As a beauty editor, I am often asked what my favourite beauty product is. And quite frankly, that’s like asking a mother to choose her favourite child. The truth is, there is simply too much to choose from. For instance, I categorically could not settle on one favourite makeup product, however if you were to ask me my favourite foundation (Nars Radiant Longwear, £32) or perhaps my favourite mascara (L’Oréal Paris Paradise, £12), I could definitely pull out one name. When it comes to skincare though, I have always had one clear winner.
You see, although it is by no means easy to whittle down my beloved skincare collection to just one clear favourite, there is one product that I think everyone could benefit from owning, whatever their skin type. And no, I’m not being paid to say this.
When I was first told about the wonders of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II (£52), I vividly remember walking into my local John Lewis and being stunned at the price. There’s no doubt that Advanced Night Repair was the most expensive skincare product I had ever bought, and I couldn’t fathom that one single product could be worth that money. Six years on and now I actually have back-ups of the stuff in my cupboard.
You see, Advanced Night Repair is one of those wonderfully classic beauty products that has become so iconic over time, that actually the extent of its wonderfulness has got a bit lost. So let me explain. First and foremost, Advanced Night Repair is described as an anti-ageing product. But as a 25-year-old that has used this serum for the last six years, I’d say it’s a little bit more than that.
Its secret ingredient is Estée Lauder’s ChronoluxCB™ Technology which promotes the skin’s natural nightly repair process for healthier, more youthful looking skin come morning. The foundation of this serum, however, is beauty’s super ingredient, hyaluronic acid. In fact, it’s full of the stuff. So, while the ChronoluxCB Technology works on renewal and helps to counteract the signs of ageing, the HA helps to restore moisture and plump, resulting in a smoother, hydrated, radiant complexion.
The proof, as they say, is very much in the pudding when it comes to this stuff. As someone that has very sensitive skin (I just have to look at a bottle of glycolic acid for my face to start burning up), Advanced Night Repair has been my saviour. It doesn’t smell fancy, it doesn’t feel luxurious and it doesn’t give any sort of instant tightening or youthful results. What it does do, however, is make sure skin has everything it needs to be its very best over time.
The minute I breakout, I reach for Advanced Night Repair. The minute my skin flares up with a reaction, I reach for Advanced Night Repair. The minute I spot patches of irritation-induced dryness, I reach for Advanced Night Repair. And it works every single time. So, whenever someone asks what my skincare secret is, I always say its ANR, because the truth is, without it, my complexion would be a total mess. And believe me when I say there really isn’t a soul that won’t benefit from this stuff. Morning or night, rain or shine, ANR is always there for me when I need her, like the world’s most patient friend that doesn’t bombard me with texts every day, but always picks up the phone when I need her most.
