Vichy Aqualia Thermal Uv Defense Moisturizer Sunscreen
65/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV Defense Moisturizer Sunscreen is a chemical sunscreen using older-generation filters including Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. It wears with a balanced finish, feels lightweight, leaves no white cast, and is low in pore-clogging potential with a makeup-friendly base. Protection is rated good, though it can sting somewhat near the eyes. At 65.0/100 it is a serviceable moisturizing daytime option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
59
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #4, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
67
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Fragrance
- β12 Opaque "Fragrance", hidden allergens that can't be checked from the label
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
Medium
35
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β8 Fragrance
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Comedogenic
Low
98
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Myristic Acid at #18, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Palmitic Acid at #19, moderate comedogenic signal
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Fungal acne
Medium
56
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Myristic Acid)
- β28 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate)
- β4 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #4, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
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Moisture
Hydrating
LightNourishing
- β 5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 10 Glycerin at #6, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 strong humectants (Sodium PCA)
- β 6 Ceramide barrier lipids
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Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 3 1 soft-focus powders in moderation
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate)
- β 1.5 Humectant syrup tackiness (partly offset by the base)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Niacinamide
- β¨ Ceramides
Full ingredient list (27)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene)
- β 15.2 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 15 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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5 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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7 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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12 Mannose
Supporting ingredient
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13 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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14 Ceramide NP
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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pH adjuster
-
17 Sodium PCA
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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21 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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25 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
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27 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV Defense mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical sunscreen using older-generation filters including Homosalate and Octocrylene. It commonly applies with a low white cast and a balanced finish.
Does the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Uv Defense Moisturizer Sunscreen work under makeup?
Yes, it generally works well as a moisturizing base. The lightweight finish and low breakout-trigger rating make it commonly comfortable under makeup.
Is this sunscreen any good?
It is moderate. With good protection and a score of 65.0/100, it is a serviceable daily moisturizer rather than a top performer.