A few weeks ago, I published the suggestions of La Mer for winter dry skin, and I got a huge response! A lot of readers were excited to see what I have to say about the creme, and even more wanted me to compare it to Nivea cream (that myth of the two being the same product is alive and well). Today I'll review the Creme de la Mer, in a few days look for a review of the Nivea with specific comparisons to la Mer.
By now, I hope that everyone knows about the miracle of la Mer. It was developed by a NASA scientist, Dr. Max Huber, who had some sort of experiment explode in his face. He was compelled to create a creme that would repair his face when nothing else worked. It was bought out by Estee Lauder in 1996. In fact, it turns out that they had a hard time recreating this cult classic. The Miracle Broth that is the secret of the Creme is very time consuming and difficult to make. The lotion is a fairly basic moisturizing lotion, but with the added ingredients of sea kelp (turned out it could only be harvested twice a year and then had to be processed for months), calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, Vitamins C, E and B12, oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower.
While the ingredients of la Mer are pretty much kept a secret, I did manage to find a few lists on line, where people had basically typed the list in from their own jar. I found this list 3 times, with slightly different typos (so I think people were typing it in on their own), but the lists were all identical. So, I am pretty sure that this is indeed what is on the jar. I'll italicize the ingredients that are considered to be the key ingredients behind la Mer. You'll see that they are included in what is otherwise a fairly basic but very moisturizing cream (check out the large number of emollients, humectants and occlusives, that really does explain a lot).
Ingredients (refer to the moisturizer post):
• Seaweed (Algae) Extract
• Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum): emollient
• Petrolatum: occlusive
• Glycerin: humectant
• Isohexadecane: thickening agent and emulsifier
• Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Extract
• Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina): commonly used thickening agent
• Lanolin Alcohol: emollient, very closely resembles your skin's natural oils
• Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil: emolllient, can be irritating to those with very sensitive skin
• Eucalyptus Globules (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil: thought to have anti-bacterial or anti-viral properties on the skin
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seeds: Sesame oil is anemolllient, can be irritating to those with very sensitive skin. However, I believe that the whole seed are included here as part of the Miracle Broth component of the creme, which means including all of the vitamins and minerals within the seeds.
• Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seeds: thought to improve healing, contains a "large number of vitamins and minerals" according to the references I found on-line
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seeds: Sunflower oil is known to possess emollient properties, however the seeds are included as part of the Miracle Broth.
• Runus Dulcis (Powdered Almonds) [sodium, Potassium, Copper, Calcium, Magnesium, And Zinc Gluconate]
• Paraffin: occlusive
• Vitamin E Succinate
• Niacin: Vitamin B3
• Beta-carotene
• Decyl Oleate: emollient
• Aluminum Distearate: emulsifier
• Octyldodecanol: emulsifier with emollient properties
• Citric Acid: used to adjust the pH
• Cyanocobalamin: Vitamin B12
• Magnesium Stearate: thickening agent
• Panthenol: humectant
• Limonene: Oil derived from the peels of citrus fruits such as lemon and lime
• Geraniol: A derivative of geraniums, this fragrance can cause skin allergies
• Linalool: A floral fragrance
• Hydroxycitronellal: Another floral fragrance
• Citronellol: fragrance
• Benzyl Salicylate: fragrance
• Citral: lemon fragrance
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: preservative
• Methylisothiazolinone: preservative
• Alcohol Denat: Denaturized alcohol
• Fragrance
La Mer is an experience that has a few tricks to be experienced properly. The creme itself is very thick creme with a light floral scent. Properly used, you place an amount (about the size of 1-2 peas) into the center of your palm then very vigorously rub your hands together. The creme will liquify, becoming a clear liquid. Truthfully, I did have a hard time mastering this, I was rubbing it between my fingers (didn't work), I tried hitting it with a blow dryer thinking my hands are too cold (also didn't work). I was not able to fully emulsify and properly use the product until I made a trip to the Creme de la Mer counter at Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach. The ladies there showed me how it is properly done, and they wouldn't let me leave the counter until I had properly demonstrated the technique to them several times and they had loaded me down with more la Mer samples!
Once properly emulsified, Creme de la Mer will really be clear and will have more of a thick liquid consistency. When applied to your skin you can immediately feel it start sinking into your skin. For me, it really takes about 10-15 minutes to sink fully into my skin, making this more of a night time treatment since I don't have time to wait for makeup application. But, the time really is well worth it. It is very hydrating, and it has made me glowy and taken away any winter dryness without turning me into an oil slick! I can see why celebs like J Lo are rumored to stockpile massive quantites of this stuff!
Lately la Mer has been touted also as an anti-aging product, and while I can't say there is a lot of evidence regarding the Miracle Broth, I can tell you that there are antioxidants in the sea kelp as well as the anti-oxidant properties of several of the other ingredients. I also think a large part of looking younger is being properly moisturized/hydrated, as the outer layer of the epidermis will swell with moisture, improving the look of fine lines/wrinkles.
All in all, is la Mer worth it? I definitely liked it as a stronger moisturizer, and despite my combination skin it was not "too much" of a good thing. I looked more glowy and radiant, my winter dryness disappeared completely! I do feel that there are a lot of added ingredients beyond the basic moisturizer that are worth the added expense.
Creme de la Mer
27 comments:
Wow. Thank you for this review. It will be my next creme once I run out of the one I have (Thibiant, Jolie swears by this stuff). I heard about Lamer on the morning show yesterday and was intrigued by it. So thank you for this again.
Hi,
I've always wondered about the effectivity of this product, it is nice to finally have an opinion. Sometimes products are expensive and no necessarily good, glad to know this is not the case!
It's definitely an amazing product. I've been using it for 2 years now and if I stop using it for a little while I really notice that my skin is not so good.
I got samples of their eye cream and it's brilliant too. Unfortunately too expensive for me right now.
Can you do a post showing how to properly emulsify the cream? I use it and love it but am still stumped by the warming technique.
Sarah-
I can't really describe it any more than I already have in this post, truthfully. I put the creme in the center of my palm, and being careful to keep the creme in the middle of my palm (if you spread it out too much it is harder to apply it), I just rub it between my hands very fast and in circles. I feel like I should be in the karate kid! Just do it fast and with little motions, it only takes about 20 seconds or so.
Hope that helps! If you have problems I'd suggest running to your nearest La Mer counter, they were very sweet about teaching me the technique, and that was without telling them about the blog!
hank you so much for the details and background info on la mer. I have a full size jar in my cupboard I have only touched once, and I am going to give it another whirl tonight.
Thanks for the review! This sounds pretty good :) I know it's super expensive and a bit out of my league now, but I do appreciate reading about it!
Could you possibly tape yourself "melting" the La Mer and post it on YouTube? Please? lol I have tried and tried and cant get it to be anything but spread out! Is it supposed to turn a different color too?
My Goodness how superficial and vain have we all become!!! Children are going hungry today in Ireland and you gush and rave about sinfully expensive face creams. Shame on you!
Anon- Children are actually going hungry everywhere, not just Ireland.
Personally I feel that we all need balance in our lives, and we can't just dwell on the bad things going on in the world. Personally, I make a HUGE impact on the world, since I work as a pediatric ICU doctor. I spend all day, everyday, saving the lives of children. I can see that. So, I don't feel I should be ashamed at all for loving beauty products and discussing them on my website. I need something fun and fluffy in my life to help me face my day to day lifesaving work.
So, I feel I'm making a great impact on the world.
is crema de la mer suitable for people in their 20'?
just an info, cause im new on this blog... what moisturizer should we use in order to get a good sun protection but still not to get closed pores or shiny t-zone?
I've used La Mer off and on since 1996 or so, but its the only product that has maintained a presence in my routine. I use it when my skin is extra dry (worked great during my pregnancy) or irritated.
I've used Le Mer and it's super for very dry skin. People have said, however, that it is way over priced because of the amount of glycerine it has in it. I have just been told that the 'Artistry Creme LuXury by Amway is much better and that it's a real miracle cream.(Price is high too). Do you know anything about it? Could you review it and compare it to Le Mer?
oh yes, people in their 20s can use it! I'm 25 (though I do have very dry skin) and I have been using Creme de la Mer almost everyday since I was 23. People have said to me "you had nice skin before, but WOW, what are you doing?" It really is AMAZING and I feel lucky to have been turned onto it so young.
Not a myth -- this cream is almost identical to Nivea, but not the one we have here in the States. It's the Nivea cream that comes in the blue tin that is found in Germany.
how interesting.
Im tempted but how long does it last, for the 1oz face cream
Everytime I see a review like this, I'm tempted to try La Mer, but unfortunatly the only place I can buy it is strawberrynet.com and every time I check they are out of stock.
Btw, La Mer can't be same as Nivea original blue tin cream, b/c Nivea has no plant extracts, no vitamins or anything in it, it's just a very plain and greasy moisturizer. I didn't find it particulary effective, all it does is cover your skin with a greasy film, so it really just seals moisture in.
I have oily skin, HAD acne and HAD many marks to prove it. Used La Mer for a year now and won't ever stop. When I have stopped using the creme my skin is not the same. The creme is fine for my oily/combo skin as I use a small amount, with a sunscreen on top and I still don't have an oily face like I use to before using La Mer. My acne marks have diminished and I get compliments all the time on my skin from people who are in awe when they see how my skin looks now even when I'm not wearing makeup. It's worth a try and if you don't like it most places that sell it like Holt Renfrew in Canada will take it back or do something for you but ask first.
I've been using the Creme and Eye Creme for a few months and my skin looks and feels exactly the same. Despite what the literature says, I still have aging lines, visible pores and my skin isn't virtually creaseless by any means! I'm amazed by the number of women who claim that this creme works. It's a luxurious, pleasant smelling but expensive moisturiser. If you want to look younger, don't invest in buying this creme, invest in a good plastic surgeon!
The texture of La Mer and Nivea is very similar. I actually got a La Mer sample from ebay, and have been suspicious about how genuine it is. It has been some time since I last used La Mer (got it from Neiman Marcus) and Nivea (from my childhood, the one in blue tin). Last night I was finally totally convinced that the one I have is fake for sure because of the unmistakable Nivea smell! For some time I was hopeful and thought that maybe it is La Mer's smell, however, as time goes, it smells stronger and more like Nivea. I happen to have a sample of La Mer gel cream, so I opened it last night and compared the smell. That's how I figured out. People who would like to get La Mer from ebay, be careful, and here is an article that may help avoiding being tricked into getting a fake La Mer cream:
http://reviews.ebay.com/Creme-De-La-Mer-fakes_W0QQugidZ10000000004894435?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:3
Is La Mer good for sensitive/acne prone skin. I'm always told not to use anything with mineral or other oils and this product contains those items. I was also told not to use items with fragrances. Anyone with sensitive/oily/acne-prone skin please advise if this works for you. Thanks
From Montclair, NJ
You can buy a kit from skinactives.com for $29 that has the active ingredients (such as sea kelp) in Creme de la Mer. I have used it for two months and my skin has improved enormously. I love it and it is affordable.
I just bought my second jar last week. My last one lasted exactly one year (1 oz), however, I did not use it as much in the summer as the other seasons. I will not live without this cream if I can help it. It is that good. I also use Nivea and they are not the same. A little warning about purchasing on ebay - I did the same thing last year. I purchased the little sample jars from two separate people on ebay. One was real, the other was not. I ended up purchasing the 1oz on La Mer's website, so I know what I have is legit. Also, we you order from them, they sometimes offer free samples with your purchase. I got three free good-sized samples of other products, unfortunately I can only afford the cream right now but the 'lift' cream was also great. I would NOT spend the money on this cream twice if I did not feel it was the best out there. It makes me glow and the dryness is gone. I am 44, have pretty normal skin (dryer in winter) and have used dove soap since my teens. Never really needed a moisturizer until my late 30s and I smoke (I know, I know). I love the stuff.
it's very expensive, but i think it's the best cream i have tried ! it lasts a lot, it clears your skin, no need for facials after using it ! very very good ! for combination skin they have the lotion i think ! bottom line, i think every woman deserves the splurge
i also bought seakelp from skinactives, it resembles very good creme de la mer, but still the cream is better ! anyway i love them both and i put seakelp in my day cream :D very effective !
i have sensitive dry and it's very good, buy for sensitive/oily i think they have the oil absorbing lotion ! good luck
i also buy mine from strawberrynet, i live in romania :D and they have it, keep checking ! there is another website called best beauty store, don't buy from them i order 1 cream in december and guess what? never showed up ! anyway you can find it on strawberry net ! for the girl who wants to know how much the 1 oz jar lasts, well 3-4 months with every night use !
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