Vichy

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Gel Cream

Name: Vichy - Aqualia Thermal Gel Cream
Brand: Vichy

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium·

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 2 more

Works

What the product description says

“Envelop skin in a veil of hydration with Vichy Aqualia Thermal Gel Cream , an intensive moisturiser ideal for normal to combination skin types.”

Source: Mankind

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.8–7.3%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~2.8–4.1%

Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.5–1.2%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.3%

Anti-blemish

Side benefit · Salicylic acid

Works well

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.4–0.9%

Exfoliation

Side benefit · Salicylic acid

Works well

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.4–0.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.

Medium risk

We flagged 3 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~3.8–5.7%est.

Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.4–0.9%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~2.8–4.1%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer

Higher efficacy · 100/10091% match

$38.00

REVOLUTION SKINCARE Hydration Boost - Lightweight Hydrating Gel Cream

Cheaper91% match

$9.32

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycerin~4.8–7.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Alcohol denat.~3.8–5.7%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.8–4.1%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin

More about Caprylic/capric triglyceride

Mannose~1.9–2.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Mannose

Carbomer~1.1–1.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer

Sodium pca~0.5–1.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca

Salicylic acid~0.4–0.9%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

ExfoliationAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid

Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Mannose, Carbomer, Sodium pca, Salicylic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium hyaluronate

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

🇬🇧 Mankind (UK)50 ml

≈ $26.85 Out of stock

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🇬🇧 Lookfantastic (UK)50 ml

≈ $29.53 Out of stock

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🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)

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🇬🇧 Amazon UK (UK)

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	VichyAqualia Thermal Gel CreamYOUR PRODUCT	Peter Thomas RothAcne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer	REVOLUTION SKINCAREHydration Boost - Lightweight Hydrating Gel Cream	Paula's choiceInvisible Finish Moisture Gel
Match	—	91%	91%	91%
Price	—	$38.00	$9.32	$39.98
Shared key ingredients	—	5 of 5	2 of 5	2 of 5
Key difference	—	Panthenol	Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop