The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum is iconic. It is also a favourite of mine, partly for sentimental reasons (I know that’s a weird reason to like a product, but it worked for me for many years when I was younger) and because I still find it effective at giving my skin the glowy boost it needs when my skin is tired. It works for me that way.
The Advanced Night Repair serum stood out on its own, in its little brown bottle in the Estee Lauder stable. But it’s now the core of a brand new range, with the introduction of the Ampoules, a Mask in Oil and also, strangely enough, a cleansing balm!
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm comes in a jar with a shiny golden cover, bearing the iconic stripes along the edge, that brings it within the Advanced Night range of products.
There was a lot of rave about this, and I had quite a few people telling me I had to give it a go, because everyone knows I love cleansing balms and this was a good one to add to my repository. I’d had it with me for a while, and I’m going to tell you that it’s good. I will not deny it.
Yet, something bothered me about it. There was a niggling feeling at the back of my mind that I could not quite ignore, and just a few days ago, the penny dropped. Now, I’m ready to tell you what I think! :D
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm is a lightweight balm that cleanses skin, and is easily removed by emulsifying with water. In many ways, this is like a solid cleansing oil, and is perfect for those who are transitioning from using cleansing oil to a cleansing balm.
The product comes in a flat jar, and you can scoop out its contents with any spatula you have on hand, if you’re the sqeamish sort, or use your fingers like I do, if you aren’t. You don’t need very much because once you warm it up between your palms, it softens and turns into a texture approximating a thick oil.
I have found it useful for removing light makeup if you’re feeling lazy. Light makeup for me is a tinted base (e.g. a tinted moisturiser, cushion foundation, BB or CC cream), brows and maybe blush. For days when I have on more makeup or a foundation, I always cleanse first with a micellar water to remove the worst of the makeup, and then move on to this as my cleanse, before finishing off with a cream cleanser. I have tried removing makeup with it. It can work, if you use a face cloth to remove, but I otherwise don’t feel that it’s sufficient.
Like a cleansing oil, remember to use it on dry skin and dry hands. This is because, like a cleansing oil, this one will emulsify on contact with water, and you can then rinse it off as you do a cleansing oil. Remember to keep emulsifying as you go, massaging all over your skin, not merely splash it off. These tips still apply.
What this Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm is then, is your first cleanse. Follow up with a second cleanse for a proper cleanse of your skin, especially in the evening.
What I like about it? It’s effective. It’s easy to use, and it doesn’t irritate my skin. It cleans my skin and does not strip it, so my skin feels comfortable and clean. When I use my acid toner after that, there is no residue on my cotton pad. You do not need very much. I scoop out some with a finger, and massage it over my face to make sure it picks up the grime. I like it very much. There is little to no scent in the balm.
But remember that niggling feeling that I had that wouldn’t let me rest? I worked out what it was.
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm is a DEADRINGER for the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm! I absolutely kid you not.
It is no wonder that I found the texture and formula so familiar every time I used it! Even the packaging is similar, with the Estee Lauder one looking a tad more elegant in its frosted jar and golden cover, while Clinique’s looks a little more utilitarian with it’s signature purple jar and silver cover.
I haven’t replenished my Clinique TTDO Cleansing Balm for a while, so I didn’t have any on hand to compare side by side. But I’m going to stick my neck out and say that they are very very similar. In fact, based on the ingredient lists that you’ll see below, the formula is for the most part, exactly the same, with some additional ingredients in this Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm.
To be honest, I’m not surprised, as Estee Lauder and Clinique are under the same umbrella group anyway, and some sharing of technology is to be expected. Given that the two products are practically the same, and considering the price differential, I’m going to suggest that as nice as this EL cleansing balm is, just get the Clinique one, and save the difference for a lipstick ;)
IN A NUTSHELL
The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm is a lightweight cleansing balm that comes in a solid texture, but softens into a thick balmy oil texture with the heat of your palms. Use dry hands and dry face to work with this, by warming up the product and massaging it all over your skin. You can emulsify to wash off, or use a face cloth, as I do. It leaves skin clean, comfortable and does not strip the oils so it doesn’t feel dry and tight. I’d use this as your first cleanse and follow up with a second cleanse after this. While it can remove light makeup, I feel that heavier makeup needs a makeup remover before hand, especially for waterproof makeup. It is good, but there is a more affordable option, within the same EL Group!
PROS: Not scented, Lightweight balm texture makes it easy to massage into skin, Emulsifies with water for easier cleansing, Can remove light makeup, Does not strip skin and leave it feeling dry and uncomfortable, Easy to travel with
CONS: Pricey
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes using cleansing balms that emulsify, Anyone familiar or new to using cleansing balms
PRICE: RM175 | US$45 for 70ml
WHERE TO BUY: Estee Lauder counters and boutiques, Sephora stores and online, Ulta, Nordstrom
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm vs Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
I don’t have the exact products, but I remember what the Clinique one is like, and it’s super similar!
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm ingredients:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate; Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil; Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride; Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate; Polyethylene; Peg-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate; Water\Aqua\Eau; Silybum Marianum (Lady’s Thistle) Extract; Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract; Algae Extract; Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile); Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender); Methyldihydrojasmonate; Tocopherol; Bht; Linalool; Phenoxyethanol <41968>
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ingredients:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polyethylene, PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water / Aqua / Eau, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol
This is from my earlier review of the Clinique TTDO Cleansing Balm.
I’ve highlighted in bold the common ingredients in both cleansing balms. In the Estee Lauder one, there are some additional ingredients which may or may not deliver benefits to your skin. However, as this is a cleansing product that you immediately wash off, I am not convinced that any soothing or antioxidant ingredients, will really benefit the skin. That’s just me though, so work within your understanding and beliefs.
The other thing I want to point out is the price differential which is accurate as of today in 2017.
- Estee Lauder ANMCB: RM175/US$45 for 70ml (RM2.50/US$0.64 per ml)
- Clinique TTDOCB: RM135/US$29 for 125ml (RM1.08/US$0.23 per ml)
I think it’s a no-brainer which to go for :P
But don’t let me influence you :P
Oh heck, let me! :D
Have you tried this Estee Lauder cleansing balm? DO you like it?
I’ve looked around online but no one seems to have noticed or picked up on the marked similarity between the Estee Lauder and Clinique cleansing balms. They are so similar as to practically be the same – price and slight additional ingredients notwithstanding. So really, just pick whichever you like and that suits your budget. But I think I know which you (and I) will pick! ;)
Paris B
OK. Sold. I’ve lost count of the number of Clinique Cleansing Balms I’ve bought. I strayed a little while to go to the Dr Lewinns Cleansing oil but the balm is so much more travel-friendly. I scoop a tiny bit into travel jar and off I go. I love the Clinique one because of how fuss-free it is. It just works. No fuss, no muss, does exactly what it needs to do. Now, if only more things in life were that simple, eh?
Yes I have to agree about how portable the balm is. I can scoop out some for travel as well, and it’s fairly affordable and easy coz you can just emulsify vs using a flannel. At home, I’m more likely to use a flannel, or if I’m in a fancy hotel with nice face towels (they must wonder what’s happened to their face towels :P ) Yeah, I think EL was really pulling the wool over our eyes in this case!
You’re so funny!! Thank god I didn’t get it the other day thanks to sephora black card 20% sale. They didn’t bring this into sephora yet or perhaps the sephora outlet I went to was out of this product. That said, I’m a big fan of Bobbi brown’s cleansing balm because of its fresh tangerine scent. So, I don’t think I’d pick up this one.
Saved you money! ;) The Bobbi Brown one is very refreshing! And lasts forever and a day too!
I’m not alone in this world! Also quite similar and excellent in ingredients is the Camomile Cleansing Butter from The Body Shop.
Yay Amalia! :D I tried the TBS one but I didn’t like how it felt on my skin after cleansing. I can’t deny it’s affordable and effective though! :)
I used up all my cleansing balms! I have a few bottles of cleansing oils lying around though. I remember liking the Biotherm one better than the Clinique, but I love the Bobbi Brown Extra Cleansing Balm most. Good to know about this one, I was curious, so thanks!
Wah good on you for using up your balms! :D I’d never tried the Biotherm one (didn’t even know they had one LOL!) and I remember you love the BB one – that lovely fresh citrus scent! And how it lasts forever LOL
Thank you for this and for posting the ingredients. I am allergic to lavender, so I’ll be sticking with the more affordable Clinique version as well.
Glad to have helped! :)
I used to like EL ANR and I’m no marketing expert, but I can’t believe how much they’ve been diluting the ANR sub-brand with all these new products. Must be making a pretty dollar, but … when these newer products are nothing special it just rubs the gloss off the original product, you know what I mean?
That’s a very interesting view point you’ve raised Anna and I have to say that I tend to agree. ANR is a serum that is good and which works. It really doesn’t need all the new-fangled cleansers (because EL already has them in other ranges). The Ampoule and Mask in Oil I can understand, as an extension of the line, but the cleansers I’m afraid I don’t understand their place :)
I took a quick look at your first pict prior to reading the whole story,and my o my,clinique just popped out of my mouth,I love clinique balm,I have use 3,I used to use banila and co in between the clinique to try the cheaper option,but i kept thinking of clinique and I will order clinique before halfway using banila and co. I even tried the crabtree and evelyn,but I hated it,it wont emulsify at all,I might use it as my brush cleanser. I kept coming to clinique balm after every other balm that I tried. I have never got my hand into TBS chamomile balm though. Maybe someday.
I tried Banila & Co but nope. I struggle to even finish it because I detest it! I’d much rather get Clinique’s balm. Oh funny you should mention Crabtree & Evelyn! It reminded me that they ventured into skincare but they’re really quiet now aren’t they? I was interested in the balm but I’m glad I never went there LOL! The only things I buy from C&E now are their cookies and jam. Oh so heavenly! :D I tried the TBS one which many people love, but it’s one that doesn’t sit well for me unfortunately.
Has anybody tried the Pixi Caroline Hirons double cleanse? I actually have it already, but I need to finish some other cleansers before I open it. I don’t like too many opened bottles around.
I haven’t Cecilia. I do have the Pixi Cleansing Balm though, which I haven’t dug into as I’m trying to finish off at least 1 tub before I open it! I do have the CH one coming in the mail so I might review it in the future. It’ll be interesting to know what you think of it. I like some of her philosophies, but I’m no fangirl haha! :D
Ha…..I love how you catch them offguard, as the ingredients are too similar. The extra price for the extracts is not worthy as the cleansing process is too short for them to be absorbed into the skin. Soothing extract maybe useful after the skin is aggravated with so much makeup the whole day.
I am using micellar water and bi-phase makeup remover for stubborn ones. I find them adequate so never use cleansing oil before. One day I might try.
I love your blog. You are honest, detailed and knowledgeable.
Aww thank you Margaret, it means a lot to me! Apparently, I wasn’t the first person to catch them out, but the other was Caroline Hirons on a video (and I didn’t know cos I don’t watch videos) so in a way, I guess I’m correct to say that I really didn’t read any other post talking about it :D I do tend to agree that cleansing is too short to have ingredients penetrate the skin. What’s more important is that it is soothing and cleanses skin well. Do you use a cleanser after your micellar water? Just curious because I know there’s 2 schools of thought and I belong to the wash off, double-cleansing category :)
I would wash off the remnants of micellar water using the normal foaming cleanser so my skin will be very taut and dry. I would normalise them with a generous slap of cream afterwards before my skin falls apart…..LOL!
I tend to gravitate towards Asian’s blog (including you) because I find the Caucasian skin is very different from ours. The products that they recommended can’t be found here also.
Haha good call washing off the micellar water! :D In some ways I tend to agree with you about Caucasian skin being different. Their weather and water too are different and that makes products perform differently I feel. That said, I do use a lot of Western brands, as I’m sure you’ve noticed :D I’m just glad for online shopping that allows us to try different types of products from different parts of the world :)
Oh those cheeky devils! A dupe of their own product for three times the price! Thanks for doing the detective work there.
I’m currently trying the Antipodes Grapeseed Butter balm, but the lack of emulsification is bugging the hell out me to be honest. I love a hot flannel, but I’ve grown used to the reassuring milky breakdown stage that tells me it’s all being rinsed off.
I can’t take full credit – apparently Caroline Hirons spotted the dupe too but it was on video (and I don’t watch videos) so I missed it! That said, yes they are sneaky! You wouldn’t think the quantity was less because the tub feels the same, but the ml is less. I love the Antipodes but you are right about how sticky it can be on skin. I also find that it messes up my flannels something awful! But I do love it still – makes my skin so soft and lovely :)
Yes, my flannels are all turning yellow! The jury is still out on whether it’s helping or hindering my skin but imma give it a while longer til I hit a verdict. I also wonder if it’s performing better for you as you’re in a hotter country – my English bathroom hovers around 16C so the balm is that bit stiffer here.
Ah you could be right about the difference in temperature. I can imagine it might be harder to warm up and spread if it was harder. It’s like my May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon. Here’s, it’s like an oil for me. But I see that everyone else’s is like a lovely solid balm!