Usually in the Save and Splurge edition, I show you one high end department store product and I tell you of a pharmacy/drugstore brand that might perform similarly.
In the night repair serum range, I found none in the drugstore category but that isn’t to say there aren’t any. I just found none that work as well as these two I will show you. But worry not! There is still a splurge and save element to it 😉 And I have a super potent skin glow boosting recipe to share too 😉
Splurge: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex RM290/50ml
The EL ANR serum (as its affectionately known) is an oldie and a goodie for me. It keeps my skin hydrated and I swear it does do some repair work. But there isn’t anything drastic to see in the skin. I like to call it the “maintenance serum”. One you use when you just want to start getting into anti-aging skincare but where you have no real concerns about sagging skin, deep lines, bad pigmentation etc. At RM290/50ml its a bit of a splurge. You can read my full review on the EL ANR serum here.
Save: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate RM200/30ml
At RM200/30ml I know you’re staring at the screen going “Is she stark raving bonkers? That’s a saving?! Can’t she do the math?!”
Yes I can do the math and yes, ml for ml this is more expensive, fiscally speaking. However, if you look at it from a dollar per use point of view, this is where the save element comes in. You only use a maximum of 2 drops of this elixir each time. For the EL ANR serum you use 1 pump. That is a marked difference.
I’ve owned the Kiehl’s serum far longer than I have the Advanced Night Repair serum and I’ve barely made a dent in the Kiehl’s one. I’m already halfway through ANR. So dollar for dollar, you do get better value with this Kiehl’s serum.
And coming back to how it performs, I personally find that it performs about as well as the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum. It keeps my skin hydrated and gives my skin a glow and is an all round good enough “maintenance serum” if you don’t have serious skin problems.You can read my full review here for a more well formed view.
Which serum should I get?
Here’s another suggestion. Try both. Get some samples and see which you prefer. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery smells much better than Estee Lauder ANR if you like the smell of lavender. Performance-wise I’d say they are both decent enough.
If you have both, here’s a super potent recipe I use when I feel my skin needs that extra boost in the morning:-
- mix 1 pump of Estee Lauder ANR serum with 1-2 drops of Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery concentrate
- Rub palms to mix and apply on skin.
- Go to sleep and wake up with super glowy skin
I swear I wake up the next morning with super glowy skin, like I’d gotten a vitamin injection or something… without the pain or side effects 🙂 I’ve done this a few times already but not on a regular basis. Just for a bit of oomph! and I do like the effects.
So yeah, that’s my save and splurge choices for night serums or anti-aging serums. Please feel free to share what you think or if you know of a drugstore serum that works as well.
Paris B
Save and Splurge is where I show you similar items by different brands that I have tried. They may not work quite the same way, but it’ll offer you options for your wallet for a similar effect/product. Do note however, that it is based on products I have tried, so whilst there are many save and splurge options out there, these are my views. You can find more under the category of Challenges.
You freaking genius! Mix those 2 together! Imma doing that tonight! I use both and actually thought Kiehls’ works a little better. 😀 😀 😀
Oh ahem! I love it when people tell me I’m a genius – I don’t hear it often enough in real life HAHA! 😉 Do try it together and let me know what you think! I certainly prefer the scent of the Kiehl’s one. Lulls me to sleep 🙂
Actually on that, I use quite a fair bit on my skin. Super dry skin. Not been sleeping well, too much cocktails (experimenting with my new cocktail shaker) 😛 ALSO! I just realised the Kiehls serum is awesome on my sunburnt peeling nose and chin. (OK, kill me for getting sunburnt, I was using sunscreen, should’ve replenished)
Wow! This Kiehl’s midnight serum is like a magic potion! Glad to know it helps your sunburnt skin…. even if it should not have gotten burnt in the first place 😛
Tried on your potent concoction and woke up with the smoothest, softest and glowy skin. Went a little overboard and did it for daytime too but it’s a little too rich. Or maybe cos today’s a scorcher. My primer/base is starting to slide and I need to touch up. Otherwise, this concoction is awesome! Might be a little too much for summer but I can see it doing wonders in winter. Love it! 😀
OH YAY!! Glad you love the potion too. I don’t do it everyday though, just 2-3 times a week for a “perk me up” Its wonderful 😀
Paris, my colleague who’s reading this is sooo going to kill you!! Haha!! She’s currently using the ANR and is considering purchasing the Kiehl’s one. Now i bet she wants both!! Hahaha!! 😀
Super brightened skin… sounds right up my alley!! I wants them now!! 😀
Err… oops! Maybe I’ll put off that trip to Penang just in case there’s a reward out for my head? 😛 Tell her to try the Kiehl’s samples now that you have a store, and see how she likes it. I personally think they both work very well, but together its like magic! 😀
oooh!
i have my own formula too! LOL. found out if i got a super late night out, i just apply Olay total effects + sleeping mask and wakeup to good skin (albeit looking a bit off since not enough sleep), not sure if it repairs, but for emergency cases, i think it works!
Oh nice! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I guess I’m just not one for the sleeping masks, ever since I found the Laneige one did nothing for my skin 😛
me and my sister find that the sleeping mask works, either the product is good or our skin is like sahara desert 😛
and yesh pb, ur a GENIUS! tee hee
I think its just how your skin takes to a product. Mine just found sleeping masks a bit of a conundrum. A regular gel moisturizer works just as well for me 😀
What a brilliant idea!! ^.^
Haha… yes and Legeeque thinks I’m a genius too! 😉
Brilliant idea! Kiehl’s doesn’t work for me though (gives me a nasty rash and makes me sneeze) but I’ll try mixing up my serums for a quick night fix one of these days.
Eeks! Sorry to hear Kiehl’s didn’t work for you 🙁 But do mix up what you have and see how potent it can be… provided it doesn’t cause skin eruptions! 😉
I bought the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Serum since they didn’t have any samples and the RM10 rebate for every RM100 spent was on and I love it! 😀 Worked extremely well to heal my acne scarring and provide hydration. 🙂 I use about 3-4 drops though, cos I use it alone without moisturisers (and I probably have a large face!). Nevertheless, for the results, I’d still buy it even if it runs out fast!
Oh yeah buying it during their promotion period is the smartest thing to do! 😉 I gotta agree with you. If you use it just by itself then you might need more drops but if you use it, like me as a serum and then with a moisturizer over, 2 drops is enough 😀 And even using 3-4 drops, its not going to run out in a hurry!
Mixing both of the products in one is awesome!! I never though of that because I was afraid that both diff products might not work together and cause acne on my face. As much as I love ANR serum, now I want the Kiehl’s.
Err…. I’m not a mad scientist for nothing 😉 But you know, it works brilliantly for me but it might not for you so proceed with caution!
Wow~ Doubles been a trend now. Double cleansing, double serums…..double MBA 😛 LOL
Time for me to use the samples of these two serums now. Thanks so much Paris for such an invaluable brilliant idea 😀
xoxo
HAHA!! Double Trouble… 😉 Give it a go and see what you think of it. But if you end up buying both full size bottles…. its not my fault! 😛
I feel “scared” to put on serum to my face. Not literally scared but it reminds me that I am aging sooner than I want too! haha.. but like you said, it is good to maintain a healthy glowy skin, then why not right? I am hitting the big ‘three-o” this year and it is time to start with the serum, no? :p I need an advice please~
Well no better time to start than the present. I’m not scared to grow older but I don’t have to look it! Haha!
True! I don’t want to look it! :p I think I am going to try both sample and decide! 😉
Lucky me the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery worked for me! in 2 weeks time, i can see my skin brightening up 🙂
Yup! Its really nice 😀 And the smell…. mmmm
awwww too bad i’m reading your blog after washing my face!! lol i should consider reading your blog before anything else i do after i get home lol
that’s awesome though!! how come i’ve never thought of it!! lol will try… tomorrow 🙂
You have both serums too? Although if you have the Kiehl’s one, you can try mixing it with just your regular moisturiser too. I’m doing it now and its absolutely wonderful! 😀
I’ve only been using max. 4 drops of the EL ANR, not the whole pump. Mine takes a very long time to finish so I think I’ll stick with ANR for now 🙂
Oohhh that’s economical. Maybe I should try that instead of just squirting out the whole pump on my hands 😀 But I do use it on my neck too so its not wasted! 😀
Ooooo…a 2-in-1 thing! I personally have not tried the Kiehl’s one and feel very malu to walk into their store and ask for stuff….:P
Aiyah… they are there to give freebies! heh heh… But they are supposed to. So just look interested, poke around and then ask for a sample 😉
Now you have me wanting to buy that Kiehls. Habis.
err… ok sorry… oops! 😛 If you are already using ANR its pretty good – i like it anyway. Just that if you run out, you can then try Kiehl’s … which never seems to finish
Ahhh… now I want ANR just for glowy skin… but yes, it’s a splurge!
Most certainly is a splurge. See if your skin likes it first and try to get a sample to try 🙂
Yeee… i finished my ANR already… and just got Kiehl’s.
Pretty happy with Kiehl’s 🙂
Good to know they both work for you! 😀 Too bad you didn’t have some leftover ANR to try the super potent recipe 😉
You and Legeeque got me very intrigued. Was actually going to give the bottle of ANR to my mum, but after seeing this, I, err, took it out of the bag 😛 Will get a sample of the Kiehl’s and try out the recipe.
ROFLOL! Looks like Mom has to get her own ANR huh? 😉 I hope my mad scientist recipe works for you!
ANR is a wonderful product! Now you’ve got me intrigued with the Kiehl’s one.
hey may i know that if you apply a moisturizer after applying these serums? They are made from oil and i wonder that if the moisturizer (if apply after) would penetrate through the oil to give its benefits to the skin
Yes I do. The Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is an oil but the Estee Lauder one isn’t. I don’t find either of these serums hydrating enough on their own although they do absorb well into my skin. I don’t think the oils block the skin or penetration of moisturisers. I use moisturizers mostly for hydration and I believe it works better together with the serums.
Hi, I’m interested in both serum. Which serum works better for acne prone skin? I wish to cure my acne scars