After a routine lab experiment exploded in his face, NASA aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber spent more than 12 years conducting 6,000 tests to find a potion that would restore his scorched skin. In 1965, Huber surfaced with the original formula of Crème de la Mer’s Miracle Broth (cremedelamer.com). Ever since, the cult cream has indeed been doling out miracles by the dollop—or perhaps more accurately, by the drop: It costs a hefty $110 per ounce (ouch).

When I first heard a friend raving that La Mer worked wonders, I admit, I had my doubts. But as a woman with her fair share of laugh lines, I figured I owed it to myself to splurge and see firsthand if there was any truth behind the hype. After a few days spent applying the intensive moisturizer—warming it between my fingertips and gently dabbing on my skin as directed—I was discouraged because I saw no difference at all. But after a few more weeks, something remarkable happened: My skin looked younger and more toned, and my fine lines were suddenly less noticeable.

How does La Mer work? Well, that’s not exactly clear. The ingredients are surprisingly straightforward—sea kelp; calcium; magnesium; potassium; iron; lecithin; vitamins C, D, E, and B12; and the oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa, and sunflower. But reportedly, the secret to Miracle Broth’s anti-aging powers is in the way those ingredients are biofermented, a painstaking process that takes three to four months to complete. Regardless what goes on in the lab, however, and even though the cream can’t part the Red Sea, it can provide visibly firmer, softer, and smoother skin if you’re willing to spend a pretty penny. And for me, it’s a worthwhile investment; I’ve been saying I’m 21 for years now! —Kai Alexis Smith