I was staring at my shower caddy yesterday while washing my hair (for want of a TV in my shower I guess 😛 ) and I realized that I’d not told you about one of my favourite facial washes – the Vichy Normadem Purifying Cleansing Gel.
There are 2 variants, for oily and normal-combination skin. One is a cream version (white tube) and the other is a gel (green tube). Personally I prefer the gel version. I always like gel cleansers 😀 Now before I tell you about this, let me tell you that I have normal-combination skin. My skin isn’t super oily but neither is it very dry.
Now we’ve gotten that out of the way, this is one of my favourite facial cleansers I’ve used in a long time. I’ve actually repurchased so that tells you something. I’m usually much more fickle 😛
The most noticeable thing about this cleanser is the colour (green!) and the strong sharp smell. It takes some getting used to, I’ll tell you that.
I don’t use very much and although it lathers up, it doesn’t lather up a lot. However what I think I really like about it is how clean and smooth it makes my skin feel after washing. I use it at night as my cleanser after double cleansing first with cleansing oil. (I use different facial washes in the day and night) I find it helps my skin stay cleaner and I don’t know if the salicylic acid has anything to do with it, but my skin feels lovely and smooth after that.
I also think it does help with spots if I have any. If I feel a spot forming, washing twice a day with this facial wash seems to help them go away more quickly.
I read quite a few reviews online that said this is drying on anything other than very oily skins. I don’t find it so. As I’ve noted, I have normal-combination skin tending towards the dry and I don’t feel uncomfortable at all. I must say however that I do follow up with the rest of my skincare so perhaps I just don’t notice any discomfort… if any.
Unlike the Normaderm Cleansing Cream, this one does not kill my skin on my hands so that immediately gets it one vote in its favour. Yet it leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean and is very wallet friendly. I can’t ask for anything more in a facial cleanser.
In a nutshell
The gel cleanser leaves my skin feeling smooth and very clean. It also helps clear up minor spots and cleans out pores very well. I don’t find it drying on my normal-combination skin although some might. It is very affordable and a 100ml tube can last quite a while.
Pros : Affordable, Leaves skin feeling smooth and clean, Reduces spots
Cons: Some might find it drying
Here is the ingredient list for those who might be interested.
I usually buy the travel sized tubes of 100ml just in case I get bored mid-way. Its also because its easier to travel with as it fits carry-on requirements. I believe it also comes in a larger pump bottle.
I’m not usually very fussy about my facial washes, preferring to save on them so this one suits me to a T 🙂 Incidentally, I’m almost done with this tube so its time I pick up another! Have you tried this?
Paris B
Vichy Normaderm Purifying Cleansing Gel retails at RM29/100ml at most major pharmacies
ooo. no alcohol and good review from Paris makes me wanna try!!! i used to use RM19.90 Bio-eesence Thanaka white facial wash 80ml, now i went even cheaper with Elianto Rose Facial wash, RM18.90 for 100ml. works a treat! haha.
No alcohol? I didn’t notice that 🙂 Hope you like it if you do try it 🙂
Oh I REALLY need to try this. *adds to shopping list*
Neutrogena has stopped bringing in the Fresh Foaming Cleanser which I’d been using for years T_T.
Thus I replaced it with the Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Cleanser and…
…OMG! It dried out my lips like no other (accidental contact!).
Speaking of which, have you tried the Neutrogena BB Cream?
Just as pale as the Vichy! *sighs*
Methinks it might match you ^_^
Nope I haven’t tried the Neutrogena BB Cream – they have one? o_O Looks like its everywhere now 😛 There is one from Garnier too which is due on shelves in August . Overseas it comes in Light and Medium, but locally I can’t remember if it will only be in 1 shade or 2.
eh? i thought garnier’s bb cream is out? thought I saw the ads in watson MV for it. so many new BB products as of late. msia market finally catching up?
It could be out. Press release says Aug 1. And I think its not Msia that’s catching up – the rest of the world is 😛
I guess I WOULD have tried this… If Vichy weren’t so d— expensive in Hong Kong. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…!!
Aww that sucks! I do remember being horribly shocked by prices of Vichy products in HK 🙁
May have to try this. Am always on the look out for gel cleansers 🙂 I am using the Himalaya Neem one which is also green–haha! Surprisingly good for my combo skin too.
I don’t think I’ve tried the Himalaya Neem one but I have heard a lot of people telling me they like it 😀 Maybe I’ll pick that up instead of a replacement Vichy tube? 😛
I am currently using the Normaderm day and night moisturizers as my skin has been having a really bad time =( so far so good! Will head to Boots later to pick this up! =p
I do think the Normaderm moisturizers work quite well for oily or acne prone skin. I wish I had access to them when I had problems 😛 But this cleanser does its job well enough for me for now 🙂
I guess if it doesn’t dry out your hands, it shouldn’t dry out your face either. 🙂
I wonder if I should try it – I’m still contemplating whether to use a gentle face wash (Hada Labo at the moment) or one with Salicylic Acid in it.
I guess it depends on whether you have problems with your skin? For me, I sometimes have hormonal pimples or just random spots (I’d blame it on the weather but there are so many other factors!) so using a cleanser with salicylic acid helps clear things up 🙂
I do (a lot, sometimes), but the thing is, I’ve heard that using gentle products and treating your acne-prone skin as sensitive is the clue. Hmm…
it sounds really good at being at such an affordable price. my sis might like it 😉
Yes the price is a very attractive factor!
Yes! I might try this too. I have the same range toner w/o alcohol for sensitive skin. It’s very nice. Helps reduce/prevent spots in a gentle, wallet friendly manner.
I don’t use the toner but yes I do agree that this range does help reduce spots in a very very wallet friendly manner indeed!
This is really a nice product, too bad no more Vichy in M’sia. 🙁