La Mer vs La Prairie 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

We're positive you've seen or at the very least heard of La Mer and La Prairie before. But how do they compare? And which is best for you?

Previously, we took a look at Neutrogena vs La Roche Posay; today, we will be comparing La Mer vs La Prairie and their sumptuous best-sellers to help you figure out which luxury skincare brand better suits you!

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La Mer vs La Prairie Moisturizer

The first products we’re working with today are the two brands’ competing moisturizers – the Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream and the La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream – both luxury products which each have a lot to offer. If you’re interested in finding out more about the two, let’s take a deeper look.

At first glance, it’s clear that both of these moisturizers have a considerable price tag, so it’s important that you find the perfect one to work for you. When we take a closer look at Le Mer’s Crème de la Mer, the product claims to deliver “soothing moisture, daily protection and energized natural renewal” – essentially, it’s got everything you could ask for from a moisturizer, and more.

On the other hand, we have La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, which is another product that already sounds tempting, just from its name alone. With this cream, the formula aims to deliver impressive results by lifting and firming the skin, as well as supporting its moisture levels. It’s aimed at those looking for a tighter, firmer complexion from their daily skincare routine.

In terms of comparison, the first component to take a look at is the price, which is significantly high for both products, seeing as they’re both luxury formulas, but there is some variation between the two. While the moisturizer from La Mer will cost you ~$500 for 100ml, La Prairie’s impressive formula comes in at ~$1000 for the same size – just over double the price of its competitor.

When it comes to ethics, La Mer is committed to its values, and the brand’s main ingredient, sea kelp, is sustainably harvested. La Prairie also claim to be committed to maintaining impeccable standards for animal welfare and say that their products are only ever tested on animals when required to do so by law.

With both of these products performing highly, excellent reviews all around, and plenty of happy customers, it’s difficult to decide which is better. Ultimately, the verdict for these moisturisers falls into whether you’re looking for deep hydration and moisturisation, which La Mer’s Crème de la Mer is perfect for, or firmer skin, where we’d opt for La Prairie. Of course, as they do perform very similarly, the price is a large factor, and it’s clear to see that La Mer is the more ‘affordable’ option.

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2024 update: Two years on, the skincare landscape has seen countless new products and innovations, yet the prestige and performance of La Mer's Crème de la Mer and La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Cream remain unparalleled in the luxury skincare market. In 2024, these moisturizers continue to hold their ground as top contenders for those seeking premium skincare solutions.

The choice between these two luxury skincare giants still hinges on individual skincare goals and budget. If deep hydration and revitalization are your priority, La Mer is an excellent choice. For those focusing on skin firmness and luxury indulgence, La Prairie remains a formidable option. While there are numerous new players in the skincare market, the enduring popularity and proven effectiveness of La Mer and La Prairie affirm their status as timeless staples in the luxury skincare segment.

La Mer vs La Prairie Cleanser

Up next, it’s time to look at another step in the La Mer vs La Prairie skincare regime, and that’s the cleansers: La Mer's The Cleansing Foam and La Prairie's Foam Cleanser. Once again, these are both luxury goods, being from the same brands again, and they’re also on the pricier side. 

From La Mer, The Cleansing Foam is a gentle product designed for working into your skin and removing all residue bacteria and dirt, as well as built-up oils from your skin. When it comes to cleanser, it’s important to be careful and cautious when approaching a new product, as this step in any beauty routine has the power to make or break your entire skincare regime. You need to find the balance between something strong enough to work effectively to remove grime from your skin, but also something gentle enough to preserve your skin’s moisture barrier. 

In contrast, we have La Prairie’s Foam Cleanser, another water-activated product which is said to dissolve your makeup, leaving no trace, while maintaining your moisture balance, allowing your skin to hit refresh with a more calming feeling. The product is lightly scented, which many people can often feel slightly wary about. While fragrances can have negative effects for your skin, its presence in a wash-off product like this isn’t so severe, and fragrance shouldn’t be too much of a problem. 

When comparing these products, the price difference this time is much less significant, with La Mer’s The Cleansing Foam setting you back ~$100 for 125ml, and La Prairie’s competitor costing ~$99 for the same amount. 

For those with more delicate, sensitive skin, as well as ageing skin, we suggest going with La Mer, as their foam is formulated specifically for these more fragile skin types. However, La Prairie’s cleanser delivers a more luxury, sweet-scented experience for those who enjoy a little extra in their routine. 

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2024 update: Two years later, both cleansers continue to be standout choices in the realm of high-end skincare. Despite the emergence of new products and trends in the skincare industry which we've covered in our latest articles, these two cleansers have maintained their status due to their unique formulations and consistent performance.

The choice between these two cleansers still depends largely on personal preference and specific skin needs. For those seeking a gentle, skin-nurturing cleanser, La Mer's The Cleansing Foam is the recommended choice. For those who enjoy a luxurious, fragrant cleansing experience, La Prairie's Foam Cleanser remains a compelling option.

La Mer vs La Prairie Eye Cream

The final product to compare between La Mer and La Prairie is their competing eye creams, once again two luxury, high-end products that offer very similar benefits. It’s worth noting that eye creams are already luxury products to implement in your routine, so either of these products will provide additional indulgence and impressive benefits. 

Taking a look at The Eye Balm Intense from La Mer we can see the famous Miracle Broth makes an appearance in the formula yet again, boasting its powerful properties and benefits throughout this eye cream. As you’d hope from any eye cream, the main goal from this product is to make it look like you’ve had your eight hours, even if you haven’t, giving a well-rested, soothed look, de-puffing the eyes and hydrating the tissue around them. 

Moving onto La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Cream, this product has a similar formula to its sister product, the Skin Caviar Luxe Cream, as they both feature the same exclusive ingredient, derived from Swiss caviar, which has been engineered and modified to provide you with the most indulgent, effective experience. 

We can see there is some variation in the price tag between these two items, with La Mer at ~$250 for 15ml, and La Prairie costing a bit more, at ~$430 for 20ml. These eye creams both serve the same purpose and produce similar results, being suitable for ageing skin as well as anyone in need of a boost around the eye area. However, customer reviews show La Prairie to be the most effective of the two, providing the best results. 

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2024 update: As we revisit the world of luxury eye creams in 2024, both eye creams continue to be distinguished choices in the high-end skincare market. Both products have maintained their status as elite options for those seeking to address the delicate eye area with premium ingredients and proven results. And, to that end, nothing about their formulations has changed since the original publishing date, so we're still erring on the side of La Prairie.

La Mer vs La Prairie Conclusion

The consensus with regards to the two brands as a whole follows neatly from the inferences we drew from the moisturizer comparison. To reiterate, both brands absolutely excel in delivering top-notch quality and unique skin-nourishing experiences. When it comes to deciding between the two, often the biggest factor is price disparity, of which La Mer frequently comes out on top. Whichever you decide to go for, be confident in the knowledge that *both* are serious cult-favorites, with thousands of rave reviews vouching for them.

So as not to ramble on forever, this article comprised comparisons of the most popular, best-selling products from the two brands. To round off our review, though, here are our recommendations for the alternative skincare products that La Mer and La Prairie offer.

Best La Mer Products

For the body:
Try The Body Creme

For skin renewal:
Try The Renewal Oil

For skin improvement:
Try The Concentrate

Best La Prairie Products

For skin softening:
Try the Softening Lotion

For glowing skin:
Try the Crystalline Concentre

For overnight results:
Try the Sleep Mask

This post was written by guest author, Emilia Jay, and edited by Calum Torrington.

Work in progress

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This article was originally published on January 24th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on January 24th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.