Hydrating serum · $34
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
A minimal hydrating serum built on 89% Vichy volcanic water with a low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. It is a hydration and layering product rather than a treatment — there is no exfoliant, retinoid, or brightening active in it.
Key ingredients
- Hyaluronic acid
- Draws water into the upper epidermis. Effective when applied to damp skin and sealed with a moisturizer; drying without that seal in low humidity.
- Vichy volcanic mineralizing water 89%
- Mineral-rich thermal water. The marketing around trace minerals outpaces the evidence, but as a hydrating base it does no harm.
- Glycerin
- The workhorse humectant doing much of the quiet work here.
Texture and finish
A clear, slightly bouncy gel that spreads thinly and absorbs in seconds with no tack. It is one of the easiest serums to layer under anything, including sunscreen and makeup.
It suits you if
- Your skin is dehydrated but not necessarily dry
- You want a hydration layer that does not conflict with any active
- You are sensitive and want a very short ingredient list
Skip it if
- You want a treatment serum — this targets nothing specific
- You live somewhere very dry and will not seal it with a cream
- You are trying to keep your routine minimal on a budget
Pros
- Fragrance-free, paraben-free, and extremely well tolerated
- Layers under everything without pilling
- Pump packaging, generous bottle size
Cons
- Not a treatment; expensive for what is essentially hydration
- Needs an occlusive over it in dry climates
- The mineral-water claims are thinner than the marketing suggests
How to use it
- 1Two to three drops on damp skin after cleansing, morning and night.
- 2Follow immediately with moisturizer to seal the humectants.
- 3Can be used under a retinoid to reduce dryness.
Where it fits in a routine
First serum step, morning and night, before treatment serums and moisturizer.
See the dry-skin routineMore breakdowns
This breakdown is based on publicly available ingredient lists and manufacturer information. It is general skincare information, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for a dermatologist's assessment of your skin.