Review: Skincare: Lancome Optimum Primordiale Nuit night cream

I sleep in an air-conditioned room most nights so my skin was feeling rather dry in the mornings. The normal cream I use during the day just was not cutting it.

I was recommended the Lancome Primordiale Optimum Nuit cream by a friend. Actually, I was at the Lancome warehouse sale and she asked me to pick her up a tub so I asked if it was good and she had nothing but raves for it. So, I decided to give it a shot.

What I don’t like about this cream is the fact that it comes in a tub. Maybe I’m just a bit of a germphobe, but sticking your fingers in the tub every night does not do it for me. So I take some out with a clean spatula into a smaller tub and use from there until its time to replenish. Bit more tedious, but it works for me.

This cream is rather thick and is coloured and fragranced. The colour is a pale pink and the fragrance is a strong rose scent. Those sensitive to scent should avoid this as the smell lingers. I am usually quite sensitive to smell, but this one doesn’t bother me very much. It sort of fades after a while but is still there and I find it quite soothing. So as I said, if you don’t like fragrance in skincare, don’t go near this one!

This night cream promises to be a regenerating night cream to help skin look visibly clarified and fresh from the first application. Despite the rather thick texture, I found that it sank in quite quickly into my skin. It did not feel oily after that, not did it sit on the top of my skin like a layer of clingwrap.

After using it for about 2 months now, I’ve had no reactions to it and in fact, I think my skin looks a bit clearer and more even now than it did before. Its supposed to improve the texture of the skin as well. I cannot vouch for that property as I use a whole host of other products that promise the same thing anyway!

This cream is expensive. It retails at RM269 or thereabouts for a 50ml tub. You only use a touch, to be honest. After 2 months I’ve hardly gone beyond the surface of the tub and have yet to replenish my small tub. I can see this one lasting a long long time. I’ve never used any Lancome skincare before this so the effectiveness of this one is a pleasent surprise.

Pros: Lightweight cream, absorbs quickly, doesn’t feel oily, skin looks nice after use

Cons: Expensive, heavily fragranced

UPDATE: This review was written in December 2006. Its now March 2007 and I’m only halfway through the tub. My skin is still doing ok so I guess it deserves its raves. The only rant would be the price!

Disclaimer: This review is purely my opinion based on my own experience with the products reviewed. I do not vouch for the ingredients in the products nor do I hold myself out as an expert. I’m just another consumer like you. As with all skincare and cosmetics, do check ingredients or test for allergies and reactions.

[rating:4/5]