Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, AllantoinWorks well
“At the same time, glycolic acid effectively removes dead cells, allowing for exfoliation and purified skin.”
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 5 moreWorks well
“Niacinamide: reduces moisture loss”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSulfur, Niacinamide + 2 moreWorks well
“Nip unsightly blemishes in the bud with French skincare brand Vichy ’s Normaderm S.O.S Sulphur Paste ; a targeted treatment designed to reduce the appearances of spots overnight.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, sulfur. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid, 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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Benefits Maximum-strength sulfur acne treatment and spot corrector Oil-free acne treatment reduces the size and severity of active blemishes and helps prevent new acne from forming Soothing spot treatment formula with niacinamide allows skin to heal Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture blends evenly into skin Suitable for sensitive skin Non-comedogenic Dermatologist, allergy and sensitive skin tested In 1 week * 96% agree the size of existing blemishes appears reduced* 92% agree that overall skin quality looks improved and appearance of pores is reduced* *Self-assessment results based on a four-week consumer test on 54 subjects Key Ingredients Maximum-strength 10% sulfur effectively treats and helps control acne blemishes without over-drying skin Glycolic acid is an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates to reveal smoother skin Niacinamide (also known as Vitamin B3) helps reduce moisture loss and dehydration Formulated Without”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, 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: 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 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%
Sulfur~8–9.7%
Niacinamide~4.1–5%
- 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 NiacinamideZea mays starch~3–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Zea mays starchGlycolic acid~2.3–2.8%
- 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 acidStearyl alcohol~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholGlycerin~1.7–2.1%
- 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 GlycerinOctyldodecyl myristate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Octyldodecyl myristateCetearyl alcohol~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.95–1.15%
- 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 stearateSodium hydroxide~0.7–1.05%
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicatePeg-100 stearate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateC13-14 isoparaffin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinAllantoin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCeteareth-20~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Phenoxyethanol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhenylethyl resorcinol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- 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~0.15–0.3%
Laureth-7~0.15–0.3%
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinPolyacrylamide~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sulfur, Niacinamide, Zea mays starch, Glycolic acid, Stearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl myristate, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Sodium hydroxide, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Peg-100 stearate, C13-14 isoparaffin, Allantoin, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium edta, Laureth-7, Hydrogenated lecithin, Polyacrylamide, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| VichyNormaderm S.O.S Sulphur PasteYOUR PRODUCT | Kiehl'sBreakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment | CreamyTônico clareador | Beyond PigmentBrightening Kojic Acid Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 75% | 75% |
| Price | — | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer | Alpha-Arbutin | Vitamin C |
| Irritancy | Low | High | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Balea Niacinamide AHA Peeling ConcentrateComfort Zone Sublime Skin Peel Pad
Product summary
"Vichy - Normaderm S. O. S Sulphur Paste" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (4.10% - 5.00%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 2.30% - 2.80%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (glycerin 1.70% - 2.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 11.25£ up to 28.00£ in the United Kingdom and from 18.00$ up to 23.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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