Here's another post that's way overdue. NIOD CAIS (Copper Amino Isolate Serum) is one of those products that you didn't know you needed, but once you discovered it you end up loving it. I was first introduced to this from the online Instagram skincare community for it's wound healing benefits. Details per NIOD:
CAIS2 is the second generation of NIOD's multi-award-winning Copper Amino Isolate Serum. Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 replaces Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1%.
As a highly-focused effort to maintain healthy-looking skin, this pro-repair, pro-collagen serum offers a novel approach to target all signs of skin aging indirectly. This indirect approach departs from the traditional thinking of addressing visible aspects of skin aging individually and instead forms a foundation to respect skin health.
While the first generation of CAIS 1% contained direct GHK copper peptides (known as GHK-Cu), this second generation Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 contains 2% of pure GHK peptide of which 1% branches with copper ions upon mixing with NIOD's patent-pending approach, forming 1% freshly-assembled, pro-repair GHK-Cu (copper peptides) and leaving 1% free-form, pro-collagen GHK peptide. This update also includes the addition of collagen-support peptides, Tripeptide-29, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 and Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2. The base system of CAIS2 combines mono-dispersed, plant-derived glycogen, penetration-enhancing Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 and cross-linked hyaluronic acid.
Finally, while CAIS required a neutral pH, CAIS2 is stable and effective in the pH range between 4.5 (acidic) and 7.4 (alkaline). CAIS2 does not require refrigeration.
CAIS comes in two bottles, you mix and get a watery blue liquid. The NIOD website makes this product seem really confusing. Sometimes too much information can be a bad thing. I'll try to make is simpler. So what is CAIS? A copper tri-peptide serum. Why do you want copper tri-peptides? They are all about skin health. They promote wound healing, stimulate collagen, elastin & glycosaminoglycan production (helps tissue remain plump), improve skins elasticity and strength as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has some antioxidant benefits. Sounds great right? Copper tri-peptide is essentially copper with three amino acids. Hence copper tri-peptide. It's found naturally in the body and can be made in a lab. Copper tri-peptides also have the ability to help hair loss (it stimulates hair regrowth on follicles).
Directions Recommended as a core NIOD regimen product to be used as the first step after cleansing before the application of other skin treatments. NIOD recommends the application of Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (MMHC) after the application of this product.
Ingredients:
ACTIVATOR Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Tripeptide-29, Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycogen, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Dextran, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Isoceteth-20, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
COPPER CONCENTRATE Aqua (Water), Copper Gluconate, Isoceteth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.Note: The Activator contains 2% pure GHK (Tripeptide-1). The Serum bottle, before mixing, contains Copper Gluconate. Once mixed, 1% GHK is left in free form, while 1% binds to the Copper Gluconate to form 1% Copper Tripeptide-1 (known as GHK-Cu or Copper Peptides). The "2:1" reference in the name of this product reflects the 2-to-1 ratio of GHK to GHK-Cu.
One tricky part with copper tri-peptides is it's controversy over being layered. So acids have the potential of potentially interacting with the molecule some. It's recommended to apply this directly after cleansing and toning (non-acid toners). It's water light so it will sink in right away. No problem. Wait 30 seconds then move on with your skincare routine like essences and serums. Supposedly after 30 seconds CAIS sinks in completely and acids will be fine after and not interact. This was from a Brandon Truaxe interview I watched online a while ago (you can google it).
This has such an easy texture to layer as it does feel like water and it sinks right in. It adds 30 seconds to your routine. That’s it. I tend to use mine in the morning but a lot of people use it either at night or twice a day. Copper tri-peptide is in quite a few skincare products like serums and creams. They’re just normally at lower concentrations. Ultimately I don't know how much I put into the whole acid layering controversy regarding effectiveness. Yet I still follow this process when I use CAIS because it's easy anyway.
You'll notice the stunning blue hue of the liquid. Products that have copper are naturally blue tinted. The biggest impact I noticed from using a copper tri-peptide serum is the affect on wound healing. This helps acne and wounds from acne like scarring heal so much faster. The abilities it has for this are quite impressive. I highly recommend trying some kind of copper tri-peptide if you have any kind of acne. The increased wound healing makes the blemishes go away faster. Who doesn’t want that?
I feel like copper tri-peptide has dropped off the radar again but it really has amazing skin benefits. Now Brandon said copper tri-peptides have long term skin health benefits. Like benefits you’ll notice years later. With only 18 months inconsistently using this I can't speak to really long term effects on collagen or wrinkles. When I had hormonal acne this was a complete lifesaver. I had never used anything like it. This actually kept my monthly breakouts to a complete minimum once I was religious with use. I ended up using this every other day and it still worked.
It wasn't a superstar in the wrinkle department though. I didn't really notice much difference in that aspect. However, if you have breakouts this is life changing, if you don't then it's probably not. It can stimulate hair growth as stated above. So I know some people said they noticed more facial hair while using. It can be a side effect. I didn't have any issues with it, but I suspect this will be a personal thing. Using every other day I think helped with this as some were using it twice a day. Every other day was enough to help my hormonal breakouts heal exponentially faster yet not experience the side effects.
This isn't the cheapest product. Though I haven't seen too many cheap copper tri-peptide serums out there. A bottle did last me six months or longer easy. I was only using 5-6 drops on my chin only every other day. The Ordinary did launched their Buffet peptide serum with copper tri-peptides. It's cheaper than this one but not as concebtrated. It’ll also be harder to target one area with a peptide serum versus CAIS. I really love the texture of this product. It's the best copper tri-peptide out there because the water like texture is so quick to absorb. You can also target an area easily with it. I didn't notice a huge amount of difference between the original 1% and the 2:1 version on my skin. The 2:1 version has a vinegar smell I don't like compared to the first version so in all actuality I like the first version better even though it's less concentrated. The 1% was still effective at breakouts. I find myself using this less and less as my hormonal breakouts have subsided.