Vichy Skin Care was created in 1931 by Dr. Haller, medical director of the thermal treatment center in Vichy, France, after he discovered the therapeutic benefits of Vichy Thermal Water. Originating more than 2,000 years ago in the heart of Auvergne’s volcanoes, the thermal water was found to improve skin quality, soothe sensitivity, and accelerate the healing of skin wounds. Today, Vichy Thermal Water is still sourced from the same location in France, and is at the core of all Vichy Skin Care formulations. 

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?

Is Vichy Skincare Worth The Money?

A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.

In our opinion, Vichy products deliver value for money, but take a look at other brands that don’t require you to sacrifice your precious money.

We recommend brands that are committed to developing clean yet effective products.

One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.

Carrot & Stick intro bundles deliver great value for money because you can bundle 3 full-size products worth up to $240 for $88.

What’s Inside Vichy Skin Care?

As we mentioned above, Vichy Skin Care was inspired by the skin healing benefits of Vichy Thermal Water, which can be found in all of the brand’s products. We know what you may be thinking: what’s so special about this water? Let’s take a closer look at what sets Vichy Thermal Water apart from just plain ole H2O. 

Vichy Thermal Water
Vichy Thermal Water is unique due to its 15 essential minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, and manganese. These minerals are gathered as rainwater passes through the magmatic volcanic rock, over 4,000 meters under the earth’s surface. The mineralizing water has been shown to soothe the skin, rebalance pH, and protect against external aggressors like pollutants and weather.

Vitamin C
Another key ingredient used throughout the Vichy skincare line is vitamin C, one of the best anti-aging ingredients. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.

Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum contains 15% L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C). 

But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.

Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness. 

While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.

This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size. 

Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Brightening Moisturizer contains phyto peptides derived from green peas that are said to help visibly firm skin’s appearance.

If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin.

Retinol
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. It’s clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.

The only downside? Retinol can often lead to side effects like skin dryness, peeling, and irritation. 

It’s in LiftActiv Retinol H.A. Concentrate. 

Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.

What are the best selling Vichy Skin Care products?

Vichy Skin Care products are divided into 15 unique lines to treat a variety of skin concerns, such as acne and oily skin, dark circles, puffy eyes, dry skin, uneven skin tone, signs of aging, and more. If you’re not sure where to get started with this brand, check out these best selling Vichy Skin Care products. 

Vichy Mineral 89 is a lightweight, oil-free, fragrance-free face moisturizer that is said to provide 24-hour hydration while protecting skin against environmental aggressors that can stress and fatigue its appearance. Vichy Mineral 89 can be used both morning and night. 

Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum is a brightening antioxidant serum that is said to create a brighter complexion, smooth the appearance of skin texture, and reduce the look of fine lines in as little as 10 days. Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum is recommended to be used in the morning and followed with a moisturizer. 

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream is a soothing dry skin moisturizer that is said to provide immediate and long lasting 48-hour hydration. This facial cream is also claimed to smooth fine lines and help skin to recover its natural glow. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream can be used both morning and night. 

Where is Vichy Skin Care sold?

Vichy Skin Care is sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party online sellers such as Dermstore, Skinstore, Amazon, Target, Ulta, and more. You can visit the brand’s website to view authorized online sellers, and also use the store locator to find brick-and-mortar stores that sell Vichy Skin Care products near you. 

What is the Vichy Skin Care return policy?

The Vichy Skin Care return policy states, “Products must be returned within 30 days from the date the order was received. Empty products cannot be returned. Only items purchased on vichyusa.com may be returned to vichyusa.com. Items purchased in a Vichy retail store must be returned to their original point of purchase.”

Is Vichy Skin Care cruelty free?

Vichy Skin Care is not cruelty free since the brand is owned by L’Oreal, a company that tests on animals. L’Oréal does not conduct animal testing on their products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law. Since L’Oréal products are sold in China, they must test their products on animals by law.

Vichy Skin Care reviews

Vichy Skin Care reviews on the brand’s website are overall positive. Vichy Mineral 89 has received the most customer reviews (over 700) with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. There are quite a few Vichy Skin Care reviews for this product that mention it is great for those with sensitive skin and that it helps the skin to look and feel soft, plump, and hydrated. 

Vichy Skin Care reviews for the Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum mention that this products really does help to improve dullness, fade dark spots, and even out skin tone. But there are a handful of reviews from customers who didn’t see any noticeable difference after using this product. 

Lastly, the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream has a mix of positive and negative reviews. Positive reviews for this product confirm that it moisturizes the skin well without feeling greasy. However, there are several reviews that say the exact opposite, mentioning that this cream was quite drying. 

What are some alternatives to Vichy Skin Care?

If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend The Repair Serum, followed by The Moisturizer.