Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa

The Brand: Vichy Laboratoires is the number 1 skincare brand in European pharmacies. All Vichy products are hypoallergenic, formulated & tested on sensitive skin & combine soothing Vichy Thermal Spa Water with the latest innovations stemming from dermatological research. Vichy Thermal Spa Water from the hot springs of the town of Vichy, France, soothes sensitive skin & reinforces the skin's natural protection.

What Vichy Claims: Inspired by the Vichy Thermal Spa, this ultra-comfortable, velvety sleep mask infuses the skin with hydration overnight, when skin is most receptive to treatments. Skin is soft, smooth and supple by morning.

The Low Down on Sleep Masks: Overnight sleeping masks aren't a new trend. They're prevalent in Korean skincare and have been adopted internationally since (like the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask). As the name suggests, you slather on the mask and let it work its charm while you get a good night's sleep without bothering about getting the mask on your pillow, because these are formulated to stick to your skin and renew it.

Packaging: It comes in a blue glass jar (which is kinda heavy by the way) with a white plastic screw on lid and looks pretty sophisticated.

Scent & Texture: Personally I love the smell of Vichy products and this was no exception. It has a mild floral smell which is not too overpowering. The cream itself is bluish in colour and has a dense gel like consistency but goes on transparent on the skin.

How to Use: Now this can be used as a night cream, an intensive treatment or as a sleeping mask.
When using as a night cream, take a tiny amount of the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa, rub onto your neck and skin.
If you're using it as a sleeping mask, then apply a thin layer and let it get absorbed for a few minutes before you sleep.
For an intensive treatment, apply a thick layer of the cream onto the face and neck, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and wipe off the excess. Or what I like to do instead of wiping the stuff off is to get a detoxifying face massage with the leftover cream till it's absorbed.

Ingredients List: Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Carpric Triglyceride, Squalene, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol among others.

My Experience: If I find a brand that works for my sensitive combination skin, i stick to it. Here in comes my love for Vichy. Their formulations are aimed specifically at sensitive skin, are mild concoctions and do not break me out, yet always give me desired results. The Aqualia Thermal Night Spa was no exception. I use it as a night cream and as a sleeping mask when I need that excess dose of hydration. It has been a boon specially during these dry winter months.

Pros:

• It is Paraben-free. 
• Formulated with Hyaluronic acid known to replenish the hydration levels of skin.
• It gets easily absorbed into skin.
• Scent is mild and does not irritate the nose.
• Did not cause breakouts on sensitive skin.
• Replenishes, smoothens and re-plumps skin overall (based on 4 weeks of usage), gives visibly hydrated smooth skin the next morning.

Cons: Tub packaging. Nothing else I can think of!

Price: INR 1690/- only

Availability: Available in India on Nykaa.com and Amazon.in

Final Verdict: I would rate it a solid 5/5. If you have dry skin and craving hydration, go buy this baby, you won't regret it! :)

Za Skincare Total Hydration Range

About the company: The Za skincare range is all the rage in Japan and was introduced in India by Shiseido a couple of years ago.

Here's what the company's website had to say:

 Za is a total beauty brand supporting Next Asian Generation by offering various beauty solutions - skincare, makeup and Men’s grooming product. It is currently launched in 14 countries in Asia, such as Japan, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, etc. Za products are developed to realise the fast and reliable product performances despite its simple step.

P.S. However due to lower sales apparently they will discontinue the skincare line by the end of 2015. :(

Za has introduced three ranges in India - Za Perfect Solution for mature skin, Za True White for healthy skin whitening and Za Total Hydration for its younger audience. 

Za Total Hydration Range is aimed for people in their 20s. It is enriched with Hyaluronic acid as one of the main ingredients which helps maintain supple and youthful skin.

What the Range Promises: Resolves dryness and stickiness. For resilient skin with less visible pores. Full of the moisture and ingredients that the skin needs. Results in smooth skin that glows from within.


Packaging: The cute pink bottles with ergonomic design are a wonder to behold. And I am not exaggerating. When it comes to cute packaging, Japanese skincare brands can do no wrong. The bottles are sleek and easy to carry, the caps fit snugly and they are travel friendly if you don't mind lugging over 100ml of products.
                                

I got my hands on 3 products from their Total Hydration Range:

1. Fresh Lucent Toner
2. Milky Moisturizer
3. Hydration Mist

Read on to find out how they fared for my sensitive combination skin type.

• Za Total Hydration Fresh Lucent Toner: Instantly hydrates skin to impart a look of healthy radiance and a vibrant glow.

How to Use: Smooth an appropriate amount (1.5ml) over the entire face with hand after cleansing. When using a cotton pad, smooth over gently from the center of the face outwards. (I personally use the cotton pad method)

Ingredients List:

My Experience: It is a clear, watery liquid with very mild fragrance which does not persist on the face. The back lists alcohol as one of the ingredients, but there is no stinging (this is coming from a person with very sensitive skin) sensation or smell of alcohol. It is quite soothing and does live up to its claim of giving you supple, hydrated and clean skin.

Price: Rs. 549 for 175ml

• Za Total Hydration Milky Moisturizer: Minimises greasiness and gives the skin a smooth-textured vibrant glow.

How to Use: Smooth an appropriate amount (1.0ml) over face with hand after toner or lotion from the center of the face outwards.

Ingredients List:

My Experience: It is of a lightweight, runny and milky consistency that gets absorbed into the skin easily and keeps it supple and hydrated while imparting a dewy glow. However, I found it to be inadequate in winters on its own. It is a wonderful moisturizer for those sultry Indian summers. A little goes a long way with this moisturier. It spreads easily but if you go overboard with it the skin tends to feel sticky. It works as a good skin primer prior to application of BB or CC creams. Due to its light, watery consistency it would suit a lot of different skin types.

Price: Rs. 599 for 150ml

• Za Total Hydration Energy Mist: Instantly restores dryness and other daytime hazards and makes skin smooth and radiant.

How to Use: Hold 15cm away from the face and spray a few times to apply an appropriate amount over the entire face, and smooth it out with the palm of the hand. It can also be used over makeup.

Ingredients List:

My Experience: Ideal for summers, this is a light weight water based spray that comes with a built in nozzle to disperse the liquid evenly on the face. Do not expect it to work wonders. The energy mist hydrates the skin and makes it glow instantly. I feel like it's a fine suspension of water and moisturizer, since it does feel a little oily when you massage it into the skin but it leaves no oily residue, just soft dewy skin. However, it makes light coverage liquid foundation run streaky when used over makeup, so I would not recommend using it to set make up.

Price: Rs. 549 for 80ml

Overview of the Za Total Hydration Range:

Pros:

• None of these products have broken me out. Most skincare lines either break me out or leave my skin red and inflamed.
• They have a mild florally smell which does not irritate the nose.
• The range lives up to its claim of imparting dewy, radiant skin with regular use.
• It provides adequate hydration to the skin during summer months.
• All three products are refreshing on the skin and will suit different skin types as they are formulated for 'all skin types'

Cons:

• Does contain parabens.
• Pricey.

Final Verdict: Go for the Za Total Hydration range if you need hydrating care during mild asian climes. They work amazingly well for sensitive skinned beauties and can be used by different skin types.

Buy Za products online from Nykaa.com at http://www.nykaa.com/brands/za.html