La Mer • The Refining Facial • Scrubs

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*TOP REVIEWER* beautyaddict96 on 8/8/2012 10:28:00 AM more reviews by beautyaddict96

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

For reference, I have combination, acne prone skin. I ran out of a scrub, so my mom let me use this.
I use this weekly after I come out of the sauna. First I cleanse with my biotherm pure fect cleanser, then I use this.
I apply it to my skin while it is slightly damp. I then massage it into my skin gently in circular motion for about a minute. Then I leave it on for 5 minutes, and then I wash it off and continue with my skin regimen (ie toning and moisturizing).
This. Is. Amazing. It doesn't make my skin any more oily, and it has helped with my breakouts. My pores look smaller. My skin looks so healthy and radiant. I've been wearing less makeup. This is fantastic. You don't need too much, and even though it's expensive, i lasts sooo long. I took a lippie off for the price, but I guess that's the price you have to pay for perfect skin. :) Yes, I'd buy this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mtvsux on 4/26/2012 12:04:00 AM more reviews by mtvsux

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This product was reformulated a couple of years ago to have fewer sparkly bits in it, and whatever is now in there rinses away, whereas before they stayed around no matter how much you rinsed. The other change is that it doesn't leave the skin white like the old one did, some people liked that, not me, so i win on both accounts. : ). I love this scrub, it is not harsh at all but it has plenty of exfoliants, it is also in a clay base which is perfect for my combo skin. Unlike the amazing amazing amazing Awake brand Clay Wash that is an exfoliator also in a clay base, this one can be difficult to use on very wet skin, the less water you have on your skin when you apply it the better. I don't use it nearly every night, maybe 2-3x max, sometimes just once a week, so even though it's expensive it lasts quite a while. 4.5 stars.

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chaosgreeneyed on 1/29/2012 7:33:00 AM more reviews by chaosgreeneyed

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I received a very generous sample after I've bought classic creme. I have very fair normal skin, and usually I don't exfoliate 'cause all the scrubs I tried were too harsh for me and made me feel uncomfortable. This leaves my skin even and baby soft and smells like pure sweet mint. Will buy the full size.

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lovelyday on 10/23/2011 11:23:00 PM more reviews by lovelyday

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

After purchasing a few other items from the La Mer, the sales associate made me a small sample of the Refining Facial. I've been using Chanel's Perfection Luminiere foundation which is less forgiving than my other foundations and unless my skin is perfectly hydrated and smooth it will show every bump. In comes La Mer's Refining Facial to save the day.

I apply a pea size amount to a damp face and massaging the clay based scrub into my skin in circular motions. After 2 minutes I rinse, pat dry and moisturize with La Mer cream. Even days after using the scrub my skin feels AMAZINGLY soft! I use clarisonic daily, but never before refining facial has my skin felt so soft.

I will definitely purchase the scrub once my sample runs out. Hopefully it lines up with a good GWP so I can get some perks for spending the $$.

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Itapinkpony on 10/11/2011 3:08:00 PM more reviews by Itapinkpony

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

My mom is a big fan of the creme so i got this for my super sensitive skin, it is very light so i was wondering if it would work, the first time i used it i saw absolutely no difference, only a white film on my face, but after reading some reviews i decided to give it a try in a different way, now i use it once a week after shower, i massage my face and get dressed while it dries, after that i rinse it and i go to bed, at morning most of the the white film is gong and my skin is baby soft, i ilove this!

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Csarina on 9/7/2011 7:19:00 AM more reviews by Csarina

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Grey    

Well, I finally forked out the 99Euro for this scrub, as I had tried it at the CDLM counter and loved the feel of it on my hand. The SA gave me two good sized samples of the Eye Balm Intense, and the Moisturising Lotion, as well. The scrub is to die for. I have used it three times now and my skin is like a baby's bum. My husband has commented on it. He used it last night and was raving about the softness of his skin this morning. Well, the proof of the pudding.... I would really recommend it, if you have some money to spare. The eye balm sample I got is lovely as well, but it is too expensive, I think, to justify it. The moisturising lotion is so far so good, and used with the scrub, I think one would stay young forever. If only.....

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Giggio on 9/2/2011 5:00:00 AM more reviews by Giggio

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This stuff takes all make up traces before applying the routine skin care. It good but not economic as the price tag its over the top but i will buy it again cause its a good product and doesnt give skin a drying sensation.

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Romanybriannah on 7/22/2011 12:52:00 AM more reviews by Romanybriannah

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have sensitive skin so I mix the refining facial with La Mer cleansing lotion so it's not to harsh on my skin. It works great for me, and I don't mind about the price because it will last me ages. I only use this once a week.

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askreverie on 4/14/2011 12:40:00 AM more reviews by askreverie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Fine   Eyes: Black    

Been using this for more than a yr on my combination, periodically sensitive and stressed skin, and it's pure magic. Even my bf uses this occasionally and he really likes it too. A definite re-purchase!

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*TOP REVIEWER* yovivbabe on 2/3/2011 8:06:00 PM more reviews by yovivbabe

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is the best exfoliating product I've found. I suppose I'd have to call it an HG product, though I hate spending $75 for a scrub. (I'm on my second tube, however, and the first lasted me over ten months with weekly use.) I absolutely love what The Refining Facial does for my skin--it gently but thoroughly exfoliates and leaves my skin super soft and it actually seem to quell breakouts. It's strange because while scrubbing, it doesn't feel abrasive at all, but it's much more effective that even harsh scrubs. I use is at least once a week and vigorously scrub my face and neck, and then leave it on until it dries like a mask. I have had no problems with a white film being left on my skin as some users have reported, but I imagine that if you used a damp washcloth to remove it, you'd have no problem with that. I tried switching to a few other products after my first tube ran out, but nothing compares to this. Will continue to repurchase.

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10laurabelle on 11/7/2010 9:27:00 AM more reviews by 10laurabelle

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Certainly one of the better exfoliators. This product doesnt irritate my skin and is not like rubbing sand on the face thank god. I understand that the thick consistency is like a mask but I dont have a problem with it. Works well with my skin.

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Scrumpee on 11/2/2010 12:50:00 PM more reviews by Scrumpee

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Works well as a scrub but for those with delicate skin, be careful not to over-scrub because the diamond particles, though fine, can be extremely abrasive. Found that my skin looks "fairer" after the scrub not because the product worked wonders (or my pre-scrubbed face was really that dull/ dirty) but because the clay in the scrub actually leaves a pall on the skin. Immediate visible effect of the product is thus exaggerated.

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stopthesmap on 9/28/2010 7:50:00 PM more reviews by stopthesmap

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

I do like this, I really do - but the price of AU$200 is very prohibative.


This is not your typical scrub, but more of a clay mask with very small, sharp diamond/quartz fragments in it. It is quite good at balancing oil production and refining the top layers of skin.


That said, I am looking for more gentle scrubbing products, because I have noticed that in broad daylight, my skin takes on a slightly rough appearance, as though it has been scratched unevenly. If this product was less than half its current price and if it didn't stick to the face so well, I might consider repurchasing.

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lalala29 on 9/21/2010 4:49:00 AM more reviews by lalala29

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I love this product. It makes my skin look amazing. Tones down the red, if I have any. Hides breakouts. Or plays up the good skin days. It's worth paying the money for everytime.

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yogibeara on 7/22/2010 5:12:00 AM more reviews by yogibeara

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

For some reason I always come back to this product over and over again. As the previous reviewer pointed out, it does leave a white film and "sparkles" on you face. This is not a big issue for me since I always use my cleanser afterwards. It is not a scrub per se- there are some particles in it but the amount is very minimal. But the combination of clay and the particles do a great job of exfoliating my skin. Sometimes I miss the "scrubbing" action and will try different scrubs but I find that I always come back to this one since it is less irritating to my skin.

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Conejito on 7/14/2010 6:22:00 PM more reviews by Conejito

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

General: Not a bad 'refiner' - this is by no means a 'scrub' since it has the texture of a clay-mask with the odd smattering of 'scrub-like' particles within it. It is a nice treatment that can be used to give skin a break from harsh exfoliants that if used too regulary can leave skin feeling overly sensitised - this product will never have this effect as it is far too gentle.
Packaging: Nice clean looking, small and compact. The almost rectangular shape of the tube makes it easy to pack away when travelling.
Effectiveness of product: As long as you don't insist on thinking that this product is a scrub then it certainly does 'what it say's on the tin' - it refines well leaving soft and supple feeling skin. I also use it as a mask and I feel that this contributes to the soft effect afterwards. It does leave a residue of white film and light reflecting particles 'oh sorry, diamond dust' on the skin after rinsing it off. This is especially noticeable on my dark skin but since I use this in the evenings, by the time I cleanse again in the morning it is no longer an issue.
VFM: Not bad value for money but if you are looking for a gentle 'scrub' this may disappoint and therefore would warrant the point of view that it is overpriced.
Overall: A nice creamy, light green and mint-scented refining face mask that leaves the skin nice and smooth. I don't feel that this product is anything special but it is nice to use since it produces largely favourable results - so at this point I am undecided as to whether it deserves a re-purchase, I err to the side of yes!

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BrazilianGirl on 5/16/2010 10:11:00 PM more reviews by BrazilianGirl

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

La Mer should stick with products that revolve around it's "miracle broth" and stop filling their line with overpriced products that don't work! This product simply does not do as advertised. Not only does it NOT exfoliate, but it leaves a white clay film on my skin that actually takes some work to get off. There are also fine shiny particles that it leaves behind which also require a good scrub to remove. I was so annoyed, I called La Mer and they replaced it with another tube...which promptly did the very same thing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* BrownEyes01 on 2/13/2010 2:30:00 AM more reviews by BrownEyes01

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I just used the Refining Facial and I do have to say that my skin is incredibly smooth. I do love the smell also, minty, reminds me of being at a spa. I got it as a sample when I ordered the Powder. I think I will need to try a few more samples before I decide to spend for the full size. This was just my first time using it and I'll want to see if my skin gets better with use. If it does, the price is definitely worth it. Oh, and I didn't see any of those diamond pieces stuck to my skin so that's not a problem for me.

EDIT* I ended up buying the full size a couple of days ago. What sold me was the way my skin looked in the morning after using this. Incredibly smooth, and it may be my imagination, but my acne scars looked lighter!

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buddy655 on 1/13/2010 8:26:00 PM more reviews by buddy655

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This was mediocre, slightly below that actually. i was very expensive $75 for a 2.5 ounce tube. Nothing wonderful about the packaging, just a tube with a twist cap. Simplistic. The smell is like mint. The texture is pretty thick... clay like and sort of sticky. I started to apply it on clean damp skin and was ready for a nice exfoliation. However, I did not receive one. It was so gentle, that in fact I think for those with sensitive skin, this may even be too gentle. It did not remove my dead dry skin and I was disappointed. I returned this. Just not worth the $75, and it did not spread well, it became difficult to spread because of the kaolin clay in the formula.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ValentinaRUS on 12/27/2009 1:56:00 PM more reviews by ValentinaRUS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

nice product. the smell is divine but i think it's better to use it as a mask than as an exfoliator. it's like a clay mask with tiny exfoliating particles. a very nice facial experience for me but i will not repurchase it.

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