You may have heard of Creme de la Mer, a best-selling moisturizer with a cult following and a very high price tag. As with any top-performing, high-priced product, you may wonder if there is an effective Creme de la Mer dupe.
So today, I’ll discuss three Creme de la Mer skincare dupes that will undoubtedly save you a lot of money.
First, let’s take a look at Creme de la Mer and what makes it so beloved by the skincare-obsessed.
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My Top Pick:
My top pick is Nivea Creme for the following reasons:
- Shared Ingredients with La Mer: Contains many ingredients similar to Creme de la Mer, including mineral oil, petrolatum, and glycerin.
- Rich Moisture: Nivea Creme provides deep and rich moisture suitable for the face, hands, and body.
- Affordability: Nivea offers the benefits of a high-end product like La Mer but at a much more affordable price point.
- Ideal for Dry Skin: Its thick and rich formula is particularly beneficial for people with dry skin, providing emollient and occlusive properties.
- Fragrance: Contains a fragrance that is reminiscent of Creme de la Mer, adding to the sensory experience.
The Original: Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
La Mer Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is a luxe face cream that soothes, smoothes, and moisturizes dry skin.
It helps heal dryness with its proprietary Miracle Broth and other actives that repair and replenish the skin. It also helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, strengthen the skin barrier, and improve skin firmness and radiance.
The inspiration for Creme de la Mer was born after creator and physicist Dr. Max Huber suffered burns in a lab accident.
Twelve years and thousands of experiments later, La Mer’s proprietary Miracle Broth came into form. It contains fermented Giant Sea Kelp, vitamins, minerals, and other rejuvenating ingredients.
The sea kelp is hand-harvested off Vancouver Island, and each batch of Miracle Broth includes a few drops of the previous batch so that every batch will link back to the first and original batch.
La Mer uses light and sound energy to improve the activity of the sea kelp and other ingredients in the broth. It takes from 3 to 4 months for the ingredients to undergo fermentation.
Algae (seaweed) extract from the sea kelp is the most concentrated ingredient in the cream, so what’s so special about algae extract?
There are many different kinds of algae extract, and La Mer’s algae extract is what makes this cream so sought-after.
While algae extract has been effectively used to thicken and moisturize skincare products, it can also offer anti-aging benefits. La Mer claims that their secretive formula is a cell-renewing elixir that calms redness and irritation.
The cream also contains LaMer’s proprietary Lime Tea, which is said to offer antioxidant benefits.
Antioxidants protect the skin from free radical damage incurred from UV exposure and other environmental stressors.
Other notable active ingredients in Creme de la Mer include:
- Mineral Oil: An occlusive that prevents transepidermal water loss and may feel heavy on the skin, so it’s best for those with dry skin.
- Petrolatum: Also known as Vaseline, this is another occlusive that keeps water from evaporating from your skin. It’s non-comedogenic (non pore-clogging) but has a very thick and greasy texture.
- Microcrystalline Wax: A wax derived from petroleum to improve product texture.
- Glycerin: An excellent moisturizer that supports a healthy skin barrier.
- Sesame Seed Oil: A plant oil rich in omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and lignans, which are antioxidants that help firm the skin. This oil moisturizes and softens dull, dry skin.
- Copper Gluconate: The copper salt of gluconic acid offers regenerative and healing properties to the skin.
- Zinc Gluconate: A zinc salt with antibacterial and sebum-balancing properties, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin. It is also healing and regenerative for the skin.
- Panthenol: Also known as pro-vitamin B-5, panthenol soothes and moisturizes the skin.
Creme de la Mer also contains Eucalyptus essential oil and added fragrance, which may irritate sensitive skin. (I have somewhat sensitive skin, but my skin loves Creme de la Mer and doesn’t experience any irritation.)
La Mer notes that you should warm the cream between the fingers to activate it. Once it is translucent, you can apply it to your face and neck.
So why is Creme de la Mer so expensive? La Mer says it’s the quality of ingredients, the complex processes that go into producing La Mer products, and the results seen by their customers that make the price tag so high.
Check out this fascinating 5-minute video if you want to learn more about La Mer and more of the most expensive anti-aging products in the world.
Does Creme de la Mer Work?
Is Creme de la Mer worth it, and does it really work? While Creme de la Mer has its devotees who say it works for them, keep in mind that skincare is very subjective.
Personally, I really like Creme de la Mer and would purchase it more often if it wasn’t so expensive. So what may work for one person may not work for someone else.
Your skin type and skin concerns will help determine whether or not Creme de la Mer will work for you. One thing that is not subjective is the price tag, which is very steep for most.
So in the meantime, consider these alternatives that will surely save you lots of money.
8 Creme de la Mer Dupes
1. Nivea Creme
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Very affordable | ❌ Doesn’t contain seaweed extract |
| ✅ Shares many ingredients with La Mer | ❌ Fragrance may not suit everyone |
| ✅ Rich moisture for face, hands, and body | |
| ✅ Excellent for dry skin | |
| ✅ Similar fragrance to La Mer |
Nivea Creme moisturizer is one of the most popular La Mer dupes. It is formulated to provide rich moisture to the skin and be used on the face, hands, and body, including dry areas like the knees, feet, and elbows, all at a very affordable price.
It shares many of the same ingredients as Creme de la Mer, such as mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, and 12 other ingredients.
The main difference between the two is that Creme de la Mer contains Miracle Broth (algae extract) as its primary (most concentrated) ingredient, and Nivea Creme contains water as its most concentrated ingredient.
So that is why this Nivea cream is so incredibly cheap and why La Mer is not, as it doesn’t contain the elusive La Mer Miracle Broth.
Nivea Creme moisturizer is thick and rich, so although it is formulated for all skin types, it would work best for those with dry skin.
It is very emollient, occlusive, and excellent for dry skin types at a small fraction of the price of Creme de la Mer.
Please note that there is fragrance in this Nivea moisturizer, which even smells similar to Creme de la Mer.
Nivea Creme also made my list of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream dupes.
2. Mario Badescu Seaweed Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Offers anti-aging and healing benefits | ❌ Contains fragrance |
| ✅ Contains seaweed extract similar to La Mer | ❌ Might not work for very dry skin types |
| ✅ Rich in vitamins and minerals | |
| ✅ Oil-free and ideal for combination, oily, or sensitive skin |
Mario Badescu Seaweed Cream is a deeply moisturizing oil-free night cream that works overnight to improve radiance, skin tone, and skin texture.
This Mario Badescu cream is formulated with:
- Bladderwrack extract, a type of seaweed used to treat different conditions in the body as it offers anti-inflammatory benefits. Bladderwrack soothes and heals the skin and even offers anti-aging benefits as it helps to improve skin elasticity and firmness.
- Vitamins and minerals such as B-complex vitamins, calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, silicon, carotene, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E.
- Hydrolyzed elastin and soluble collagen to hydrate the skin.
- Sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, hydrates and helps skin retain moisture, providing a temporary plumping effect.
The cream is formulated to hydrate and replenish the skin without using pore-clogging oils, so this cream is ideal for those with combination, oily, or sensitive skin types.
It also helps to reduce redness and itchiness associated with dryness, acne skin, or eczema flare-ups.
Don’t let the oil-free green-hued formula fool you. It is rich and deeply moisturizing.
This cream also contains seaweed extract, and while different from La Mer, it can also offer anti-aging and healing benefits.
If that doesn’t convince you to give it a try as a skincare dupe for La Mer, then the affordable price just might.
Please note that there is fragrance in this Mario Badescu night cream. For more on Mario Badescu skincare products, please see this post on the best Mario Badescu products.
Related Post: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion Dupes
3. Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Plant-based formula | ❌ Very thick and greasy |
| ✅ Nourishes dry and very dry skin | ❌ Contains fragrance |
| ✅ Perfect for overnight use | |
| ✅ Can also be used on your body |
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream is Weleda’s best-selling product and is almost 100 years old (it launched in 1926)! The title says it all, as it is a very rich face cream that nourishes dry and very dry skin with its plant-based formula.
The thick cream contains:
- Sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, and beeswax as a base.
- Viola tricolor, calendula, and chamomile extracts to soothe the skin.
- Glycerin and arginine moisturize the skin.
- Rosemary extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Like the rest of the creams in this post, this moisturizer contains fragrance. This Weleda moisturizer offers a similar feel to La Mer but is even richer and thicker in consistency.
The super thick texture (it’s also a little greasy) makes it ideal for use overnight.
There are no algae extracts in this cream, but plant extracts soothe the skin and promote healing.
In addition to your face, you can also use this cream on rough and dry areas of your body like your elbows, hands, and feet.
If you are looking for a dupe for La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream, consider Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream.
It has a similar formula to the original Weleda Skin Food but is lighter in consistency, just as The Moisturizing Soft Cream is lighter in consistency than the original Creme de la Mer moisturizer.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Improves skin firmness and elasticity | ❌ Still relatively expensive |
| ✅ Brightens and evens skin tone | ❌ May be too rich for some skin types |
| ✅ Luxury jar/packaging |
You know that La Mer is pretty expensive when Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream is being offered as a dupe.
While pricey in itself, I’ve included Charlotte’s Magic Cream in this post because, ounce for ounce, it is almost 70% less expensive than La Mer!
The moisturizing cream helps improve the look of skin firmness and elasticity while reducing dullness.
Charlotte’s Magic Cream is filled with skin-loving ingredients like:
- Vitamins C and E for brightening and evening the look of skin tone
- Peptide blend for smoother, plumper skin.
- Rosehip oil balances
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates.
- Shea butter, camellia oil, and aloe vera moisturize your skin.
- Frangipani flower extract provides a calming fragrance.
Charlotte’s Magic Cream is such a luxe moisturizer, and it reminds me a lot of La Mer, as it helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while plumping your skin.
A true luxe moisturizer for a fraction of the cost of La Mer!
5. HOLIKA HOLIKA Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Strengthens your skin barrier and provides long-lasting moisture | ❌ May be too rich for oily skin types |
| ✅ Excellent for dry skin | ❌ Contains fragrance |
| ✅ Rich, creamy texture |
HOLIKA HOLIKA Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream is formulated with Power Ceramide (fermented Ceramides 1, 3, and 6) to strengthen your skin barrier and provide moisture for up to 72 hours.
- Bacillus ferment gently exfoliates your skin so that your skincare products will absorb better.
- Sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
- Squalane, shea butter, and glycerin provide intense nourishment, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.
- Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf extract, Alteromonas ferment extract, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) flower oil, and allantoin soothe irritation and are excellent for sensitive skin.
With a lush, creamy texture and nourishing formula, this moisturizer is perfect for repairing and replenishing dry skin.
Ideal for dehydrated and dry skin, this La Mer dupe will leave your skin smooth and plump without any greasiness.
6. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Contains Tatcha’s proprietary blend of blend of three Japanese superfoods and botanical extracts | ❌ Still relatively expensive |
| ✅ Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | ❌ Rich texture may not suit all skin types |
| ✅ Ideal for dry skin | ❌ Contains fragrance |
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream is another luxury moisturizer that isn’t cheap, but it costs much less than La Mer.
The cream is formulated with Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3 Complex, a blend of three Japanese superfoods – green tea, rice, and algae – that work together to nourish and protect the skin.
Botanical extracts and oils derived from ginseng, wild thyme, and sweet marjoram moisturize your skin and give it a dewy glow.
This Tatcha moisturizer is often compared to La Mer due to its rich texture and ability to hydrate even the driest of skin.
It also helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making it a great anti-aging option.
7. Heimish Marine Care Deep Moisture Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Formulated with mineral oil and fermented seaweed extract like La Mer | ❌ May be too rich for some skin types |
| ✅ Improves skin elasticity and firmness | ❌ Contains fragrance |
| ✅ Deeply moisturizes dry skin |
Another great option for those with dry or mature skin is the Heimish Marine Care Deep Moisture Nourishing Melting Cream. As the name suggests, this cream melts into your skin to provide deep hydration and nourishment.
- Like Creme de la Mer, Heimish Marine Care Deep Moisture Cream is formulated with mineral oil and marine ingredients, including fermented seaweed extract and mineral-rich seawater, to purify and replenish your skin.
- Copper peptides and acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) help improve the look of skin elasticity and firmness.
This cream has a rich texture but absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling soft, supple, and deeply moisturized.
This under-rated moisturizer is a steal considering it costs nearly 80% less than La Mer!
8. Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Formulated for irritated and sensitive skin | ❌ Thick cream may be too heavy for some skin types |
| ✅ Contains mineral oil like La Mer and nourishing Avene Thermal Spring Water | ❌ Doesn’t provide anti-aging benefits like La Mer |
| ✅ Promotes healthy microbiome and skin barrier and aids in healing |
For those with sensitive or compromised skin, finding a moisturizer that not only hydrates but also helps repair and protect the skin can be a challenge. Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is specifically designed for this purpose.
- This cream contains mineral oil, like La Mer, to protect your skin.
- Avene Thermal Spring Water soothes and calms irritated skin.
- Avène’s patented C+ Restore Complex contains a postbiotic extract that promotes a healthy microbiome
- Copper-zinc sulfate complex aids in healing.
Excellent for post-procedures and sunburns, this thick cream helps restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier and protect it from external aggressors.
Creme de la Mer Dupes: Deep Moisture and Hydration For Less
Creme de la Mer moisturizing cream is a cult-favorite luxury face cream since it helps smooth wrinkles and fine lines while healing and moisturizing the skin.
While none of these skincare dupes in this post are exactly like La Mer in formula, feel, or experience, you just might get similar results at a fraction of the price and find a new La Mer alternative to add to your daily skincare routine.
Of all the dupes, I think Nivea Creme is the best La Mer dupe. It has a similar look, feel, smell, and ingredient list, minus the algae extract.
What’s your favorite La Mer dupe?
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!