Vichy • Aqualia Thermal Light • Moisturizers

rated 3.3(38 reviews)

Average Rating.3.3
Would buy this product again.44%
Package Quality3.5
Price3.2
Ingredients

rated 4 of 5 virgo180979 on 3/27/2013 12:59:00 AM more reviews by virgo180979

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this cream. It is light and gets absorbed quickly which is really handy in the morning when I'm applying my makeup, but leaves my skin soft and non-greasy.

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rated 3 of 5 AnnHall on 1/13/2013 7:57:00 PM more reviews by AnnHall

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

It is a basic, light moisturiser. The scent is pleasant and it doesn't contains parabens, which is good. The reasons why I'm not rating it too high are because I think it sits on the skin for some time before sinking into it and that's quite inconvenient when I'm trying to quickly put on my make-up and go. Also, I noticed that despite the skin feels fine after applying it, a few hours later my skin looks and feels dry so I have to disagree with the claim of "48 hour hydration". I suppose, this cream would be ideal for someone with normal skin but I've combination oily-dry skin and despite it didn't make me more oily on my t-zone, it definitively wasn't enough for my checks and chin; that said, it worked better during the Summer months.
It is an alright product, just not the best for me.

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rated 2 of 5 otiliaL on 1/5/2013 7:50:00 AM more reviews by otiliaL

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I bought this moisturizer a couple of months ago but unfortunately i could not use it too much as it was giving me cystic acne which i never had before and my face was shining very bad.. It did not work not even on my cheeks where the skin is normal and almost dry.. I got lots small blemishes under the skin and the surface looked irregular and very greasy. I never had acne on my cheeks until i used this product, i am glad that once i stopped using it the blemishes, acne, stopped showing up also.
I am using this around my lips, looks like it does a perfect job there, moisturizes the smile wrinkles i have at the corner of my mouth but i cannot use this product elsewhere on my face.
I do not like it because it has no sunscreen either, another minus for this product. Totally hated it..

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rated 4 of 5 sickofacne on 9/7/2012 1:32:00 PM more reviews by sickofacne

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

ok, so mine came in a jar format, so the packaging wasn't my fave....
Expensive, yes, but it always goes on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart (a.k.a. Canada's Duane Reid!!)
Anyways, I gave it a 4 because I have only been using it for 2 weeks (and the smell....bleh), but thus far I am smitten. I like that it is light, it is smooth to glide on my face, use a little and it goes far, and it does not make my skin break out, it doen't dry it out and doesn't make it oily. That's good enough for this gal!

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rated 5 of 5 ksabha01 on 11/5/2011 3:14:00 PM more reviews by ksabha01

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have very sensitive combination skin. I'm not sure if it was due to the change in weather, but my skin was dry and flaky, and bumpy as well (not pimples, but I think it had to do with the dehydration) and just wasn't responding to anything I had good results with in the past (Cetaphil Daily Moisturizing Lotion).
I went to Shoppers DM and saw this cream in a gift set with the One-Step Cleanser and a small Thermal Spa Water, all for the price of just the cream.
I have been using the Thermal Spa Water and letting it absorb, and then applying a layer of this cream, with an extra layer just on my cheeks because that's where the bumpiness and flakiness was the worst. Within two days my skin was almost completely clear and smooth again! I wasn't expecting a miracle, but seem to have found one in the combination of these two products. I usually change products when the ones I'm using lose effectiveness, but it's hard for me to find something that my skin likes and won't react to. I really hope that doesn't happen with this, because in a matter of days, my skin was almost 100% better, and well on its way to flawless. I just might have found my HG moisturizer!!

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rated 2 of 5 carltonbp on 9/24/2011 3:34:00 PM more reviews by carltonbp

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

It smells like cheap aftershave - awful
It's tacky after putting it on and stays that way for a good 5mins
It's not very moisturising
It's very basic - It's a light moisturiser, that's it.
Very over priced for what is a basic moisturiser, you can get L'oreal, Garnier light moisturisers for less than 25% of the cost of this that do the same basic job.
Mine came in a glass jar whilst nice still doesn't justify the price

Very disappointed.

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rated 1 of 5 nicotine on 9/4/2011 9:59:00 AM more reviews by nicotine

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

It is a cream texture and even a little amount is enough to give my skin the stickiness feeling. Took quite sometime (about 1min) to absorb to my skin. I have used this to moisturize my leg instead. I will not use this as my facial moisturizer after using for second time.

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rated 3 of 5 Ksenia1 on 6/29/2011 12:56:00 PM more reviews by Ksenia1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

It's an O.K. product, but nothing special. It mosturizes the skin, but it's like the cream doesn't really sinks into the skin, like it stays on it. It didn't irritate my skin although it contains parfume (the smell is too strong). I will not repurchase it again.

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rated 3 of 5 et3naltwilight on 6/29/2011 12:46:00 PM more reviews by et3naltwilight

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I just bought this yesterday from Shoppers Drugmart which was on sale in a kit along with Vichy's sunscreen, thermal water, and face wash for around $26. Right now, the moisturizer feels ok. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a film behind.

However, what I can't understand is why would Vichy put fragrance in their skincare line in the first place when they're targeting those with sensitive skin? The fragrance itself hasn't affected my skin (yet) but the smell is just so strong. Honestly, do not put it on right before eating. You will lose your appetite.

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rated 4 of 5 Markella1 on 4/7/2011 5:56:00 AM more reviews by Markella1

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

A very very good moisturiser!
My skin is normal-maybe just a bit more to the oily side! So along the way i realised that the moisturisers i used were more suitable for oily skin....i felt mine skin just a bit dehydrated....not dry or anything , but i wanted to feel it more soft and relieved.So this moisturiser did just that! It's not too oily but it's not too "dry". It'snot a miracle worker but makes my skin nice and healthy!
Plus it smells so fresh! I loved this moisturiser!

Importand: i would recommend this for normal or combination skin, not oily! imo it's a bit more "moisturising" than an oily skin would need.

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rated 3 of 5 jikl on 12/26/2010 1:05:00 PM more reviews by jikl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this recently and I'm really disappointed. It moisturizes ok, but not enough for me, I've been trying to remedy this by applying a second layer, but that's not really working.
it cost about 22 euro, so I was expecting more. I was hoping it would be more comforting and hydrating and that it could do the job of two other Vichy products I really liked - Vichy Aqualia Antiox moisturizer and Vichy Aqualia Mineral Balm - but no... not good enough unfortunately.
I think I will keep this one for summer when it might suit me better...

I wish I had re-purchased the Aqualia Mineral Balm instead, but when I spoke to the Vichy sales assistant and told her I'd been using it and been happy with it she was shocked and was like "no no no!! you can't use that!! its far too much for your skin!!" and basically made me feel like I'd been making a huge mistake and told me to try this and/or the aqualia serum instead. (but then she also told me I shouldn't use the Vichy Antiox moisturizer because "you don't need that yet, it's more for people over 25" (but I'm 27...)

Anyway, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light? It's really nothing special. It might suit you if you're younger and with less dehydrated skin, but there are cheaper basic moisturizers that would do the same job (and I actually find Nivea Soft more comforting for sensitive skin than this I think)...

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rated 4 of 5 Saturngrl76 on 11/17/2010 2:27:00 PM more reviews by Saturngrl76

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Decent moisturizer for sensitive/acne prone skin. It really works - provides just enough moisture and is not irritating at all. The downside that this little tube will not last you! I am not sure how many ML is in this packaging, but you will need to repurchase pretty soon. A little does not go a long way!

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rated 5 of 5 rikababe on 11/12/2010 9:01:00 PM more reviews by rikababe

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

I've only had this product for a few days (the sales woman totally suckered me into getting it). So far, I'm liking the results. No break-outs, no redness, no blotchiness, and no dry patches which is definitely needed for a successful Canadian winter. I definitely haven't been using this cream long enough to say it's my HG cream but we'll see how it goes. I'll update you guys as I continue to use this product :)

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rated 4 of 5 hikaridoll on 7/8/2010 4:40:00 PM more reviews by hikaridoll

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

i have oily skin, but still flakey--so i needed something light but moisturizing enough. this Aqualia Thermal Light, doesn't disappoint nor impress me much. after applying it, my face feels and looks greasy, that said, i think it helps calm my red and flakey skin. i actually quite like the smell--reminds me of the Nivea cream :p. all in all, it's alright. i prefer if it gets readily absorbed into the skin like Clarins HydraQuench Cream Gel though.... i would've gotten Clarins, but it's quite pricely. Vichy will have to do for the time being XD.

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rated 2 of 5 carolcana on 6/26/2010 9:51:00 PM more reviews by carolcana

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I brought this product in a jar, i heard many great reviews of this product and even from sale associates in drugstore when i purchased it--> i absolutely hate this product. I have combination oily skin and not sensitive skin, and so the sale said the light would work for me, it does not!!! It is hydrating when i first put it on in the morning, however, few hours later,my face feels greasy, oily. And i only been wearing it for a week and i have so many breakout already. I try to be fair, but i will not recommend this to anyone with normal to oily skin type.

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rated 1 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* CountessDementia on 3/25/2010 11:30:00 PM more reviews by CountessDementia

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I am so disappointed that this did not work for me. Since late 2009, I have been on what seems to be a never-ending quest to repair my fragile, sensitive, chronically dehydrated skin. I experience sensitivity, redness, itching and burning from a lot of ingredients in products, and have wasted thousands of dollars searching for something that soothes, hydrates and protects all in one. Unfortunately, most high-end and low-end products contain unnecessary fillers and preservatives, shocking amounts of silicone and alcohol, even those products marketed for sensitive skins.
I was looking for something mild yet hydrating to heal a particularly nasty reaction to an Origins product and came across the concept of spa-water. I have tried Avene in the past, and was not impressed. But given that Vichy products are reputed to be oil-free, light and water-based, I bought a 50 ml tub of the Aqualia Thermal Light for RM 100 from the Guardian pharmacy. I thought the price was reasonable for the amount, and the light blue jar was extremely eye-pleasing though I would have preferred a pump-dispenser for hygiene purposes.
My skin loved this the first few days; drinking in the soft, fresh, melting sensation of this deliciously-scented gel-cream. Vichy thermal spa water is supposed to contain soothing and fortifying minerals that stimulate epidermal cell renewal. It purports to keep skin hydrated and protected with continued use. I didn't pay too much attention to the ingredient list in the store, which turned out to be a big mistake. After an initial few days of glowing, hydrated,rosy skin, I started to develop dry patches on my cheeks and lower jawline. These patches were accompanied by an intense itching and burning whenever I applied more product to soothe the areas. The delicate area under my eyes started to swell up as if I had suffered a particularly vicious bug-bite. Putting more cream on these areas exacerbated the problem, and soon, I was developing itchy pink bumps on my cheeks and chin.
Looking over the ingredients, I see Alcohol Denat featuring high on the list. Isn't this supposed to be a cream formulated for sensitive skin? How can Vichy claim their products to be hypoallergenic when alcohol, fragrance and preservatives are known irritants to sensitive, volatile skin-types and feature extensively in their Aqualia Thermal range? I have a long-suffering history with phenoxyethanol, a preservative that supposedly replaces the more 'dangerous' parabens but is still considered a toxic skin-irritant. If the packaging states that a product is formulated for sensitive skin, then it should endeavor to eliminate all such toxic substances from its ingredient list. Alcohol Denat, in particular, which is extremely drying and irritating to those with thin hypersensitive skin (like yours truly).
This was a major let-down. I loved the scent, adored the packaging, and even approved of the price. Steer clear of this one if you have highly reactive skin!

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Alcohol Denat, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Glyceryl Isostearate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Ammonium Polyacrylolydimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acrylolydimethyltaurate,/ Stearate-8 Methacrylate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Capryl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum,.

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rated 1 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* ashleyanders on 2/14/2010 11:26:00 PM more reviews by ashleyanders

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Check out my notepad to read a more detailed explanation of my skin type!


What it Claims:
"For the first time, the antioxidant, mineral-rich Vichy Thermal Spa Water and intensely hydrating Activ Hyaluronine™ are encapsulated to provide 24 hours of continuous hydration. Skin feels replenished with water as if it is hydrated by misting micro-sprays. 24hr continuous hydration. Intensely hydrated, skin feels comfortable, supple and soft. It feels refreshed and free of tightness and discomfort. "


Claims - True or False?
1) Provides 24 continuous hydration: True, I guess. After using, my skin does not feel any drier later in the day, however I do not think that it is hydrating enough for my cheeks.
2) Skin feels comfortable, soft and supple: False. Right after application, my skin is often red, irritated and burns.
3) Free of tightness and discomfort: True and false. It really depends on how dry my face is feeling when using, but there were times when my cheeks would feel tight, and other times when they wouldn't.


Packaging:
This product comes in two different packagings: a 50ml jar and a 40ml squeeze tube. Both are very simple, are aesthetically appealing and provide you with directions and ingredients on the box. I find it ridiculous that the tube has less product than the jar, yet are priced the same.


Smell:
Something that I do not understand about this line is that the moisturizer is TERRIBLY over-fragranced, yet it is a line designed for sensitive skin. Now, I can't say that I'm all that sensitive to fragrances, but I find this one to be nauseatingly strong. I might as well be moisturizing my face with my grandmother's perfume, it's that strong. If you happen to be in any way sensitive to fragrance, skip this one. Or perhaps send some angry letters demanding that the perfume be removed; if you are to make something for sensitive skin, why add perfume in the first place?
I recently sniffed the Thermal Light in the jar, and the fragrance was not nearly as strong. If you can, smell the product in both packagings, as the tub one may not have as strong a fragrance.


Consistency:
As the name says, this is a fairly light yet creamy moisturizer. Unlike most "light" moisturizers, this does not seem to dry on contact, meaning that you have enough time to properly massage it onto your face. This also means being able to use a very small amount while still covering your entire face. I find that it dries with a soft, not too matte yet not greasy finish, doesn't feel oily on my face, but over the day it can become a little bit too oily for my tastes.


Ease of Use:
The product does not pose any issues when using. Spreading it onto the skin is easy due to the more emollient nature of this product, while the tube itself does not over-dispense product. I did however dislike the lid, as it requires force to close it after a certain point. However, it's not a big deal and did not affect the use of the product.


Bang for your Buck:
While being at a whopping $37.00CAD for 40ml (or 50ml in the tub), I can easily see this lasting a good 6+ months, if used once daily. At most, a dime sized amount is good enough for the entire face, so I believe that the price tag is justified here. I happened to purchase it for $20.00CAD at my local Shoppers Drug Mart (as well as at London Drugs) as it was on a special sale, so there are always opportunities to get it at a slightly reduced rate.


Final Consensus:
I was really hoping for this product to work. Alas, it seems that my search for the perfect day lotion must continue. My skin is combination, but I also happen to have dehydrated skin, which makes it very difficult to find something that works. When I discovered this range in the Vichy brand, I had hoped that my search would be over. While this lotion is definitely light compared to other products that I've tried designed to really help hydrate, it seemed to be a little bit too light for my cheeks while causing some excess shine in my forehead region. Due to the fragrance (or perhaps something else in the ingredients list), I experienced some mild to moderate stinging/burning when applied, although only about half the time. I believe that my blemishes were also affected in a negative way with this product, although I'm not 100% sure. Overall, the discomfort, shine, greasy feeling, and lack of hydration on my drier areas causes me to give this a no. Giving this a 1 as opposed to a two for the price, the strong fragrance and the jar packaging and difference in product amount for both packaging.


Overall Rating: 1/5
Price: 4/5
Packaging Quality: 3/5
Would you buy this product again: No.

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rated 5 of 5 nuityeux on 1/23/2010 12:39:00 AM more reviews by nuityeux

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I love this product - have been searching for a "light" moisturizer for what seems like forever. I find that so many of them are thick and just sit in the pores. I had to find something, as these Canadian winters just turn the skin into the sahara desert. For me - this moisturizer is perfect - it just sinks right in and leaves no residue on the skin surface. It just leaves the skin moist and soft and makes makeup application so much easier. My product was purchased in the tube (another plus, as I really dislike jars) which makes application a breeze and personally, I love the smell of it - clean and fresh. Another great Vichy product!!

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rated 5 of 5 sunshines on 1/18/2010 1:10:00 PM more reviews by sunshines

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

GREAT product...nice and light but works..

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rated 5 of 5 MaquillageGirl on 1/17/2010 11:38:00 AM more reviews by MaquillageGirl

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

AHHHHH!!!! This moisturizer is the BEST. I've used this for a while now, I've been through 2 or 3 of them. This moisturizer is very light, fresh, and just so fine. You can really feel how this is a super high quality product. I HIGHLY recommend this moisturizer to anyone. I'm not sure if it's good for all skin types, probably because Vichy is honestly such high quality, they never get it wrong.

BIG UP to this cream, I give it a 10 lippies out of 5 lippies if I could!
Will buy again and again!

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