Creme de La Mer vs Nivea Creme

What every woman wants? Perfect Skin.

If you are one of the lucky ones who have never had an issue with their skin, congrats. For the rest of us gals out there, this could be your answer.

Creme de La Mer VS Nivea Creme

COST

1oz Creme de La Mer $130

60z Nivea Creme $6.50

The Rumor

Creme de la Mer is nothing but Nivea Creme. Specifally Made in Germany Nivea Creme. If you're using the Nivea your local drugstore has in the plastic container you're going to be dissapointed - it is not the same. The one in the tin is what is said to be it.
Nivea Creme Made in Germany in the Blue Tin is VERY hard to find.

The Nivea cream is very thick, and a tad stickier than the original Creme de La Mer but I think that has to do with the La Mer consistancy breaking down once you warm it.

They smell very similar, almost floral . But not overpowering.

The secret to La Mer is in the application.

You must liquify it first, warming it between your fingers then patting it onto your face. You do not rub.

The two apply very similarly.

I used the original Creme de La Mer for one month. It claims to take away redness, and bring your skin back to normal. Smooth, radiant, and blemish free (according to Claire the La Mer rep I spoke with). I did find my skin looked more radiant and glowing after 30 days.

I will say I did break out a few times though.

I have been using the Nivea Creme Made in Germany for about two months, I started using it directly after I stopped using my La Mer.

I find the Nivea works exactly the same except I have not had any breakouts whatsoever! It is an amazing moisturizer.

I personally washed my face, patted dry, then apply the Nivea exactly as I would apply the La Mer. I press it into my skin.

As it is a thick creme, it would be impossible to rub it into your skin, not to mention terrible for your skin.

It works very well patted into the skin as is the La Mer.

I have to admit, I adore the Nivea Creme. As someone who has acne prone skin and gets red when anything harsh is applied, this was a life saver. Since I started using this in my regieme, my skin has completely cleared up. So much so that I am getting asked what am I using on my face since my skin looks amazing.

The Nivea Creme is very hydrating, it does leave a bit of a "glowing" look. I personally use Bare Escentuals Matte Mineral Makeup with SPF 15 during the day, applying it overtop and therefore do not have a sheen. At night, I'm not too concerned as to whether I look greasy or not.

The Ingredients

The ingredients are listed in order of their proportion - highest to lowest.

Nivea Creme
• Water
• Mineral Oil: emollient
• Petrolatum: occlusive
• Glycerin: humectant
• Microcrystalline Wax: commonly used thickening agent
• Lanolin Alcohol: emollient, very closely resembles your skin's natural oils
• Paraffin: occlusive
• Panthenol: humectant
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Decyl Oleate: emollient
• Octyldodecanol: emulsifier with emollient properties
• Aluminum Stearates: emulsifier
• Fragrance
• Citric Acid: used to adjust the pH
• Magnesium Stearate: thickening agent
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: preservative
• Methylisothiazolinone: preservative

Creme de La Mer
• Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum): emollient
• Petrolatum: occlusive
• Glycerin: humectant
• Isohexadecane: thickening agent and emulsifier
• Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina): commonly used thickening agent
• Lanolin Alcohol: emollient, very closely resembles your skin's natural oils
• Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil: emolllient, can be irritating to those with very sensitive skin
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Paraffin: occlusive
• Decyl Oleate: emollient
• Aluminum Distearate: emulsifier
• Octyldodecanol: emulsifier with emollient properties
• Citric Acid: used to adjust the pH
• Magnesium Stearate: thickening agent
• Panthenol: humectant
• 6 Fragrances are listed individually here
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: preservative
• Methylisothiazolinone: preservative
• Alcohol Denat: Denaturized alcohol
• Fragrance

They have the same base, and the first same 10 ingredients, right down to the preservatives.

I omitted the first ingrdient in the La Mer, the famed seaweed extract. La Mer junkies will note this as the "miracle broth". I don't know the exact proportion of everything in each creme, the seaweed could dramatically change the proportions in the La Mer, I am just stating my experience with the creme.

Though I have nothing against the La Mer, I do not have $130 to shell out on face cream. I would much rather spend $6.50 on something I find compliments my skin great.

Where can you find it?

I personally buy mine in New York City. I happened to come across a beauty apothocary store that sells hard to find items. (Hint: It's in the village)