When it comes to cult skincare products most likely to feature in the (hypothetical) skincare hall of fame, there are a few dead certs - La Mer's Crème De La Mer Moisturiser, undoubtedly, being one of them.
What's so special about the Crème De La Mer moisturiser? We're so glad you asked. Crafted over 12 years by an aerospace physicist who set out to heal his own burns, La Mer's cult cream is infused with a special 'miracle broth', containing sea kelp and other powerful regenerating ingredients. The result? A cell-renewing formula, widely regarded as a luxe route to smooth, firm skin.
But, while the Crème De La Mer Moisturiser might be one of the greatest of all time, it has one tiny downside - its £165 price-tag.
Luckily, the internet has done what it does best and found what it is hailing as the ultimate La Mer dupe and it comes in at £7. Testers at Dupeshop Beauty say the dupe in question is Avène's Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream, £7.60, which contains glycerin and a mineral oil that mimics the effects of La Mer's patented formula. But, what truly renders the Avène moisturiser a worthy rival to La Mer's hero cream is its post-biotic biotechnological ingredient (called C+ Restore) that works hard to restore and repair skin. The £7 cream also contains Avène's thermal spring water (known as the fountain of youth), which, according to reviews, leaves skin feeling soothed and supple, much like its luxury counterpart.
As well as the Avène Moisturiser, the Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream, £21 has also been compared to the Crème De La Mer moisturiser, thanks to its wealth of marine-sourced ingredients like kelp and seaweed extract.
Grazia's Best Crème De La Mer Dupes, At A Glance:
Best affordable Crème De La Mer dupe: Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream, £7.60 on Boots
Best mid-range Crème De La Mer dupe: Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream, £21 on SpaceNK
It is important to note, however, that La Mer's 'miracle broth' formula, which has long been lauded for its skin-soothing properties, is unique to La Mer. No other product has come close to replicating this complex formula thus far. If you're hooked on the original, you're unlikely to make the switch to a viral dupe. That said, if soothing and firming is your M.O. and you don't have a La Mer-friendly budget at your disposal, these dupes are the buys to make a play for.
Shop the best La Mer dupes below or, if you're after the real thing - a favourite of beauty editors and celebrities the world over - keep scrolling to shop it.
Shop: The Best Crème De La Mer Dupes
Best affordable Crème De La Mer dupe
Avènewww.boots.com
The Avène Cicalfate+ Restore is the perfect Crème De La Mer dupe, priced at £150 cheaper than the real thing. Suitable for all skin types, it consists of antibacterial agents in a zinc and copper complex, as well as a postbiotic biotechnological ingredient that restores the skin. One reviewer hailed it 'skin sorcery', as it 'works like magic' to soothe the skin and heal the skin barrier. Shop the dupe below, or the original Creme De La Mer moisturiser.
Pros
- Soothes and repairs dry skin
- Non-sticky, protective texture
- Helps reduce scars’ appearance
Cons
- Thick in consistency
Best mid-range Crème De La Mer dupe
Mario Badescu
The famous Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream contains seaweed extract and kelp, making it a worthy opponent to the Crème De La Mer moisturiser. Rich in moisture-binding ingredients that provide intense hydration without clogging the pores, it contains skin-loving collagen and elastin to boost the skin's appearance. A user of this cream seemed to suggest that they've noticed a change in the appearance of their skin since using this product, and goes on to say how hydrating it really is.
Pros
- Works without clogging the pores
- Provides intense hydration
- Rich in minerals
Cons
- Does have an added scent which may not be to all tastes
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.