Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm Review

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm
6.5
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
3.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Ingredients

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, p-Anisic Acid, Chondrus Crispus, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Review

Does Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm Work?

 
According to CreamScan's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm has to offer:
 
✅ Significant moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 6.5 out of 10.
✅ Antioxidant protection

  

Key Benefits of Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm:
 

🔵 Lightweight Moisturizer Perfect for Combination and Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm is highly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 6.5 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Glycerin (est. ≈9.0%) and Propanediol (est. ≈4.0%), and a moderate occlusivity of 3.0 out of 10, solely because of the high content of Dimethicone (est. ≈6.0%).

This type of moisturizer is ideal for people with combination and oily skin who want maximum hydration in a relatively lightweight, non-greasy formula. It combines a significant amount of humectants with a limited amount of occlusive ingredients to boost moisturizing efficacy without feeling too heavy.

This product may also be a good choice for people with normal skin who prefer fast-absorbing textures, as it balances significant moisturizing potential with a relatively lightweight texture.

💧 A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to combination and oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🍀 Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Caffeine (est. ≈1.9%), Sodium Hyaluronate (est. ≈1.0%) and p-Anisic Acid (est. ≈0.3%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm

 
CreamScan identified a few things to consider before adding Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Caffeine, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Caffeine provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically rule out the possibility that Caffeine may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were available to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

📌 Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

✅ When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing perfect for combination and oily skin
✅ Also a good choice for people with normal skin who prefer fast-absorbing textures
✅ As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
✅ Lightweight texture
✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy
   

Summary: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm
, when used alone, delivers lightweight, humectant-rich moisturizing, perfect for combination and oily skin. It's also a great option for those with normal skin who prefer fast-absorbing textures. As part of a moisturizing routine, it provides a humectant boost, beneficial for all skin types.
 
With its high antioxidant content, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation.
 
That said, there are some things about Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm worth noting.
 
If one of your main reasons for considering Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, its anti-wrinkle efficacy is questionable. None of the ingredients in this product provide substantial evidence of their anti-wrinkle efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
9
6
4
3
2
1.9
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Function:
Origin:
Caffeine
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
p-Anisic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Chondrus Crispus
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Function:
Origin:
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
14.6
9
4
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
6.0
6.0
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
6.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 14.6 10
10.0
9
4
1
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 6.0 20
3.0
6.0
Moisturizing rating
6.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
9
4
1
0.3
0.3
All humectants 14.6 10
10
All humectants
14.6
9
4
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
6
All occlusives 6.0 20
3.0
All occlusives
6.0
6.0
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 1.9 -
Total
0
Caffeine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1.9
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1.9
1
0.3
All antioxidants 3.2 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3.2
Caffeine
1.9
Sodium Hyaluronate
1
p-Anisic Acid
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %70
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Glycerin
Est. %9
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Dimethicone
Est. %6
Function
Origin
DimethiconeThe most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Propanediol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 CrosspolymerA self-emulsifying surfactant, which means that it can help facilitate the formation of water-in-silicone emulsions. This results in lightweight formulas with a soft finish. It can also act as a film-former and thickener.
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Blue 1 (CI 42090)A synthetic dye commonly known as Brilliant Blue FCF that produces rich blue colors for various cosmetic uses. FD&C Blue #1 can also be found in foods, medications, and dietary supplements, as it is considered non-toxic and safe for use.
Caffeine
Est. %1.9
Function
Origin
CaffeineAn antioxidant compound that is obtained from coffee and tea leaves. It increases the microcirculation of blood in the skin and is claimed to be able to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin (although the research is lacking).
Sodium Chloride
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Sodium Chloride

You’re definitely familiar with sodium chloride, even if you don’t think you are. It’s table salt! Salt works well with some cleansing ingredients (surfactants) to thicken them into gels. It also acts as a stabilizer for water-in-oil emulsions.

Sodium Citrate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Sodium CitrateA salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
p-Anisic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
p-Anisic AcidA simple phenolic acid with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that is used as a preservative. It has a faint, sweet aroma and can be found in anise, fennel, and cocoa seeds.
Chondrus Crispus
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Chondrus CrispusAn ingredient obtained from the red marine algae Irish moss. It contains a gel-forming algal polysaccharide carrageenan and is a rich source of antimicrobial iodine and sulfur. It also offers various antioxidants.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Biosaccharide Gum-1A polysaccharide with humectant moisturizing and soothing properties.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PolymethylsilsesquioxaneA type of spherical powder that functions on a ball-bearing effect in which the tiny microspheres roll around on the skin and create lubricity. Polymethylsilsesquioxane offers extra slip to skincare products and makes the skin feel soft and smooth.