When it comes to skincare, there are a lot of different brands to choose from. Two of the most popular brands are Sisley and La Mer. If I had to choose one of these two brands I’d choose La Mer, because I think their Miracle broth offers an interesting blend of ingredients. However, if you are looking to make a quick decision and try out the best product from each brand, you can try the Sisley L’integral cream or la Mere Creme de la mer, shown in the table below.
Both brands have their own unique set of ingredients, and both come with a hefty price tag. Let’s try to compare some of the main differences and similarities between these luxury skincare brands, with a focus on the brands high-end anti-ageing and thick skin creams.
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Who are Sisley
Sisley is a French luxury skincare brand founded by husband and wife team, Isabelle and Philippe d’Ornano in 1976. The couple were inspired to create the brand after they couldn’t find an effective anti-aging product on the market.
Sisley a range of skincare products and make-up with a focus on targeting ladies looking for anti-ageing products. Their range is based on plant extracts, essential oils and botanical ingredients. They describe their products as ‘botanically based cosmetology’ which means they bring together the most advanced research in phytotherapy (a field of medicine that uses plants) with a high level of technology to create the best skincare products.
They are also known for their research and development into active ingredients, including black rose and combinations of plant extracts and essential oils. It’s worth bearing in mind that Sisley offer luxury skincare so you’ll pay a premium for these innovative ingredients.
Introducing La Mer
If la mer could be described by one word, that word would have to be “luxury”. la mer offers a wide range of luxury skincare products including cleansers, toners, serums and moisturizers as well as makeup and sunscreen items.
According to the company website, La Mer was founded in 1965 by max factor cosmetics scientist DR Hans Kleinsmith, who was working on the development of a new sunscreen formula when he discovered an amazing ingredient called “algae extract” which had incredible healing powers for burns and damaged skin. Algae extract is pretty much seaweed, which is being used in so many health foods as well. La mer named this blend of algae and fermented ingredients their miracle broth. The formula is ‘secret’ but contains sea kelp, vitamins, citrus oil, eucalyptus and other natural ingredients.
Sisley l’integral anti ageing extra rich cream vs la mer creme de la mer
We decided to compare a popular skin cream from each brand. For La mer, we chose the Creme de la mer and from Sisley we chose the L’integral anti-ageing extra rich cream. The reason we are taking a look at these two creams is because they are both thick creams with a focus on helping to intensly moisturise ageing skin.
Comparing ingredients
Let’s compare the ingredients in Sisley l’integral anti ageing extra rich cream with la mer creme de la mer and take a look at some combinations of ingredients you’ve probably not seen in skin care creams before. Whether that’s a good thing or not, and whether they might actual fight the signs of ageing is still open to discussion and your own personal experience. Lots of studies have been conducted but aren’t conclusive.
La mer Creme De la Mer
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Let’s take a look at La Mer’s Creme De La Mer, the brands most widely known anti-ageing cream and see whether the ingredients will perform a miracle on your skin or not.
Miracle broth
La mer keep their so called miracle broth secret, but we know it contains sea kelp and other ingredients that are fermented. When eaten, kelp is one of the best sources of iodine. Iodine helps to regulate and control thyroid hormones in your body, resulting in a healthy metabolism. when applied on your skin, sea kelp supposedly can help to improve elasticity and slow the ageing process. Additionally, kelp is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that can nourish your skin, giving you a healthy complexion.
The effects of sea kelp in skincare are unproven , and there is no scientific evidence to support its use in skincare products. sea kelp may contain antioxidants, which can help protect skin from damage, but further research is needed to determine if it has any other benefits for your skin.
Algae extract is a key ingredient and huge selling point for La mer. As well as being rich in nutrients like amino acids and vitamins that help to hydrate your skin from within; algae extract contains antioxidants including polyphenols (which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties).
Lime tea
Lime tea is used in skincare to help brighten and lighten the skin. It is also a great source of antioxidants, which can help protect the skin from damage. Additionally, lime tea can help improve circulation, which can promote healthy skin cell growth.
All of these benefits make lime tea a great choice for those looking for an all-natural way to improve their skin health. However, lime tea may not be for everyone, as some people have sensitive skin that becomes irritated when exposed to citrus fruit.
Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it helps to draw moisture into the skin. Glycerin is a natural moisturizer that also helps to soothe and protect the skin.
Sisley L’integral anti-ageing extra rich cream
L’integral anti-ageing extra rich cream mixes together some ingredients I hadn’t heard of before. White willow bark, apple pip extract and adenosine are three of them. Let’s take a closer look at some of the unusual ingredients Sisley use.
White willow bark and leaf have been used for centuries as an herbal remedy. The extract of white willow bark contains salicin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound that is similar to aspirin. In fact, Aspirin was originally derived from the extract of white willow bark.
White willow leaf is known to be anti-inflammatory and antiseptic because of the presence of tannins in the leaves. Tannins are organic compounds that have astringent and antioxidant properties (source). Therefore, it is effective in treating skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Apple pip extract is a powerful antioxidant, and is more readily absorbed than vitamin E. Research apparently shows apple pip extract to be more effective than both vitamin E and green tea extract in protecting the skin from sun damage.
This study found that apple extract can potential extend the lifespan of your skin cells. This is due to the polyphenols in apple extracts but also other substances. Whether apple pip extract, concentrated in this formula, will have an effect is hard to prove, but the potential for apple pip extract in skincare looks promising.
Adenosine is a key active ingredient used by Sisley in this formula. Adenosine is often used as an anti-aging ingredient because of its ability to promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Adenosine also has antioxidant properties that can protect skin from damage caused by UV radiation.
Rhatany extract comes from a flowering plant that grows in the rainforest of south America. it benefits the skin by stimulating collagen production and could also potentially protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays.
How do la mer skincare products feel to apply?
The la mer skincare line is known for its luxurious, indulgent feel. The products are meant to pamper the skin and make you feel like you are applying something special. Sisley also offer natural blends of ingredients that are also aimed at the high end of the skin care market and should be an indulgent buy.
Creme de la mer feels thick, which is perfect for dry or mature skin but can feel heavy if you don’t spread it thinly across your skin. The formulas scent is mild and floral but you have to take your time to massage it into your skin otherwise you’ll end up with white residue left over.
Reasons to avoid La mer and Sisley
Let’s look at some of the pros you should think about before buying from La Mer or Sisley.
La Mer
The products are expensive and as is the case with a lot of skincare products, proving the effectiveness of the ingredients is difficult.
They aren’t sold in many locations and if you are looking to buy la Mer products in person, you’ll usually find them sold in high-end department stores.
La Mer’s signature Creme de la mer is a very thick cream that some people find to be too thick for their skin type.
Sisley
Sisley products are expensive and a lot of their skin creams are even more expensive than La Mer offer.
Sisley creams are also thick and can feel heavy on your skin. This can also sometimes cause breakouts if you often get them.
Limited range of makeup and body care products.
Final thoughts La mer vs Sisley
Sisley offers a wider range of products that cater to all skin types, from dry to oily. La mer’s line up is more limited and doesn’t offer as many solutions for specific skin problems. However la mer have a better reputation for their anti ageing skincare line.
I wouldn’t recommend Sisley for people with dry skin. Their products are high in alcohol and they don’t have a lot of hydration in their formulations. La Mer, however, is great for all skin types because of the different moisturizing ingredients that they use, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Both the Creme De La Mer and Sisley L’integral cream are thick and highly moisturising creams. Sisley’s use of apple pip extract, white willow leaf and rhatany extract offer the chance to try out a new combination of ingredients that could help increase your collagen production or offer antioxidants.
I love the idea and potential of these ingredients, but as is the case with most skincare products, proven effectiveness is difficult to find so it’s really a case of looking through the ingredients to see whether you like the sound and potential of them and considering your skin type.
The creams we recommended above are both thick but don’t feel heavy on your skin. If you are prone to breakouts you might want to look at the brands lighter creams, such as la Mer’s lighter soft cream. Both Sisley L’integral and Creme de la mer creams are very thick and highly moisturising. When applying either cream you should warm up your finger tips to warm the creams and allow them to soak into your skin and spread more easily.
