There is something completely unfair about having to battle ageing skin AND acne at the same time. Yes we know, the plus side to having acne prone skin is that oily skin does not wrinkle as early and as much as dry skin. So there’s that. But that is cold comfort when yet another breakout happens, or when a sore cystic pimple, buried deep in the dermis, never to emerge, begins to pulsate and redden. Ugh. While most acne is hormone related, there are things to do to lessen and prevent the super nasty ones. I do have prescription creams, that sometimes work, but not always. I have found a preventative skincare regime helps the most, along with clean(ish) eating. Yes I know – food isn’t supposed to cause acne, but when I fall of the healthy food wagon, and consume buckets of chips, chocolate and sugar sugar sugar, I am bound to have a breakout.

Vichy is one of my favourite skincare lines, for good reason. I use my Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 every day, twice a day, but when my skin is freaking out, Vichy has some great oily skin options. I really love them in the summer, when my skin is more likely to get sweaty and be exposed to the grit and grime of city air. So this is the perfect time for my Skinternvention, with the Vichy Normaderm line:

About Normaderm:

Skin care products for all types of imperfections: irregular texture, clogged pores and shine. Normaderm targets skin’s signs of sensitivity by thoroughly cleansing, hydrating and purifying it. To recreate beautiful and healthy skin, Normaderm targets more than just imperfections, without weakening the skin.

Cleanse: The Normaderm Deep Purifying Cleanser is terrific for washing off the day – make up and oil are no match for this gentle yet effective cleanser.

For a more thorough treatment, try the Normaderm Tri-Activ Mask. A triple action mask that cleanses, exfoliates and mattifies, with clay, ”peeling” ingredients and a soothing agent.You can use it as a leave-on treatment mask, or lather it up as a cleanser. I love it for both.

Tone: I always use rosewater to tone my skin, but after a long day out and about, and a good coating of sunscreen on my skin, I want to soothe and treat it. Vichy Normaderm Purifying Astringent Toner has active ingredients with a purifying, antibacterial and gentle exfoliating effect. It feels soothing on the skin, too.

My favourite product in the Normaderm line is the Hyaluspot Targeted Fast Acting Care treatment. This is for when that nasty zit rears it’s ugly head.  Hyalupspot’s  “advanced formula with hyaluronic acid creates an invisible “bandage effect” on the surface to protect against external agents. Salicylic acid and LHA, recognised dermatological ingredients, act at the source of the imperfections.”. In plain language, it helps soothe and treat the pimple so it clears up faster.Imperfections disappear faster without leaving a mark nor a scar. Who doesn’t want that?

If your skin is being challenged by oiliness and breakouts, I recommend giving the Vichy Normaderm line a try. Gentle AND effective.

In Canada, Vichy is available at drugstores. US shoppers can get it online.