Vichy Normaderm for oily skin
Niacinamide
Salicylic Acid
Hyaluronic AcidAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 exfoliation and pore-refining benefits for your oily skin due to salicylic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid, which help to decongest pores and manage oil production. Niacinamide further supports seboregulation, contributing to a smoother complexion.
- Glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide general hydration, though more specialized ingredients could offer enhanced control over oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsUsers with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this lightweight moisturizer for its ability to hydrate without clogging pores or feeling greasy. Most users report clearer skin and reduced blemishes over time. A small minority experienced initial purging or found the fragrance too strong for sensitive skin.
Highlights
Excellent texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Sinks in immediately”
- “Perfect makeup base”
- “Doesn't feel heavy”
- “Leaves a nice matte glow.”
Balanced hydration Often Mentioned
- “Hydrating but not sticky”
- “Controls oil all day”
- “Skin feels plump and soft”
- “Doesn't strip my skin.”
Effective acne control Often Mentioned
- “Cleared my cystic acne”
- “Faded old dark spots”
- “Stopped new pimples forming”
- “Skin looks significantly clearer.”
Pore refinement Sometimes Noted
- “Pores look smaller”
- “Smoother skin texture”
- “Refined my large pores”
- “Skin looks more even.”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Smell is too strong”
- “Perfume irritated my eyes”
- “Smells like men's cologne”
- “Wish it was unscented.”
Initial breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Broke me out worse”
- “Caused a burning sensation”
- “My skin turned red”
- “Experienced bad purging.”
Not hydrating enough Rarely Noted
- “Skin felt tight after”
- “Need a heavier cream”
- “Dried out my cheeks”
- “Not enough for winter.”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “Leaves a sticky film”
- “Pills under foundation”
- “Balls up if you rub it”
- “Feels tacky on the skin.”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.co.uk, lookfantastic.ie, walmart.com, ulta.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution work for oily skin?
Vichy Normaderm works moderately well for oily skin by offering gentle exfoliation and oil control through salicylic acid and niacinamide. However, a treatment of this type needs specialized sebum-controlling ingredients, zinc PCA, antioxidants, soothing extracts, and barrier-supporting components like ceramides for optimal results on oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, and niacinamide make this cream a good fit for oily skin by helping to clear out pores, manage oil production, and smooth the complexion. To fit oily skin even better, treatments of this type need stronger oil-controlling ingredients along with barrier-supporting and soothing elements like zinc, ferulic acid, ceramides, and panthenol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Salicylic acid helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping pores clear. It may also improve overall skin hydration while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine before your moisturizer. Oily skin works well with treatments containing salicylic acid and niacinamide for managing oil, but it also needs more specialized ingredients for enhanced shine control.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying the retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with this cream. Because this product has salicylic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid, using both together may occasionally dry or irritate oily skin, so it helps to start slowly and watch how your skin feels.
How often should I use it?
Use this treatment once a week in your evening routine to start, and you can carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause major irritation on oily skin, though initial breakouts may happen in rare cases. Salicylic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid help clear out pores, while niacinamide helps balance oil production.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A 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, 2020A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical 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, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Why other serums fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum
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
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