Here’s Why Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentré Is the French Face Cream That Beauty Insiders Whisper About

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Some beauty products earn their icon status with celebrity endorsements and multi-million dollar campaigns, others quietly become cult favorites by word of mouth. In a sea of paid beauty sponsorships and product placements that feel a little too obvious, learning about a beauty product through whispered-about rave reviews is, well, refreshing. That’s how many makeup artists, beauty editors, and industry insiders come to fall in love with Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré.

Embryolisse’s face cream has been a French pharmacy mainstay for well over 70 years: In 1950, a Parisian dermatologist created the simple, nutrient-rich cream as a solution to patients’ myriad skin concerns. In short order, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré elbowed its way into makeup artists’ kits and into American travelers’ suitcases on outbound flights from Charles De Gaulle. (In 2019, Embryolisse officially began selling the face cream in the U.S.)

Simplicity is the main draw to Embryolisse’s moisturizing cream. In a crowded skin care market, Embryolisse’s face cream stands out for its ultra-short ingredient list and its versatile uses, earning it a coveted spot on WWD’s list of the Greatest Skin Care Products of All Time. This dry skin moisturizer isn’t a multitasker in a “Jack of all trades, master of none” way. While it’s touted on TikTok as a top-tier makeup primer, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is also an equally exceptional body cream, leave-in conditioner, and much more.

This beauty writer was introduced to the Embryolisse cream in 2022 and has been wearing it religiously ever since. Read on for our honest, unbiased review, and don’t hesitate to shop the cream for 25 percent off during Amazon Prime Day’s beauty deals.

How We Tested Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

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Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Review — Editor Testing Notes

Like many, I first learned of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré by a word-of-mouth recommendation. Mine came from a makeup artist whose name I’ll keep anonymous as she was dolling me up on behalf of a makeup brand, not Embryolisse.

Most of the time, I’ll sit in the chair and pester the artist with questions about the brand they’re working with, but as soon as she patted a mysterious milky moisturizer on my skin, our conversation shifted to all things Embryolisse. Amazed by how supple my skin felt — and the under $30 price tag for a whopping 2.5 oz of product — I ordered the cream on Amazon while I was still in her chair.

I test beauty products for a living, so I’d be lying if I said that I’ve used Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré every day since it arrived at my doorstep. I haven’t. However, it’s one of the few beauty products that always gets real estate in my crowded medicine cabinet.

What’s most impressive about Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is the hydration it delivers despite its lightweight feel. It’s this combination that makes it an excellent base for makeup on any skin type: Oily types won’t have to worry about excess grease and dry types won’t need to layer on hydrating serums underneath the cream for smooth makeup application. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is one of few moisturizers that actually sinks into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. It evens out the texture of my skin, making it more supple and soft to create a pretty flawless canvas for cream foundations, liquid blushes, and even powder makeup products I apply on top.

I find that I need less than a pea-size amount to quench my dry skin, and I’ve made a habit of massaging any excess formula onto my hands, cuticles, and the ends of hair. For this reason, it’s always in my travel makeup bag.

One tube of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré recently served as a day and night cream, body lotion, hand cream, leave-in conditioner, and makeup primer on a recent week-long vacation. In a pinch, I even used it as a makeup remover, massaging it onto dry skin to lift mascara and long-wear foundation. My only critique of Embryolisse’s moisturizer is that sometimes you’ll accidentally squeeze out more product than you need, but with so many uses, it’s impossible for a drop to go to waste.

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Meet the Author

Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan has been using Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré for over two years, and she used her firsthand experience with the product to write this honest review.