Aldi wasn't exactly the kind of place I had in mind for finding my next skincare holy grail product. I mean, everyone loves a special buy, but I wasn't seriously expecting much from their skincare range. However, my interest was piqued by rave reviews, impressively luxe packaging and a lot of Lacura Caviar : La Prairie and Lacura Cuvee: La Mer comparisons being touted about. Aldi also recently were awarded cruelty free status for their cosmetics and cleaning products. This winning combination resulted in the haul you see before you.
Now. A disclaimer. I am not rich enough/on the spectacular PR lists for mega-glorious products like those produced by La Mer and La Prairie. On the other hand, I've spent a small fortune on skincare in my life, and have quite hard-to-please combination/oily, sensitive, acne prone skin. I'm also a huge fan of things that just work, regardless of price point. Make of that what you will.
The Lacura Caviar Cell Renewal 3 Minute Mask is supposedly Aldi's answer to La Prairie's Cellular 3 Minute Peel, which costs a magnificent £168. The packaging is (I'd imagine deliberately) very similar, with a brush and a hefty glass jar. The formula relies on papaya enzymes, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, as well as caviar extract (don't think about it too much, fish eggs, ick) to provide chemical exfoliation. This thing packs a punch. As a PTR Pumpkin Enzyme Mask devotee, I'm pretty used to seriously powerful masks these here days, and the Lacura Caviar mask has shot right up there to the weekly-use box. The smell is inoffensive and cosmeticky, and the texture is a thin cream. This won't set to a peel-off mask, just rinse it off after 3 minutes, but it is properly good. My skin is smooth, refined and exfoliated without being stripped of all moisture. I was genuinely amazed at how good this mask is.
I'm using the Cream Mousse as a night cream, and it is just lovely. Moisturising without smothering, really soothing and a joy to use, it is just as good, if not better, than my usual moisturisers.
Aldi, you've nailed it.