Vichy Ideal Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water SPF 30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 8 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · TocopherolWorks well
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Diisopropyl sebacate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid + 4 moreWorks
“Ideal Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water SPF 30”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, caprylyl glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Homosalate~6.1–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateDicaprylyl ether~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherDicaprylyl carbonate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateOctocrylene~3.2–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAlcohol denat.~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ethylhexyl triazone~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneDiisopropyl sebacate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin without creatng a greasy finish
More about Diisopropyl sebacatePropanediol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazinePhenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations
More about Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPoly c10-30 alkyl acrylate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
More about Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acidTocopherol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolTriethanolamine~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Dicaprylyl ether, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol denat., Ethylhexyl triazone, Diisopropyl sebacate, Propanediol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Disodium edta, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Poly c10-30 alkyl acrylate, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| VichyIdeal Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | SkinCeuticalsOil Shield UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel SPF50+ | GarnierAmbre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Dry Mist SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 42% | 42% | 41% |
| Price | — | $53.60 | $30.15 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Glycerin | Dimethicone | Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Sand Resistant Sun Cream SPF50+Hello Sunday The Retouch One -Face Mist SPF30
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Vichy - Ideal Soleil Hydrating Sun Protection Water SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 0.90% - 1.10%, avobenzone 2.10% - 2.50%, octisalate 2.50% - 3.10%, uvinul t 1.60% - 1.90%, homosalate 6.10% - 7.40%, octocrylene 3.20% - 4.00% and terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid 0.30% - 0.50%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.