The Research: Lancôme spent 10 years working on Absolue L'Extrait and, in the process, developed a new, environmentally-friendly technique for harvesting plant cells. It's called Fermogenesis, and they're the only ones to have this technology.
The Ingredients: The Lancôme Rose -- a specific rose variety and also the Lancôme symbol -- is what makes this cream so special. Each jar contains up to two million rose native cells, which, in turn, help skin cells regenerate.
The Packaging: When it came time to design the container, Lancôme looked to their archives -- from the year 1936. They modeled this hefty black and gold jar after their first iconic cream, Nutrix. Absolue L'Extrait also comes with a stainless steel "petal" -- a spoon-like tool you can use to apply the moisturizer. Because of the unique shape of the jar and extra space needed for the petal, Lancôme commissioned special boxes for the cream, and each jar is packaged by hand.
Our Take: "The smell is ridiculously divine, and the light cream absorbs quickly into the skin. I felt moisturized with no residue, and could see a bit more radiance after using it. I didn't notice more firmness or elasticity, but I only had enough for a week. I'd definitely use it again." -- Beth Mayall-Traglia, Editor-in-Chief
The Research: After aerospace physicist Max Huber suffered chemical burns in an accident, he spent the next 12 years and 6,000 experiments developing this famous cream. That was more than 40 years ago, and the original formula hasn't changed.
The Ingredients: The thing that makes La Mer so special is the "Miracle Broth," a combination of fermented sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals that are suspended within the moisturizer. How, exactly, the broth works to revive the skin is a mystery -- even to the scientists who created it.
The Packaging: It comes in a simple white glass jar -- but keep an eye out for limited edition jars every year for World Oceans Day on June 8th.
Our Take: "I have used La Mer for 15 years, and I can't imagine not having it. I love everything about it -- the scent, the consistency, the way it smoothes into my skin. I don't use it every night -- it's too rich for that -- but I do use it a couple of times a week. It's the best at keeping my skin moisturized." -- Audrey Fine, Special Projects Editor
I recently spotted a wildly expensive cream in a friend's bathroom. I knew exactly what it was, having researched it for a skin care story just a few days before, and I knew exactly how much she paid for it: A whopping $379.
Why did she spend so much on a jar of face cream? Wouldn't she rather buy a pair (well, half a pair) of Jimmy Choo's? She's 30 years old, single, and has a great job in advertising -- but it's not like she's got a ton of money to burn.
Fast forward a week and I find myself at the Lancôme counter at Saks Fifth Avenue for the unveiling of their newest moisturizer, Absolue L'Extrait Regenerating Ultimate Elixir. I listen as the marketing director explains the research behind the cream, the rarity of the rose cells it contains, and the vintage-inspired packaging. I imagine artisans in France working tirelessly to make a beautiful jar of cream just for me.
I'm seduced by the moisturizer, ready to throw down my American Express card regardless of the cost. The price tag: $350.
If you're skeptical, I don't blame you. There's a lot of hype that goes into selling any beauty product -- and that's particularly true when it comes to a crazy-expensive one. But a product can't succeed on hype alone, particularly when that product claims to transform your skin. At the very least it has to feel luxurious, smell amazing, and be beautifully packaged -- or else even a socialite on the daddy dole isn't going to buy it.
To find out if expensive creams are more than just nice formulas in pretty jars, I set out to uncover exactly what makes a spendy moisturizer so spendy. Here are six of the priciest moisturizers, and our editors' takes on whether or not they're worth the cash.
