++++

[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

La Mer

La Mer Crème de la Mer

Name: La Mer Crème de la Mer
Brand: La Mer

MoisturizerBarrier Repair

Efficacy

Basic

3.5 / 5.0

Safety

Caution

3.3 / 5.0

System Verdict

This is a lavish occlusive cream with decent barrier support, but most of the legend is marketing and fragrance. The efficacy score is driven by a strong moisture-sealing base of mineral oil, petrolatum, waxes, lanolin alcohol, and glycerin, plus some panthenol for extra humectant support; however, the formula places its more “heroic” botanicals and minerals low in the INCI, so they are unlikely to be major drivers of performance. I deduct for prominent fragrance, multiple fragrance allergens, and alcohol denat., which reduce the formula’s elegance for sensitive skin; the overall result is a competent heavy moisturizer, not a clinically standout treatment.

Active Ingredients Detected

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

PetrolatumGlycerinCyanocobalaminPanthenol

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

Mineral Oil/Paraffinum Liquidum/Huile MineraleMicrocrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire MicrocristallineSesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed OilSesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed PowderMedicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed PowderHelianthus Annuus (Sunflower) SeedcakePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed MealPotassium GluconateCopper GluconateCalcium GluconateMagnesium GluconateZinc GluconateMagnesium SulfateParaffinTocopheryl SuccinateNiacinBeta-CaroteneDecyl OleateAluminum DistearateOctyldodecanolMagnesium Stearate

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Algae (Seaweed) ExtractCitrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract

D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious

Lanolin AlcoholEucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf OilZea Mays (Corn) OilLimoneneGeraniolLinaloolHydroxycitronellalCitronellolBenzyl SalicylateBenzyl BenzoateCitralAlcohol Denat.Fragrance (Parfum)

What Each Ingredient Does

Algae (Seaweed) Extract: Botanical extract marketing
Mineral Oil/Paraffinum Liquidum/Huile Minerale: Occlusive emollient base
Petrolatum: Strong occlusive barrier seal
Glycerin: Humectant moisture binder
Isohexadecane: Light emollient solvent
Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline: Texture thickener and stabilizer
Lanolin Alcohol: Emollient and consistency agent
Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract: Botanical fragrance component
Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil: Emollient plant oil
Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil: Fragrance and scenting oil
Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder: Texturizing botanical powder
Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder: Botanical filler ingredient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake: Botanical texture ingredient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal: Botanical texture ingredient
Sodium Gluconate: Chelator and stabilizer
Potassium Gluconate: Mineral salt additive
Copper Gluconate: Mineral salt additive
Calcium Gluconate: Mineral salt additive
Magnesium Gluconate: Mineral salt additive
Zinc Gluconate: Mineral salt additive
Magnesium Sulfate: Mineral salt additive
Paraffin: Occlusive texture agent
Tocopheryl Succinate: Vitamin E derivative antioxidant
Niacin: Niacin precursor

Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Algae (Seaweed) Extract, Mineral Oil/Paraffinum Liquidum/Huile Minerale, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Lanolin Alcohol, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Sulfate, Paraffin, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Beta-Carotene, Decyl Oleate, Aluminum Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Magnesium Stearate, Panthenol, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Fragrance (Parfum)

Frequently Asked

Is La Mer Crème de la Mer worth it?

La Mer Crème de la Mer scores 3.5 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Basic) and 3.3 out of 5.0 for safety (Caution) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a lavish occlusive cream with decent barrier support, but most of the legend is marketing and fragrance. The efficacy score is driven by a strong moisture-sealing base of mineral oil, petrolatum, waxes, lanolin a

What are the key active ingredients in La Mer Crème de la Mer?

La Mer Crème de la Mer contains no gold-standard actives — its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does La Mer Crème de la Mer contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in La Mer Crème de la Mer as potential irritants: Lanolin Alcohol, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Alcohol Denat., Fragrance (Parfum). This product does contain fragrance.

How is La Mer Crème de la Mer scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Analyze on DemythSkin →

Analysis last updated: 2026-08-26. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.