VICHY Skin Care Line by L'Oreal - Dermatology on Demand

When it comes to caring for our skin, most of us visit our local drug strores.  However, we find ourselves inundated with shelves and shelves packed with products claiming to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, fight blemishes, hydrate, etc.  We are left scratching our heads and guessing what our skin needs based on what we see in the mirror.  (It reminds me of walking into an auto parts store and guessing how to fix my car, and I am certainly not an auto mechanic.)  Finally, we surrender out of frustration and make a random selection based upon the best price and marketing touting amazing results.  Often times, we get a product home only to be disappointed with the results and file it away in our ever expanding "skincare graveyards."  (You certainly can't throw away your new investment; maybe it will miraculously resurrect itself for you another day.)

Aha!  Vichy Laboratoires caught onto this consumer struggle and implemented skin analysis, diagnosis and treatment all at the convenience of a local pharmacy or store.  Through ongoing partnerships with Dermatologists and Pharmacist associations, Vichy has set out to educate the general public with its wealth of knowledge about skincare and advice to optimize the skin's health and beauty.  Vichy has now introduced its internationally leading skincare brand to Southern California through touring with its Healthy Skin Check-Up Centers and setting up its kin Dermo-skincare Centers within select CVS and select specialty stores such as ULTA.

I recently visited Vichy's Healthy Skin Check-Up Center on tour in San Diego, which had a unique futuristic vibe.  I was first introduced to Vichy's history and philosophy by a multi-media presentation.  For years, Vichy has been the #1 skincare brand in European pharmacies and Canadian drugstores.  The line is named after the town of Vichy, France, where it was developed in 1931.  In fact, the backbone of Vichy is its Thermal Spa Water, which contains a higher mineral content than nearly all other spa water sources in France and has been noted for its ability to strengthen and reinforce the skin's natural protective functions.  The presentation also prompted me to educate myself by picking and choosing scientific explanations for various skin concerns.   

In the second phase of the center, Vichy assessed my sun damage not apparent to the naked eye with an instant black and white photograph to reveal any hyper-pigmentation.  (I was stunned as a young woman with very milky-white skin had a very contrasting sun damage photograph.)  I then met with one of Vichy's local partners, Pavan K. Nootheti, M.D., a noted expert in the field of dermatology and cosmetic surgery, who analyzed my sun damage photograph and performed further skin analysis with high tech skin analysis instruments.  He first used a "Hydrometer" to measure the water content inside my skin cells--anything above 40% is considered hydrated.  He then used a video microscope to magnify sun spots and photo aging underneath my skin.  Finally, he used a sebum test to gauge the oil content of my skin.  Along the way, the doctor filled out my Skin Diagnostic information moving from analysis, identification and evaluation to a recommended skincare routine.

Based upon my recommended skincare routine, I then viewed and tested the suggested products.  There was no guessing game involved.  Vichy offers a specialized product line for all individual skincare needs, including anti-aging, dehydration, dryness, acne, dullness, sun protection and body care.  The products contain highly effective ingredients, such as retinol and salicylic acid and have an ultra smooth texture.  Of course, they are contact lens safe, fragrance free, additive and preservative free, allergy and dermatologist tested.  Vichy introduced me to an arsenal of their products, each with a very specific purpose, and following are some examples.  The Peel Micrcroabraision Skin Rejuvenating Resurfacing Kit rejuvenates the skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, brightens dull skin, evens out skin tone and minimizes the appearance of pores.     The Meokine Product Line is an intensive anti-wrinkle corrective care range to help reduce the appearance of expression wrinkles on the face and around the eye area.  Reti-C Intensive Corrective Care is the first corrective treatment combining the double anti-wrinkle effectiveness of pure Retinol and pure Vitamin C with the soothing benefits of Vichy Thermal Water Spa.  Oligo 25 significantly improves the skin's freshness and radiance.  Nurtrilogie helps skin produce its own lipids as well as compensate for deficiencies in its barrier function.  Normaderm Acne and Imperfection Care is a complete routine for adults to transform their skin within four weeks.  Liftactiv Pro helps raise sunken areas and visibly smooth existing wrinkles while stimulating new collagen production.  Capital Soleil sunscreen products provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection again sunburn, photo-damage and premature aging of the skin.  Lipostretch targets and helps restore the skin's elasticity, tone and contour due to weight fluctuations.

Finally, as if diagnosing the skin and pinpointing a skincare regimen is not enough, Vichy also offers Dermablend, which is a corrective foundation that provides double the coverage of traditional foundation for a flawless face.  It covers irregular skin tone, minor acne scars, enlarged pores, redness, dark circles and pigmentation disorders--all while remaining lightweight and healthy.  The Vichy expert matched me with my correct color and explained that I could mix it with moisturizer to make it lighter or use layers for more coverage.  It also doubles as a concealer.  That step just saved me from purchasing the wrong color, and the versatility just eliminated the need for me to purchase three different products! 

Vichy helps customers know and understand their skin through a unique skin analysis, developed by leading health professionals.  The analysis is accompanied by objective, professional advice and personalized skin analysis prior to selecting and purchasing Vichy products to ensure the most suitable products are purchased for their skin's needs.  Vichy's philosophy saves the consumer time, money, and maybe even a little storage space at home from those "skincare graveyards."

Vichy Dermo-skincare Centers are located within select CVS and select specialty stores such as ULTA.  Vichy will be hosting 70 local events in various retail locations along the East and West Coasts of the United States between May and October 2007.  For more store locations and information, please visit www.VichyUSA.com.