I’ve been having lots of people query me on this ever since I told you I bought the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum a few months ago. It was basically “Is it good? Why haven’t you written about it? What do you think? Should I get it?”
Yes, I’ve been tardy. Sue me.
The Estee Lauder ANR serum as it is affectionately known, is one I’ve used from the days of yore when it came in a thick silicone formula and in a glass bottle with a pump. The iconic square brown bottle hasn’t changed, but it is now plastic (like the Hydrationist serum, I prefer the old glass bottle) and the pump is now a dropper system because the serum is now liquid.
Lots of changes since I left off using this iconic serum.
The big question you’re asking of course, is what I think of it. And my short answer is that I like it. I used to like it way back in the mists of time, and I like it still, right now in the present.
I leave off using it from time to time, but I always come back to it. My friend with whom I shared this purchase has threatened to take away my bottle, if I don’t use it because theirs is used up 😛 But let it go? Never. They can go and get their own – nyah nyah! 😛
What’s so great about this serum then? To be honest, I cannot put my finger on it.
What I find this serum does is make my skin look better and more rested. My skin feels more moisturized and more refined and it just looks better overall, even throughout the following day. Like I said, I can’t quite put my finger on it.
I had stopped using it for a little while, when I went off to try other things, but when I started realizing that my skin was looking dull and dry, in particular after prolonged exposure to air-conditioning and winter climes, I stopped using everything else that was new, and went back to this magic potion. 2 nights later, my skin looked better again.
When I have a late night (as I did recently at a beer party OMG!) with alcohol coursing through my bloodstream, I reach for this magic serum and the next day, wake up with hydrated, glowy skin. I think my skin just loves this serum.
The serum is of a slightly viscous texture which absorbs very quickly into the skin. I use 1 pump and its just nice for my face. I then follow up with other moisturizers.
As I told those who wrote in to me asking about this serum, I would recommend the ANR serum if you don’t have major concerns to address e.g. hydrating, whitening, lines, wrinkles, sagging skin etc. If you are looking for a basic all round night serum for “maintenance” you can give this one a try.
Like I said above, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it works.
Pros: Lightweight texture, Absorbs quickly into the skin, Helps my skin remain moisturised and more refined, My skin looks better
Cons: Initial cost is pricey but it can last a while, Some may not like the scent
This is a product I’ve used a long time ago, and am revisiting now. Its got a new formula, which I think I prefer because it is very lightweight now. The old one tended to feel like a primer. This one just sinks right into the skin.
I do test run quite a few serums in rotation, but ever since I bought this one, I do come back to it for a “break” for my skin, once or twice every week if I’m not doing an intensive serum test. It balances my skin and restores calm and hydration.
I’m aware its one of those products that are either love or hate. I love it, you might hate it. I’d love to hear your thoughts either way 🙂
Paris B
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex serum retails at RM290/50ml and comes in a smaller 30ml size of which I don’t know the price.
Thats good to hear Paris!! 😀 My colleague is using this too, and her skin is glowy and plump!! Envious!!
Have you ever tried using this together with the Hada Labo lotion? Will using both together at the same time be too much for the skin?
I was using it with the last vestiges of my Hada Labo lotion and it was nice but nothing too much for me nor too special. I’m presently using it with Juju Aquamoist and its pretty ok too. I consider Juju Aquamoist and Hada Labo lotion quite similar actually. You know what I really liked? This serum and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate!
Hmmm…. Perhaps its time to try out other types of skincare? The only out of Clinique things I dare to try are cleansing oils… Hmmm…
Well if it ain’t broke… 😉
I used this constantly and pair this with a super hydrating moisturiser, my skin is plumped despite the late nights/lack of sleep/cocktail parties 😛
Yay for another fan! It really does help me balance up my skin so I’m prepared to keep it as a fall back staple 🙂
well sadly i got the samples, and after applying it to my face my skin looks great, but somehow not in the morning. erk!! why does everyone’s HG products never work on me! Hada Labo, Kiehl’s Midnight recovery, now this!! argh!
That’s why we’re all different m’dear! 😀 It sounds like it might be a hyaluronic acid thing since all the 3 items you listed are hyaluronic acid intense.
omgosh u r right!!!
then it stucks because everything that works for ppl doesnt work for me! and that INCLUDES THOSE that DON”T work for ppl!
except dimethicone. somehow my skin likes dimethicone.
other than that, my skin can’t take :
alcohol
hyaluronic acid
grapeseed anything
vitamin C
silicone
tea tree
what then!!!!aaaaa
Gosh! How about organic/natural products that don’t have grapeseed, vitamin c and tea tree? But at least you know which products to avoid now you know what does not work 😉
It is a goldie! I LOVE this so so very much..used to ‘steal’ it from my mum (drove her mad with missing bottle each time she wants to use it) Was a proud moment for me when I bought one bottle with my own paycheque…woohooo!
Hooray!! 😀 I know the exact same feeling when I bought my own too. It was a big chunk out of my tiny little pay check but it was so good… even got suckered into GWP and all haha!
Hmmm~~ Sounds great~~ More over, I found a bottle of this from my mom’s collection. I’m wondering can i use it for my skin?? Cz my mom said EL is mostly for aged ladies while im jz early twenties~~ Can I????
I grew up thinking Estee Lauder is for older skin. Now I think otherwise. So long as the products suit your skin, anyone can use it. You could wait a few more years before using anti-aging products, unless you think your skin presently needs it. Try reading this to see my take on this matter.
Thanks for the recommendation on your suggested reading. However, what makes you to think ‘otherwise’ (referring to EL is for older skin)? Does it related to EL ANR in particular, Paris B?
I think ANR is a good product. I was using it in my mid-20s too. My suggestion is to try to get a sample from the counter and try it. If your skin needs hydrating and is line free you can try Hydrationist. There is no age when you can use a brand or product so long as it works for you abd does not break you out.
I got you.. Thanks a lot =)
Hi Ashleigh, it’s never too late to get into the goodie stuff. I started using ANR sporadically since I was in secondary school. I found it to be highly effective in combating pimples 🙂
However, I don’t have problems with acne. Just dehydrated skin =(
i bought my mom this thing too. but it seems that she didn’t experience anything extra….
Aiya… but maybe she already has good skin so she may not need all that extra boost 😉
I bought this for myself as an early Xmas gift this year.. The SA was really generous in throwing up free samples – I got two eye creams (one from ANR), a miniature perfume and one moisturizer.
I must say, I love the effect when I woke up. Like last night, I noticed I have redness around nose and eyebrow area. I patted the serum and went to sleep and woke up with better skin. And those redness are gone !!
Gosh your SA was very generous indeed! Glad to hear you’re liking this one 😀
This is my all-time favorite too! Love it and love its eye treatment counterpart too! Can’t live without it…
Yaayy!! I love the eye serum too. I think its the only eye cream I like and which I’d repurchase over and over 🙂
i have this sample size and OMG!! i love this too max…and the anr night cream too.
but i have stop using this for a while.
Is there an ANR night cream? Gosh I didn’t know that. Must be good stuff since the serum is pretty impressive 😀
I tried this too and it’s a nice product but I can’t say it did much for my skin.. 🙁
Aww… maybe its because your skin doesn’t need it? 😉
i <3 this product! this is my HG serum – will never ever be without it!
I’m fast feeling that way too 😀 I now keep it as my “back up” together with Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I can’t choose between them 😛
Just bought 50ml bottle of ANR last week,…… n its awesome : ))
FYI, smaller one rm210 =)
Hi Paris,
Nice to meet you 🙂
Do you think ANR can be used in day time also? Thanks
Hi Jessie, I think it is recommended for night use for a reason, but I know of some people who use it in the day and didn’t blow up so I guess it’s safe. Just make sure you wear sunscreen because I think it contains an ingredient that might be photo sensitive.
Hello, I just wanna ask your opinion. so which one u prefer? is that Estee lauder ANR or kiehls one? I’m going to buy new serum and i dunno which one I should buy. My skin conditions right now there are acne scar, and dark spot too. So, can u help me to choose which one better for me. is that Kiehl’s or ANR? thanks lot
Hi Lidia, which Kiehl’s one do you mean? There are 2 Kiehl’s serums I like – Midnight Recovery Concentrate (link) and the Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate (link). They all perform different functions and if you mean Midnight Recovery, I use MRC together with ANR sometimes. These are all “anti-aging” serums so if your concerns are dark spots, you may have to look at a product that addresses that.