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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel versus The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash .

Last updated on August 14, 2023. Published on July 06, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser French Brand France
Face Cleanser British Brand United Kingdom

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel

Starts at $22.99
Shop

Buy Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash

Starts at $5.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash contains this as ingredient number 11.

3
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash contains this as ingredient number 21.

4
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash contains this as ingredient number 9.

5
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 17.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash contains this as ingredient number 10.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

41% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
23% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel 17 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 reviews
AllyF.'s Avatar'
Mar 17, 2024

I've tried a numerous amount of cleansers for my acne prone skin, but I always come back to this one! If you have acne prone skin that reacts well to salicylic acid - you should definitely give Vichy a try!

I've tried a numerous amount of cleansers for my acne prone skin, but I always come back to this one! If you have acne prone skin that reacts well to salicylic acid - you should definitely give Vichy a try!

Great Value
Light Scent
Works Well
Ali2412's Avatar'
Nov 27, 2022

Amazing
I love this product. Make skin feel fresh after using this cleanser. I apply it with bit of water and massage into my skin . I wait a minute to wash it of..it keeps my acne away.

Amazing
I love this product. Make skin feel fresh after using this cleanser. I apply it with bit of water and massage into my skin . I wait a minute to wash it of..it keeps my acne away.

SanaAttar_461's Avatar'
Sep 13, 2021

This cleanser is magic
If you have oily acne prone skin, it’s your best friend ... cleaning pores and make it really smooth over 1~2 weeks it reduce acne scares as well

This cleanser is magic
If you have oily acne prone skin, it’s your best friend ... cleaning pores and make it really smooth over 1~2 weeks it reduce acne scares as well

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash 22 ingredients

Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Vichy Normaderm Phytoaction Cleansing Gel.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash.

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