30ml for SGD $114
50ml for SGD $163
One of Estee Lauder’s core products is its Advanced Night Repair Serum. It first appeared in 1982. Then, Estee Lauder introduced the concept of “skin repair”, which is seen in so many skin care lines day.
The current serum:Synchronised Recovery Complex II, was launched 2 years ago, and maketed as the #1 repair serum to fight the signs of aging.
Lets examine this product in detail…
The Claims: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II
“Maximizes the power of skin’s natural nighttime renewal with their exclusive ChronoluxCBTM technology.”
“Tested and proven: Advanced Night Repair dramatically reduces the look of all key signs of aging.”
“Lines and wrinkles look significantly reduced. More than 75% of women felt their skin looked more youthful in just 4 weeks. Skin feels smoother, hydrated, stronger. 82% felt their skin was immediately hydrated. Skin looks younger, radiant, more even toned. 83% felt their skin looked healthier, fresher, more rested in just 4 weeks.”
Packaging/Texture/ Scent: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Advanced Night Repair’s packaging has changed very little since 1982. The timelss brown glass bottle and golden dropper is instantly recognizable. The serum itself is a golden brown lightweight gel with a watery texture. It is quickly absorbed on application. It has a light fragrance with orange peel undertones.
Ingredients/ Efficacy: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II
One of the main ingredients is Bifida Ferment Lysate. This ingredient is also found in several other serums, such as the popular Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate, which I also reviewed. It is essentially a probiotic made from sugars, and the truth is, there are no strong studies to indicate that probiotics are good for fighting against aging skin. One study shows that Bifida Ferment Lysate improves skin barrier function and hence improves sensitive skin. Probiotics have also been known for their anti-bacterial and mild peeling effects, and hence have been used frequently for treating acne.
Advanced Bight Repair also contains another probiotic – Lactobacillus ferment. Again, it will have some beneficial effects trough skin exfoliation and renewal, but whether it has significant anti-aging effects remains to be seen.
Tripeptide-32 is a peptide ingredient which has cell-communicating properties and is supposed to help with skin repair. This is, however, not a commonly used peptide, and there is no independent research which proves that.
The product contains several good skin conditioning agents: hydrolyzed align, Methyl Gluceth-20 is (a derivative of corn sugar and corn starch), PEG-75 ( a lubricant which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance), Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane (emollient and skin conditioning agent).
It is pretty strange because Estee Lauder claims to have up to 20 patents and exclusive technologies put into this product, but if you look at it, there is nothing that other brands already have, and I don’t see anything which differentiates this as the no.1 night repair serum.
Full Ingredient List:
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lectithin, Tripeptide-32, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium RNA, Bisabolol, Glycereth-26, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Yeast Extract, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hexylene Glycol, Carbonmer, Triethanolamine, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Red 4, Yellow 5.
Who It Is Good For
The good thing about Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is that is should be generally safe, even for people with sensitive skin. It is a great moisturizer, and the company advises it for use in people above 25 years old.
Conclusion: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II
This product is a beauty staple for many. There is no doubt that it is a great moisturizer, which makes your skin feel soft and smooth after application, but that is due to its texture enhancers, not the active ingredients.
Estee Lauder claims that this product has a “natural nighttime purification process” that is vital to maintain a youthful looking skin. However it is unclear what they mean, and I do not see any ingredients in the product (other that the probiotics and the Tripeptide-32) which may remotely facilitate this. Sad to say – it is again more marketing talk.
You can expect some anti-aging benefits from the probiotics (through exfoliation) and maybe the peptides, but I wouldn’t bet too much on it. Most of the effects you see will come from texture enhancement – and there are many products out there which can achieve the same results, at a fraction of the price.
Packaging/ Scent/ Texture : 4/5
Ingredients: : 2.5/5
Price : 1.5/5
Overall Rating : 2.7/5
Thank you for this Dr Siew! I love that you give us the facts to break through all the marketing-talk. There’s a real need for many of us to become more educated as consumers and spend money only on things that truly work if we want to improve our skin health 🙂
Hi doctor.. thanks for the great review. Since you have mentioned that there are several products in the market with the same ingredients and results available at fraction of a price, could you please mention the name of those products? Because we cannot understand ingredients like you can.
I wanted to know the same thing!
The truth about Estee Lauder Nightime Recovery Serum is that it worked for me. It’s not just fancy marketing talk. In the 70’s I was a sun worshiper, and in the late 80’s, I had a serious growth on my upper chest area. It looked and felt suspicious, and I was worried. That same week, I received the Nightime Recovery in a gift set, and began applying it to the same area. Within 3 days it was beginning to disappear. After two weeks it was completely gone. I’ve never had any regrowth of those abnormal skin tissues since then. I wished I had submitted photos, but at the time, I was concerned more for the health of my skin. I believe in this product 100%.
Can i use this product in the morning too?
Looking for a right use
Thank you for the review of the ingredients, that’s what I was looking for! You mention there are other products that perform the same way but for a fraction of the price. this serum is, definitely, overpriced for no reason. What are other alternatives us with sensitive skin can use instead?
This was very helpful
I would also like to know the ‘cheaper alternatives’ existing. I tried this serum by means of a sample and it was fantastic, but no skincare can make miracles and this is undoubtedly, totally overpriced. In case there is trouble posting actual brands because some might argue that it is advertising, please let us know by email, as we are providing it when posting to this site.
Thank you and thanks a lot for this serious, reliable article which is just the kind of thing consumers need.
The last time I used an Estee Lauder product,it broke me out..and broke my heart (due to the price tag!), so never again!
I too would love to know what less expensive product has comparable ingredients. Is there any way you can tell us?
Why do they use metoxycinnamate in a night products? Do they need sunscreen at night!
Also BHT is a big question mark, many companies forgot it because of controversial effects. The same applies to triethanolamin
Strange, but a lot EL still has those ingredients. Not to mention carbomer. EL is so far to natural products based on the above.
Could you share the other products you mention that are cheaper and will have a bigger difference?
Is it safe during pregnancy ?