Lancôme Absolue Soft Cream vs Rich Cream

Listing facts side by side

The table uses only listing information. Absolue jars are refillable: you buy the jar once, then buy refill pods that drop into it. Prices are listing prices at the time of writing.

Ingredients each listing names

Both creams carry the Absolue rose story and Absolue PDRN extract. The Soft Cream listing also names Pro-Xylane, an ingredient that appears across many Absolue products. The Rich Cream listing names Grand Rose Extracts and squalane, an emollient that adds to its richer feel.

Lancôme reformulates Absolue from time to time, and names such as Grand Rose Extracts and Perpetual Rose extract reflect different generations of the line. Check the ingredient list on the box or the brand's product page for the version you receive. Our guide to reading an ingredient list helps.

How the two textures feel

The Soft Cream is the one to pick if you dislike a heavy layer. The listing describes a lightweight cream that turns into a thin, serum-like lotion as you work it in. That makes it easy to wear under sunscreen and makeup, and it is the Absolue pick in our lightweight luxury moisturizer guide.

The Rich Cream leaves more cushion on the skin. People with dry skin, or anyone in a cold or dry climate, often prefer it, and it appears in our luxury face cream for dry skin guide. Some people own both and use the Soft Cream in the morning and the Rich Cream at night.

• Oily or combination skin: Soft Cream.
• Normal skin, warm climate: Soft Cream.
• Dry skin or winter use: Rich Cream.
• Want a richer night feel without a second line: Rich Cream at night only.

Sizes, refills and price per ml

The 30 ml Soft Cream jar costs $170 on its listing, or $5.67 per ml. The 59 ml Rich Cream jar costs $280, or $4.75 per ml. Once you own a jar, the refills are where the savings show: both 59 ml refills list at $242, which is $4.10 per ml for either texture. So on refills, texture does not change the price.

Our explainer on luxury skincare refills covers how pod systems work and when they save money. To compare your own numbers, use the price per ml calculator.

Note.A refill pod only fits the matching Absolue jar. Check the listing says refill and matches your jar before buying.

How to apply Absolue cream

Use either cream as the last care step before sunscreen in the morning, and as the last step at night. Use a clean spatula to take product so fingers stay out of the jar; see how to use a cream jar spatula. Our Absolue Soft Cream how-to covers the routine in more detail.

1. 1

   Cleanse, then apply toner or essence such as Absolue Rose 80 if you use it.

2. 2

   Apply serum.

3. 3

   Scoop a pea-size amount with a clean spatula.

4. 4

   Warm between fingertips and press onto the face, then smooth outward.

5. 5

   Close the lid tightly and finish with sunscreen in the morning.

Who picks which

Pick the Soft Cream if you want Absolue in a light, fast-absorbing texture, or if your skin gets shiny with richer creams. Start with the 30 ml jar if you want a lower entry price, then move to the 59 ml refill. Pick the Rich Cream if your skin runs dry, or you want a cream that feels more nourishing at night.

If you are also weighing Absolue against other department store lines, see Shiseido Future Solution LX vs Lancôme Absolue and Lancôme Absolue vs Rénergie. The whole line is covered in our Lancôme Absolue products guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Absolue Soft Cream the same formula as the Rich Cream? No. Both share the Absolue rose and PDRN story, but the listings name different supporting ingredients and describe different textures.

Which is cheaper per ml? As full jars, the 59 ml Rich Cream ($4.75 per ml) beats the 30 ml Soft Cream ($5.67 per ml). As refills, both cost $4.10 per ml.

Can I put a Rich Cream refill in a Soft Cream jar? Lancôme sells refills to fit its Absolue jars, but jar sizes differ between 30 ml and 59 ml. Match the refill size to your jar.

Can I use Absolue cream around the eyes? Lancôme sells separate Absolue eye products. See eye cream vs face cream for how they differ.