I can’t believe it’s actually the first time I’m testing and reviewing a Vichy sunscreen – I gave up on Euro sunscreens for a long time, but for a few years now, I love what brands like Eucerin, La Roche Posay, Garnier and Isdin are doing, so here we are – testing Vichy in my Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear SPF50+ review.
The Brand
Vichy Laboratoires was founded in Vichy, France, in 1931. Dr. Haller (a man without a first name, apparently), dermatologist in Vichy, in the Auvergne region, realized that the thermal water found there also had skincare benefits and founded the brand. Today, btw, you can visit Vichy Célestins Spa Hotel which is built over the springs the thermal water comes from! Vichy nowadays belongs to the L’Oréal Group.
Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear description
An ultra-lightweight fluid formula that hydrates oily skin while providing a 12-hour mattifying effect and long-lasting dry touch, invisible finish on all skin tones. The formula refines skin texture, evens skin tone and imperfections appear less visible.
Vichy
Claims
- Water fluid: All day shine control, non-greasy, non-sticky
- Breathable, weightless skin finish
- 2% Niacinamide, 0.3% Salicylic acid
- Sarcosine and Probiotic derived Fractions bringing skincare benefits
- Netlock technology: provides a thin even cover of protection on skin
- Very high UVA (protection factor 46)
- For oily, imperfection-prone and acne-prone skin
Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear review – What it is
This is a very liquid sunscreen that both includes fragrance and alcohol denat. It also has a very high PPD, some skincare benefits and is supposed to be suitable for oily skin.
Ingredients
AQUA / WATER / EAU ● ALCOHOL DENAT. ● DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE ● SILICA ● ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE ● ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE ● ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE ● BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE ● BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE ● GLYCERIN ● PROPANEDIOL ● C12-22 ALKYL ACRYLATE/HYDROXYETHYLACRYLATE COPOLYMER ● NIACINAMIDE ● DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE ● PERLITE ● CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE ● ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER ● BUTYLENE GLYCOL ● CAPRYLYL GLYCOL ● CITRIC ACID ● HYDROXYACETOPHENONE ● HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE ● SALICYLIC ACID ● SARCOSINE ● SILICA SILYLATE ● TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID ● TOCOPHEROL ● TRIETHANOLAMINE ● TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE ● VITREOSCILLA FERMENT ● ZINC PCA ● PARFUM / FRAGRANCE
Vichy
Nice to have and noteworthy: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA and Tocopherol. There’s also silica for mattifying purposes. Vichy, in their blurb, also points out Sarcosine, an amino acid, that works as a humectant.
Filters
| Sunscreen Filter | Type | Spectrum | Remarks |
| Ethylhexyl Salicylate / Octisalate | chemical / organic | UVB (280-320 nm) with peak at 306 nm | not a strong filter, used with other filters to solubilize. |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150 | chemical / organic | photostable UVB filter | oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available everywhere except the US & Canada |
| Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Tinosorb S | chemical / organic | broad spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm) | very photostable, available everywhere but the US |
| Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane / Avobenzone | chemical / organic | full UVA protection | not photostable |
| Drometrizole Trisiloxane / Mexoryl XL | chemical / organic | broad spectrum,with peak absorbance at 303 nm (UVB) and at 344 nm (UVA) | L’Oreal exclusive, oil soluble |
| Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid / Mexoryl SX / Ecamsule | chemical / organic | UVA, peak absorbance at 345 nm | L’Oreal exclusive, water soluble |
UV Booster: Diisopropyl Sebacate
UVA protection: 46
Sustainability
L’Oréal has made big steps when it comes to sustainability. (And is also at the front to develop alternatives to animal testing like Episkin.)
In 2012, the company declared a 37.1% reduction in CO2 emissions, a 24% reduction in water consumption and a 22% deduction in transportable waste, and was named a sector leader by Climate Counts for its practices and achievements in the management of carbon emissions. In 2014, L’Oréal made the commitment to ensure that none of its products were linked to deforestation, and to source 100% renewable raw materials by 2020. In March 2023, L’Oréal announced its investment in Genomatica (Geno), a biotechnology company, to develop and manufacture ‘biotechnology-based alternatives’ to critical constituents in the formulation of ‘cosmetic, personal care and cleaning products’.
(Wikipedia)
Application
Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear is even more watery than LRP UVMune, and as with all very liquid SPFs, finding a way to guarantee that you really apply enough is important. Use a standardized scoop, or count the pumps. I weighed the recommended 1.4g while counting the pumps, which told me I need about 12 pumps after shaking the bottle vigorously.
It feels astonishingly creamy when I first apply it, while looking astonishingly glowy, too. But that dissipates quickly.
I can detect the alcohol denat. upon application (a whiff, a slight cooling sensation), same with the fragrance. The combo can make my eyes water when I’m not extra careful, but the fragrance (I’m REALLY sensitive to fragrance and have a very good nose) vanishes very quickly. It’s a floral laundry detergent scent to my nose.
Finish
I usually wear only a toner and a Vitamin C Serum underneath this one.
The finish is truly skin-like for me, and truly non-sticky – until the temperature exceeds 30°C. It’s a pity, but when it gets hot(ter), the formula fails for me. It gets shinier, stickier, generally more uncomfortable and feels like a layer on my skin I could do without.
It also, from time to time, makes my eyes water, especially when I’m sweating. (Which tells me that this one isn’t exactly sweatproof.) After around 6 hours, the finish gets noticeably more glowy.
Makeup Application
Because this one sinks in so quickly and leaves a skin-like finish, there aren’t any problems with whatever makeup you apply over it. I still wait approx. 20mins for it to form its film, and then apply either my (summer preferred) powder foundation or any liquid foundation and everything else. No matter cream or powder, everything works great with it as a base.
Comparison
As Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear is marketed towards oilier skintypes, it’s obvious to compare it to Eucerin’s Oil Control that’s also for oily skin. Eucerin is a clear winner for me here, as it gives a truly matte finish, no matter the weather. I wore this last year in 40°C, and had no problems. Its PPD, though, is less than Vichy’s, but then, it also hasn’t fragrance. Pick your poison.
A good middle ground between those two is Garnier’s Invisible Serum: doesn’t fail me on hot days (although it isn’t as good as Eucerin then), has a lower PPD, no fragrance but alcohol.
Talking about L’Oreal brands – La Roche-Posay’s UVMune is much, much more glowy and sticky on me. (But then, I’m not a fan of that one at all, even if it’s PPD is incredibly high.)
Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear review – Checklist
Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear review – Rating
Sure, Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Clear is a good SPF. I enjoy wearing it, but I won’t buy it again – and that’s because its texture defeats its purpose for me. I’d love to wear it when I’m out and about during hot days because of its high PPD, but then it’s kinda uncomfortable to wear for me. What speaks for Vichy is its textural performance: it never pills on me, and I’ve seen videos of dark-skinned creators who said its finish is translucent without a white cast.
The skincare benefits are neglectable in my opinion: Niacinamide nowadays is nearly in everything from toner to serum to treatment to moisturizer, and salicylic acid (again, imo) works best as a dedicated treatment, where it is given that the pH and concentration are right for it.
Availability & Price
I paid around 20€ for 40ml at an online pharmacy. Google for deals! In the UK, it’s around £22.
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.
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