When I turned 30, my Auntie Kathleen gifted me my first bottle of beauty cult classic Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair – with a knowing wink of what was to come. Now 17 years later, I still slather it all over my face every night – and morning – and am mildly addicted to its glamorously dewy moisture.

The brand calls itself “a next-generation super serum that visibly reduces multiple signs of aging with fast-repair and youth-generating power.” Sephora lists more than 2,400 reviews, with a 4-out-of-5–star rating and more than 69,000 fan-user hearts. I call it my game-changer.

Advanced Night Repair’s benefits include improvements in uneven texture, pore size, and the obvious “anti-aging” properties. When I was younger, I was baffled by how this seemingly old-lady product simmered down my acne. Now I’m impressed by how it continues to improve my skin’s texture. The serum is oil- and paraben-free and features hyaluronic acid, which all we know, helps our skin stretch and flex, reduces wrinkles and lines, helps wounds heal faster, and can reduce scarring (Cleveland Clinic).

Clean routine

Advanced Night Repair’s once-hidden ingredient list (I know this because I remember trying to research it and finding only proprietary info) includes Bifida Ferment Lysate, a probiotic ingredient, PEG-8, a synthetic polymer that works to bind moisture to skin, and Propanediol, a humectant that absorbs water, among many others.

Clean-beauty GALs, this product may not be your jam, and understandably so. On EWG’s Skin Deep database, which rates exposure to chemicals in personal care products, the serum receives a 5 out of 10 (1 being the best, 10 being the worst), which you can read here.

Cleaner, similar serum options, recommended by Skin Deep, include Estee Lauder Nutritious Radiant Essence Treatment Lotion, isoi Bulgarian Rose Laser White Serum, and Honest Beauty Beauty Sleep Resurfacing Serum. 

Tip to try

Not sure where to pick your skin-care ingredient and budgetary battles? Years ago, I couldn’t afford the pricey brown bottle, and instead, asked for sample after sample from Macy’s (then Marshall Field’s) to get me by. Many department stores and retailers like Sephora offer the same option if you want to give it a try. Just remember that immediate improvement is impressive, but continual use provides results.

Can’t wait? Get it now on Amazon.

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Hero photo: Henry Locsmondy Heise

Product photo: Estée Lauder