The La Mer Revitalizing Hydrating Serum is only just available at counters this January 2017, but I’d actually been testing it for about a month prior to its launch, thanks to a preview sample I received. You’d have read some tips on how I incorporate it into my beauty lifestyle here. Thing is, since I started using it, I’ve not really wanted to stop so I wanted to share some thoughts on it. It’s one of those things I’m excited to share, because I love it – and you know I don’t say things like that lightly!
The La Mer Revitalizing Hydrating Serum, despite the lofty name is really a hydrating serum, and the first in the La Mer stable. The press copy says that it is a deeply replenishing serum, that is so effective that it penetrates deeply into the skin to flood it with actives sourced from the sea, and the trademarked La Mer Miracle Broth. The key ingredients are the Deep Hydration Ferment from green, brown and red algae to penetrate and revitalize the skin surface and offer all-day hydration; and Lime Tea Concentrate, an antioxidant that protects against the elements.
Press copy aside, what I can tell you is that I did not expect for this serum to leave my skin feeling so well hydrated throughout the day. I must say that I’m very impressed! 🙂
The first thing I’d note however, is that the texture feels a little thick, rather like an emulsion. While I have normal-dry skin, I have noticed that 1 pump of serum is too much for my skin to use in the day. I feel it to be rather rich, which is rich, coming from someone like me who always complains about how thin some serums are.
Unlike many hydrating serums, The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum does not offer a thin, runny, gel formula, but instead pumps out an opaque pale green tinted cream texture.
For me, I love the texture. It isn’t oily at all, but there is a lot of slip, and it does not disappear into the skin like water. You can feel it on the skin, as it takes a little while to absorb. Once it does, it leaves no residue nor greasiness, despite the initial rich feeling. I’m comfortable with textures like this, but I’m not sure how others may feel about it.
Interestingly, I spoke to an editor of a magazine about this recently, and she told me that she found it a little thin for her liking, but she agreed that it was very effective, and that she too enjoyed using it. So, it looks like the texture is something of a personal preference.
Because I find it a little rich, I use only half a pump in the day. That’s enough for me to notice that boost of hydration it gives my skin, and for me to experience the all day hydration that it claims. I tested this serum blind, as I had no material to work with when I was first sent a bottle, so I quite literally wasn’t sure what to expect.
What I got however, made me a huge fan. I’d been using another hydrating serum in the day, a thin runny gel formula as is wont to be found in most brands (It’s Belif Hungarian Water Eessence which isn’t bad, but not something I’d repurchase). When I switched to The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum, in just a week, I noticed that my skin looked and felt plumper, and it was visibly more hydrated with a healthy glow to it. When you approach your 40’s you can tell when your skin lacks hydration – all those fine lines pop out like a road map! I liked how my makeup would sit on my skin more evenly without cracking through the day, and how my bare skin looked well and healthy; and I knew it could only be attributed to this serum.
In the evenings, I use a full pump for lazy days, when I’m a little too lazy to apply any other serums on my skin. But if I use another serum, I’d go with half a pump. Sometimes, I seal it in with a facial oil (It works well with The Renewal Oil, but really, any moisturiser or oil works well) blended with moisturiser. I’m going to hazard a guess and say that there will be some people who will claim that this serum is so moisturising you don’t need another moisturiser on top. Me, I won’t recommend that. You need something else on top to seal in the goodness, because this isn’t enough on it’s own. Don’t use serums on their own, a thin layer of moisturiser (you don’t need very much, just a pea size, literally!) seals in product and is actually more beneficial for your skin.
Tip for bouncy hydrated skin
To really boost your skin hydration and to wake up with that toing toing bouncy skin, here’s what I do. Mist with a facial mist or floral water mist, then pat on 2 drops of La Mer The Treatment lotion, then use half to 1 pump of the Revitalizing Hydrating Serum, apply 3 drops of Renewal Oil (or any facial oil) and seal in with a thin layer of moisturiser warmed between your palms first. If you have drier skin like mine, your skin will LOVE this treat!
I can vouch for this serum helping my skin cope with a very long day that included an early morning flight, a 5 hour plane ride and a brisk walk in crisp Spring air. When I got back to the hotel, my skin still looked fine – none of the tight, dry, redness I’ve experienced in other similar situations. In weird climate-controlled hotel rooms (where it’s cold one minute and strangely warm the next) this serum kept my skin comfortable through the night. I did make sure to be generous and use 1 full pump, together with another serum and a facial oil, sealed in with moisturiser. Didn’t have a good night, but skin looked well rested and happy next morning. If only my mood was the same LOL! 😀
So is there anything I don’t like about it? Oh yes of course! 😛
The scent, for one.
As with all La Mer products, this serum is fragranced. However, instead of the powdery floral fragrance I’m used to getting, this one hits your nose with a sharp, metallic scent almost immediately, before settling down to a light floral scent. I’ve never quite gotten used to that initial punch to my senses, especially first thing in the morning. I’d have much preferred for the scent to have been kept soft and fresh, if they had to have any scent added at all. If there’s one thing that’ll stop me from using this, it’d be the scent.
Secondly of course is the price. This being from La Mer and a serum to boot, don’t expect it to come cheap. It isn’t, by any long shot. I do wish however, that it was a wee bit more affordable, so it’s easier to replenish when I’m done. In 1 month, with regular almost twice daily use, I’ve gone through about 1/3 of the bottle, which you can see in the picture above. I’m actually quite loathe to give this up for a little while as I put a new serum to the test, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I’d be raring to come back to this!
IN A NUTSHELL
The La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum is, at its heart, a hydrating serum. I like the slightly heavier texture which feels more like an emulsion than a thin essence. I found this serum particularly effective at not only boosting, but retaining the skin’s hydration through the day. While it takes a little while to sink into the skin, it does not have a greasy feel and it works very well for me in hot and humid weather. For those with drier skin like I have, this plumps up skin and keeps it plumped for hours, which makes your skin look pretty amazing, I can assure you!
PROS: Absorbs into skin without any greasy or sticky after feel, No dry silicone feel (it contains silicones), Boosts skin hydration and keeps skin hydrated for hours, Helps skin stay comfortable in dry cool air, Does not feel heavy in hot humid weather, Skin feels and looks smoother and plumped and healthier with regular use
CONS: Pricey, Sharp metallic scent is quite strong, Heavy glass bottle packaging makes it less portable (although it doesn’t stop me!)
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants an effective hydrating serum that hydrates skin all day and gives you a healthy glow, Anyone who has drier skin and appreciates a slightly heavier textured serum
PRICE: RM820 | US$195 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: La Mer counters, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus
Here’s the ingredient list for The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum which I’ve painstakingly typed out (thanks ML!)
Declustered Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Algae (seaweed) extract, BIS-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam seed oil), Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Glucose, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) Extract, Squalane, Cholesterol, Caffeine, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sea Salt, Castavia Sativa (Chestnut) Seed Extract, Plankton Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Lactoperoxidase, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrhhizate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice, Glucose Oxidase, Linolenic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Yeast Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Bisabolol, Glycosaminoglycans, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Tourmaline, Linoleic Acid, Sorbitol, Urea, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquarternium-51, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol Denat, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 4 (CI 14700) <ILN42553>
Have you by any chance tested this yet?
At this price point, I cannot in all good conscience tell you to go out and buy it just like that. But I will tell you that you can snag yourself samples at the counters – ask. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no 😉 While I think this should suit most skin types, and most age groups, I’m going to say that here in hot, humid Malaysia you’d likely appreciate it more if you have more matured skin, or skin that is tending to the dry, or if you spend long hours in air-conditioned areas. Those with oilier skins might find the slightly heavier texture less pleasurable, and that means most of you young ‘uns 😛
Paris B
Love it. Perfect for me because I travel often. Skin is well hydrated and plumped. When back in MY, I use it at night. The next morning, skin looks well rested and hydrated. No problem with the scent since I’m not fussy about it (unless it’s really bad, like fishy smell).
So happy to meet someone else who loves this serum! I’m about halfway through it, and I use it whenever I know I have a long day ahead, or have to be out and especially when I have makeup on, because it gives my skin that boost and support for hydration that it needs. Definitely a keeper in my book!
It’s an acquired taste. I love most of their products. Have you tried their loose powder?
Yep! I love the loose powder – like a breath of fresh air. Literally! I mentioned it briefly here.
I really appreciate your review on the product. I’m new to using LaMer, and so far I like what I’ve tried. I have this in a sample and while it feels really moisturizing, it seems to have a strong alcohol scent to it, and noticed that it contains denatured alcohol. Any thought SN as to why La Mer would put such a drying agent into a moisture serum?
Thanks Janis. I didn’t get the alcohol scent, but I got a metallic one instead. Maybe we’re smelling the same thing differently? But yes it does contain denatured alcohol which I know doesn’t sit well with everyone. I personally am not too fussed, if the texture is good, but I know there are people who’d rather not use it. As it is pretty low on the list of ingredients, I don’t think it makes the serum any more drying. However, I can only hazard a guess that it makes the formula more elegant or easier to penetrate? I’m no chemist so I can’t say! 🙂