I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s no two ways about it. I’ve heard the rumours going around that Vichy Laboratoires is pulling out of Malaysia and so I sent out my feelers to get the official word.
And its true.
Vichy Laboratoires is in fact pulling out and will be gone from Malaysia by March 2012. Waahhhh! 🙁 I’ve found some gems from the brand that I will miss very much. There is stock clearing going on at the Vichy counters, I’ve heard, where they have Buy 1 Free 1 on products and the like. I checked out one counter but it was basically wiped out so if you can get your hands on anything, here are a few things I like.
Vichy Eau Thermale Facial Mists (review and an older review)
I have a few cans lying around and I carry the small cans when I travel to freshen up. I know there are other brands around so perhaps I’ll finally give Avene a go 😛
Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel (Review)
This is a bathroom staple and I want to stock up on as many tubes as I can get my hands on! Problem is… every counter seems to have run out. Guess everyone had the same idea I did 😛 I think this an awesome awesome face cleanser and I will miss it dreadfully.
Vichy Normaderm for busting breakouts (review)
I only managed to discover this excellent combination for busting breakouts… only to find I will no longer have access to 3 out of 5 items. Disappointed? You can say that again! 🙁
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum (Review)
Another product I discovered recently that works well for me. The Aqualia Thermal serum is for hydration and works to boost the efficacy of moisturizer. It works a treat and is a good alternative to the Estee Lauder Hydrationist serum. Now that its going away, I guess I’ll have to go back to Hydrationist 😛
There are a few other products I’ve come across – Normaderm Total Pore Resurfacing Essence and Purete Foaming Cleanser come to mind. I also used to be a big fan of the Vichy UV Activ sunscreen but they reformulated it and only carried the tinted version. A friend bought the tinted version and it didn’t suit them so they gave it to me and I use it on days when I just want a light tint of colour on my skin in place of foundation. It still does a pretty good job.
These are the few products I use regularly from Vichy which I will miss from the brand. The official word is that Vichy is a brand sold primarily in pharmacies and dermatology clinics through advice from pharmacists and dermatologists. The dermatology market in Malaysia is still relatively underdeveloped and so the brand has not been able to fulfil its true objective. I personally thought it carried good products for the price even if there was a perception that it was pricey. Nothing very good comes cheap.
Perhaps when the local market matures, we’ll see Vichy return 🙂 Until then, its Au Revoir! It’s been lovely getting to know you.
Is there anything you will miss from Vichy? Have you tried any of their products while they were around? I suppose if it stays on in Singapore, I could always still get my fix there 😛
Paris B
The official word is that Vichy will be fully withdrawn from Malaysia by 31 March 2012
omg that sucks =( I really like some Vichy stuff too and I can’t imagine if they decided to pull out of Canada. Let me know if you ever need help with a CP in case you can’t get your hands on it, I’d be happy to help =)
Yes when I got the confirmation I was absolutely gobsmacked. Most times, we get the official “Oh no, its just temporary” story but this time its real 😛 Thanks for the offer Sheila – very sweet of you! I do think its still available in Singapore so I can get my stock from there in the mean time – its really only the cleanser that I’m keyed up about 😛
BB cream and their whitening essence! the only BB cream that looks natural on my skin. as for the whitening essence, it works wonder on my yellowish dull skin in brighten it up! i’ve stock up tubes of ’em. guess i’ll have to get in online in the future. hmmm
Yep! We’ll have to find some alternative methods of getting our Vichy fix! 😀 Singapore should still have them.
No wonder they are doing the clearance sale. I managed to get my facial mist BOFO promotion at Guardian IPC last week, just a day before my trip to China.
It’s winter season over there and their facial mist is truly my skin saviour. My friend also using mine and I think it’s finishing up already.
Better check out again and hopefully able to restock them.
Just about loving their product and it’s a shame they will no longer in Malaysia.
Ah lucky you! I went to a store and saw empty shelves 😛 I haven’t been round to check other stores though so good luck! 😀
Aiyaaa! No wonder la…..I was in KLCC yesterday and popped by to restock my cleanser and toner. The SA said, sold out and I thought “Eh, thats strange…..oh well!!” and now this just makes sense as to why they were sold out. Just when I found a cleanser that rocked my socks….Thanks for sharing PB. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas JackieA! And yes, its such a bummer just when you think you find something good, you have to start all over again 😛
I’ve never tried this brand before though. I know you’ve given Vichy good reviews but I’m always distracted in Japanese skin care products whenever I walked into the pharmacy and bought them instead.
It’s a pity that they’re removing the brand from our shore as I can see that they have loyal users here, but I didn’t see the ‘buy 1 free 1’ promotion at pharmacies in town last weekend! Shall try to look for it in Megamall after work instead.
Got to agree that the Japanese skincare does look much more interesting eh? 🙂 I was liking the recent Vichy stuff because they were just starting to go silicone and paraben free and then boom! they disappear. I guess our market just isn’t mature enough for a cosmeceutical brand – the common lament I got was how pricey it was for a pharmacy brand. Ah well, maybe it’ll come back 🙂
OMG, i think my gf going to cry. she only use vichy and nothing else. Sigh wonder why good brand like this want to pull out
Oops then she’d better stock up! Lack of public awareness and expectations I guess. It is a good brand, but people aren’t willing to pay for good stuff and the market here just isn’t ready I guess, for a dermatological brand.
Oh no! I really wished they didn’t 🙁 I loved their NormaDerm ProMat Matte Effect Hydrating Care product 🙁
Time to stock up… if you can find it still 😛
omg i sure hope they will stay in my shore!!. though i only tried one of their product i hate to see any brands pulling out of the country
Yup I don’t like to see brands leave to so here’s hoping they’ll return 🙂
I really <3 the cleanser! It reduces the redness around my nose and cheek area!
Ohh no!!! :'(
The cleanser is awesome stuff right? I’m still trying to track down an additional bottle at least :p
why are they pulling out? political issues?
Hmm no known political issues I know of. What I was informed is what I’ve shared, which is that our Malaysian market isn’t matured enough for the brand philosophy, which is that of a pharmacist/dermatologist assisted brand. Malaysians aren’t big on these things apparently.
Oh dear. No wonder they have the sale recently. I manage to grab the cleansing milk at Caring at Bangsar Village. I have tried their Moisturiser before. It was good for oily skin. sad..sad..
Yep I thought their products good for what they are ie relatively affordable, effective products. Hopefully they return in time.
OH NO! Normaderm is my must have. 🙁 Thanks for sharing Paris I must run to Pharm tomorrow..
You know, I should have tried to stock up first before making the announcement 😉 hope you manage to stock up!
omg that’s so sad…but i wish i were there in Malaysia when they started the sale. Their green acne range and the thermal mineral water spray look so tempting to me that I really want to put my hands on them…someday
goodbye Vichy Malaysia 🙁
Not sure where you are but Vichy is sold in many places so you can still try it 🙂
owh! so disappointing and frustrating too! recently fall in love with the whitening serum and now I will losing my love very soon =(((
Sucks when this happens right? 🙁 oh well back to the drawing board 😛
that’s sad when brands pull out. I was very sad when Px left Asia 🙁 well, at least Singapore isn’t too far away for a stock-up trip 🙂
I think Prescriptives shut down everywhere, although they may be making a comeback overseas. Maybe we’ll see it come back here too. I was quite upset previously when YSL left too
🙁 their normaderm range is absolutely fantastic for my acne outbreaks 🙁 i love their body wash as well!
I haven’t tried their body wash… and now probably never will sigh…
That’s AWFUL! Do you get La Roche-Posay in Malaysia? That’s my other lifesaver!
Nope! I have been badgering them as to when it’ll come in and was told it was soon but after this, I seriously doubt it because La Roche Posay and Vichy have a similar sort of philosophy 🙁 That said, who knows. Maybe they’ll try with LRP instead 😛
Don’t you just hate it when you chance upon something that forms part of your HG and it gets yanked? HATE IT. Don’t they realise it’s more than just a product? Sometimes, it’s an emotional bond as well! (drama queen act over)
Yeah, unfortunately, bottom line would be sales and if no one else feels that bond as we do, out it goes! I think the local market hasn’t grasped the notion that effectiveness must come with a slightly higher price tag, even at the pharmacy. Not everything in a pharmacy is “cheap”
OH NOOOOOO!!! Just when I finally FINALLY settled on a skin product that my face is not adverse to!!! I’m so upset!!! 🙁 I knew the buy 1 free 1 offer must be too good to be true!!! SOBBBB!!!
Pity 🙁 Time to stock up then until they run out!
Nooooooo! I have been slowly stocking on Vicky stuff to try (not properly used a lot of items yet, since I want to finish up things I’m using atm) and then they decide to pull out? 🙁 I think I shall go get more things d, so at least I’ll be able to try first, then somehow get to SG to buy it if it’s great =/
Sigh. I hate it when easily accessible brands pull out of the country/region.
Looks like Singapore will benefit from us going there to buy – and probably wonder why their sales are going up LOL!