Acne Review: La Mer The Moisturising Gel Cream

I don't generally trust brands that use words like 'miracle' to describe their products. The active ingredient in most La Mer products is the 'miracle broth,' a bio-fermented kelp extract formulated by NASA scientist Max Huber. It is believed that he formulated the broth to treat the severe chemical burns he sustained in an explosion during a scientific experiment. The brand gained a cult following when it was mass-produced, and it is one of the most expensive skincare lines in the market. There is an interesting article about La Mer here.

The Product: The Gel Cream is an ultra-light cream with high water content. It feels cool to the touch and absorbs into the skin almost instantly. The smell is pleasant and feminine and smells a bit like Nivea cream. 

Application: La Mer claims that patting the cream between fingertips and pressing it into the skin activates the 'miracle broth.' I'm not sure whether or not that's true, but it wastes a lot of the product because most of it gets absorbed into your fingertips. 


Pros: It's an amazing moisturizer, probably the best moisturizer for oily skin I've tried so far. It hydrates the skin without overloading it and sinks in without residue. While it doesn't treat acne, it could help prevent breakouts (if you are only mildly acne-prone), I guess. It's great under makeup and doesn't ball up like some gel-cream moisturizers. The gel cream is very soothing, and I even use it on mild burns and rashes. 


Cons: The price. The 30ml jar retails here in Australia for $250, and that's just insanely expensive for a moisturizer. Also, it may not be moisturizing enough if you are planning to use it on top of your regular acne treatment. 


Verdict: Great moisturizer. I am not sure it is a 'miracle cream' as Estee Lauder (the company that owns La Mer) advertises it, but it is one of the best moisturizers in the market at any price point. It's very expensive, so make sure you sample it before you buy it. La Mer sales assistants can be a bit snobbish, and if they don't seem too enthusiastic about making you a sample, try buying a sample from eBay (and pray you don't end up getting Nivea cream in La Mer jar before you place that bid).

Acne Review: Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil

I've been using Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil for over a month. I was using Acne.org's Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment prior to this. I started using this mainly because I wanted a natural alternative that controlled acne but didn't dehydrate skin too much.

The Product: It's a viscous, deep orange oil. Dr. Hauschka believes that the skin produces more oil when it's dehydrated and prescribes the use of oil to combat oil-production.

Ingredients: Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil,Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Hypericum Perforatum (St. John'swort) Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil,Fragrance/Parfum (Essential Oil), Citral, Limonene, Linalool,Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter

Usage: I use it every morning after cleansing with Dr. H's Cleansing Cream and spritzing my face with Clarifying Toner. I find that it's very important to follow the regimen correctly for optimum results. That means I use the cleanser, toner, day oil and Rejuvenating Mask regularly.

Pros: It works for me. I haven't been using benzoyl peroxide ever since I started using it and my skin is clearer than before. BP is better at clearing up acne, but it dries my skin up and leaves dark marks when it dries pimples out. Normalizing Day Oil doesn't. It plumps up my skin and keeps skin clear at the same time, and that's really amazing.

Cons: It is really difficult to control the amount because the fancy metal dispenser isn't very practical. The first few days I was scared of overloading my skin with oil and used just a drop. However, just a drop isn't enough for the product to be effective. I've been testing and I find that 3-4 drops is just perfect for my skin type. Because it's oil, it can make skin look a bit oily. I use MAC Blot Powder over it.

Verdict: Give it a try if you have oily, acne-prone skin. Small sample sizes are available for sale, and although they look tiny, they last a while. Start with the Cleansing Cream and Normalizing Day Oil, and use it at least for a few days before you come to a conclusion.