Name: Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex
Brand: Estee Lauder
Size: 1.0oz
Price: $47.50
From Estee Lauder’s website:
This comprehensive, high-performance anti-aging serum-inspired by groundbreaking DNA research-brings your skin a dramatic reduction in the visible signs of aging. Use it every day to help continuously repair the appearance of past damage, prevent future damage and deliver high levels of hydration.
What I liked:
– lightweight texture
– absorbs quickly
– moisturizes skin
– didn’t break me out
– didn’t dry skin
– fragrance-free
– the packaging
What I didn’t like:
– didn’t notice any improvement in how my skin looks and feels
– doesn’t smell too good
– the price
I had tried the old version of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex in the past and I wasn’t too impressed with it as it just didn’t do anything for my skin. So when I heard it was reformulated, I didn’t exactly rush out the door to try it. Truth be told, if I hadn’t come across a magazine with a small sample of this product, I doubt I would have ever tried it at all. So, is this new version better than the old one and does it do what it promises? After a month of religious night time use, here’s my experience with it.
Texture and scent
The serum is yellowish in color and has a gel-like, lightweight consistency that spreads easily on the skin and absorbs instantly. Also, the serum is fragrance-free which means that no artificial fragrance was added to it, although all the ingredients in the product have their own odour, and that you can smell. And let me tell you, it’s not pleasant but I can put up with it.
My experience
To use it, you just need to apply a few drops to your face and neck before going to bed. I did this every night and after a month, I didn’t see any remarkable improvement. It provided some hydration for my skin, but apart from that, I couldn’t really see a difference. However, it didn’t even make my skin worse, didn’t cause breakouts nor did it make it drier or oilier.
Of course that could be because I’m still in my 20s so my skin doesn’t really have any major concerns to repair. I only have some fine lines and I was hoping to see them reduced (at least their appearance), but that didn’t happen. I guess this is a product that prevents damage more than repairing it but, by looking at the ingredient list, the formula doesn’t sound so revolutionary and beneficial as Estee Lauder claims.
New ingredients: Tripeptide-32 and Lactobacillus Ferment
The new ingredients in this serum are Tripeptide-32 and Lactobacillus Ferment. Triptetide-32 is supposed to activate the clock gene PER-1, which determines the normal human sleep pattern. This gene will then activate the keratinocyte genes, which are usually turned off at night, that protect against cellular damage and promote cellular viability, longevity and improve repair of DNA damage. However, it is hard for peptides to reach their destination (in this case clock gene PER-1) as skin contains enzymes that usually break them down before they get to where they are supposed to go.
But even if we assume that Triptetide-32 manages to reach the clock gene PER-1, there is no study, apart from the limited research published from Estee Lauder, that this ingredient is beneficial for skin. The next ingredient, Lactobacillus Ferment contains enzymes that repair DNA but sadly there is no proof yet that it works when applied topically. I’m not saying these ingredients don’t work, just there are some concerns and I would like to see more research saying that they are as effective as studies done by Estee Lauder seem to indicate before committing to purchase this.
Other ingredients included in the serum
The serum also contains Retinyl Palmitate, a form of Vitamin A, and Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), both of which are potent antioxidants that can prevent the signs of aging, but their concentrations aren’t that high. Still, it includes quite a few moisturizing agents so those with dry skin could benefit from this serum.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re interested to try it, I’d recommend getting a sample that will last you for at least 3 or 4 weeks so you’ll be able to see how it works for you before purchasing the full size bottle. Personally, I’m intrigued by the new ingredients as they could potentially be very beneficial, but until I see further proof of their efficacy, I’m not gonna purchase the serum, especially since the product didn’t seem to do anything for me.
Available at: Esteelauder.com
Summary
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex didn’t do anything for me. It didn’t make my skin better, but not worse either. It just moisturized it. The new ingredients could potentially be very beneficial but I’d like to see more studies confirming that before spending money to buy the pricey full size. In addition, it is fragrance-free and has a lightweight texture that absorbs instantly.
Rating: 3.5/5
Disclaimer: a mini size of this item came with a magazine purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Scents are so important. If it doesn’t smell too good, then it really doesn’t matter if it works. And that sucks that this failed on both of those.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Ouidad 12 Minute Deep Treatment Giveaway
Trisha, I could put up with the smell if it worked but this did nothing for me apart from moisturizing my skin. What a disappointment.
i had two samples and they didn’t work for me. not one bit. i wrote about it in my blog that i had nothing to compare with as i never tried the old version. oh well…
jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)´s last [type] ..Review- Calvin Klein Color Attraction – Lip Definition- Delicious Pout- Flush With Desire- Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick- Splendid Color Nail Polish
Jojoba, I remember reading on your blog this didn’t work for you either. Believe me, you didn’t miss anything. The old version didn’t do much either and I actually prefer the new one. If nothing, it has a better consistency, but in terms of results, both are disappointing.
Thank you for review! I also got a sample with my EL purchase but maybe it’s too early for me to try it.
Marina(Makeup4All)´s last [type] ..How to Subscribe and Follow Makeup4All
Marina, I don’t think it’s ever too early to try anti-aging products but I can see why you would wanna wait. This serum didn’t seem to do much for me but then if I had had wrinkles or other deeper signs of aging, I would have seen better results? who knows..
I am a little surprised reading this, because this stuff works absolute miracles for me. Maybe it depends on the skin type? I have large pores and a problematic skin for most of my adult life. EL advanced night repair makes my skin look and feel smooth and healthier. The only thing that bothers me is the price!
Jeannine, I’m glad to know this products works very well for you. I know a few people who use this serum and say how much better they skin looks and feels since they started applying it but on me, it didn’t do much. I think it could depend on the skin type, like you suggested. Mine has always been in quite a good condition apart from some oily patches on the forehead and some fine lines starting to appear so I guess that’s why it didn’t show much visible improvement on me.