Opened the box. Felt a wave of guilt. It’s a moisturizer.
The jar is heavy — like, could-double-as-a-weapon heavy. That’s where some of your $200+ goes.
The iconic cream from La Mer. $205 for 1 oz. The claim? A “miracle broth” that heals and transforms skin. For six decades.
The Broth
Fermented sea kelp — the whole brand mythos.
The Ritual
You must “warm” it between fingers to activate. Feels fancy, feels fussy.
The Feel
Rich, thick, almost balm-like. Not for the faint of heart.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
The hero is the “Miracle Broth™” — fermented sea kelp, minerals, vitamins. It’s an antioxidant, soothing cocktail. The rest? Classic emollients and thickeners.
- Seaweed (Algae) Extract: The fermented hero, for calming
- Mineral Oil: Seals in moisture — yes, mineral oil
- Petrolatum: Classic occlusive, locks it all down
- Citrus Peel Oil: For scent, can be irritating for some
Photo: Wilian de Oliveira / Unsplash
It’s dense. Like cold butter. The warming ritual is real — it turns translucent and silky. Absorbs in about 90 seconds, leaves a dewy, protected film.
Week 3: My skin was undeniably calmer. But the scent — a powdery, old-school floral — I never loved it. Felt like my grandma’s vanity.
Dry patches? Gone overnight. Redness? Soothed. But breakouts? No change. Fine lines? Hydrated, not erased. It’s a superb barrier repair cream.
It’s an excellent, over-engineered moisturizer. The luxury is in the ritual and the repair — not magic. A status symbol for your face.