INCIMineral Oil (2) — commodity base; cents per ounce
INCIPetrolatum (3) — commodity base; sold as plain petroleum jelly
INCIGlycerin (4) — commodity humectant
MATHNo water is declared, so the top-listed Algae Extract most likely doubles as the aqueous/glycerin carrier phase while mineral oil and petrolatum form the bulk occlusive matrix. INCI order puts the ferment first, but first-position does not equal high functional dose, and La Mer discloses no percentage, so actual Miracle Broth concentration is uncomputable from the label. Tromethamine buffers the system toward a skin-friendly ~pH 6-7; the salts (Mg/K/Ca chlorides, magnesium sulfate) sit at trace electrolyte levels. Exact percentages cannot be derived without the manufacturer's breakdown.
CITEbrand official product page (brand-run/self-reported) · brand marketing copy (self-reported)
CONSDermatology's take is consistent: good moisturizing needs occlusives, humectants, and emollients — Creme de la Mer has all three, but so do creams costing a fraction. No peer-reviewed, adequately powered, double-blind trial shows Miracle Broth or the 12-month kelp ferment beating a petrolatum base. The AAD steers dry or reactive skin toward fragrance-free formulas; this one carries eucalyptus and lime oils plus lanolin alcohol, so it is a poorer pick for sensitive users. The price premium has no support in the literature.
▰ THE MARKETINGRANK #14 BACKLOG CANDIDATE; PREDICTED_VERDICT=OVERPRICEDPEEL ⌟
OVERPRICED
At $200 an ounce, Creme de la Mer is a rich occlusive cream, and it does soften dry skin — but the work is done by mineral oil, petrolatum, and glycerin, the same cheap trio in drugstore staples. Miracle Broth is great storytelling; no independent trial shows the sea-kelp ferment outperforms them. Eucalyptus and lime oils add scent plus irritation risk, and lanolin alcohol can bother reactive skin. You are paying for the jar and the myth. CeraVe's fragrance-free cream delivers the same job for roughly a dollar an ounce.
DISCLOSURE · Heads up: reelpeel may earn a small commission if you buy through our links — it never changes our verdict. Our calls are formula-first, receipts-driven, and brands do not pay for placement. This is skincare information, not medical advice. This high-risk verdict is held for human review before publish.