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| Clé de Peau Beauté | La Crème |
For skincare products, I don't usually have a section dedicated to the packaging but for the Clé de Peau La Crème, the packaging is almost as important as the formulation. Housed in a luxurious gift box, La Crème comes in a stunning light gold jar encapsulated in a transparent, crystalline design. Although the jar is plastic, it feels nice and sturdy, definitely one of the most expensive-looking jar I've seen for a face cream. Included is a small, metal spatula for scooping out the cream and last but certainly not least, it even comes with its own stand, which holds both the spatula and the cream, creating a dazzling display on your vanity.
Formulation:
The 2020 reformulation of La Crème boasts several key ingredients, starting with what Clé de Peau calls the "skin-empowering illuminator" complex, which consists of golden silk cocoon extract (for defense against stressors), Japanese pearl shell extract (rich in amino acids), theanine (for its relaxation properties), perilla leaf extract (for stress reduction), and Japanese angelica root extract (for its anti-inflammatory and brightening effects). Also contained in La Crème are nourishing squalane, shea butter, hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening 4MSK (aka potassium methoxysalicylate), and smoothing retinyl acetate (a very gentle version of retinol).
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| Clé de Peau Beauté | La Crème |
With a subtle, barely-there soapy floral scent, La Crème from Clé de Peau has an extremely smooth and surprisingly lightweight texture that glides beautifully across the skin. Despite feeling very light and easy to blend, this is a rich night cream that leaves behind a fairly heavy, occlusive finish that's also a tad tacky. I personally prefer creams that really sink into the skin but La Crème definitely feels like it sits atop the skin. This is probably in part due to the inclusion of petroleum jelly as an ingredient (tenth on the list). I personally don't have a problem with petroleum jelly as it is so effective at preventing moisture loss but due to potential contaminants (known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs) that give it a bad rep, the ingredient is usually a no-no for those that want to stick to clean skincare. I think we can safely assume that the petroleum jelly used by Clé de Peau is contaminant-free but its inclusion nevertheless gives the cream a heavier finish. For that reason, a little goes a long, long way. Instead of a pearl-sized amount, as Clé de Peau recommends, I would suggest using even less to cover your entire face.
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| Clé de Peau Beauté | La Crème |
So needless to say, the Clé de Peau La Crème is very nourishing and hydrating. I've noticed a soft, smooth, and healthy complexion when I wake up in the morning. And although it contains some silicone (eleventh ingredient), the cream doesn't patch or pill. With that said, as someone with combination, acne-prone skin, I prefer a night cream that's breathable and lightweight. As La Crème is so rich and nourishing, it's really more suitable for those with dry to very dry skin. As to the exorbitant price tag, I will say what I've always said about luxury skincare. There's almost no way to rationalize that range of price no matter how effective, innovative, or high-quality the formulation is. However, when you purchase something from the likes of Clé de Peau, you are investing in not just the product itself, but also the packaging and the brand prestige. So if those are things that you value, then they are worth the investment. I would never recommend someone to save up for a $700 face cream but if you have the money and want to splurge, then definitely treat yourself! Also, for those looking for a luxe skincare gift for the holiday times, La Crème is the crème de la crème (pun very much intended)!
Ingredients: Water (Aqua/Eau), Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Triisostearin, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Maltitol, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Beheneth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Silica, Theanin, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Trisodium EDTA, Polyvinyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (Parfum), Retinyl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Alcohol, BHT, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ectoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Linalool, Lilium Candidum (Lily) Bulb Extract, Geraniol, Angelica Acutiloba (Japanese Angelica) Root Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Limonene, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora (Chinese Peony) Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis (Great Burnet) Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn) Flower Extract, Fagus Sylvatica (Beech) Bud Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycine, Rubus Suavissimus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, Inositol, Tocopherol, Pinus Sylvestris (Scots Pine) Cone Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Rosa Canina (Dog Rose) Fruit Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Serine, Zingiber Aromaticus (Ginger) Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Isostearic Acid, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Benzoic Acid, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Lauryl Betaine, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Polysorbate 20, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate.
Availability:
Clé de Peau is available in Canada at Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Saks.
Clé de Peau is available in Canada at Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Saks.
