Vichy Normaderm: A Fan Letter

Hello everyone,

Being unemployed has its own benefits (unless you lost your mind out of boredom in the first couple of months) especially if you have an internet connection. As everyone around you is working, getting married, having kids, travelling, generally excelling at life, you will find yourself changing your Wi-Fi’s name to ‘new best friend’.

During this time, my skin changed completely from a mischievous child to a raging hormonal teenager. This was almost entirely because of PCOS, which caused hormonal imbalance in my body and caused my skin to turn oily and breakout into a lovely cocktail of pustular and minor cystic acne- these mostly popped up along my jawline, cheekbone area, and forehead. I knew the reason for my acne so I decided not to go to a dermatologist and look for solutions online. I don’t recommend you do that but my mum is a doctor so, technically, I was under medical supervision as I did consult her on various ingredients that these products contained and if they were any good.

This is when I came across Vichy Laboratories, Vichy to its friends.

Vichy is a favourite of the French pharmacy loyalists for a very simple reason- it works. The Normaderm range caters to the oily skinned, acne prone crowd because of its star ingredient- Salicylic Acid which is present in all the products of this range.

Vichy Normaderm Gel Cleanser Daily Deep Cleansing Gel

VICHY NORMADERM GEL CLEANSER DAILY DEEP CLEANSING GEL

Normaderm Gel Cleanser is a facewash that contains Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and micro-exfoliating LHA which cleanses your skin, unclogs gunky pores, and fights acne. These “acids” with fancy names sound scary at first, but you come to love them as much as you love your family.

How to use: I have noticed that this product does not work very well if you dampen your face and lather up the cleanser on your face. Do this instead- take a small pump of the cleanser and apply it on your dry face, massage it in till it feels a little tacky, let it sit on your skin for 30 seconds to one minute, and wash it off.

Pros: Gets rid of acne, stops your face from looking like an oil spill.

Cons: Hard to find in India.

Warning: Don’t use this on dry skin unless your end goal was to look like a distressed tomato.

Vichy Normaderm Purifying Lotion Pore Tightening Toner

VICHY NORMADERM PURIFYING LOTION PORE TIGHTENING TONER

The Normaderm toner is used after washing your face for an even deeper cleanse. Its main ingredients- Vichy Mineralizing Water, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and LHA- exfoliate, mattify, shrink pores and cleanse your skin, which in turn helps prevent acne blemishes. Using it after I get my upper lip waxed/threaded has reduced my next day breakouts, in that general area, from more than six pimples to no pimples. *yay*

How to use: Gently apply the toner using a cotton pad.

Pros: Does everything it claims, Skin doesn’t feel dry/tight after use

Cons: Smells a bit like alcohol which can be off putting for some people.

Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot Targeted Spot Treatment

VICHY NORMADERM HYALUSPOT TARGETED SPOT TREATMENT

The Hyaluspot tube is a spot treatment product which contains Salicylic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid “to provide Bandage Effect technology”. This combination treats the acne at its root to prevent future pimples and hyperpigmentation.

How to use: I apply the smallest amount at night- directly on the pimple, right before flopping down on the bed.

Pros: Gets rid of acne

Cons: Very expensive, especially considering its size and use. Buy clindamycin from your local pharmacy instead (after you talk to a doctor).

Vichy Normaderm 3-In-1 Scrub + Cleanser + Mask

VICHY NORMADERM 3-IN-1 SCRUB+ CLEANSER+ MASK

This 3-in-1 product can be used as a cleanser, a scrub or even a mask. It contains clay and natural pumice which draws out impurities, minimises pores, reduces oil, mattifies and exfoliates skin. It works wonders when it comes to removing blackheads.

How to use: I get best results out of it when I use it as a mask once a week. Apply a thin layer on the face, let it dry for about five minutes and scrub it off gently using water. Follow it up with a toner.

Pros: Best exfoliator I have ever used, Leaves my skin really soft and glowing

Cons: As it is the case with most exfoliating products, it can be drying or irritating if used multiple times in a week.

Warning: Don’t use this if you have dry skin, you will feel your face starting to burn in the first couple of minutes.

The Vichy Normaderm is a great skincare range to invest in especially if you suffer from hormonal acne. The results aren't instantaneous, it took me almost a month to see a big difference in my skin, but the it soothes the skin from the very first day.