La Mer Skincare Review
La Mer is a high-end skincare brand that has lots of controversies about whether or not it is worth the high price point. It all started in the 1960s when Dr. Max Huber, an aerospace physicist, suffered severe burns during a lab accident. Inspired by the power of physics and energy, he sought to find a formula to help restore his skin’s vitality. Huber focused on Giant Sea Kelp for its exceptional self-regenerating powers and began sourcing it from Vancouver Island to use for his formulations. It's said that when he would sell creme de La Mer he would apply his cream directly into his eye and continue with the conversation. The website claims that the cream is created in a temperature control chamber, and relaxing music is played as the Sea Kelp is processed. I decided I had to review La Mer and see if it was worth the hype. First off, the Cleansing Foam is supposed to be a “A gentle cleanser that purifies even delicate, sensitive skin, drawing out impurities and excess oil, leaving skin soft, hydrated, and healthy-looking”. However, it made my skin feel very tight and stripped. It also smelled awful worse than cheap hand soap, and I expected more. The Replenishing Oil Exfoliator is a lovely gel consistency with a beautiful texture to the scrub. I love that it is an oil and exfoliator at the same time because as you are removing dead skin, the oil feels very hydrating. It smells alright, but it leaves the skin looking regenerated, which makes it all worth it for me. The Renewal Oil claims to be a “A multitasking face oil that floods skin with hydration, improve skin firmness, and help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles,” however, I have mixed feelings about this oil for multiple reasons. First off, it’s in a medicine dropper packaging that allows the product to oxidize, which weakens the potency, and for $245, I think La Mer should make it airtight. I love the smell of the product, and it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving it greasy, but it has colored dyes, and lime peel for no reason. For me, the Renewal Oil is not worth it, and I will link a couple of other serums that are reasonably priced, are airtight, and deliver better results. The Lifting Eye Serum claims to be “A lightweight serum, infused with the legendary cell-renewing elixir of Miracle Broth™, that lifts the look of the eye area for a firmer appearance” however I have a lot of issues with this product in particular. First off, the eye serum is also in a medicine dropper system, which allows oxidation to the product. Secondly, the serum contains Alcohol Denat, which is drying alcohol, which can be extremely irritating, so applying under the eye could cause significant reactions. I used it anyway for this review, and it smelled weird, applied quickly, but it left my eyes feeling heavy and tingling and left some redness. For $260, I would expect this eye serum to wow me, but it only made me feel skeptical, so I will not be reusing the eye serum. The Moisturizing Matte Lotion is a product I would like to say I love, but it's ultra-lightweight, and for a reason, it has tons of beneficial ingredients; however, it contains Alcohol Denat, which can irritate the skin. I applied this to my skin, and it smells good and soaks in fairly quickly. However, it doesn’t feel moisturizing, and halfway through the day, I feel dry. The Perfecting Cream is supposed to be a gel that “re-imagines skin’s most luminous moment.” It felt okay while applying, but it didn’t leave my skin looking any better than it did before, and I think there are better treatments on the market, especially for the price point. Overall I want to love all of La Mer’s products, but they are overpriced, and there are similar products with Sea Kelp such as Amore Pacific, which are all-natural and leave real results. If I had to recommend something, I would say that you need to try the Oil Exfoliator. Thanks so much for reading xoxo -Chaz
