Vichy LiftActiv Collagen Specialist Cream SPF 25
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 25 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
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-agingGlycolic acid, Tocopherol + 1 moreWorks well
“Vichy’s Liftactiv Collagen Specialist SPF25 is the first SPF offering in Vichy’s anti-ageing range, formulated with key dermatological ingredients including hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and bio-peptides to target signs of collagen loss, whilst providing broad-spectrum SPF25 protection.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Dimethicone + 7 moreWorks
“The lightweight formula provides hydration that lasts for up to 24 hours – skin looks firmer, plumper and more radiant.”
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, caprylyl glycol.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Glycolic acidWorks 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: glycolic acid.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Phenylethyl resorcinol + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
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: phenylethyl resorcinol.
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.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.8–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinOctocrylene~4.5–5.5%
- 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 OctocryleneHomosalate~3.6–4.4%
- 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 HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.2–3.9%
- 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 salicylateDimethicone~2–2.4%
- 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 DimethiconeSilica~1.8–2.2%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.5%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethanePeg-100 stearate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlycolic acid~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidStearic acid~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidDicaprylyl carbonate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateSteareth-100~0.45–0.7%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerSodium hydroxide~0.45–0.65%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateMyristic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidCyclodextrin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of sugar that is used to support delivery of active ingredients and can enhance their penetration into the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier
More about CyclodextrinPalmitic acid~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhenylethyl resorcinol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolGuanosine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateAscorbyl glucoside~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideTocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateXanthan gum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePisum sativum extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in protecting skin collagen and elastin from breaking down but solid research is lacking
More about Pisum sativum extractParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Dimethicone, Silica, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Glycolic acid, Stearic acid, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Steareth-100, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium hyaluronate, Myristic acid, Cyclodextrin, Palmitic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Guanosine, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Ascorbyl glucoside, Tocopherol, Caprylyl glycol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Xanthan gum, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pisum sativum extract, Parfum
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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.
| VichyLiftActiv Collagen Specialist Cream SPF 25YOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal ParisBright Reveal SPF 30 Moisturizer | RoC SkincareRetinol Correxion Wrinkle Correct Daily Moisturiser SPF30 | PhilosophyRenewed Hope in a Jar SPF25 Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 55% |
| Price | — | — | $40.22 | $46.95 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Retinyl Palmitate | Retinol | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 25 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 25 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Lancôme Renergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Firming and Dark Spot Correcting Moisturizer SPF 30Poofy Brand RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 & Vitamin E, 1 Ounce
Product summary
"Vichy - LiftActiv Collagen Specialist Cream SPF 25" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called" chemical "sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 2.00% - 2.50%, octisalate 3.20% - 3.90%, homosalate 3.60% - 4.40% and octocrylene 4.50% - 5.50%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- As for the white cast, it did not leave a noticeable white residue for the reviewer.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
Price
The product retails from 26.99£ up to 29.21£ 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 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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