It happens rarely that I write a review that’s as bad as this one. I usually try to give you a well-rounded view of a product, and I’m the first to admit that this sunscreen pushed all the buttons. While I’m still striving to give you the facts, please remember that reviews are subjective, and when it comes to skincare, even more so: here’s my Vichy mattifying face fluid review.

Vichy mattifying face fluid: What is it?

Vichy mattifying face fluid review

The first shine-free, long-lasting, dry touch SPF 50+ sun cream which mattifies the skin effectively while providing high protection from the sun.

The formulation includes a wide spectrum filter system and photostable UVA-UVB based Mexoryl ®.

Vichy

Notable ingredients

vichy mattefying face fluid review
Vichy mattifying face fluid review: the ingredients

At one point in time this sunscreen seems to have been reformulated, or there’re different versions for different markets. There’s one WITH denatured alcohol, and one without. I’m reviewing the one without.

The ‘powdery’ effect (what Vichy calls ‘dry touch’) comes from the enormous dose of silica in the formula: silica is a white powder that has great oil-absorbing qualities. There’re only minimal amounts of skin-benefitting ingredients, but a whopping dose of fragrance (more on that later). The combination of UVA and UVB filters are excellent.

SPF filters

UVA

  • Tinosorb S
  • Avobenzone
  • Mexoryl (UVA/UVB)
  • Very low doses of Titanium Dioxide and Ecamsule

UVB

  • Homosalate
  • Uvinul T150
  • Octisalate
  • Low dose of Octocrylene

Texture

  • vichy mattifying face fluid dry touch
  • sunscreen for face
(There was some residue on my finger that would’ve tide it over to the 1,4g needed.)

This comes out of the tube as a white, creamy lotion. It’s not an unpleasant skin-feel right after application. It also smells like the perfume floor of a mid-range department store where about a dozen sales assistants have pressed their samples upon you. It’s cloying, flowery and very, very artificial, and if you think that it’ll diffuse after application, you’re wrong. I can smell the damn thing the WHOLE DAY. Which makes me extremely irritable.

Comparison

  • vichy ideal soleil spf50 review
  • vichy mattefying face fluid
Doesn’t look too bad on my hand, right?

This has the thickest consistency of sunscreens I used lately, maybe most comparable to Purito’s Centella Green Level Unscented Sun (review). My fave (now sadly reformulated) Isdin sunscreen (review) has a thinner consistency, as has Paula’s Choice’s Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid. The super matte finish is most like Paula’s Choice’s which is still a bit more dewy.

Application

Vichy_sunscreen_worst
First indicator that something was deeply wrong when I applied it to my face.

When I tested the Vichy Mattifying Face Fluid for the first time, I did my regular AM skincare routine: toner, serum, moisturiser + booster. I applied the recommended amount of sunscreen (1,4g) and while I manoeuvred that amount around on my face, it started to ball up and leave white streaks. Over the day, it pooled in fine lines and clung to my eyebrows AND the peach fuzz I didn’t know existed on my face.

When I pressed my husband into using it on clean skin without anything else applied to it, it worked just fine – it looked smooth, velvety, and was dry to the touch.

Wear

Vichy mattifying face fluid experience
Yeah, I’m putting this on the internet.

After the first attempt, I realised upon removing Vichy’s Mattifying Face Fluid that it dried out my face a lot (see: silica that’s also the reason for the white cast I guess). I then decided to pamper my skin a bit and to boost my AM routine by adding Stratia’s Liquid Gold (review) that I put under my regular moisturiser. This time, it looked ridiculously bad – in the name of science I added foundation (MAC’s cushion foundation), and yeah, it still looked bad. Foundation over white streaks and patches is NOT a good look.

It didn’t make my eyes water during the day, BUT (of course there’s a but), I woke up with some fresh spots after wearing it.

Vichy mattifying face fluid – recommended?

Vichy mattifying face fluid worth it

LOL

To really like it you need a strong tolerance of fragrance in your skincare. Vichy says it’s for combination skin, but for me the application problems arise from layering ANY kind skincare underneath Vichy’s Mattifying Fluid. Which is questionable: even oily types benefit from additional skincare benefits that AREN’T in the Mattefying Fluid (as there are none). I’d characterise my skin as sensitive combination skin, but I definitely need some additional humectants as the insane amount of silica makes my skin a desert. You couldn’t pay me enough to wear that stuff on my face a third time, but if you get over the fragrance and application problems, a very good, primer-like finish’ll and excellent filters reward you.

It’s around 14€ for 50ml at online pharmacies and, for example, feelunique.

Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.