Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel for mature skin
Salicylic Acid
Vichy Volcanic Water
Zinc Gluconate
Copper Gluconate
Bifida Lysate Ferment
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for mature skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for your normal skin, as salicylic acid helps exfoliate and decongest pores, while bifida ferment lysate supports barrier repair.
- The formula provides general cleansing benefits with coco-betaine and propanediol, but it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively address your wrinkles and fine lines.
- The product is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser as part of both your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily since your skin is normal and not sensitive.
- Apply this first in your routine before using your toner, moisturizer, and SPF.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water. Avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
- Apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin for the best fresh feeling. Make sure your face is clean of heavy makeup first.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area while washing. Do a quick patch test before your very first use to be safe.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis gel cleanser is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for its ability to reduce breakouts and control excess sebum without stripping the moisture barrier. While most users find it gentle and effective for clearing blackheads and "maskne," a small subset of long-time users expressed disappointment over a perceived formula change.
Highlights
Gentle non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “no tight feeling”
- “skin feels soft”
- “hydrating for acne wash”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
- “doesn't over-dry”
Effective acne control Often Mentioned
- “diminished maskne severity”
- “clears stubborn blackheads”
- “prevents new pimples”
- “reduced hormonal breakouts”
- “keeps acne away”
Reduces oil Often Mentioned
- “skin looks mattified”
- “controls daily grease”
- “removes excess sebum”
- “less shiny by noon”
- “deep clean feel”
Improves pores Sometimes Noted
- “pores appear smaller”
- “smoother skin texture”
- “refined skin tone”
- “unclogs congested pores”
- “cleaner looking pores”
Caused dryness Rarely Noted
- “dried out my skin”
- “caused stinging”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “redness after use”
- “too harsh for me”
Formula change Rarely Noted
- “formula has changed”
- “consistency is different”
- “miss the old version”
- “not as effective as before”
- “disappointed in changes”
Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
- “didn't see results”
- “acne remained same”
- “no difference after weeks”
- “didn't clear breakouts”
- “waste of money”
Scent complaints Rarely Noted
- “smell is strong”
- “fragrance is off-putting”
- “scent lingers”
- “perfume smell”
- “don't like the odor”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, vichyusa.com, lovelyskin.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Cleanser work for mature skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for mature skin because salicylic acid helps clear pores and bifida lysate ferment supports the skin barrier. However, it lacks specialized ingredients for wrinkles and fine lines, and mature skin needs cleansers with hydrating and soothing ingredients that smooth fine lines without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for mature skin?
Salicylic acid and bifida ferment lysate help make this cleanser a good fit by clearing pores and supporting barrier repair. A cleanser for mature skin also needs hydrating and soothing ingredients that target wrinkles and fine lines.
What does Salicylic Acid do for mature skin?
Salicylic acid helps smooth and firm mature skin by boosting collagen and elasticity while reducing roughness and wrinkles. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used correctly, but this skin type also needs extra hydrating ingredients to stay soft and plump.
What does Vichy Volcanic Water do for mature skin?
Vichy volcanic mineralizing water helps strengthen the skin barrier and provides soothing and antioxidant effects against daily environmental stresses. It supports skin defenses to keep skin looking healthy and resilient.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2022
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for mature skin. A daily skincare regimen with a mild cleanser helps improve skin condition and visual dryness.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it before your retinol treatment in your evening routine, as it is safe for your skin and unlikely to cause irritation. However, because it lacks ingredients for wrinkles and fine lines, mature skin needs a cleanser that also brings nourishing, firming components.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It is safe for your skin, but to properly care for mature skin, a cleanser of this type needs added firming peptides and rich hydrating ingredients to smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on mature skin because salicylic acid helps clear out pores and keep skin clean. However, it may cause dryness for some, so this skin type needs extra hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to stay soft and smooth.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin around your eyes since facial cleansers can be too drying there.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of Bifida Ferment Lysate strengthens the skin barrier function by upregulating barrier and antimicrobial peptide genes, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, and decreasing inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999
Why other cleansers fit mature skin better
Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Ingredients
Salicylic Acid, Water, Coco-Betaine, Propanediol, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, Bifida Lysate Ferment, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Copper Gluconate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.