THE TEST DRIVE:
ESTÉE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR INTENSE RESET CONCENTRATE
Viva beauty writer Ashleigh Cometti reviews the newest addition to Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair range THE PROMISE
Acting as the latest iteration on Estee Lauder’s cult-favourite ANR (Advanced Night Repair) Synchronized Recovery Complex II (which first launched in 1982), the new ANR Intense Reset Concentrate is an overnight treatment to support skin during times of stress - reducing the appearance of skin irritation and offering thirsty skin up to 24 hours of hydration.
This powerful skincare concentrate is the result of comprehensive research surrounding the impact of circadian rhythms on skin, as well as scientific breakthroughs in the world of skincare metabolomics.
All science speak aside, the gel emulsion promises to address primary skin concerns including the kind of redness, irritation and dehydration that often accompany stressful moments in life, such as pregnancy, planning a wedding, overseas travel, seasonal shifts and other major life changes.
With regular use during such high-intensity moments, this patented formula is said to improve skin clarity and texture, resulting in a more flawless, radiant appearance.
The launch supports Estée Lauder’s threepronged approach to reducing visible skin irritation – Initiation, Amplification and Resolution. Recent scientific developments have bolstered the brand’s findings on the resolution phase – which uncovered a direct connection between the irritation phase and autophagy (also known as cell purification, but more on that later).
THE PRACTICE
According to Dr. Nadine Pernodet, Ph.D., Vice President of Skin Biology and BioActives at the Estée Lauder Companies, its latest offering isn’t designed to replace ANR Recovery Complex II – but rather, act as an emergency product for use when skin is irritated. “ANR is the serum you use every day. Reset is for when you need the extra help to stop the inflammation in your skin before it creates too much damage,” she says.
The difference lies in the ingredients. This new formula features advancements in ANR’s Chronolux technology which supports the synchronisation of skin’s nightly repair – Chronolux S.O.S.
Chronolux S.O.S is an advanced anti-irritation, recovery and purification tri-peptide. “S.O.S has resveratrol and salicylic acid to take care of inflammation; it has been designed specifically to resynchronise your skin with your circadian rhythm; it has the ferment which is the autophagy activator at a very high level,” Dr Pernodet says.
Stabilised salicylic acid and resveratrol are fused together via a patented method implemented by the brand, to target all three phases of irritation and promote the skin’s own recovery response, while the aforementioned ‘ferment’ speaks to the yeast used in the autophagy process – aiding skin cells’ natural purification process.
Since 2012, the study of autophagy has formed a cornerstone in Estee Lauder’s skin science, and is explained by Dr Pernodet as the skin’s recycling system.
“Autophagy takes damaged protein and amino acids that aren’t functioning anymore, and cuts them out, digests them, and gives back the amino acids for your skin cells to build up collagen again,” she says.
Hyaluronic acid and antioxidant extracts join the party to drench skin in 24-hour hydration, while fortifying skin’s own protective barrier to better defend against stress, free radical and environmental damage.
This is no ordinary hyaluronic acid; either, this concentrated infusion offers a dose 15 times greater than traditional ANR.
For best results, apply at night after using ANR Recovery Complex II, or your preferred nighttime serum. “All the repair and recovery happens to skin at night,” Dr Pernodet explains. “Inflammation is highest at night due to circadian rhythms, so if you already have high inflammation then this is the best time to treat it.” Dr Pernodet adds that skin’s permeability is higher at night, meaning the ingredients can penetrate into skin faster.
The gel-like formulation can be used anytime skin feels irritated or stressed out, whether for a few days in a row, one week per month, for a few weeks during seasonal changes, but Dr Pernodet heeds persistent use shouldn’t exceed more than three weeks.
THE PRICE
$145, from Estée Lauder counters nationwide.
THE VERDICT
I can confidently say my skin has never been quite as terrible as it was when I first became pregnant. Perioral dermatitis, adult acne, and uneven skin texture were just a handful of skin issues that cropped up as a result of my new surge of hormones and additional stress.
Then I was introduced to Intense Reset Recovery Concentrate, which came with hefty claims to fix my stressed-out skin. I was skeptical at first, but after learning about the science behind the product, and how well it had been received overseas, I was curious to see if it could work for me.
After the first few days of regular nighttime use, my skin had already shown signs of improvement. My perioral dermatitis felt less itchy and dry, and the purplish marks under my eyes had faded. Waking up quickly became a game of rushing to the mirror to see what else had disappeared or improved while I’d been catching Z’s.
By the end of the week, my skin felt more hydrated, and didn’t appear as angry or aggravated as it had when I started my new nighttime regime. I must admit, I liked how it felt on my skin so much I started double dosing and using it in the mornings, too. I didn’t use this in place of a primer, but rather to prep my skin and create a dewy base to ensure flawless makeup application.
I’ve developed a recent interest in aromachology and the effects scent can have on mood, sleep and performance. A heady yet subtle combination of notes of chamomile, lavender and hedione (not dissimilar to jasmine) only added to the soothing experience of smoothing this over my tired skin at the end of a stressful day.
As my skin stressors are related to my fluctuating hormones, there’s a high chance my skin is going to be a bit all over the place for the next four months, but I’ll be looking to this product for whenever a flare up calls for it.
For more information, visit Esteelauder.co.nz