Overview
As a brand, La Prairie comes with an ideal pedigree. Any skin care product would kill to boast a heritage that extends back to the prestigious Swiss Clinic La Prairie. Based on the success of the Swiss clinic and health spa, Laboratories La Prairie was born. The intent of the product manufacturer was originally simply to make products for the spa’s guests to take home with them and use when not staying at the spa. However, the brand quickly gained popularity and know La Prairie products are available to all. Of course, La Prairie is still aiming to duplicate the spa experience, even if users have never made it all the way to Switzerland.
This helps explain why La Prairie offers such a diverse range of products. In addition to their skin care items, there are several La Prairie makeup offerings available. La Prairie also makes products targeted at the sun care and fragrance markets. Of course, we will primarily be taking a look at the company’s skin care line. However, both the makeup and anti-aging divisions of La Prairie use the company’s signature “cellular technology” to both prevent and heal the signs of aging.
Product Details
La Prairie’s biggest claim to fame seems to be their signature “Cellular Complex.” This formulation system claims to enhance the cream’s nutrient delivery capabilities. The manufacturers also claim that results will be both instantly noticeable and long-lasting. La Prairie also seems to recommend using a collection of products to achieve ideal results. For example, a moisturizer, a serum, a sun block and concealer makeup. Some users might find this kind of multi-product regimen appealing, while others could feel that it is too complicated and time consuming. The skin care line seems to consist of a cleaner, a refining lotion and the previously mentioned sun-block.
One of La Prairie’s signature items is their pricey Skin Caviar collection. Yes, it uses actual caviar and this is reflected in the product’s high price tag. In addition to the caviar extract, La Prairie Skin Caviar also uses other “sea proteins” to increase skin elasticity and keep skin well hydrated. Additionally, La Prairie’s makeup products seem to lead a double life, and have been formulated to act as an anti-aging therapy in addition to performing as traditional makeup.
The Good
- All La Prairie products are available from the official website.
- La Prairie offers a product-quality guarantee, just so long as the product was purchased from an authorized dealer.
- The official La Prairie website offers a “skin consultation” section to self-evaluate which of the company’s many products might be best for you.
The Bad
- No product ingredient lists offered on official website.
- Despite touting their history, La Prairie does not seem to associated with the founding Swiss clinic any longer.
- No free La Prairie samples from manufacturer.
- All La Prairie products are costly, especially when compared to more modestly priced treatments.
The Bottom Line
We read a lot of big claims associated with La Prairie’s “cellular technology” and “sea proteins” but we didn’t see much in the way of product trial data. At the kind of prices that La Prairie products command, we’d want to know a bit more. What we could see was that these products seem to focus more on covering up the signs of aging than on treatment and healing. Our opinion is that covering up is an ok temporary measure, but a product really does need to heal in order to truly “reverse” the signs of aging.