I can't stand not trying popular and highly hyped skin care products. I just have to see for myself if the hype is just that or if I have been missing out of the fountain of youth in a jar or bottle.

Quite a while ago, I decided I HAD to try La Mer Creme de la Mer. I had read about all the celebrities swearing by it and how the steep price tag was not even a consideration for those whose skin went from drab to fantastic because of this cream. I have never been afraid to drop a good buck on a beauty product but, in this case, I went the eBay route and bought a .24 ounce sample size for $25.00. A full size one ounce jar is $110.00. Ouch.

So, am I a convert? Am I selling everything I own to buy this cream? Nah…

What La Mer Says

This is from the official La Mer website about this cream.

Even now, it is not entirely clear how Crème de la Mer works. For us schooled in logic, it is something of a jolt to the imagination. But facts are facts and certainly the proof can be seen on the faces of those who use it. In a short time, skin becomes softer, firmer, looks virtually creaseless. Aging lines and pores are noticeably less visible. Even the driest of complexions are healed. Sensitivities are soothed. And, of course, there are some who insist it has produced astonishing results - as Dr. Max Huber witnessed. No wonder many who have tried every cream available remain steadfast in their devotion to Crème de la Mer.

That sure didn't help me much as far as cold, hard facts.

Add to that the site claims the secret to their results is their "Miracle Broth". To activate the broth and release its key ingredients, warm a small amount between your fingertips. As you pat onto clean, dry skin, you will instantly feel the soothing effects of the broth. Smooth over your face, neck, even under the fragile eye area. 

Sounds like what I do with every face cream I own. However, I forged ahead and gave this little "miracle" a good trial.

The Packaging

My sample jar looks like the photo of the full sized jar so I will briefly describe it. The glass tub is small and white with a screw on/off lid. A pink overlay on the jar simply says La Mer Moisturizing Cream in English and in French in smaller lettering. This is a very simple little jar for a very expensive facial cream. But the proof, as they say is in the pudding - or in this case - the broth.

The cream is thick and white with a neutral "cream" scent. It doesn't have any particular scent I could identify, just one that smells like what we all know many facial creams smell like. It isn't offensive but it also isn't fragrant.

My Experience

I like thicker facial creams so I liked the consistency of this one. It is thick for sure. I tried it on my just washed, dry face and it was quite heavy and greasy. I didn't mind because my skin is on the dry side and I like to drench it in hydration at night. It took a while to absorb the first time I tried it. I learned to use much less than I had the first night as it is quite concentrated. I also learned that it does need to be "warmed" a bit between the fingers before applying or it won't smooth on evenly.

The next day my skin felt smooth. But really … not any smoother than creams like Wei East's White Lotus Nighttime Recovery Cream (A dream in a jar) or other less expensive creams I have tried.

I used La Mer under my make up as well. I used the tiniest amount because it was so thick and greasy and it again was nice and left my face smooth.

I didn't breakout from the cream despite its greasiness but I also didn't notice any difference in the look of my skin. Sure, it was hydrated but for $110.00 an ounce I want visible results. I continued using the cream exclusively until the little jar was gone. I even used it as an eye cream. It is thick enough to use around the eyes but has nothing special in it for anti aging or fine lines nor does it depuff or reduce the appearance of dark circles.

This cream, as an eye cream, reminds me of my beloved Lancôme Progres Eye Cream but not quite as thick and creamy.

After a 15 days of exclusive use of La Mer Creme de la Mer, I wasn't unhappy with my skin but I didn't feel that the results merited me shelling out over one hundred dollars for an ounce of the cream. The formula has not changed in many years, thus, it has no particular anti aging or new age ingredients that have been proven to ward off wrinkles and fine lines. Neither does it contain SPF but I am not a huge fan of face creams with SPF so that wasn't a deterrent for me.

I could barely read the ingredients but I noticed Mineral Oil was one of the top ingredients. This tells me those with oily skin may want to use the La Mer Cream for oily skin or another product as oil could easily cause breakouts.

I don't have a problem with this product; I just feel that the newer creams that contain proven anti aging ingredients and antioxidants - and that cost much less - are a better choice for me. I didn't see any pumping of fine lines or, really, any change in my skin other than it was nicely hydrated. If this product were $25.00 an ounce, I probably would use it at times. It is highly concentrated and does hydrate my somewhat dry skin well. But that is all it does.

The miracle broth didn't give me miraculous results. I know I go against the grain of all the celebrities who swear by this cream (and who get it free in their "goody bags" at shows and premieres) but for me, a 42 year old woman looking to hold onto her 32 year old looking skin, I'll pass on this one and continue to use what has been working for me.

Ingredients

Because my little jar was so tiny, I couldn't read the ingredients list. I did see mineral oil and the website says the product contains sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, Vitamins C, D, E and B12, plus oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower.

Seriously, there is nothing in that line up that I can't find elsewhere and for much less. I also see no SPF and no specific anti aging ingredients that we now know really do work on the outer layer of the skin. This formula has not changed in 35 years but the skin care world has. This cream is a little like using your Mom's facial cream when you could be using something that has cutting edge ingredients.

Buying Info

This product is available in one and two ounce jars as well as larger sizes for crazy prices. You can buy La Mer on their official website or on a number of beauty websites. I am unsure where this cream can be purchased offline but I am sure it is out there at the better department stores.

They have a line of different skin care products for oily skin as well as serums and toners, all with very high price tags.

Conclusion

This cream is very highly concentrated and warms to an oily serum. It is thick and rich and does hydrate my skin. My problem with it is that is an old formula, made in the 1970's when technology was just starting to catch up with demand for youth in a jar. This cream contains no anti aging ingredients the likes of which you will see in the newer creams on the market today.

If you are looking for a very potent hydrating cream, this one may be for you. If you are like me and want and expect more from your facial moisturizer than just hydration, you may end up tossing away $110.00. I strongly suggest you buy a sample like I did first. Ebay is rich with those little jars (and sellers are getting rich selling them!). After using the small size, you will know if this is the right formula for you.

I am not saying that this isn't great for some people. I am sure it is. For me, it was average as far as results versus the price. I would not have hesitated to buy this cream at full price if it made a significant difference in the overall look, texture, and youthfulness of my skin. But it didn't. It just did a good job hydrating it. I can do that with far less expensive products.

For me, this is a 3 star product. As I said, a sample of the cream will tell you if this is THE ONE for you. Those with oily skin may want to try their formula made especially for that skin type because I am nearly certain this heavy formula will clog your pores and cause breakouts if used regularly on breakout prone or oily skin.

If you want deep hydration and a very rich cream, I suggest you try Wei East's White Lotus line. It's amazing and less expensive by quite a bit. I see many similarities between La Mer and Wei East - but price isn't one of them.

Recommended: Yes