Vichy
Liftactiv CxP SPF 20 Biolifting Daily Care Anti-Wrinkle and Firming
Expert Reviews
Community Reviews
Claims
Ingredients
Brand Overview
This daytime moisturizer with sunscreen includes stabilized avobenzone for reliable UVA protection. The base formula is a blend of ingredients you’ll find in most moisturizers from L’Oreal-owned companies, of which Vichy is one.
This has an OK formula for normal to dry skin, but not a single ingredient is capable of lifting skin or improving prominent (meaning deeply etched) wrinkles. Vichy attributes its claim to vitamin C and peptides, but the amount of vitamin C is minuscule. Even in large amounts, topical vitamin C cannot lift skin, although it can stimulate healthy collagen production and help repair sun-damaged skin for increased firmness, but lifting skin is a completely different physiological problem.
As for the peptides: If they’re in this product, the ingredient list doesn’t indicate it. But just like vitamin C, peptides cannot lift skin or help smooth prominent wrinkles. This provides great sun protection and hydration, but it’s overpriced considering the wealth of superior daytime moisturizers you’ll find in our Best Products section.
Clinically Proven Effectiveness under Dermatological Control. Within 4 days, 88% of women felt firmer skin. After 1 month, 82% noticed their prominent wrinkles were smoothed out. Bio-lifting and firming cream that contains Peptides + Continuous-release Vitamin C for tightened, firmer skin and smoothed wrinkles.
Vichy At-A-Glance
Vichy's products, though well-intentioned, are incapable of addressing several common problems. About all you can expect from most Vichy moisturizers is relief from dryness. That's it. Every product's claims "talk the talk," but they cannot possibly walk the walk because what's in them is, for the most part, standard, and without any research behind it to show that it makes a difference.
A big-deal ingredient for Vichy is their Thermal Spa Water. It is said to reduce irritation, strengthen skin's natural defenses, and provide free radicalquelling activity thanks to its trace minerals and salt. There is no substantiated proof to support these claims, save for a somewhat primitive chart Vichy provides to show this water helps reduce cutaneous signs of irritation (what it was compared to, if anything, is unknown). Two other L'Oreal-owned brands, Biotherm and La Roche-Posay, have similar special waters, each claiming to be mineral-rich. Yet if these are so unique and wonderfully beneficial for everyone's skin, why don't all L'Oreal-owned lines such as Lancome, L'Oreal, Kiehls, SkinCeuticals, and The Body Shop, use them, too?
As expected, there are some bona fide winners among Vichy's products, but using Vichy exclusively with the expectation that their products have the answer to whatever your skin needs to have fixed is like thinking green tea is the only food your body needs.
Note: Vichy is categorized as a brand that tests on animals because its products are sold in China. Although Vichy does not conduct animal testing for its products sold elsewhere, the Chinese government requires imported cosmetics be tested on animals, so foreign companies retailing there must comply. This requirement is why some brands state that they dont test on animals unless required by law. Animal rights organizations consider cosmetic companies retailed in China to be brands that test on animals, and so does the Beautypedia Research Team.
For more information about Vichy, owned by L'Oreal, visit www.vichy.com.
About the Experts
The Beautypedia team consists of skin care and makeup experts personally trained by the original Cosmetics Cop and best-selling beauty author, Paula Begoun. We’re fascinated by skin care and makeup products and thrilled when they meet or exceed our expectations, but we’re also disappointed when they fail to perform as claimed, are wildly overpriced, or contain ingredients scientific research has proven can hurt skin.
Our mission has always been to help you find the best products for your skin, no matter your budget or preferences. Beautypedia’s thorough and insightful reviews cut through the hype and provide reliable recommendations for all ages, skin types, and skin tones.
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