Vichy Idéalia Night Recovery Gel-Balm
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The anti-ageing night cream works to recreate the look of a good night’s sleep and reduce the appearance of fatigue.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing12 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Formulated for those who suffer from poor sleep, lack of sleep and desynchronised sleep, Vichy Idéalia Night Recovery Gel-Balm is clinically proven to stimulate the skin’s deep sleep mechanisms, including microcirculation, desquamation and barrier function.”
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: dimethicone, prunus armeniaca kernel oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, niacinamide
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., 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~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~3.8–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilIsononyl isononanoate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoatePolysorbate 20~1.7–2.5%
Niacinamide~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideDimethicone~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePropanediol~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolIsopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinatePeg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearateAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateBht~0.35–0.85%
C13-14 isoparaffin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinCi 17200~0.3–0.75%
Ci 15985~0.3–0.75%
Triethanolamine~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCaffeine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAdenosine~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateDisodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLaureth-7~0.1–0.4%
Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganineXanthan gum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyacrylamide~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideAcrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymer~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to create a nice product consistency
More about Acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymerParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Isononyl isononanoate, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Bht, C13-14 isoparaffin, Ci 17200, Ci 15985, Triethanolamine, Caffeine, Sodium hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium edta, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Laureth-7, Hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, Xanthan gum, Polyacrylamide, Acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate/vinylidene chloride copolymer, 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.
| VichyIdéalia Night Recovery Gel-BalmYOUR PRODUCT | It CosmeticsConfidence in an Eye Cream | Napoleon PerdisMulti-Hydration Gel Cream | AbibHydration Creme Water Tube | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 76% | 76% | 73% |
| Price | $29.75 | $39.50+$9.75 | $58.50+$28.75 | $21.00−$8.75 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Vichy - Idéalia Night Recovery Gel-Balm" works well for improving skin hydration The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (prunus armeniaca kernel oil, dimethicone, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, c13-14 isoparaffin and caprylyl glycol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 1.40% - 2.10%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
- Adenosine 0.15% - 0.60% in this product adds an anti-aging property to it. Adenosine is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of adenosine in a low concentration reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where we our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.
Price
The product retails for 22.50£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.