Vichy Lift Activ Serum 10 Youth Enhancing Serum Review and Photos

Apologies for the weird-looking, bad photo.
The box is highly reflective, so it was very difficult to photograph using a flash.

According to Vichy: 

"Liftactiv Serum 10 is the only serum that has it all: efficacy + tolerance + pleasure. It contains 10% Rhamnose, which is so concentrated that you will feel the first results almost immediately.  In just 10 min, your skin becomes velvety smooth and lifted. In 1 month, the full power of Rhamnose blossoms in your skin and transforms the skin. It impacts wrinkles, firmness, pores and even boosts overall skin radiance."

Apparently it took the Vichy labs 2 years and 180 formulation trials to achieve this anti-aging power concentrated in such an incredible texture while maintaining 100% tolerance; so even the most sensitive of skins can use this product.

The LiftActive Serum 10 is sold in a 30 mL size and retails for $55 CDN. It is available in most drugstores across the country.

This product was sent by PR to Beauty Squared for consideration of review.

Jill

Upon application of this serum I immediately noticed a tightening effect on my skin. After application my skin felt better hydrated, smooth and firmer. I likes how light weight this serum felt - even when worn under a rich moisturizer, my combination skin did not feel oily or suffocated.

Admittedly I don't have a lot of experience with anti aging/firming serums, but I will say that the extent of the firming and lifting sensation I experienced with Liftactiv 10 was surprising to me. I am in my 30's, and so I am developing some fine lines and slackness in my skin. This serum did help improve those symptoms while I was wearing it - but because my symptoms are not more pronounced, and I'm not using it long term, I can't definitively say this serum is capable of correcting those skin conditions.

One small drawback of this product for me is the packaging. I personally dislike any medicine dropper systems because I find them messy and wasteful. First, there's always the chance that you will drop the dropper on the floor thus contaminating it. Second, I always find that I end up dropping spare drops of serum on the counter, the floor or my clothes...but Catherine likes this system, so maybe I'm just a germophobic klutz? Anyways, while I found the packaging annoying it didn't really detract from the product itself.

Grade: A

Catherine

I loved Vichy's LiftActiv Serum 10 Youth Enhancing Serum on my first application. Like other serums it goes on smoothly and feels velvety but what made this one stand out was how my skin felt after applying it. Not only was it smooth and velvety to the touch but it felt plumper and healthier from the inside as well. 

Packaging-wise I really liked the medicine dropper applicator which gives you the the perfect amount of serum for one application with the push of a button. It was also helpful to get to the last little bit out of the bottle. The glass bottle was impressive as well, helping to keep the serum on the cool side for an added soothing effect on the skin. It also made the product feel expensive.

How did it work, compared to my usual serum? Well, I can't say that my skin looked very different, but there was a slightly silkier feel with the Vichy serum and my skin did look more radiant. My skin felt richer, plumper, tighter, and healthier overall, but only moderately so. I don't know if it's worth paying $15 more for the Vichy serum. 

If you're looking for a serum, this definitely is one I'd recommend. I used every last drop of the bottle I was sent. Well done, Vichy!

Grade: A

 

Vichy Lift Activ Eyes Review and Photos

Vichy has recently launched a new series of products in their LiftActiv line. Beauty Squared was sent LiftActiv Eyes by PR for consideration.

Vichy's Lift Activ Eyes

LiftActiv is an anti-aging eye treatment which is designed to reduce the look of wrinkles, crows feet and bags. According to Vichy it contains a the unique key ingredient "rhamnose" which is:

"a natural sugar extracted from Silver Birch known for its anti-inflammatory properties at low concentrations, is a key part of all LiftActiv products and it is at the heart of LiftActiv Eyes. It is the only ingredient known to target the Derm Source (papillary dermis) and reactivate it, regenerating cells in the epidermis, dermo-epidermal junction and dermis. It boosts the activity and the longevity of the fibroblasts, which as a result leaves skin younger and more protected."

In short, Vichy states this product targets and treats the four signs of aging in the eye area, claiming that after one month users will see smoothed wrinkles, lifted eyelids, decreased dark circles, diminished under eye bags and smoother, tighter skin. 

This product retails for approximately $40.00 CA and is available in most drug stores.

Scientific jargon aside, here is what we thought.

Jill:

I have combination skin, with very slight signs of aging around my eyes. My main eye concerns are dark circles, puffiness, occasional dryness (particularly in the winter) and age prevention.

My first impressions of the product were very positive. This product has a thick, velvety texture which spreads smoothly over the skin. According to Vichy this product has a "long lasting lifting feel", and certainly after application there is a very strong lifting and tightening sensation. In fact, I have not used another eye product where this sensation has been so noticeable!

I found this product did an excellent job reducing puffiness and smoothing the skin round my eyes. It did not change the appearance of my dark circles, but since I believe my dark circles are in large part genetic and constant, this did not surprise me. As for it's long term anti-aging properties and it's ability to reduce wrinkles, I cannot fairly evaluate this product as I suffer from only the most minuscule lines. However due to it's very strong tightening and smoothing effect, I would expect people with deeper wrinkles would notice at least temporary improvement.

The velvety texture (which I believe is due to the inclusion of dimethicone (silicone), the second listed ingredient) makes this cream a very nice base for concealer or foundation. I also approve of the attractive and practical packing - because it is a squeeze tube it is both hygenic and precise, allowing you to control the amount you dispense. I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a reasonably priced eye cream which smooths and tightens the eye area. The only  people I would not recommend this product to is those with silicone sensitivities.

Grade: A-

Catherine:

The skin around my eyes is starting to show some signs of aging with slight creasing and fine lines at the outer corners. I have dark circles that do not go away no matter how much I sleep or how much water I drink, etc. I am occasionally prone to puffiness in the mornings. 

I really liked the feeling of Lift Activ the first time I used it. While it is not a thick, heavy cream, it has a luxurious texture to it, thick enough to feel effective and thin enough to absorb fairly easily without a lot of effort. While I prefer to use eye cream at night and a gel or liquid in the morning, Lift Activ absorbed well enough to apply concealer and other eye makeup on top of it without diluting the colour or changing the texture. 

Like Jill, Lift Activ did nothing to alter my dark circles, but I did notice a slight smoothing of the very fine lines I have at the corners of my eyes. 

The packaging is impressive with its squeezable tube and fine tip applicator allowing you to apply it to a finger for application or directly to the eye area. 

I would definitely purchase this eye cream and recommend it to anyone looking for a moderately rich eye cream that provides soothing, firming and smoothing under the eye area.

Grade: A

Vichy Laboratories Capital Soleil High Protection Body Oil SPF 30 Review

New this year in Vichy's Capital Soleil line is their high protection body oil. A body oil to "recruit the most reluctant to sun protection" with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and photostable Parsol 1789 designed to soothe and condition the skin to prevent moisture loss. It gives the skin a satin finish while protecting it. 

It comes in a 177 mL spray bottle and the recommended retail price is $29.95.

Jill:


I was apprehensive to try this at first because in my experience all sunscreens end up greasy and tacky, so why would I want to start out with something made of oil in the first place? However, upon trying this I was pleasantly surprised, this product is light and non-tacky.


I have a medium skin tone which tans very easily but rarely burns. I tested this product on my body and neck during a few outdoor runs. Initially I thought wearing a body oil would be uncomfortable during exercise, but I found it's general texture no worse than that of a regular cream or lotion sunscreen even when things got sweaty. I also did not find this product rubbed off on my clothes, although I would exercise caution if wearing white or light coloured clothes.


I did find that the delivery method left something to be desired. Personally I don't like the idea of oil potentially spraying on my clothes or surrounding objects. Being a contact lens wearer, I also couldn't imagine spraying this on my neck or chest for fear I would get some on my lenses. I recommend spraying this in the palm of your hand and then rubbing it in.


One thing I do really love about this sunscreen is the sheen it leaves on your skin. While I don't think the product's orange tint actually imparts any extra colour, it certainly makes your skin look satiny and luscious, and that sheen will enhance any tan you do have. You could also take that sheen up a notch by mixing in some shimmery bronzer or pigment into the oil either directly in the bottle or in your hand right before you apply it.


Grade: A-

Catherine:


I have to admit that I've been carrying Capital Soleil High Protection Body Oil around with me because it's easy to pull out and apply. It's a light oil as opposed to a cream that really needs to be worked into the skin and can be very messy. Of course, any sunscreen needs to be rubbed into the skin so the spray bottle of Capital Soleil is for convenience more than application. 


It wasn't until after I'd been using Capital Soleil High Protection Body Oil that I realized it was basically a sunscreen for tanners. I've never been one to seek out the sun, so I've never used a tanning oil. So colour me surprised that I really enjoy the oil on my skin! It made me rethink the trust I had in it protecting my skin from the sun.  


The SPF is only 30 so if you burn easily, as I do, it's probably not enough for you (or you're reapplying constantly). Still, a little goes a long way and the oil component makes the skin look glowy and sexy. Unlike a cream sunscreen that can get white and streaky, this one is designed to make your skin look good AND protect it. 


Capital Soleil High Protection Body Oil has a light, silky consistency and a subtle smell that makes me think of warm skin and sunshine.


Grade: A

Vichy Laboratories Capital Soleil Sheer Lotion SPF 60 Bare Skin Feel Sunscreen Review

Vichy Laboratories Capital Soleil Bare Skin Feel Lotion SPF 60 is new to the Vichy line this year. It contains Mexoryl XL and SX as well as Parsol 1789 and octocrylene to ensure a broad spectrum photostable protection from UVB, short UVA and long UVA rays. Photostability means that the sun filter does not deteriorate immediately at its first contact to heat or light. It then offers complete protection for two hours of continuous sun exposure instead of only 30 minutes. Beauty Squared was sent this product for consideration.

The Capital Soleil Bare Skin Feel Lotion claims:

• non-sticky, non-greasy texture and dry-touch feel
• quick drying
• leaves skin well hydrated and protected against dehydration caused by exposure to the sun (enriched with Vitamin E)
• good for all skin types
• water resistance

The recommended retail price is $29.95 for 150 mL.

Ingredients

Directions

Jill:


I wear sunscreen on a daily basis on my face and neck in the usual form of Lancome's Beinfait Multivital SPF 30 moisturizer. I will wear sunscreen on my body when I know I'm going to be out for prolonged periods of time in the sun, usually when I'm running, swimming or climbing. I tan very easily and rarely burn. I have to be exposed to extreme amounts of sun to burn, such as the time I spent 10 hours outside baking under the white hot sun in Greece. Even then I have never had more than a very mild sun burn.


Because I'm very active in the outdoors during summer, I have tested many different formulations of sunscreen in the hopes of finding just the right one. I've tried many of the "non-greasy" and "dry touch" formulas (sprays, creams, lotions) and have found that they all end up somewhat greasy and tacky.


I tested this sunscreen both on my face and body during numerous running sessions. Out of all the "non-greasy" sunscreens I have tried (Neutrogena, and Cetaphil), this one definitely was the least greasy and tacky feeling which I appreciate. It has a very thick texture that takes a bit of rubbing in to make even, but I found once I worked it into my skin it was about as non-tacky as a sunscreen was going to get. I also appreciated that its claims of being water resistant stood up. Despite sweating a fair amount during my workouts, I did not end up with stinging sunscreen in my eyes. 


I would definitely recommend this sunscreen. It does have a heavier texture, but once it's massaged in it feels and looks less greasy and sticky than other lighter weight sunscreens. Is it perfect? No, but for me it's the best sunscreen I've used in a few years. The perfect sunscreen would feel like you have nothing on but I don't know if that's possible given the type of ingredients needed to actually provide UVA and UVB protection.


Grade: A-

Catherine:


I am a big sunscreen-wearer and advocate. I am a fan so far as to say that it keeps my skin from burning (which I do very easily) but God I wish it were easier and more pleasant to protect me from the sun. I'd prefer banning summer completely over using most sunscreens. So I was excited to try this "bare skin feel" sunscreen. 


First things first, any post Beauty Squared does about sun protection has to include the most recent updates. In a number of countries around the world, caps have been placed on how high an SPF a product can claim. Most recently, the US FDA announced that they would look into placing restrictions on brands claiming an SPF of 50 and up, since they don't have data to prove that SPF higher provides any more protection. In Europe, the maximum sunscreen claimability is SPF 50+ and in Australia only to SPF 30+. Canada may soon be close behind, but still, I look at SPF 60 with a healthy dose of scepticism. 


The texture of the Bare Skin Feel is non-greasy and creamy. Like you'd expect a pricier sunscreen to feel. It applies well and the whiteness of it fades as you work it into your skin. The scent is inoffensive. While I wouldn't call it a "bare skin feel", it's not overly shiny and certainly not sticky. However, on reapplication, things change. Suddenly, it gets streaky and sticky, gumming up on your skin. I've tried it a few times and varied how much I applied to see if it was because I was applying too much, but it happened each time. After only an hour or so since the first application, I got white streaks that would not go away. Even areas that seemed to not have white streaks, developed them shortly after reapplication. And each application got worse. It wasn't pleasant and certainly not a "bare skin feel". According to the idea behind SPF numbers, if I burn within 10 minutes without a sunscreen, SPF 60 would keep me burning for 60 minutes. So reapplying every hour of being exposed to the sun, and especially after your skin gets wet or sweaty, is key. I can't imagine having to reapply this more than twice since it looks terrible when layered.


But, despite the white, streaky appearance of my skin, I did not burn. I wore and reapplied and reapplied this while sitting in the sun for 4-5 hours and being in the water and was conscientious with my application. I was rewarded with not a single bit of pink and burned skin in the end. So it does work for not allowing you to burn. If you don't have a problem with the streaking and gumminess, this is a sunscreen for you.


So while it works, it also doesn't give you that bare skin feel it claims to. I would like to give it a higher grade but I have to stick with a...


Grade: B

Vichy Normaderm Total Mat Oil and Shine Control Fresh Hydrating Gel

Vichy's new Normaderm Total Mat Oil and Shine Control Fresh Hydrating Gel is a hydrating mattifier for skin that's naturally oily. It works to control oil as well as sweat for clean-feeling, matte skin that lasts all day. Vichy sent B2 this product for review.

According to Vichy this gel can withstand the effects of heat, humidity, stress, and intense physical effort. It also contains glycerine to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours and provides a matte, smooth, clean skin all day long. This product is suitable for sensitive skin and contains salicylic acid, a keratolytic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory active ingredient. It gently exfoliates for a more even skin tone.

A particular claim to note is that according to Vichy this product is anti-perspiration. It contains perlite, a volcanic molecule which can absorb more than three times its weight in water and encourages the evaporation of perspiration. 

Vichy Normaderm Total Mat Oil and Shine Control Fresh Hydrating Gel 

30 mL $27.95 CDN

Total Mat

Jill: I have a very oily t-zone and normal to dry cheeks, and have been using various mattifying products for over a decade now. My favourite is Clinique Pore Minimizer T-Zone Shine Control (discontinued a few years ago), and I will be using this product as a guideline for comparison. My daily routine is to use a mattifier after after my daily moisturizer (Lancome Beinfait Multi-Vital SPF 30) and before applying any makeup. I find that my skin will stay matte for a maximum of 3 hours in the summer (slightly longer in the winter, about 4 hours) before I have to use blotting sheets or powder to reduce shine.


I used Vichy's Normaderm Total Mat in two ways: first, I tested it as a moisturizer alone, and second I used it as I would a normal mattifier, after my usual moisturizer. Total Mat has a very light gel texture and a pleasant scent. On the skin it feels moist and fresh.


I found as a stand alone moisturizer, it performed well on my t-zone, but did not give me sufficient moisture on my cheeks. I did find it kept my t-zone matte for about 3-4 hours, but I did find my skin getting oily (as usual) after that.


As a mattifier over moisturizer I found it slightly less effective, only offering about 2-2.5 hours of shine control. I do wait about 5 minutes to let my moisturizer sink in, then I blot my skin with a tissue before applying any mattifying product. I found Total Mat did not work as effectively at controlling oil and shine as my standby Clinique T-Zone Shine Control. However, I did find that over my usual moisturizer my skin felt more hydrated throughout the day. 


I found the performance of this product satisfactory but not excellent. As someone with a very oily t-zone I need a product with stronger oil control properties. I am also a strong believer in sun protection, and as such I would not normally use a product like this on it's own without using a product with SPF. 


Grade: B

Catherine: 


My skin is naturally oily in the t-zone and in the summer, I'm constantly shiny. I've learned to embrace "the glow" because there's no way possible I can fight it. I use primers to help keep my makeup from melting but I've never tried using a mattifier. I used the Total Mat Oil and Shine Control Fresh Hydrating Gel as a mattifier but since it claims to be hydrating, I applied it without moisturizer to test it. It didn't provide me with much moisture at all on either my t-zone or my cheeks. I figure the hydrating part of it is because many mattifiers can dry out the skin in a bad way, sucking up the sebum but also the natural moisture.


Total Mat felt fresh and smooth on my skin. Like Jill, I give my moisturizer time to absorb before I apply anything on top. I use Garnier BB cream as my moisturizer and because it has pigmentation to it, it's interesting to see how products I put on top, like primers and mattifiers, affect the texture and look. 


The Total Mat worked well on top of the BB, and instantly made my skin look less shiny. Not matte, entirely, but it certainly took away the shine from the BB. I used it on my t-zone and areas with large pores only and found that it kept my skin from melting my make-up quite well, depending on the day. On cooler, drier days, I saw very little shine and melting. On warmer days, I needed to blot less and saw much less shine.


Total Mat claims to be non-irritating for sensitive skin, and although I can't speak to that claim, I do question the strong fragrance. Sensitive skin often doesn't react well to strong fragrance so it's a fail on that count. 


But Total Mat Oil and Shine Control worked pretty well. I wouldn't say it kept my skin matte all day, but it did keep the oil and shine at bay for a few hours longer than without it. Perhaps on summer skin that's more natural than oily, it might have a better effect.


Grade: B

Vichy NormaDerm Tri-Active Masque Review and Photos

In March, Vichy Laboratories launched two new products in their Normaderm collection. The Normaderm collection is meant for acne-prone skin. Beauty Squared was sent the new Tri-Activ Masque and Total Mat Oil and Shine Control for review. Since neither Jill or I are prone to regularly occurring acne, we thought it best to wait until summer when our skin was oilier and more prone to breakouts. 

The Tri-Activ Masque is a mask for imperfection-prone and sensitive skin. The "tri-activ" refers to three actions:

1. Purifies - eliminates sebum and impurities
2. Exfoliates - to unclog pores
3. Mattifies - clarifies complexion for a purer and mattified skin

It contains a combination of clay, salicylic acid and glycolic acid and can be used as a face mask or as a cleanser. According to Vichy this product immediately purifies skin eliminating excess sebum, leaving skin mattified for 3 days. In addition this product is suitable for sensitive skin, contains soothing agents to leave the skin without discomfort and dehydration, and is paraben, soap and alcohol free.

The Tri-Activ Masque comes in a 125 mL tube and costs approximately $19.95 CDN. 

A close-up of the instructions on the back of the tube.

Tri-Activ Masque 

Jill: I have combination skin, with a oily t-zone and normal cheeks. I live in a very dry climate and the warm weather of summer makes my t-zone even oilier. I do suffer from acne when I'm stressed or sleep deprived, but my breakouts generally consist of one or two cystic acne pimples in my t-zone (I do not suffer from large scale breakouts).


This product reminds me of a more sophisticated version of Noxzema, it has a similar scent and creamy texture which I find pleasant. I found it refreshing as a cleanser, and it left my skin feeling clean and oil free. For my t-zone, this cleanser was great, but I did find it a touch drying on my cheeks. I would definitely use this cleanser in the summer, but it would be too drying for my cheeks in the winter and fall months. And while I did find the product to reduce my excess sebum, I did not find it left my t-zone mattifed for 3 days. 


I did prefer using this product as a mask once or twice a week, and as a mask I found it to offer a deep, but not overly aggressive cleansing. Using Tri-Activ as a mask is nice because you only need to apply a thin layer of mask and it dries very quickly so it's fast but effective. Like Catherine I found I had to work the mask quite heavily with water to remove it, but in removing it you do get some exfoliation.


Generally I found this cleanser to be good for a product aimed at acne prone skin. It cleanses and mattifies quite thoroughly but in a gentle manner. 


Grade: B

Catherine: My skin tends to be oily in the t-zone and normal on the cheeks. I live in a climate that is often quite steamy and hot in the summer. My skin tends towards very shiny in the summer, both from oil, moisture in the air and perspiration.

I used the Tri-Activ Masque as both a cleanser and a mask and I liked the effects of both. As you might imagine, as a cleanser it has a similar but less intensive effect than as a mask. I am really impressed with how well it sucks up all the oil from my skin and leaves it smooth and soft. I leave the mask on until it dries and in order to rinse it off, you need to work the residue with your fingers so you're exfoliating at the same time. Adding water to the dried mask and working it creates a creamy residue so it's pleasant to use.

I do find that it's difficult to completely rinse off the mask once it's dried. I really need to work at it and I always use a toner to make sure that my skin is as clean as possible. I've been using it on my throat, chest and upper back as well, since I get breakouts in those areas in the summer. It has a refreshing, tingling, tightening effect and definitely reduces the oil production of my skin.

Grade: B

Vichy ProEven Daily Dark Spot Corrector Review

Start with the numbers.

45% of Canadian women are concerned about dark spots.

74% are experiencing uneven skin tones.

68% define themselves as having sensitive skin.*

Those numbers set the stage for Vichy, whose new ProEVEN Daily Dark Spot Corrector is rewriting the playbook on uneven skin. In a world of “me too” products, Vichy, with their unexcelled ability to combine ingredients where others rely on one or two, has created the first formula to act on all layers of the skin.

According to Vichy, ProEVEN Daily Dark Spot Corrector gently exfoliates discoloured, dead skin cells while unifying and brightening the complexion with micronized mother of pearl. At the same time, it fades dark spots through gentle LHA exfoliation. ProEVEN is formulated to hold the inflammation and oxidation that can lead to the overproduction of melanin and thus discoloration at bay. ProEVEN Daily Dark Spot Corrector is also a daily moisturizer. The hydroquinone-free formulation provides 100% skin tolerance, suitable for the most sensitive skin of all ethnicities.

*Among Canadian face care users – 2010 Face Care Tracking, TNS Research

Beauty Squared was sent the Vichy ProEven Daily Dark Spot Corrector to try out and we decided to do a joint review of it.

First, we'll let you know about our skin types so you have a basis to understand how we felt the product worked or didn't work for us.

Jill:

I have combination skin, with a fairly oily t-zone and normal cheeks. My ethnic background is Asian and my skin is prone to hyper-pigmentation after trauma. I experience post acne skin discoloration and freckles after sun exposure mainly on the tops of my cheekbones. I tan very easily and have small to invisible pores.

Catherine:

My skin is combination with normal skin on my cheek area and oiliness (redness and large pores) on my forehead, nose and chin. I have no dark spots on my skin, but I do have an area of blotchy redness on my right cheek. I am curious about seeing what the ProEven Daily Dark Spot Corrector can do for my skin in terms of brightening and renewal.

We both used a full tube of Vichy ProEven Daily Dark Spot Corrector which lasted us about 10-12 weeks.


And here's what we thought at the end.


Jill:


I used this product day and night. During the day I wore it underneath my usual moisturizer Lancome Beinfiat Multivital SPF 30 and at night I used it on top of Differin 3x Gel and underneath Shiseido Bio Performance Super Revitalizing Cream.


First off, I found the texture and feel of this product very nice. It has a light, yet moisturizing texture which didn't make my t-zone oilier than it normally is. It has a very pleasant, citrusy clean scent which is not over powering. I found that while using this product my skin did look more luminous, felt suppler and moister. 


As for its spot fading properties, I can't honestly say this product lightened any of my freckles/sun spots. It is difficult for me to determine the exact effect of the product I was getting a fair amount of sun exposure while I was using it. I think an optimal time to gauge the effectiveness of this product would be in the winter, when there isn't the possibility for tanning. However, it did increase the luminosity of my skin on a daily basis and as such my skin looked and felt better. I did see some fading of a few post acne spots I had prior to starting this treatment but my acne marks do fade naturally over time. This product does help with acne fading but it won't dramatically accelerate it.


I did like this product enough to purchase a second tube of it. It retails for approximately $44.00 CA, but you can often find Vichy on sale at chain drugstores - I got my second tube for 20% off at London Drugs.




Catherine:

I used this product predominantly in the evening as I don't feel comfortable wearing a chemical exfoliator during the day. Chemical exfoliators can make your skin overly sensitive to the sun. As I don't have any dark spots that I could track progress with and didn't wear it consistently, I wanted to see how the Vichy ProEven Daily Dark Spot Corrector worked on the texture of my skin. 

The consistency of the Dark Spot Corrector is smooth and light and did not feel heavy on my skin. It is easy to wear under a moisturizer as it doesn't change the texture of my skin so the moisturizer is still able to absorb well. I would imagine it would be the same under makeup. As Jill found as well, it didn't make my skin feel oilier either.

As for the effect of the product, I didn't notice a change in the red areas of my skin (presumably if the Dark Spot Corrector works as an exfoliator and reduces the appearance of dark spots, it might do the same on redness?). I did however see a change in the appearance of my overall skin texture. Each morning, my skin looked better, healthier and brighter. 

Vichy Laboratories Lift Activ Derm Source Review

I was sent a preview bottle of Vichy's latest anti-aging moisturizer to try out. Here's what Vichy Laboratories has to say about Lift Activ: 

Vichy Laboratories has pushed the limits of anti-aging with 2 major scientific advances: First after 10 years of research and 6 scientific publications with the discovery of the power of the Derm Source, known as papillary dermis, the skin’s true and integral source of youth. Second, Vichy Laboratories’ newest anti aging technology, LIFTACTIV DERM SOURCE, boasts the anti-aging power of Rhamnose, a plant extract that helps to stimulate the activity of the Derm Source to irradiate youth throughout all skin layers. (7 patents + 6 clinical studies)

And to answer some of the questions we might have:

What is the Derm Source?

Science calls it: Papillary dermis, an upper compartment of the dermis located just below the dermo-

epidermal-junction. It has the unique ability of regenerating the skin in all its layers creating the key

source of youthfulness.

How does it work?

It works very much like a command centre of the skin. It contains very active fibroblasts that diffuse

youth molecules to all skin layers – epidermis, dermo-epidermal junction and deeper dermis. These

molecules target the cells in each skin layer and command them to regenerate. The action of Derm

Source is integral and it alone is responsible for the regeneration of the entire skin from the deep dermis

to the epidermis.

What is Rhamnose?

Rhamnose is a sugar extract found in some Brazilian plants like Uncaria and some trees like the Silver

Birch. Vichy extracts it in its ultra-pure form; using a hydilysis process that preserves its natural origin

and only takes the most active fraction of the molecule to deliver its full power. This active ingredient is

also used in pharmacology for its anti-inflammatory properties.

According to Vichy, Lift Activ Derm Source gives: 

• Unprecedented anti-wrinkle and firmness efficacy and long lasting lifting effect

• Skin radiates with youth; beyond anti aging signs, skin is fully transformed as never before:

replumped, velvety smooth and luminous

Despite the fact that I'm not yet at the stage of my life where I need high potency anti-aging cream, I've been using Lift Activ nightly. The sample I was sent is Vichy Lift Activ Derm Source for Oily to Combination skin and retails for approximately $45. 

Lift Activ is lightly scented and isn't offensive at all. It's a fairly thick cream that you might anticipate being heavy on the skin, but it's not. It absorbs quickly and does not sit on the skin.

Although I can't vouch for the anti-aging effects of Life Activ, I can tell you that it does leave my skin feeling smooth, soft and plump. With so many moisturizers, I wash my face in the morning and the feeling of smooth and soft washes away. Not so with Lift Activ. 

I would imagine that this moisturizer will do as it claims and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It does seem to plump up my skin so skin that's drier and showing aging more than mine does should also be plumper. Plumper skin means fewer wrinkles!

I would recommend Lift Activ to someone who was experiencing wrinkles and fine lines and wanted to try a reasonably priced anti-aging cream.

C.