Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum Review

I’m sure by now you think that I am obsessed with Vichy. Well, you could be right; perhaps I am but that is simply because over these 11 years that I have been using products from this brand, I have found them to be consistently effective. Of course, as I moved from my 20s into my 30s, the products from Vichy that I used changed along with my skin’s needs but one thing is for sure, these products perform! Today I am reviewing another serum from Vichy, one that is adored by most skincare bloggers across the world and one which works well across age groups; the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum. Read on to know more about this serum as well as how it is different from the Vichy LiftActiv Serum10….

 

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum Review

 

About the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum

“Give skin a fresh, dewy glow with upto 48 hours of continuous hydration and perfectly balanced moisture. Soothe sensitivity, soften fine lines you’re just starting to see, and bring skin’s hydration levels back into balance. Packed with Hyaluronic Acid and 10% Vichy Thermal Spa Water, this refreshing serum delivers upto 48hours of essential moisture into all skin types, including combination.”

 

What Is The Packaging Like?

 

The Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum comes in a blue glass bottle with a transparent cap. Unlike the LiftActiv Serum10 which has a dropper, this one has a pump and you can actually pump out tiny drops of serum if you press the pump lightly. Ergo, no wastage of serum. Also, the bottle is translucent so you can make out how much of the serum is left inside.

 

Who Should Use It? When To Use It?

Regardless of age, all those (females and males) who have dehydrated skin will find a major improvement in their skin with the addition of this serum into their routine.

The main purpose of this serum is to infuse hydration into the skin. Like I have mentioned in my posts earlier, dehydrated skin is different from oily/combination skin. The former is related to the water levels of the skin while the latter refers to the sebum levels of the skin. So, you can have oily skin which is dehydrated! When skin is dehydrated, not only does it appear dull and lackluster, it also emphasises the fine lines and makes them appear  deeper and more pronounced. The Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum hydrates the skin making it look fresher, plumper and healthier. Anyone looking  for a non-oily, non-greasy product that gives intense hydration can use this serum.

As with all serums, this one too has to be used after cleansing and toning, morning and/or night. Combination and oily skins might not even need a moisturiser over it.

Ingredients

 

Sodium Hyaluronate, as we know, is a  sodium salt of Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid gives skin it’s volume or plumpness and smoothness, by holding onto water. As we age, the natural Hyaluronic Acid levels in our skin slowly decline. Sodium Hyaluronate in skincare products help to hydrate skin and keep it moist and supple while also increasing volume and thus, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle. As with other Vichy products, this one too is meant for sensitive skin and yet contains silicones, phenoxyethanol and fragrance that are known to irritate sensitive skin. The area around my mouth is super sensitive but didn’t tingle at all when I applied this serum.

The Good?

Incredibly lightweight, deeply hydrating, instantly absorbed and all-day-all-night hydration; that’s the Vichy Aqualia Thermal serum. The skin literally “drinks” this it within seconds! There is a dewy look for a couple of minutes after application but then it just gives a satin finish to the skin. This serum has a milky look but when you apply it, it just feels like water. Or rather, liquid silk! The fine lines under my eyes (yes, I use this under my eyes as well) appear significantly reduced, mainly because they are a result of dehydration, and my skin overall appears smoooooth.

Adjust the usage depending on your skin’s requirement. Initially, I used this twice a day AND followed it with a sleeping mask at night which turned out to be a bit too hydrating for my skin and gave me loads of whiteheads. So, I cut it down to just once  a day (morning) and follow it up with a sunscreen.

While I can’t say anything about it’s 48 hour claims, I can vouch for the fact that it gives 24 hour hydration in even the severely dry area around the mouth and nose. There have been a couple of nights when I went to bed without my nighttime routine (I know, major beauty sin) and yet the next morning too, there was no dryness! Also, no tingling/stinging  either which means that those with sensitive skins can surely use it.

The Not-So-Good?

The phenoxyethanol, silicone and fragrance can irritate sensitive skin but they didn’t irritate mine. To be honest, that’s the only con I could think of for this wonderful serum.

Price

₹1,800 for 30ml

How Is It Different From The Vichy LiftActive Serum10?

• The LiftActive Serum10 is an anti-aging serum while this one is a simple hydrating one.
• While both serums have Hyaluronic Acid, the Serum10 also has anti-aging ingredients like Rhamnose and Adenosine which Aqualia Thermal doesn’t.
• The Aqualia Thermal will hydrate the skin and plump it up thus making fine lines appear less noticeable. The Serum10, while hydrating the skin, also targets the signs of aging with it’s anti-aging ingredients.

To Sum It Up

Yet another winner from the house of Vichy girls! This is one serum that I would recommend everyone to keep in their beauty stash because regardless of skin type, there are times when your skin needs booster shots of hydration and that’s when you’re going to need this. If you’re in the AC at home, commute by public transport and then are back in the AC in the office, then your skin will be dehydrated. This will help for sure.  It is a no-fuss serum that delivers on it’s claims. If you prefer a serum with anti-aging benefits, you could opt for the Serum10.  Alternately, you can use this serum once a day and use an anti-aging day/night cream. Where skincare is concerned, your skin is unique so work out a combination/ regime that suits your skin’s requirements.

* Disclaimer – PR Sample. Honest Opinion.