Vichy Ideal Soleil Ultra-Melting Gel Spf 50 To Apply On Dry Or Wet Skin
76/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Vichy Ideal Soleil Ultra-Melting Gel SPF 50 is a chemical (hybrid) gel that can be applied on dry or wet skin, combining older filters with the modern Tinosorb S filter and ethylhexyl triazone. It wears lightweight with a balanced finish, a low white cast, low pore-clogging risk, and works well as a makeup base. Sweat resistance is middling. With excellent protection and a 75.9/100 score, it is a strong, comfortable beach and daily gel.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Excellent
96
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- +28.5 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +15.2)
- +15.2 Octocrylene at #5, UV filter
- +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #6, UV filter
- +38.4 Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine at #9, UV filter (UVA1 +12.8)
- +32 Drometrizole Trisiloxane at #11, UV filter (UVA1 +11.2)
- β44.3 UVB coverage saturated
- β16.5 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #5, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #4, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
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
33
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Avobenzone at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β15 Octocrylene at #5, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #7
- β8 Fragrance
π
Fungal acne
Medium
73
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Glyceryl Oleate, PEG-8 Laurate)
π
Fabric stains
High
20
- +100 Starting score
- β45 Avobenzone at #4, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #5, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Mexoryl XL at #11, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #7
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Nylon-12)
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #7
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #7), fast, even canvas
- β 0.5 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +10 2 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Skincare 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¨ Vitamin C
Full ingredient list (26)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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
-
Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone)
- β 28.5 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 45 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
-
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
-
Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)
- β 20.9 UV protection
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Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Tinosorb S), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 38.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
-
10 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Mexoryl XL), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 32 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 7 film former
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
15 Carbomer
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
19 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
20 Nylon-12
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 3 film former
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24 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
pH adjuster
-
26 Fragrance
Fragrance
Is the Vichy Ideal Soleil Ultra-Melting Gel Spf 50 To Apply On Dry Or Wet Skin good?
Yes, it scores 75.9/100 with protection rated excellent. The hybrid filter system gives strong broad-spectrum coverage.
Does the Vichy Ideal Soleil Ultra-Melting Gel Spf 50 To Apply On Dry Or Wet Skin work under makeup?
It works well as a makeup base, with a low white cast and a lightweight balanced finish. It can be applied on dry or wet skin.
Is it mineral or chemical?
It is a chemical hybrid, combining older filters with the modern Tinosorb S filter and ethylhexyl triazone.