I bought Vichy Minéral 89 because my moisturizer started pilling under sunscreen. Desperate times.
Three days later, no pilling. And my skin stopped feeling tight after washing my face. That never happens with cheap serums.
It’s a $28 hydrating serum from French pharmacies. The claim: 72-hour hydration with just a few ingredients. I rolled my eyes — then tried it.
Gel-cream texture
Thicker than water, thinner than goo. Slides like wet glass.
Fragrance-free
I’m a sniffer. But this has zero smell. Weirdly refreshing.
Bottle durability
Glass. Heavy. Will not survive a bathroom floor drop — ask me how I know.
Photo: Atikh Bana / Unsplash
No botanical extracts. No peptides. Just three things that actually matter for dehydrated skin. The formula is so short it’s almost suspicious.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds 1000x its weight in water — basic but effective
- Vichy Volcanic Water: 15 minerals. Feels calming, not fancy
- Glycerin: The boring MVP that actually locks moisture in
First pump: feels like cold jelly on your fingers. Absorbs in 10 seconds flat. No sticky film — my pillowcase confirms this.
Two weeks in: my fine lines under makeup looked softer. But here’s the weird part — it made my sunscreen apply smoother. Never expected a serum to fix SPF application.
Dry patches on my cheeks? Gone by day 4. The tightness after cleansing? Vanished. Pores still exist — this isn’t Photoshop in a bottle.
It’s the plain white tee of serums — boring, reliable, and you’ll reach for it every damn day. For $28, that’s a win.