Hello BEAUTY lovers,
This post is for ALL you Skincare enthusiast.
As a Skincare therapist, my favorite thing to do is advise clients on the right products to use for their skintype. Over the weekend, while at the Salon I got into a friendly argument with a client about how 80% of the products out there are mostly HYPE.
She was dumbfounded, I went on to tell her that too many Skincare companies focus on product packaging, and marketing and not enough on the active ingredients and its efficacy.
So while talking with a Cosmetic scientist friend of mine, I decided to create bi-weekly blog posts dedicated to deconstructing popular SKINCARE items in a bid to educate our readers.
Today’s Skincare Item is La Mer.
Before I start here are a few facts.
1. Did you know that the cosmetic/skincare industry is focused on catering to its Viable Demographic which happens to be the Baby Boomers, meaning Caucasian women above 50.
2. Did you know that La Mer was created to treat Wrinkles? Dry Skin? and Fine Lines?
3. Did you know that 1oz of La Mer Cream will cost you $155?
The success of La Mer should serve as a case study on the effect of properly branding and positioning your product.
I know some of you La Mer fans will not like this post, but I’ve said this a lot on this blog, there is no reason why a skincare product should be more than $150 or N25,000 except if it’s an Elixir or Serum; but NOT moisturizer!!!
why? because most moisturizers contain a lot of very cheap emollients.
So what is La Mer?
Creme de La Mer or Cream of the Sea is a moisturizer infused with a miracle broth created by an aerospace scientist Dr. Max Huber. The story behind the broth is that Dr. Huber suffered horrible burns on the job and needed something to heal and regenerate the skin, after years of experimenting came up with the Miracle broth that healed him. He sold this miracle product and after his death, Estee Lauder purchased the rights to manufacture and distribute it.
Great Story right? But what is in the Creme De La Mer currently in the market?
Ingredients in Creme De La Mer
LoL. I am ROTFL. Walahi. This is funny. I’ve been thinking about this same issue but yet to come up with a reasonable explanation. However I’ll share a story. Elizabeth Arden prevage contains very common ingredients and something called idobenone. I thought to myself why should it cost so much? However it did something to my mothers skin we can’t explain until now which we are maintaining with some other cheaper brand. I just feel there’s a difference beyond the basic ingredient list which we are yet to figure out. Doesn’t stop me from trying the cheap onesall the same. Love your blog.
Thanks Skin Calabar!
hmm Idobenone, need to google that to see what it does
Idebenone. Permit my prior mis spelling.
I agree with you but not totally, course over the years i have used (not la mer) but expensive brands over cheaper ones, and like you I am keen on the ingredient list, I still find that you get your moneys worth when you pay more. many times one ingredient is all it takes.
Oh yes! but I’d advise people to BUY La Mer serums not creams, that is more of the ingredients for your money’s worth. Creams by their nature are heavy emollients and they ingredients for those are quite cheap.
Now that I agree
Ok since this is overrated, pls wat do u suggest one can use to tone up d body to a lighter shade like d face say a shade lighter than d face.. Excuse mean I don’t mean bleaching but used cocoa butter n made my body ridiculously DARKER dan my face! Pls do suggest a good moisturising cream to tone it up! Thx
You are absolutely right. My friend worked for them and explained me the product plus expensive packaging cost was around 30dollars US it’s pure marketing