I don’t know about you but the recent heatwave in KL is killing me! We were having bouts of cooling rain in the past weeks and then suddenly in the past 2 weeks, nary a drop to be seen with the burning sun beating down on us. If you drive, its even worse – it feels like being in a microwave oven, which when you think about, probably is. 😛
Anyway, this Vichy Thermal Spa Water is what I’ve been staying cool with. This isn’t just your run of the mill water. Its pure Thermal Spa Water containing minerals and if you taste some of it (don’t go drinking it!) it actually tastes a little salty (No one else reports this. Maybe its just my wonky tongue)
In this never ending heatwave, this can of Vichy Thermal Spa Water has been like a God-send. In the morning, I spritz it on before my moisturizer and again before my makeup to help cool down and after applying my makeup to help set it. It helps my makeup lasts the whole day this way. Add to the fact I apply my makeup over the Vichy Normaderm Pore Refining Essence which unwittingly acts as a primer but that is the subject of a different review 😉
I was told by the people at Vichy Laboratoires that the proper way to use this spray thermal spa water is as follows:-
- Hold about 10cm from your face, close your eyes and spritz the fine mist of water over your skin.
- Leave it on for a little while, then lay a clean piece of tissue paper over your face to blot off the water.
The reason behind this method is that whilst the thermal water does help hydrate and cool your face, letting it dry and evaporate off your skin can cause your skin to dry out further. So, you are advised to blot it off after a few seconds to avoid this happening. These directions are also on the label on the can.
I made sure I did this and I realized that if I leave it on to evaporate, my skin feels oily and sticky but if I tissue it off as instructed, my skin feels hydrated and supple. There’s a lot to be said for following instructions! 😀
The Vichy Thermal Spa Water is recommended for sensitive skin and thermal water has been touted as helping those with skin problems like eczema. Not having this skin condition, I can’t say for sure if it will help. What I can say is that its helping me stay cool in the heat, helping my skin stay hydrated in an air-conditioned office and helping my makeup stay on the whole day – it doesn’t get better than that!
Incidentally, I’ve been using this thermal water spray in place of a toner. It works but after about 3 weeks, I found I preferred to use toner anyway because I like how my skin feels with my Kanebo Blanchir Clear Conditioner.
A 150ml bottle of Vichy Thermal Spa Water retails at RM40 at Vichy counters at Guardian, Watsons, Caring and various leading pharmacies. The small 50ml bottle is RM18 and makes an excellent travel partner. Used everyday, the 150ml can has lasted me well over 1.5 months and although lighter, is not showing signs of finishing yet.
Let’s Spa!
Here’s an interesting fact. Vichy is actually the name of a spa town in France. In Europe spa towns were very popular holiday spots where tourists go to get treatments and relax. Well in the old days, many of the treatments were anything but relaxing! But there’s a lot to be said for the curative powers of thermal springs and thermal spa waters and we should be glad we don’t have to travel all the way to France just to indulge in the Vichy Thermal Spa Water! Though come to think about it, that isn’t a bad idea eh? 😉
Do you incorporate face mists or thermal water into your skincare regime? Which thermal water or face mist are you currently using? I’m thinking of incorporating the Vichy one into my skincare – its less expensive than I expected and my skin seems to like it.
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
i’ve tried this before and honestly
this is my favourite facial mist spray by far
Hi Lynn
Oho! I got it right from the start! 😉
I’m currently using the Evian one though only when I remember that I have it (which isn’t often :P)
I should put it to good use more often though since the heat and weather is driving me crazy!
Hi Hasegawa
I don’t know why the Evian one doesn’t grab me. It might be all that pink 😛 But even if you don’t spray on your face, its wonderful on the neck to cool down
I have been using facial mist after my toner and eye cream ever since I started following a skin care regime 4 years ago. I am using an obscure, imported brand, said to be from the Swiss Alps. I also tried Evian and I have Avene spray. hmmm, but I think a facial mist is more for ladies who are in dry, air-conditioned environment all the time. I don’t have air-con at home, and am not working… So honestly, I don’t see the effects of a facial mist. Btw, yes, Vichy products feel very, very nice on the skin. I love their stuff too. =)
Hi Jyoan
You might be right but when I”m at home without the air conditioning on, I use the spray to stay cool. Helps calm the skin down because heat can cause dryness. I’ve just started trying Vichy products and I’m quite surprised by them.
I’m currently using Avene mist spray and quite love it. It has replacing my toner as I find it redundant to use both at the same time. sometimes I just spray a lot on my skin and pat it until dry. This leave my skin hydrates and reduces the visibility of pores for temporary.
Hi Synaesthesia
I haven’t tried Avene. It might be one to try after this. I dont’ use them together either because as you say, its quite redundant to me too! I didn’t notice the pore reduction – will have to observe this! 🙂
OH I’m an Avene mist user too, when I have sensitive skin I would use that as my tone too, but I really want to try the Vichy one now, I think if Australia sell Vichy I would have tried it ages ago, but I guess we can only live with what we can reach…
Hey Shanghainese Dumpling
You are absolutely right – if you can’t get it where you are, no point hankering for it if you have something perfectly useable available! But you can pick up Vichy when you come over to Asia yes ? 🙂
I wonder if there’s any difference between this and normal mineral water ? :p
Hi Aiyu
Well I’d say yes unless the minerals in both are the same. Most of these spa thermal waters come from Europe where the concentration of minerals maybe different and unless you’d like to try using Evian (drinking water) for your face, it might not be the same. Then again, I’m just saying this off the top of my head 😉
I’ve bought a couple of mists but I usually use it on clients! Why am I not using them for myself??? LOL Silly me! this VIchy one sounds nice!
Hi Nikki
LOL!! Time to spritz your own face!
OMG i was just telling my husband yesterday that i want to start using thermal waters in my skin care regime!! 😀
Thanks for your review Paris… it is definitely timely!! I can’t wait to finish using my current Avene bottle so that i can try this one! 😀
Hi Jenn
LOL I’m a mind reader I am! 😀 How are you liking your Avene? I haven’t tried it.
Oh yes you are!! hahaha!! 😀
I love the Avene one… its definitely refreshing to spritz on, or to sooth the itchiness on my legs (from dry skin) sometimes! 😀
Yay PB the Psychic! 😀 I’m going to try Avene too – little bottles are cute and useful! 😉
I started using Avene’s Thermal Spring Water in between my serum and moisturiser. Good to keep the skin hydrated during winter 🙂
Hi Tine
That’s a great tip! Thanks 😀 Its not as dry here as you well know but sometimes humidity could be just as bad.
I’m using Avene’s Thermal Spring Water, love it for summer. I always pat my it dry after a few secs, it leaves my skin hydrated.
Hi Amanda
Yep! I was amazed that it kept my skin hydrated even after being patted off rather than left on.
I quite like Vichy except that the one I bought didn’t spritz properly. Tried the Avene one and liked it too. Currently using Evian. I used to spritz throughout the day until I realized my makeup turned streaky. Now, I only spritz in the morning to set my makeup. Or when I’m feeling really really hot.
Hi Sesame
I’m going to try the Avene and Evian too since so many are using those. I’m just curious if it might even feel different?
I been using Avene for a month already, i would say its refreshing and cooling effect on hot day. It soes have the hydrating effect. I just pat dry as per instruction on the can. But i am wondering since Vichy contain mineral & taste a little salty, wont it make skin dry due to the sodium (salty taste)? ..I tasted the Avene and its tasteless hehehe…
Hi bluepenguin
Its very little and I don’t think it dries out the skin – it doesn’t dry out mine 🙂
I haven’t tried Vichy yet, I might do so in future!
Currently I’m using both Avene and Evian as part of my eczema fighting regime and I’d have to say that Avene works better for me. Evian just feels like water, whereas Avene really does soothe the inflamed skin after multiple sprays.
Hi Rinnah
You got me curious about Evian feeling just like water – I’m going to give it a shot to see what you mean 😉
LOL. What I’m trying to say is that with Evian, it doesn’t feel any different (i.e. no results) from spraying my face with any normal tap/bottled water. 🙂 I don’t see lots of hydration results too, which means I have to spritz more frequently than I do with Avene.
I have an 3 bottles of Avene one. Used only 1 bottle and it lasted for 6 mths already. And also a La Roche Posay one. Haven’t used yet. hheee…didn’t use too often.
My makeup turns streaky when I use it to set my makeup. But not with a proper makeup fix spray.
So, now I use it sometimes before my toner. I pat my face dry after spray. Then used big cotton facial pieces soaked with toner to put on my face like a mask for 15mins. The spray and the toner are different. Toners contain glycerin which helps to attract/bind moisture to the skin. As opposed to the spray which is moisture. So, to me, they are kinda different.
Hi Shay
Funny my makeup sets fine. Maybe I’m just spraying a little. I like your toner/spray technique. I’m going to try it and see if it helps my skin. I must say that regular use of the thermal spa water spray seems to have make my skin look and feel better with and without toner!
Oh try it….at least it feels nice. 🙂
I never used a facial mist =( Though I’ve been toying with the idea so thanks for the review~! I might just omit my toner and replace it with the mist.
Hi Sarah
I reckon a lot depends on what purpose your toner serves. Give it a shot – it might work for you so you can omit your toner or you might be like me and prefer to stick to toner 😉
ooo… I have this too… But I’ve been using Avene for the past 6 months now… Already on my 6th bottle… Oh… I didn’t know that we had to pat dry it… hmmm… I used Vichy and if I left it to dry, it would leave a nice matte feel on my skin…
Maybe I shall start blotting it away before it dries… haha… thanks for the tip… This is definitely my fave product now especially in the scorching heat… =)
Yet another Avene user here. Although, I have been “itching” to try others. This one next maybe? I think it’s cheaper too. If only slightly. I use it on my legs too. After shaving…plucking eyebrows. Although, I am a lazy one who never tissues off! Oh no!! Must learn to do that. I don’t use toners…Haha…hate them. Or at least have not found a good one for me
abby
Hi Paris,
wow…i enjoyed reading your post and all your replies !!! Haha, coincidentally i’m also looking for a facial mist. Happened to come across Evian’s in Guardian, didnt know anything about it until i check it out on the internet, it seems to be quite famous.
While for Avene, i saw it in the Cleo magazine. One of my friends is using it too but she didnt give much comments about it. However, many people left good comments about it in the internet, esp for those with sensitive skin.
Glad to know about vichy thermal spa water from YOU ! 😀 sounds great too !!!
So now i have 3 choices, Avene, Evian and Vichy….hm…. i will think about it…=)
Thanks everyone for all the comments and reviews. Thanks Paris !!! =D
Hello,
I’m coming from South Afica, I’ve been using Vichy Products for 1 year six months now. I think I’m doing fine with the product.
What can I use for Pigmentation?
Hi, how do you suggest i should use this product if i were to use toner, moisturiser, sunblock and foundation in my daily routine???
Thanks heaps!!
Use it in place of toner, or as and when your face feels dry or warm or its a hot day.