Creme de la Mer's Soleil de la Mer - summer suncare range
Creme de la Mer have grown their brand since the launch of the original moisturiser 13 years ago. They’ve added body products, new facial products, some makeup and now suncare.
Their Soleil de la Mer collection (which translates as ‘sun of the sea’ so, well, kind of doesn’t really work, but we’ll let them off) launched this month, comprising three products – The Reparative Face Sun Lotion SPF30 (£85), The Reparative Body Sun Lotion SPF30 (£65) and The Face and Body Gradual Tan (£65).
These products all contains something called the Golden Algae Ferment – this is formulated with Laminaria Ochroleuca, which is also known as ‘Golden Algae’, marine peptides and a blend of sea botanicals. It’s all a bit vague, but Golden Algae, found off the Brittany coast in France has restorative powers, helps reduce appearance of irritation, prevent moisture loss and balance pH – it’s apparently an excellent anti-ageing product. So, in short, these products work with your skin, as you tan, to stop it ageing.
The collection also contains something called The Restorative Waters, a blend of leafy brown algae, Lime Tea Extract, and something Creme de la Mer call Deconstructed Waters. I can’t begin to explain this – here’s what the press info says
“To provide targeted delivery of the formula while also enhancing its activity, the Deconstructed Waters carry positively and negatively charged waters to the skin. Attracted to skin cells of the opposite charge, these water clusters drive the potent ingredients directly into the skin’s surface to help intensely improve the look of the skin”.
Who knows what this really means?!
Lets talk about the latter product here, The Face and Body Gradual Tan. Now, I am not a fake tan fan. Been there, done that, got the orange glow. Gradual tanners , on the other hand, are great – pop a little on after a shower for a week before your holiday and the colour will build up.
Now, I don’t know if it was me, too much tan, or it just has too much fake tan in it, but this is the most instant gradual tanner I have ever used. Can you see the streaks around my ankles in the picture below?
This was after one application. There was a pretty strong smell of fake tan which should have alerted me. So, be warned, this is really not that gradual a gradual tanner. It gave me a good bit of colour, and it didn’t streak on my arms, but my legs were a right off – a week before I was due to bare them in the sun!
The Creme de la Mer Soleil de la Mer Collection is available now from Creme counters and at cremedelamer.co.uk
