifically proven as effective anti-ageing compounds like retinol has been proven.

Directions: Apply to entire face AM and PM after cleansing.

How I use it: I apply this after using the Argireline solution (usually in the PM) and after using vitamin C. I mix this in with a a drop of cream and the laneige cream skin – I make a cocktail in the PM and apply. If I apply in the AM, I’ll just use this after a toner and before cream. I personally use this as an add-on to anti-ageing and not as my SOLE serum to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Key Ingredients:

Peptides

• Copper Lysinate/Prolinate – a pro-collagen (so I’m guessing to stimulate collagen production).
• Nonapeptide-3 Retino-Complex – apparently produced better anti-ageing results than retinol with less irritation (I’m sceptical about this).
• Next-Generation Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 – ‘Advanced form of Matrixyl’, helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
• 5 forms of Hyaluronic acids (to help with hydration and ‘visible elasticity’)
• 2 forms of very-low molecular Hyaluronic Complex for rehydration.
• A ‘new’ Hyaluronic Acid pre-cursor to help the skin look ‘plump and healthy.’
• Tamarind-derived plant hyaluronic form that helps with rehydration.

Saccharide – mimics skin carbohydrates :Provides long-term hydration (if used continuously), improves the skin’s texture and helps with skin barrier function.

Algae Complex to support renewal and help prevent moisture loss.

Skin-binding glycoprotein (apparently increases the skin’s exposure to ‘active technologies’ to boost the effect of actives.

My take-away from this: basically a really good humectant serum (pulls water into the skin) – sinks deep into the skin for hydration.

Ingredients:

Aqua (water), glycerin, hydrolyzed yeast extract, pentylene glycol, tamarindus indica seed gum, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, myristoyl nonapeptide-3, copper lysinate/prolinate, methylglucoside phosphate, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, ahnfeltia concinna extract, saccharide isomerate, polyglucuronic acid, lactobacillus/eriodictyon californicum ferment extract, pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, phospholipids, lecithin, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, hexylene glycol, salicylic acid, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, ethoxydiglycol, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin.

Cosmetic breakdown of ingredients HERE

Texture: It should be gloopy and sticky but it’s not (hence why I said it’s an upgraded version of the Ordinary’s buffet serum. It’s light but still viscous. Does not ball up under my spf. Doesn’t feel sticky either.

It sinks in even further than this. Very light-weight and hydrating

Live Swatch of this product is on my Youtube video!

Good under makeup?: Seems to be fine for me.

Packaging: A glass dropper bottle.

Fragrance?: NO! 🙂 And also this doesn’t smell bad like the Niod MMHC which smells of cheese.

The effect: Hydrated and plumped up skin! (can’t notice lines as easily but this effect is temporary).

How long have I been using this?: About 4 weeks.

What I like:

• No fragrance
• Doesn’t ball up under my other products
• Hydrates my skin
• Doesn’t irritate my skin
• Absorbs quickly and doesn’t tug at my skin when I rub it in.
• Contains a buffet of peptides so I don’t need to worry about including additional peptides.

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What I don’t like:

• A bit pricey for 30ml
• We don’t know how effective peptides are for legit turn back the test of time anti-ageing – like retinol does (need more clinical studies proving so) – so could be a waste of time using it. However I like to use it additionally to something proven like Retinol.

Rating and Conclusion: 3.9/5 – A good addition to my routine as this is the peptide part of my routine. Of course retinol is proven to be anti-ageing and then there is good evidence of AHA helping with fine lines and vitamin C also helping with collagen production – but next up in upcoming research are peptides. although right now they seem to mainly be good at hydration seemingly so, I appreciate adding this in my routine in case it does help with further collagen production and if not, at least this helps hydrate my skin well! I would say add this to your anti-ageing routine and do not depend on it ALONE as an anti-ageing solution. As a hydrating solution however I think it is fine!

Would I repurchase?: Yes I have repurchased this already. I think this is a great addition to any anti-ageing / hydrating routine as this contains a ‘buffet’ of peptides. I like this more than the ordinary’s buffet with copper peptides because that seemed to irritate my skin and ball up under my SPF.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

The best place to buy Hylamide is through Deciem with free delivery on orders over 25€$. A lot of stockists sold Hylamide until Deciem reduced the prices a few years ago. You might be lucky to find Hylamide at one of these Deciem stockists.

More FAQs

Can you use The Ordinary L-Ascorbic Acid in the same routine as Hylamide Sub-Q Skin in the same routine? We suggest alternating between them for best results

Can I use Sub Q Skin with NIOD ELAN at night with Sub Q Skin, or would there be a conflict? Peptides should be alternated with pure/direct forms of Vitamin C. It would be best to use these two separately.

I use Buffet and Matryxl. Would I use this instead or in combination with? SubQ Skin could replace “Buffet” and Matrixyl in your routine

Is it ok to use Hylamide Sub Q Skin with The Ordinary Argireline Solution? Although it may not be necessary, you may indeed.

Can I use Hylamide Sub Q Skin with Buffet + Copper Peptides? It may not be necessary to include both in your routine – however, the formulas do not conflict with each other.

Which one is stronger? Buffet & Copper or Sub Q Skin? For a stronger effort against signs of age, the SubQ Skin is a great option as it also targets rehydration, along with improving the looks of sagging skin and textural damage.

What is the difference between The Ordinary, Hylamide, NIOD and The Chemistry? The Ordinary offers familiar, effective clinical technologies. It exists to communicate with integrity and bring to market effective, more familiar technologies at honourable prices. NIOD has a single genetic commitment to be at the very edge of science. Using only the very latest technologies, NIOD is focused on pushing the limits of science in skincare. Hylamide brings a mindful approach to skincare with a modest collection of multi-depth, multi-function formulas. Using the very latest in next-generation actives. Finally, The Chemistry Brand is focused on treatments to fight all aspects of hand and body ageing. We hope this helps to clarify.

Is Sub Q Skin less sticky than The Ordinary Buffet? SubQ Skin has a lighter consistency than “Buffet”.

So there is my comparison. I like the Deciem brands because their products seem to be well-formulated and price seems to correlate with activity, but even the lower-priced products are a good quality, well-thought-out product.

Beauty Review: Battle of the Deciem Brands, The Ordinary Buffet vs. Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age Serum

Update 11/5/2019: So as many in the beauty community may know, the problematic owner of Deciem was pushed out and passed away in early 2019. In light of this, I’ve relaxed my decision not to support the company, though I have not returned to using any of the products I’ve reviewed previously.

Update: Since writing this review, I have decided I no longer wish to support Deciem or any of its brands. See here to see what products I like instead.

So I’ve been procrastinating writing a review of The Ordinary’s Buffet serum for a while now. Originally, I was just lazy. But then, I decided to try switching to the Hylamide’s SubQ Anti-Age serum. When I started using it, I thought maybe I’d hold my review of Buffet until I had an opinion of SubQ, since Deciem holds up SubQ as a more potent version of Buffet.

I’ve only tried two other products from each range: Hylamide’s C25 Booster serum and Hydra-Density Mist, and The Ordinary’s Niacinamide + Zinc serum and Hyaluronic Acid + B5 serum. Of the serums, I find that Hylamide’s serums have a more sophisticated texture, in general, though I like The Ordinary’s focus on simple, one- or two-main-ingredient products so you can mix and match exactly what you want. I’ve had a problem in the past with some serums just offering too much, leading me to skip a serum that looks interesting because one of the other ingredients is unwanted. But “Buffet” is a different beast for The Ordinary. As per the company’s description, the name implies a comparison to an all-you-can-eat restaurant. But even this many-in-one formula remains relatively uncomplicated. It’s peptides and hyaluronic acid in several weights. In essence, this is what SubQ Anti-Age is as well.

The main difference in description is that SubQ Anti-Age is marketed specifically as an alternative to retinol products for anti-aging. This intrigued me, as I’ve been striving to avoid retinols and retinoids in my skin care routine as something I would have to give up if Fiancé and I decide to have a child. Why find something that works a miracle with my skin if I’m going to have to give it up for a year in the future? No, there’s plenty of time for me to experiment with non-retinol products now and save the retinoids for when I’m older.

So on to my own experiences. Buffet was the first serum I tried. As I’ve mentioned before, I have one relatively pronounced forehead line that serves as my yardstick for the efficacy of my skin care routine. I’m reasonably sure that nothing short of fillers or Botox would remove it entirely, but levels of hydration and effective chemical exfoliation will reduce its prominence. I found Buffet to be a perfectly adequate hydrator. It reduced the prominence of my forehead line enough that I felt like it was doing something. But I find find the texture a bit uncomfortably sticky. This is not a serum I would use during the day.

Enter SubQ. At first drop, the texture is much more pleasant. It sinks in quickly with much less stickiness. I actually find it absorbs so quickly that I had to play a bit with how I apply it. At first my skin drank it up so quickly, that I had to apply six drops directly to my face and pat it in in zones to get it spread out before it was sucked in. As I’ve used it over the last several weeks, I’ve found my skin a little less desperate to absorb it. That alone suggests that it’s doing something.

But then, this happened: I was sitting at our Sunday morning coffee date with fiancé and he stopped looking at his phone and started studying my face. I grew increasingly self-conscious and mildly annoyed and asked him what he was doing. “I was noticing how you have no lines on your forehead when I have a lot of lines on my forehead,” he said. Hmmm, I thought. I looked in my hand mirror and noticed that, indeed, my forehead line had faded to near obscurity. Given that I am nearly three years older than he is, it’s likely that any difference in our skin is down to genetics and good skin care. After that I started looking and noticed that I was regularly seeing less and less of my line. So I definitely find SubQ more effective than Buffet and to me it is worth the extra price.

So there is my comparison. I like the Deciem brands because their products seem to be well-formulated and price seems to correlate with activity, but even the lower-priced products are a good quality, well-thought-out product.

NB: I purchased both of these products with my own money and have been given no incentive to review them. None of the links are affiliate links.