La Mer. Two short words that hold immense weight—and prestige—in the beauty world. It’s brand revered by skincare enthusiasts worldwide, known for its iconic products and luxurious formulations. Since its debut in the 1960s, Crème de la Mer, the brand’s flagship product, has achieved iconic status and remains one of the most coveted creams in any skincare collection. If you have La Mer, you’re “It.”
Over the decades, the brand has evolved beyond its hero moisturizer, introducing an entire universe of crave-worthy creations: new interpretations of the original cream—like the beloved Moisturizing Soft Cream, a modern, featherlight alternative—alongside high-performance serums, powerful concentrates, treatment lotions, masks, cleansers, and even lip care.
So what is it that makes La Mer so irresistible and so undeniably luxurious?
A Miracle From the Sea
The story of La Mer is the stuff of beauty legends—like an insider tale filled with little secrets and fascinating details.
Its name is an homage to its origins and its source of power: La Mer is a French phrase that translates to “The Sea.” Many decades ago, its founder, German aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber, suffered burns in a lab accident, setting him on an unexpected quest for the ultimate skin-healing ingredient. Since he lived by the sea—in San Diego, California, to be exact—his search for renewal led him to the ocean’s most precious harvest: giant sea kelp, known for its remarkable ability to regenerate itself.
Like a master chef perfecting a signature sauce, Dr. Huber combined sea kelp with vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients, then refined his blend over a 12-year, 6,000-recipe trial. At the time, nothing worked to help his skin, so he was keen on producing his own unique, effective solution. His hard work (and obsession, as some would call it) resulted in something for more than just a simple mixture: The ingredients transformed into what we now know as The Miracle Broth™, a potent skin-healing elixir that now powers all La Mer products.
His method was unlike anything the skincare world had seen before. For months, the kelp blend was kept under controlled conditions, exposed to cycles of light and sound vibrations—mimicking the gentle rhythms of the ocean (and no, not actual music, as some have speculated). It was a meticulous fermentation ritual, borrowed from the worlds of food and winemaking, yet revolutionary for skincare at the time.
By 1965, Crème de la Mer was launched in the American market and became a cult skincare sensation. After Dr. Huber’s passing in 1991, the Estée Lauder Companies acquired the brand in 1995 and has since safeguarded and nurtured his legacy on a global scale.
But preserving Huber’s original creation wasn’t easy. While he left behind intensive notes on his signature broth-making process, early attempts to replicate the formula fell short especially when every step wasn’t followed to the letter. The process was so intricate, so precise, that legend has it Estée Lauder scientists even sought the help of a medium to reach Dr. Huber in the afterlife—all in pursuit of the exact recipe.
And here’s another fascinating detail that adds to the mystique: Every new batch of Miracle Broth™ contains a drop from the one before it, preserving a continuous connection to the original blend.
Today, La Mer continues to honor this legacy. Giant sea kelp is hand-harvested from the pristine, nutrient-rich waters of the Pacific—an environment as pure and healthy as the finest garden. Only the healthiest top fronds (or leaves), rich in ocean minerals and sunlight energy, are carefully selected, ensuring sustainability and peak potency for every jar and bottle offered to customers.
It is this devotion—the painstaking research, the time-intensive fermentation, and the unparalleled potency of the Miracle Broth™—that makes La Mer not just skincare, but a true luxury ritual cherished around the world.
The Miracle on Your Skin
How does The Miracle Broth™ work on skin? Think of it as a living infusion of energy, hydration, and repair that transforms the complexion. Modern science backs it up: A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology shows that La Mer’s Macrocystis pyrifera ferment (a.k.a. its prized sea kelp blend) strengthens the skin barrier and speeds recovery after dermatological treatments. In everyday life, this means calmer, stronger, and more radiant skin.
Here’s a quick look at its key skincare benefits:
Instant Soothing & Repair
Like a restorative brew, The Miracle Broth™ immediately comforts and calms visible irritation, interrupting the chain reaction triggered by environmental stressors. Skin feels soothed, sensitivities are eased, and the path to healing begins.
Barrier Strength & Resilience
Much like a protective seal that locks in goodness, it fortifies the skin’s barrier—shielding it from daily assaults and restoring harmony and balance for a healthier-looking complexion.
Cellular Energy & Renewal
A true nourishing blend, Miracle Broth™ energizes skin from within—feeding its natural energy reserves to ignite repair, accelerate renewal, and reveal a fresher, more radiant look.
A La Mer Ritual
Your skin deserves a moment of indulgence. Here’s how to create a complete La Mer experience, morning and night.
The Cool Micellar Cleanser
Start fresh with this one-step, no-rinse cleanser—a great option for removing your makeup at the end of the day, too. Moisten a cotton pad and sweep it gently across your face to melt away dirt and impurities while leaving your skin soft, cool, and calm.
La Mer The Cool Micellar Cleanser
P7,500/200ml, Lazada
The Treatment Lotion
Think of this as your first drink of hydration. Pour a few drops into your palm, press it into your skin, and feel the silky liquid energize and prep your complexion for everything that follows. Use in the a.m. and p.m.
La Mer The Treatment Lotion
P9,500/100ml, Lazada
The Eye Concentrate
Revive tired eyes with this sumptuous, cushiony cream. Tap it gently around the eye area using the applicator or your ring finger for a refreshed, illuminated look.
La Mer The Eye Concentrate
P21,700/15ml, Lazada
The Moisturizing Soft Cream
Seal in moisture with this featherlight cream that sinks in effortlessly, wrapping your skin in lasting hydration and radiance without feeling heavy.
La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream
P26,500/60ml, Rustan’s The Beauty Source
The Night Recovery Concentrate
As evening falls, pamper your skin with this nighttime cream with a silky serum texture. Warm a small amount between your fingertips and press onto skin as the final step—comforting wrap that helps strengthen and restore your barrier overnight.
La Mer The Night Recovery Concentrate
P42,500/50ml, Lazada
Indulge at Spa de La Mer
For the ultimate skin pampering experience, the brand has opened the doors to the country’s very first Spa de La Mer, located at LOOK At Me, SM Mall of Asia. Here, you can bask in the luxurious, skin-renewing powers of the signature Miracle Broth™, as every facial features a complete lineup of La Mer treatments tailored to your unique skincare needs. Each session is delivered by expert aestheticians, trained in the bespoke La Mer method to ensure the most transformative results.
The space itself is a sanctuary—serene, soundproof, and endlessly indulgent—even inside a busy mall.
Spa de La Mer treatments are a special privilege for La Mer clients and can be enjoyed through exclusive vouchers earned with qualifying purchases.
Experience La Mer through The Beauty Edit Box Vol. 17: Indulge, dropping on August 31, 2025. Early access is available to subscribers on August 30. Shop here.
