As you know, some of my family members including myself have been using La Prairie Cellular Platinum Rare range ever since their very first launch. As I've been using their products for over a decade, it has been very interesting to watch as their skincare became a part of my daily life just like my big breakfast habit :3. Anyway, the company hasn't added any other products in their Cellular Platinum Rare collection other than their Cellular Eye Essence Platinum Rare about 4-5 years ago. If we consider the company's new product launch frequency, it may sound like a huge launching gap for the Platinum Rare range. But you need to keep in mind that those products have a much smaller number of fans compared to their timelessly classic Skin Caviar collection. It's necessary to mention in the beginning of the post as La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is a pure luxury possibly in all dimensions, so unfortunately there's no universal love for mankind in terms of their intimidating pricing. Distinctly, the company has silently stated through the high price tag that their new launch Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is only for those few ready-to-indulge customers, so let's see if this new product deserves the spotlight.
Packaging
Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir comes in a bottle that looks very similar to their Cellular Cream Platinum Rare which I consider as a work of art. Unlike their usual Platinum Rare packaging, the night elixir has a magnetic closure that you don't even need to bother checking if you have closed the lid tight enough.
The dropper is separated from the lid, which makes another difference to their Cellular Serum Platinum Rare. I personally like this idea as I have dropped the serum bottle few times over the past years, and the top parts didn't work very well in the end as they were broken.
However, if you look at the night elixir closely, I feel that the company has focused on the esthetic side of the package a little too much. The rubber part of the multi-faceted shaped dropper is also coated in platinum colour, and so is the dropper by itself.
I can understand the rubber part, but the dropper doesn't really help at all as you cannot see how much it has been pumped up. Basically, there's no way you can track the amount that you go through since the bottle and the dropper is too opaque. Having said that, the top rubber squeezer feels a lot more thick and sturdy than most of the products on the market, and it gives pretty good control.
Scent
The night elixir serum has a powdery floral scent, which doesn't take away much attention from the skincare ritual but I would still say that it smells a lot more concentrated and stronger than their other Platinum Rare products. My mother who's nearly 60 loves the scent, but I personally find it quite mature compared to some of their other products. I guess that this might be mostly due to the expected main target users of the night elixir. It certainly contains an artificial fragrance along with phenoxyethanol, which may not be suitable for those with scent sensitivity.
Consistency
How to use
From the moment it glides on, the texture envelops the skin, leaving it feeling protected in a cashmere-soft layer. Apply PM after cleansing and toning. Slowly squeeze the dropper and dispense a single drop into the palm of the hand. Using fingertips, smooth gently over entire face, avoiding eye area. Allow to absorb completely. Follow with Platinum Rare Cellular Cream.
The density of Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir seems pretty much akin to their other serums, but it feels slightly lighter than their Cellular Serum Platinum Rare.
It goes onto skin like a silk slip-on dress, and spreads very silky smooth. It shows utmost delicacy and elegance in its texture.
Unlike the other products in their Platinum Rare range, the night elixir has a pink-ish peach hue in it. There's very fine delicate light reflective particles that go perfectly with the salmony hue, which is very much adoptable to different depth of individual skin tone.
It instantly beautifies skin without any disco ball effect, and I think that it gives a universally flattering natural looking pearlised glow to skin.
The elixir penetrates into skin fast without any oily residue, and skin feels rather neat once it's all set.
Science & Benefits
Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is simply the most powerful rejuvenating potion to emerge from the La Prairie laboratories. It supports the four functions essential to the skin’s complete regeneration process, helping it to detoxify and be nourished, to breathe and boost its own immunity. For the first time ever, these four key functions are addressed in a single, extraordinary formula. Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir offers the highest concentration of La Prairie’s exclusive Cellular Complex, combined with the Advanced Platinum Complex, a unique blend of rare, active ingredients.
- Encourages the detoxifying process
- Helps improve skin's respiration
- Provides skin life-infusing nutrients
- Boosts skin's self-defense capacities
Skin's texture and elasticity are improved, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is visibly reduced and the skin emanates the radiance of youth
Effectiveness/ Tips
La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is basically all about detox, which is very important to have more even toned, resilient skin for better skin longevity. Indeed, well-rested and detoxified skin brings a youthful glow back to skin, and Platinum Rare Cellular night serum works well as a nightly detox serum in that sense. If you have been following my website, you've probably have already noticed that I put a lot of weight on the importance of detoxifying skin not just for that youthful glow, but more for beautiful healthy skin aging for long run. There's no exception for very sensitive skin including eczema-prone fragile ones like my man's. And the truth behind that is since skin is our largest organ in our body, a detox routine shouldn't be just limited to skin around face area only if you really want to take advantage of the detox results. It should be approached from every single daily aspect including diet, exercise, habits etc. as our body is all connected.
2-in-1
Something that my mum and I have noticed from the night treatment serum is that the concept sounds very similar to our well-loved La Prairie Cellular Power Charge Night and their Cellular Power Infusion. The only difference is that Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is a night treatment that you replace your regular serum with, whereas Cellular Power Charge Night and their Cellular Power Infusion are intensive treatments that you can use up to a few times a year.
Personally, I've been leaning more towards the feeling that Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is a Platinum Rare version of interpretation on those two products based on the results that I've been seeing in my skin. So if you are one of those people who likes to use one product for both, then you may appreciate the night elixir more, despite the amount that you get (20mL). Only after I started using the product, I could sort of understand why they put such a high price tag on the night serum. It's still only my personal assumption, but Cellular Power Charge Night and their Cellular Power Infusion is currently sold at $530 (without tax) and Cellular Serum Platinum Rare for day and night at $770 (30mL/ without tax) in the states. Now we can do math, they all add up well over $1300 (without tax) for benefits that you can get from those products.
Does this make La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir a better choice though?
Well, it depends. First of all, the night elixir comes in a 20mL bottle which is 10mL less than their regular serum. Even as an intensive nighttime treatment for daily usage, Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is 10-20mL less than Cellular Power Infusion and Cellular Power Charge Night. After all, the night elixir much better priced than those combined if we look that way.
However, it may not be that too bad if you have been using Cellular Serum Platinum Rare and any of those Cellular Power intensive products together as Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir comes with the latest technology and also reduces the skincare step at night. If you are a skincare minimalist and/or have a preference of daily detox skincare, then Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir could be a right fit for you. Having said that, you won't find the night serum being all that hydrating or nourishing if you have dry/dehydrated skin, and you will still need a moisturiser to follow with.
Stressed / Dull Skin
The elixir seemed to detoxify skin pretty well as my skin didn't look that lifeless even when I was near/during my cycle. It doesn't brighten skin tone, but it seems to bring life back to skin by making it look more awake and seemingly brighter overall.
If your skin looks rather dull mainly due to irregular lifestyle and stress, then you may also be just fine off with using Cellular Power Infusion and Cellular Power Charge Night, and their Anti-Aging Stress Cream if it's mainly about stress induced aging. The only thing that you need to be careful about those alternatives is that they are quite potent due to the nature of their function, so you need to make sure that you don't layer too many concentrated skincare products that may also be very active, which may result in breakouts or further skin sensitivity.
Dehydrated / Dry Skin
Additionally, you may not like the night elixir much if your skin is on the dry/dehydrated side. I woke up with an uncomfortable tightening feel to my skin in the morning from skin dehydration as my skin tends to be more dry and dehydrated over the seasonal changes and colder seasons, so you will need to follow with a moisturiser or some sort of a face oil.
If you are someone who is constantly exposed to a heater/air conditioner at night while sleeping, it is important to put some hydrating moisturiser on your skin generously before bed. The night detox serum isn't anywhere near as deeply hydrating compared to their other serums, and it may end up cost you more because you will need more products to fill the hydration gap that your skin needs. Having said that, the texture is quite pleasant for warmer seasons and also for those with normal to combination skin types. If you are used to rich or thick textured serums though, you won't like the night elixir much at all.
Sensitive Skin
And if your skin is on the sensitive side, I suggest you to skip the night elixir as it has skin allergens including artificial colourant, paraben, phenoxyethanol and fragrance. It also contains ferment and glycolic acid, which some skin can be sensitive to. The night elixir isn't something that I would suggest for mum-to-be's and nursing mums regardless of whatever the company may say.
So...What to pair it with?
Although the company suggests you to use the night elixir with Cellular Serum Platinum Rare during the day, Cellular Cream Platinum Rare for both day and night, it may quickly become a heavy economical pressure on one person, which could easily result in internal stress. This is very unwanted as it basically reverses the effects of what you have spent effort and money on and delays the efficacy of the expensive skincare routine.
Happy mind / Less stress = Happy skin
Of course, for the best efficacy, using full Platinum Rare products may be the best as topical skincare works similar to how health supplements work, but that doesn't mean that you are obligated to do so. My mum and I have been seeing pretty good results with using the full line, but I came to the conclusion that it's unnecessary unless you love that expensive-looking instant beautifying effects on skin that the Platinum Rare range offers.
As detox products tend to do well with most of the different skincare categories, you could choose a moisturiser that targets an area that concerns you the most. Taking for examples, famous Skin Caviar moisturisers for lifting and firming skin and Cellular Time Release Moisturizer Intensive for intensive long-lasting hydration. Line Interception Power Duo is also great for those spending lots of time in front of computer monitor in office. These are just a few combinations, but you can always mix and match with the night elixir as Platinum Rare products were technically created to cover all dimensions in skincare although it depends on one's belief and trust in them.
Although the night elixir contains anti-aging ingredients including some peptides, amino acids and plant stem cell extract, neither my mum nor I have noticed any major wrinkle plumping or über contoured look in our skin. However, we've both noticed better balanced and somewhat plumper looking skin when paired with their Cellular Cream Platinum Rare.
It does seem to increase the overall efficacy of other skincare products that I pair it with, and boosts skin looking more well-rested and regenerated. I didn't get any breakouts even when my monthly was approaching, and my skin looked less dull looking and more alive. It still couldn't do much about the puffiness in my skin during the time as it's more related to other factors such as diet and lifestyle. If you want the glow back to your skin and that's the only main reason why you have been eyeing La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir, then you can still try other products in their skincare range as they do their job.
Bottom line/ Elephant in the room
For those who have been considering the night elixir for wrinkle reduction or lifting, it still can't compete with the results that you can get from different in-office treatments including injectables and lasers. I don't try to promote or endorse any specific procedures on my posts, but as I've always been saying, it's best to be more objective and realistic when you look at your skin for better decision making as we are talking about an extortionate product. And it's very difficult for me to avoid mentioning and comparing the results to the in-office treatments mainly due to the price although those can't be and shouldn't be really compared.
Having said that, topical skincare products are partially for the self-indulging therapeutic purposes, if you think that your skin will be better taken care of through using the product as it's better than nothing, then La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir may also be worth investing in only under the assumption that you can afford it without any pressure on your budget and be religious about using the elixir in the long term. Regardless, Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is still an extravagant choice in spite of the great technology and brains behind scene. I've personally thought that it may have been better for the company profits if they launched the Platinum Rare Cellular Night Sleep Mask at a little more reasonable price in a jar like their Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask instead of the night elixir when their existing serum is already pretty nice and they also have several intensive detox products in the line. And who knows, one of the buyers might have potentially become a future Platinum Rare line user if they brought out Platinum Rare Cellular Night Sleep Mask instead of the Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir. Oh, well, I don't work for La Prairie, so I can't do much :/.
Where to buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- Cellcosmet CellLift Cream (VS Crème de La Mer/ Hormonal Aging/ Menopause)
- La Prairie Boosting Treatments (Essence-in-lotion/ Oil/ First essence)
- La Prairie Anti-Aging Skincare - Anti-wrinkle/ Plumping (Part 1)
- La Prairie Anti-Aging Skincare - Lifting/ Firming (Part 2)
- La Prairie Cellular Platinum Rare (Serum/ Night Elixir/ Eye Essence/ Eye Cream/ Face Cream)
