My Favorite Face Moisturizer

There is only one for me; Crème De La Mer!

Crème De La Mer Moisturizing Cream

I’ve raved about this product before, and will most likely continue to do so until I discover a worthy substitute.  Crème De La Mer is a thick, lightly-scented cream that hydrates the skin resulting in a healthy appearance. I can honestly say that since I started using this cream two years ago I have had no issues with dry patches on my face. I use it as a night cream primarily on my dry areas, but also as an allover moisturizer to rehydrate my skin after a deep cleansing mask.

I will make no attempts to justify the cost of this cream, but I can say that for me, it is worth every penny. The longer I use it, the less I need, so my 1 oz. bottle now lasts well over 10 months. I can assure you that I am not using this product because of the hype or its cult following, I use it for one reason only; it is the best face moisturizer I have ever tried.

I would love to recommend a cheaper alternative but every moisturizer I’ve tried prior to or since discovering La Mer has not delivered comparable results. 

Thanks for reading,

xoxo Ree van D

Be sure to catch the next blog post in this series, “My Favorite Lip Treatments & Balms”, due October 25^th, 2012.

For “My Top 3 Shower Creams” Click HERE

For “My Top 3 Body Butters” Click HERE

My Skincare Routines for Oily/Combination Skin: Morning Routine

Gentle Cleanse: I smooth the Estée Lauder Soft Clean Tender Crème Cleanser onto my face, apply a short gentle massage, then I use a tissue to wipe off the excess. Note, I do not wash my face in the morning because there is no need for me to do so as long as I followed my “never go to bed with a dirty face” rule the night before.

Toner: I damped a cotton pad with my LancomeTonique Douceur Softening Hydrating, and wipe my entire face.

Eye Care: While I give the toner a few seconds to absorb, I apply my La Mer Eye Balm Intense (soon to be replaced with … still researching)

Spot Treatment: I dab a small amount of The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil on my pimples as well as the area surrounding the pimple to prevent any more from forming.

Moisturize: I use the Body Shop Tea Tree Lotion to help control shine during the day. I apply these to my oily areas; forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, and the tip of my chin.

In the mornings I use the La Mer Lotion on my dry areas; around my mouth and along my jawline.

I apply my lip balm and then take on the day.

To see my Nightly Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

To see my Weekly Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

*Check out My Battle with Adult Acne for my full skincare arsenal.

My Skincare Routines for Oily/Combination Skin: Nightly Routine

My personal beauty rule; “Never go to bed with a dirty face”.

Pre-Cleanse: If I am wearing make-up I wipe it off with my Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes; these are my favorites because they are very refreshing and soothing (great treat after a long day).

*However, just about any moist towelette will do. I also use Neutrogena wipes, baby wipes, and even some good old-fashion Extra Virgin Olive Oil on a cotton pad; they all do the trick.

Cleanse: I wash my face with my Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel.

Exfoliate: While my face is still damp, I moisten a small amount of Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant with water, and I gently massage the paste onto my face.

*Pat dry with a clean towel*

Toner: I dampen a cotton pad with my Lancôme Softening Hydrating Toner, and wipe my entire face. The purpose of this is to get rid of any residue left on my face and to prepare my skin to receive the most out of the moisturizer and treatments to follow.

*I prefer non-alcoholic toners because for one, they do not make my face feel like it’s on fire and two, they do not dry out or irritate my skin.

Eye Care: While I give the toner a few seconds to absorb, I apply Estée Lauder Advance Night Repair Eye around my eye area.

Spot Treatment: I dab a small amount of The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil on my pimples as well as the area surrounding the pimple to prevent any more from forming.

Moisturize: I alternate between moisturizers. If I use the Body Shop Tea Tree Lotion tonight, tomorrow I’ll use the La Mer Moisturizing Lotion. I apply these to my oily areas; forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, and the tip of my chin.

Then I take the tiniest amount of Crème De La Mer between my fingertips, rub, then press it onto my dry areas; around my mouth and along my jawline.

Last but not least I apply my lip balm.

To see my Morning Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

To see my Weekly Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

La Mer :)

Émulsion De La Mer ‘Moisturizing Lotion’

Crème De La Mer ‘Moisturizing Cream (LOVE)

Baume De La Mer ‘eye balm intense’

*I know these products are ridiculously expensive but they work so well I can’t help myself ….

The Moisturizing cream does wonders for the areas of my skin that are dry. The worst area is around my mouth, which gets tight and flaky particularly during the winter. Because I use so little (with La Mer a little goes a looooong way) the 1 oz container lasts me 8 – 10 months. The way I see it, I could spend roughly the same amount testing and throwing away cheaper lotions that aren’t as effective or I can stick with something that works. This does not mean that I am not interested in finding a cheaper alternative, because I AM! If you know of any please share.

It is extremely difficult for me to find a moisturizer that I can use during the summer or warmer months that will not cause breakouts. Most just sit atop my oily skin, clog my pores, and cause my foundation to slide right off my face. So the Moisturizing Lotion has been a real treat for me. It moisturizes, but does not leave me greasy, because it absorbs quite nicely.

The Eye Balm Intense is my least favorite of the La Mer products. It works okay, but I think there should be better eye creams out there. So I am in the market for a new eye cream, one that helps with puffiness and dark circles … any suggestions?