WHAT IS IT

A peachy-colored, gel-like serum, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II (ANR, to those in the know) is one of the brand’s bestsellers and has been around since the Eighties.This superstar serum suits all skin types (it’s oil-free), and contains the perfect cocktail of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, pollution protection and hydration, to list just a few of its many attributes. And it’s smart – Advanced Night Repair works with your circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock) to help the skin’s nightly clear-out of toxic debris and its renewal of fresh cells. An anti-aging serum, it acts on lines and wrinkles, dullness and dryness for more youthful and radiant skin.

HOW TO USE IT

Basically, however you want – it works for both day and night (yes, the name is confusing), and slots in perfectly under a favorite cream. In fact, this is the original skin serum, created 36 years ago, long before we even knew what a serum was. Having evolved and been updated numerous times, it has now become a staple of every beauty addict’s skincare wardrobe because of its versatility. Use it under makeup, mixed into makeup and even on top of it to revive a dull, end-of-day complexion (dot it under dry eyes, then spread a few drops over your palms and gently press them into skin). It is also a great remedy for soothing sunburn – keep it chilled in the hotel mini bar to slather on after a day at the beach. Plus, in its many variations – including an oil, serum, foil mask, capsules, eye mask, eye cream, eye serum – you can choose the one that works best for you.  Estée Lauder’s official advice is to “apply a drop on each fingertip of one hand” and “touch fingertips of both hands together” before massaging into the skin, but for ease, we’d suggest that two to three good-sized drops are enough, smoothed over the entire face after cleansing, but before moisturizer.

WHO IS IT FOR

ANR is primarily an anti-aging product, but since it is lightweight in texture and tackles dryness, dullness, and dehydration as well as the more obvious signs of aging, there’s no reason not to use it for prevention as well as cure. Also, its non-comedogenic, oil-free and fragrance-free formula makes it suitable for oily and sensitive skin too. Those with visible signs of aging will see the benefits most clearly.

THE EXPERT TIPS

• The ANR Powerfoil Mask is excellent and a budding Instagram star in its own right (see the feeds of Victoria Beckham, Eva Mendes and Carolyn Murphy), but for a quick and easy alternative, layer up the serum generously at night: apply two-to-three times what you would normally use, and leave it to work its magic while you sleep. Expect velvety-soft, dewy skin by morning.
• If good things come in small packages, amazing things must come in eensy packages, like the ANR pea-sized capsules. Ampoules are powerful, concentrated doses. Every drop is 100% active, working to distress the look of skin. Twist off the tiny nib to break open each ampoule, and you’ll get the perfect amount for your face and neck. Apply at night after serum but before moisturizer.
• Reboot tired eyes by supercharging your Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer with an eye serum such as the new Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix.