When it comes to skincare products, there may not be a brand that has garnered more renown or has a bigger cult following than La Mer. At this point, the luxury brand is considered the crème de la crème of skincare, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, Blake Lively and more counted among its loyal following.
La Mer famously came to fruition after aerospace physicist Max Huber sustained burns in a lab accident. After 12 years and 6000 experiments, Huber finally discovered Miracle Broth, La Mer’s proprietary ingredient that’s found in all of its products. Miracle Broth is a fermentation of sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals that helps renew and revitalize skin. The result was the moisturizer that’s rocked the beauty world, Crème de la Mer.
La Mer has basically been propelled to superstar status, and there’s so much noise around it that conspiracy theories have cropped up about the brand. Perhaps fueling the flames, it’s also not cheap by any means—a one-ounce jar of Crème de la Mer will cost you nearly $200. For the price tag alone, I’d never tried it before—my more affordable skincare has never steered me wrong.
For journalistic purposes, I recently decided to try a La Mer skincare routine and see if it really lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: It did, and I’m now I'm begrudgingly a La Mer convert. Here are all the ways La Mer changed my skin for the better after using it exclusively for two weeks.
1. La Mer Made My Skin Softer
I honestly thought I had pretty soft skin to begin with, but I learned that I’ve never been more wrong. After using La Mer for a week, my skin has reached baby-soft levels. You know when you shave your legs and can’t stop feeling how soft they are? It’s like that, but on my face.
2. La Mer Brightened and Evened Out My Skin Tone
I am a naturally freckled person, as you can tell. I love my freckles, but a few spots on my face were starting to get to discoloration territory. I also had some purplish under-eye circles that have plagued me my entire life. Call me crazy, but after inspecting these photos side by side, I think my skin tone looks a lot more even, and the dark circles under my eyes have become less pronounced.
3 La Mer Tightened My Skin
Yes, I’m 25 years old and a sunscreen fanatic—wrinkles aren’t really an issue for me yet. I did notice, however, that my pores started to appear slightly smaller, and the skin on my face seemed suppler and more elastic. The biggest difference for me, though, was the skin on my neck. I work from home and have a downright terrible desk situation (again, I’m a 25-year-old living in New York City), and most days, I end up working on my couch. Much to my dismay, tech neck has become a real thing for me. I always extend my skincare products to my neck and décolleté, and the biggest difference for me is how smooth and less lined my neck looks.
4. La Mer Seemed to Speed Up My Skin’s Healing Process
As you can see in my before photo, I was battling a brand-new cystic pimple on my chin. When I get these, the spot typically remains visible on my face for weeks. This one is almost completely gone already, which was the outcome I was most surprised by.
5. La Mer Gave My Skin a Lit-From-Within Glow
This is perhaps the most obvious benefit. I mean, just look at my face! I look like I’m wearing an illuminator, but I’m not. My skin is dewy, glowy, and plump sans makeup.
My La Mer Routine
After detailing my specific skin concerns, a rep from the brand recommended these products for me. My main concerns were extremely dry skin, dullness, and dark circles, so these products are tailored to those concerns, but I'm recommending swaps for each product based on different skin goals.
Step 1: La Mer The New Treatment Lotion
According to a rep for the brand, this is a watery lotion that hydrates and stimulates skin, prepping it for the rest of your skincare routine. To use, sprinkle a small amount onto your hands, and pat it into your skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, swap this out for...
Step 2: La Mer Hydrating Infused Emulsion
After using the treatment lotion, this milky emulsion works to drench skin in hydration, creating a perfect base for other products. Use one or two pumps, and gently pat into skin.
If you'd rather use a hydrating serum instead of an emulsion, swap this out for...
Step 3: La Mer The Concentrate
This is a barrier-supporting serum that soothes and protects skin. It's ideal for people with drier skin types, like me.
If you're targeting fine lines and wrinkles, swap this out for...
Step 4: La Mer The Eye Concentrate Eye Cream
Formulated specifically to smooth and brighten, this eye cream is perfect for dark circles. Dab a small amount onto the sphere applicator, and work it into the eye area. Pro tip: I always smooth any remaining eye cream onto my lips to plump and firm.
If your main concern is puffiness, swap this out for...
Step 5: La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
Here it is—the holy grail. La Mer's brand rep warned me that the cream feels extremely rich at first, but it actually works into skin easily. Application is important for this one. Take a pea-size amount of cream, and work it between your fingers until it's clear. Then, gently press it into your skin. This cream adds so much radiance and moisture.
If you prefer lighter moisturizers, swap this out for...
5 More La Mer Skincare Products to Add to Your Skincare Routine
This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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