I used to use La Mer The Regenerating Serum quite often back when I lived in Brisbane, Australia, but I personally don't think that it lives up to the hype as I've used it for years. Nowadays, I prefer to use The Concentrate (also from La Mer), but I tend to still save up The Regenerating Serum samples given upon purchase mainly for warmer seasons as it still works fine for my skin. So, I thought I should write a review about it for those who are contemplating which La Mer serum is right for them.
Scent
The scent of La Mer The Regenerating Serum is coherent to their signature scent, but it has less of an alcohol smell than their The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum. Although there isn't much essential oil scent kicking through, the scent is quite therapeutic, which gives a calming and soothing sensation during the skincare ritual. That doesn't mean that the serum is kind to very sensitive skin as it still contains some skin allergens and fragrance. And if your skin tends to be reactive to essential oils and ferment extracts, you will need to do a patch test beforehand as it could potentially irritate skin although I never had issues with La Mer products in general.
Consistency
La Mer The Regenerating Serum doesn't look that lightweight from the surface compared to their The Lifting Contour Serum, it surely is one of the fast penetrating serums in their range.
It absorbs into skin quick without heavy alcohol feel to skin, which makes The Regenerating Serum different from their The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum.
Instantly, skin feels very soft and smooth upon touch without any particularly oily or shiny look. It gives a subtle hint of glow as the serum doesn't feel that heavy at all, and I wouldn't say that it's that abundant in hydration, so you will need to follow with your regular moisturiser and/or use one of their treatment lotions before the serum application depending on how dry/dehydrated your skin is.
Benefits
This powerful age fighter accelerates skin's natural renewal process to visibly diminish lines and wrinkles. With the nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™, the heart of La Mer's profound powers of transformation, skin is refined and rejuvenated for a firmer, younger-looking complexion. This potent serum is also powered by the Regenerating Ferment™, a bio ferment engineered with plant stem cells and the Marine Peptide Ferment, which help skin trigger its natural production of collagen, elastin and other "youth proteins." Skin looks revitalized on contact and, over time, the appearance of lines, wrinkles and pores is dramatically diminished.
How to Use
To release key ingredients, shake gently, then tap several drops onto fingertips and sweep over face and neck morning and evening. For optimal results, follow with your Crème de la Mer moisturizer.
Full Ingredients
- Key Ingredients: Metabolic Ferment, Miracle Broth™, Lime Tea Concentrate
- Formulated Without Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates
Ingredient Listing: Water\Aqua\Eau , Algae (Seaweed) Extract , Dimethicone , Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer , Hydrogenated Polyisobutene , Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride , Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer , Peg-8 Dimethicone , Triethylhexanoin , Peg-10 Dimethicone , Polysilicone-11 , Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil , Decyl Glucoside , Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate , Glycerin , Niacinamide , Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil , Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder , Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal , Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil , Sodium Gluconate , Copper Gluconate , Calcium Gluconate , Magnesium Gluconate , Zinc Gluconate , Tocopheryl Succinate , Niacin , Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Powder , Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Extract , Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract , Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract , Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract , Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract , Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract , Melilotus Officinalis (Melilot) Extract , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein , Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein , Marrubium Vulgare Extract , Eryngium Maritimum Extract , Bifida Ferment Lysate , Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract , Adenosine Phosphate , Acetyl Carnitine Hcl , Creatine , Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract , Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice , Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid , Whey Protein\Lactis Protein\Proteine Du Petit-Lait , Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride , Linolenic Acid , Caffeine , Alcaligenes Polysaccharides , Gelidiella Acerosa Extract , Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract , Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 , Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract , Gold , Hydrolyzed Soy Protein , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Phenyl Trimethicone , Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer , Isododecane , Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract , Tocopheryl Acetate , Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul'S Wort) Extract , Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline , Acetyl Glucosamine , Linoleic Acid , Micrococcus Lysate , Tourmaline , Glycosaminoglycans , Soy Amino Acids , Butylene Glycol , Laminaria Digitata Extract , Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure , Trisiloxane , Tartaric Acid , Tetraacetylphytosphingosine , Dextrin , Tocopherol , Pentylene Glycol , Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone , Laureth-12 , Potassium Sorbate , Fragrance (Parfum) , Caprylyl Glycol , Lecithin , Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin , Maltodextrin , Cyclodextrin , Alcohol Denat. , Sodium Hydroxide , Xanthan Gum , Silica , Citric Acid , Glutathione , Polymethylsilsesquioxane , Disodium Edta , Bht , Phenoxyethanol , Limonene , Linalool , Hydroxycitronellal , Citronellol , Geraniol , Green 5 (Ci 61570)
Verdict
If someone asked me what might potentially be the most universally usable serum in La Mer, my answer surely will be The Regenerating Serum, at least for now. I'm not saying that the serum is the most effective one amongst all their serums, but I personally find the scent and the consistency of it to be quite neutral. I can imagine even men using the serum alone or underneath their moisturiser or sunscreen as the texture is something that most men would like; fast-absorbing yet barely there feel without any heaviness. Although the serum could work well as a 2-in-1 treatment (serum and moisturiser) for oily skin types, but I wouldn't suggest if your skin leans towards more young/problem-prone as some of their ingredients could potentially aggravate skin. Nevertheless, it helps healing post-popping pimple scars, and my skin never got irritated even during my cycle. It does seem to regenerate skin pretty fast, but I wouldn't say that it's very wrinkle corrective like they claim. I see the serum being more to do with improving overall skin texture and preventing wrinkles based on my observations. Though, it does have a limit to preventing smile lines, which makes sense as the serum has nothing to do with muscles and most importantly, it isn't an injectable.
Due to its velvety smooth finish, you could actually use it as a make-up base if you live in a hot and humid climate. The serum doesn't overly stimulate sebum production, so it's a nice one to use especially in Summer. If you have mature skin though, you may not be that satisfied with La Mer The Regenerating Serum unfortunately since it doesn't offer much of mature skin concern including firming and lifting unless you are eyeing on the product just for maintenance. For those with very dehydrated skin, you might want to try their treatment essence lotion instead to use underneath your moisturiser if you need to choose only one. Regardless, La Mer The Regenerating Serum is good for prevention for all-year-round as long as you don't have sensitivity with their fragrance and ferment extract.
Where to buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- 111SKIN Y Theorem Repair Serum (Alternative to La Mer The Concentrate & The Regenerating Serum)
- La Mer Treatment Masks (The Lifting and Firming/ The Brilliance Brightening/ The Hydrating Facial/ The Intensive Revitalizing Mask)
- La Mer The Concentrate VS Genaissance de La Mer
- 7 Luxury Beauty Tools that Boost Efficacy of Your Skincare & Make-up (My Beauty Secrets/ Gift Ideas)
- La Mer Moisturisers/ Crème de la Mer
