Backed in January I reviewed The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask (here) and hailed it as a holy grail product. It is and I’ve talked lots of times since about how much I still love the stuff. It was an original, but now Vichy have brought out a rival product that pretty much does the same thing.

The Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep (£26.50) is basically the same as The Body Shop’s offering (£22)- a light and creamy gel mask that you massage onto your face at night and then wash off in the morning. I’m calling them a mask rather than a night cream as both do leave a slightly tacky film on your skin afterwards, albeit a clear and invisible one.

The idea of these products is that they repair and replenish your skin while you sleep and replicate the natural restorative effects that deep sleep has on the skin. Nowadays, not many of us manage to get a full night’s sleep for our skin that isn’t interrupted by noise, light, toilet visits and early starts/late nights. These products make you look like you are completely rested- how well and how long we sleep directly affects the tone and texture of our skin, as well as how well it copes with defending itself against daily environmental stresses.

The Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep is a gorgeous product to use. The Idealia range is designed for women showing the first signs of aging. This product has a beautiful strong unique scent (jasmine and green tea) that is typical of Vichy skincare. When I wake up in the morning after using this, my skin is plump, refreshed, firm and bright. It contains Hyaluronic Acid for its hydrating and plumping properties, LHA (from Salicylic Acid) to exfoliate and even the skin’s texture, Caffeine to de-congest the skin and stimulate microcirculation, plus Vitamin B3 for its anti-inflammatory properties and to reinforce the skin’s barrier function against external pollutants.

I love the Vichy Idealia Sleep Gel, but I also love The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask. I am not a scientist, so I go by how products smell and feel and by the results that show on my skin. To me, results wise, these products are six and half a dozen. The principal differences are in the scent- the Vichy one is much stronger and more floral than The Body Shop’s light botanical plant scent. The Body Shop Bouncy Sleeping Mask also comes in a ‘bouncy’ jelly-like format that you rub between your hands to turn into the gel formula, whereas the Vichy version is already a liquid gel in formulation. I would also say that the Vichy one dries on the skin and becomes less tacky quicker.

I am honestly finding it really hard to decide which one I prefer, and with you it will be personal preference as to scent and texture I would think. This Vichy one might have the edge for me though, as it does smell amazing and so indulgent.

You can buy the Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep at Boots online or nationwide. Have you tried this product, or The Body Shop version? 

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