Creme de la Mer is a luxury moisturizer with a small, but devoted following among female consumers who describe it as a "miracle cream." "Allure" magazine reported that pop star Jennifer Lopez so adores Creme de la Mer---known simply as "The Creme" to true believers---she slathers it all over her entire body. Creme de la Mer, which was initially formulated many years before it was released to consumers, has a rather interesting inception and creator: NASA aerospace physicist, Dr. Max Huber.
Creme de la Mer: The Beginning
Creme de la Mer was the painstaking result of a rather unfortunate life-changing event in creator Huber's life. During a routine experiment, Huber experienced extensive chemical burns to his skin that neither science nor medicine could remedy. Huber began to develop his own cosmetic treatment, and after 12 years and more than 6,000 experiments, he finally got it right with Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream.
Creme de la Mer: Rocket Science?
While it's not officially rocket science, Creme de la Mer's formula relies on Huber's patented "Miracle Broth," which is contained in the moisturizers in the Creme de la Mer line, as well as other La Mer beauty products. The Miracle Broth consists of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, vitamins C, D, E and B12 as well as extracts of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower. But the secret ingredient in the Miracle Broth is a seaweed found only on the northern coast of California, harvested only twice yearly when the seaweed is richest in nutrients. Key to the strength of Creme de la Mer's Miracle Broth is a long, intricate fermentation process that takes between three and four months.
Creme de la Mer: A Hitch in Plans
By the time Huber died in 1991, Creme de la Mer had already reached cult status. Cosmetics giant Estee Lauder acquired it in 1995, but couldn't duplicate Huber's fermentation process. With only 300kg of Huber's original Miracle Broth left, Lauder was left holding an empty bag until cosmetic scientist Andy Bevilacqua---initially hired by Lauder in 1986 to replicate Creme de la Mer---discovered the secret to the fermentation process: sound.
"Time" magazine quotes Bevilacqua as stating, "We're not talking about music, which would be quackery. What we're talking about really are frequencies of sound that you need special devices to hear." Using amplified, prerecorded gurglings routed through copper plates placed inside the broth itself, Bevilacqua was able to increase the broth's potency to that achieved by Huber.
Bevilacqua, Max Huber Labs' executive director, acknowledges that he doesn't know exactly why sound increases the broth's fermentation, but surmises that Huber's research in sono-chemistry in the early 1960s---the effect certain frequencies have on chemical fermentation---played a key role in his success.
The Creme de la Mer Appeal
Women might not know the cosmetic science behind Creme de la Mer, but many attest that the moisturizer works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, rejuvenating even the driest of skin. Creme de la Mer is used sparingly, usually a dime-sized portion, which is warmed on the fingertips before applied to the face or body. In addition to the "Allure" mention, Huber's creation is touted in numerous mainstream women's publications, including "InStyle" and "Elle" magazines.
Purchasing Creme de la Mer
The Creme de la Mer moisturizing line includes the original moisturizer, as well as Moisturizing Lotion, Oil-Absorbing Lotion, and the latest addition to the line, Moisturizing Gel Cream. The lotions are sold in 1.7 and 3.4-oz. pump bottles, and the creams are available in 1- and 2-oz. pots. The original Moisturizing Cream is also sold in a large 16.5-oz. pot.
Despite Creme de le Mer's excellent track record and kudos from beauty reviewers, female consumers might not find it within their budget: as of October 2009, the creams cost between $130 and $1,390, and the lotions were priced between $190 and $310. Other La Mer beauty lines include facial (cleansers, toners, serums and eye balms) and body products (lotions and hand creams), as well as a makeup line (foundations, powders and makeup brushes).
Creme de la Mer is available through its website (see Resources) and is also sold at exclusive department stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman.
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