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This is the ultimate skincare glow as actual gold and diamond powder have been combined with an exclusive Golden Lotus Blend made with the Lotus Japonicus flower, known for its brightening properties. The Cellular Radiance line also contains a patented proprietary complex called Cellular Complex which makes this perfecting fluide provide an instantly soft blurred, luminous appearance while simultaneously fading dark spots.
Like most La Prairie products, this moisturizer comes in exquisite gold packaging with a hefty silver cap and pump dispenser.
Refer to this review by Silverkis for ingredients as mine was a preview sample which did not have a box with the ingredients list for me to take a photo of. While the word "fluide" left me wondering if this was a serum or moisturizer, this is indeed a fluid-like moisturizer that can be used both day and night after serum application. Unlike most moisturizers, there is only 40mL of product as opposed to 50mL, so twice a day at about 1 pump per application will probably put you right at the 3 month mark if not less when you run out. I only used this in the mornings because of the dimethicone content and because it made an awesome primer for makeup!
If you have dry skin, you can go a little further and use this moisturizer over top a moisturizer of your choice which I have done in drier weather. In Spring and Summer, this on its own with my regular skincare routine is just right.
If you had a look at Linda's post, you will have noticed that dimethicone is ingredient #2 which I know contributes to how smooth and comfortable this moisturizer feels. I asked Eric, the La Prairie Education Executive, his thoughts on dimethicone in luxury products and his answer was that generally, dimethicone is used in La Prairie's daytime products. He also said there were different grades of dimethicone and that La Prairie uses only the lowest viscosity in its products. You will find a ton of mixed feelings about dimethicone with some people breaking out from any products that have silicones in them, but I have personally never had a problem. Clinically, dimethicone is deemed safe in skincare and has a whackload of properties that make it both a great ingredient for texture and preventing moisture loss, but I have personally made the choice to limit my nightly dimethicone use.
What DID make me happy was seeing that niacinamide was ingredient #3! Niacinamide is probably one of the few ingredients with known skin-replenishing and brighteninng properties and is one of the "hardiest" B vitamins as it is compatible with retinols, hyaluronic acid and even chemical exfoliators. Niacinamide is great with all skin types and improves the overall appearance of the skin by improving its moisture retention abilities and suppresses melanin by preventing it from reaching the skin's surface (Truth in Aging, March 2018) and becoming *gasp* a dark spot!
As this is a gold-infused moisturizer, I eagerly checked to see where gold was in the ingredients list and thankfully it is in the first half of the ingredients list. Gold is believed to be an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Whether it does a better job than what's out here now is another question, but in the case of this moisturizer, I think it's more about luminous skin and reflecting light in a way that makes your skin look its best!
The finish of this moisturizer is slightly pearly and leaves a smooth finish to the skin when massaged in. There is no greasy texture and when you look at your skin afterwards, you just notice that it looks brighter and better all on its own. For days when I was just puttering around the house or running errands, this was the perfect illuminating moisturizer!
Final verdict: This is a luxury brand so I won't debate price point and why the products are priced they way they are as some people will never be okay with spending this kind of money while others can. I loved this moisturizer as it sure felt nicer than any makeup primer I have ever used AND it moisturized and made my skin look truly glowy and poreless, like there was a constant Instagram sunshine filter on my face (you guys know the one). If anything, I was terrified of liking this moisturizer because of the price tag and even though it feels so nice to use and makes my skin look fab, $715 is hard even for me to swallow and I spend easily $1000 on skincare every year in the form of products and facials. I work in an industry where clients DO spend on $1000 on a single beauty product so I know there is a market for a product like this. It is beautiful and what you would expect from La Prairie in terms of experience so if any of you are looking to skincare splurge, this is the one.
Available at Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom.
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