Friends, today we are venturing into the land of luxury skincare. Generally I am quite content with my budget-friendly routine, but I think there will always be that part of me that's a teensy bit curious as to whether or not ultra-luxe purchases are ever worth it. Fortunately for my wallet, I occasionally get sent press samples (or PR) to review from different brands, which gives me the opportunity to try more products than I would if I was just buying things on my own (cause, you know, your girl has a budget).
Which brings us to the topic of today's post. Thanks to the lovely people over at Influenster and Erno Laszlo, I've been able to try out and review this $100 White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel for you. Yes, I did just say $100, and no I am not joking. Erno Laszlo has been known for nearly a century as a leading expert in skincare among celebrities, having graced the complexions of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie O. Their cult classic products come with a hefty price tag, but also some impressive claims. Could this peel possibly be worth a three digit splurge? Or are you just paying a whole lot for a name? Let's take a closer look and perhaps then you can decide.
The Erno Laszlo White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel is a two-step exfoliating treatment aimed at reducing skin discoloration and dark spots, while also smoothing and brightening your complexion. It harnesses the power of Vitamin C, whose antioxidant powers not only boost your immune system, but also repair and protect your skin. It also contains lactic acid (a chemical exfoliant), and soothing carrot seed oil to nourish and hydrate. You start by applying an exfoliating balm to slough away dead skin, and then add in a few drops of serum to activate the brightening ingredients. The pair is free of Phthalates, Parabens, Petrolatum, Sulfates and Mineral Oil, however it does contain artificial fragrance. Here's a detailed list of exactly what is in each step:
Step 1, Peel: PEG-8, Sodium Bicarbonate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Silica, Polylactic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Beta Carotene (CI 40800), Parfum (Fragrance)
Step 2, Activator: Water (Aqua/Eau), Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polyquaternium-10, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Limonene
As much as it pains me to admit that I'm loving a $100 product, I can't deny the fact that this peel is actually kind of amazing. Unlike many other weekly treatments I've tried, it brings visible results without any kind of pain or irritation. I love my AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and what they do for my complexion, but there is no denying that a glycolic peel can also burn and itch while it does its magic. This, on the other hand, caused minimal to no discomfort.
The first step feels like you're putting something that's a cross between a cleansing balm, an exfoliator, and orange juice concentrate on your face. It's got enough grit to it that you know you're getting some solid exfoliation, but is also so thick and hydrating that your skin feels like its being immediately protected from irritation. It also smells lovely and citrusy, and is just generally an all around pleasant thing to put on your face.
After gently massaging the first step into your skin for about 3 minutes (which is a long time, mind you, when you're exfoliating), you add in a few drops of the activator. This is a lightweight serum that comes in a dropper bottle, and immediately creates a warming sensation on your skin. You massage for one additional minute, and then rinse the peel away.
And this is where the magic happens. Every time I rinse off this peel my skin feels INSANELY smooth. Like, smooth as a baby smooth. And where some other treatments have the tradeoff of being smoothing but also drying, this is so deeply hydrating that my skin looks and feels plumped. Sometimes my skin will look a little flushed immediately after removing the peel, but having just scrubbed at it for a straight 4 minutes it makes sense to have increased circulation and therefore a little redness. This usually dissipates fairly quickly though, with my skin is looking back to normal in 10 to 15 minutes.
As for the long term effects, I do think I've noticed a difference in the overall texture of my skin. I've been using this weekly for over a month and I definitely have much less roughness, clogged pores, and tiny bumps on my face. I also had some acne scaring that looks much less noticeable than it did before. I will say this much, though. I've also generally been much more diligent about my skincare overall, so I won't say that this product alone is a miracle worker, but I do feel that it has been an effective part of my overall routine.
The final verdict? There is no denying that this peel delivers on what it says its designed to do. In the short term it will smooth and plump your skin, making it perfect as a night-before treatment for any kind of big event or a day where you want your makeup to go on extra flawlessly. In the long term it definitely fades the appearance of skin discoloration and improves your skin's overall texture. That being said, $100 is A LOT to invest in a single skincare product, especially if you aren't used to purchasing luxury skincare. So is it worth it? As always, that kind of depends.
I think if you're someone that already goes for regular facials, invests a solid chunk of change in their skincare, and would use this product diligently every week, then yes, I can say it's definitely worth it. Since this is a special treatment type of product you aren't going to go through it as quickly as a moisturizer or cleanser, which means that your overall cost for the entire year will probably not be astronomical.
However, if you are trying to be mindful of your budget, or aren't someone that will commit to using a mask or peel every week consistently, there's absolutely no reason you need to $100 on this product. If you're curious about the peel concept but don't want to spend an arm and a leg, I would highly recommend you check out the Pixi Peel & Polish, which retails for only $24. I will forewarn you that it's an intense product, and you should definitely build up your skin's tolerance before you try leaving it on for a full three minutes. But if you want similar results on a budget, I think it'll be your best bet.
As for me, I feel incredibly fortunate that I had the opportunity to try this product out and will surely continue to use it over the coming months. But when the time comes to repurchase, will I pull the trigger? If I'm being 100% honest with myself, odds are I will have so many other similar products on deck to test out that it wouldn't make sense for me to spend $100 repurchasing this one. I think that if I wasn't a beauty blogger, I would hold out until something like the Sephora VIB sale where I could utilize a percent-off coupon and at least try to save myself a few bucks.
If you're considering purchasing this product or have tried it yourself, I would love to hear your thoughts! Share your experience with us in the comments section down below and let us know whether or not you thought it was worth the $100 price tag.
Would you ever spend over $100 on a skincare product?
*This product was sent to me complimentary for review and testing purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information regarding my affiliations and disclosures, click here.
