I used to be all about La Prairie’s Skin Caviar (even though I was probably too young to fully appreciate it), but when it comes to age-defying, hydrating beauty products, nothing tops their new Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal collection. This could not have come at a better time for me. I’m reaching a critical age when things can really start to fall apart. Something’s gotta give, and I don’t want it to be my skin!
Remember that magic, glowing flower in the movie Tangled that keeps Mother Gothel young? That’s basically how this feels, only it’s even better because there’s no fantasy involved. The key innovative ingredient is the Swiss Ice Crystal Complex made from algae and extracts of plants found in the Swiss Alps. These organisms are not only resilient but seem to flourish in extremely cold, harsh climates. Their power is nothing short of a fairy tale dream. The complex reverses the merciless effects the environment has on our skin and promotes the cellular regeneration that diminishes with age! The double whammy benefit sounds all good on paper, but the result speaks for itself; after only a month of use, I see and feel a vibrancy and bounce to my skin that I had forgotten was ever there.
Though I’m a firm believer in using facial oils, this is truly like no other. I love the way it absorbs; it takes to my skin like it’s meant to be a part of it, and the effects are long-lasting, even in the winter when skin gets easily dehydrated. I wake up in the morning, and it’s dewy and supple. This unique dry oil has a texture closer to a gel, then when applied it’s fluid and acts like oil. It really is the best of both worlds, especially for those who don’t like the slick aftereffects of applying oil. While there’s also a heavier Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Cream ($300), I prefer the light-as-a-feather Emulsion instead. I’m using these two products in tandem, which is not only a great way to make the oil go further, but the Emulsion has a water retention property that when used with the oil has the most hydrating results. They complement each other perfectly. For day, I skip the oil, replacing it with sunscreen. If you’re not preventing future damage, anti-aging is a waste of time! La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Oil
($300) and Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Emulsion
($300) available at Nordstrom.
