(Edit May 13, 2014: Esteé Lauder has reformulated their Advanced Night Repair formula since this comparison was done. I have not yet tried the new formula.)

When I watch television, any time I see an actor or actress who is not aging gracefully, I often shout, “Somebody needs some Advanced Night Repair, stat!” My TV watching companions chuckle good-naturedly when this happens, but I know they’re just being nice. It’s happens so often, the line now undoubtedly falls firmly into the realm of “dad jokes.” The takeaway here is that I’m a long time fan of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. I’ve been using it regularly for three years, which turns out to be plenty long enough for me to work it into a repetitive one-liner.

Given my history with Advanced Night Repair, it was only natural that last year, when I discovered Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule, I couldn’t wait to try it. It was the perfect opportunity to compare two of my favorite brands using a product I happen to be very familiar with. Today, I’m finally sharing the results of a Skincare Smackdown that actually began long ago.

Method

As always, I like to use most skincare products for a minimum of 28 days before passing my final judgment. For this comparison, I’ve actually had much longer to evaluate each product – years, in the case of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum, and 6 months in the case of Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule.

Today, I’ll be judging each of the products based on ingredients, performance, packaging, and price. May the best serum win!

What are they?

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair and Missha Night Repair Science Activator are both serums that claim to protect the skin from environmental damage, reduce fine lines, even skin tone, and moisturize. They are designed to be applied after cleansing, before moisturizing.

The star ingredient in both serums is Bifida Ferment Lysate, a probiotic that has been traditionally used internally to strengthen the immune system. When applied topically, it’s been shown in at least one study to reduce skin sensitivity and increase the skin barrier’s ability to repair itself. (Study)

Ingredients

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair



Water\Aqua\EAU, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Methylgluceth-20, PEG-75, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Tripeptide-32, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantethine, Caffeine, Glycereth-26, Sodium RNA, Squalane, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Bisabolol, Choleth-24, Ceteth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, TEA-Carbomer, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Benzyl Alcohol, Green 5 (C61570I), Yellow 5 (CI19140), Red 4(CI14700).

There are some very good, notable skincare actives in this Estée Lauder serum. In addition to Bifida Ferment Lysate, Advanced Night Repair also contains Lactobacillus Ferment, another probiotic. Lactobacillus ferment acts as a skin softener, and was also shown in one study to be therapeutically effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Also notable is the Retinyl Palmitate, a very gentle form of Vitamin A, and Sodium Hyaluronate, a skin hydrator that can hold 1,000 times its weight in water.

I’m intrigued by the inclusion of the ingredient Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, which is actually a sunscreen ingredient. I’m very curious about its inclusion in an evening serum since its pretty universally recommended not to wear sunscreens on your face at night. However, as far as chemical sunscreen agents go, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is one of the gentlest in the bunch. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s purpose in this serum to stabilize another ingredient.

Running this list through COSDNA did return one red flag. The ingredient Oleth-3 scores a big fat 5 out of 5 as a potential acne trigger.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule



Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycereth-26, Juniperus Chinensis Xylem Extract, Sorbus Commixta Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Betaine, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Polysorbate 20. Cyclomethicone, Grifola Frondosa (Maitake) Mycelium Ferment Filtrate Extract, Ophioglossum Vulgatum Extract,, Carbomer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethanolamine, Sea Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Ferment Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acacia Arabica Stem Bark Extract, Adenosine, Dimethiconol, Xanthan Gum, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Octyldodecanol, Cyclomethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Dextrin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Manilkara Multinervis Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Maltodextrin Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Retinol, Cholesterol, Beta-Sitosterol, Lecithin, Panthenol, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Ceteth-24, Choleth-24, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Ubiquinone, Cetyl Phosphate, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterol, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Copper Tripeptide-1, Silica, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Biotin

Like the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum, Missha Time Revolution Science Activator Ampoule also contains Lactobacillus and Sodium Hyaluronate. The Missha serum contains Retinol instead of Retinyl Palmitate – Retinol being the stronger of the two. Additionally, the Missha formula also contains a multitude of beneficial plant extracts, and one of my personal favorite actives, Niacinamide, which has anti-inflammatory and brightening properties.

I also noted that the Missha formula does not contain the chemical sunscreen ingredient. When I ran the Missha list through COSDNA, there were no red flags in terms of acne triggers or irritants. I was surprised to find that although the Missha ingredient list is nearly three times longer than the Estée Lauder list, it actually contains no irritants or acne triggers.

Winner of this Round: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule, for having more skincare actives and no irritants or acne triggers.

Packaging

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

The Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair bottle has a very serious, medicinal look to it. The brown bottle looks like glass, but it’s actually some sort of very sturdy plastic. It uses a glass dropper for dispensing product, which I like because it’s hygienic and easy to control the amount of product I’m using.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule

The Missha Science Activator Ampoule bottle is a little flashier in terms of its look. I’m personally more attracted to the look of the more serious, brown, Estée Lauder bottle, but that’s purely an aesthetic preference. The bottle itself is made of heavy glass. The Missha serum also uses a glass dropper to dispense the product, but it has an interesting addition – the bottle has a ring around the inner lip of the bottle top that removes excess product from the outside of the dropper as it’s pulled out of the bottle. It’s a nice touch that helps ensure not a drop of this liquid is wasted, and I appreciate it!

Winner of this Round: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule, for having a bottle convention that prevents product spillage and waste.

Performance

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum



I love the texture of this serum. It absorbs quickly, and provides an additional bit of moisture that I enjoy having in my routine. In terms of immediate results, my skin is softer and subtly brighter after using this product – a difference I can see after only a few nights. I’ve also noticed an overall calming effect, a decrease in redness, and a reduction in inflammation around any acne spots I might experience.

Over time, there aren’t any mind blowing visual differences – most of this product’s anti-aging function is preventative. I think if there was a magical way to compare my face after 10 years of using this product to my face after not using this product for the same 10 years, I’d be happy with the results. Unfortunately, technology hasn’t advanced much in the magic department, so that’s all speculative. However, I can say that when I stop using Advanced Night Repair (and don’t replace it with a similar serum), my complexion loses a little bit of luster, which is what has kept me loyal to this serum for so long.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule



The Missha Science Activator Ampoule is similar in texture to the Estée Lauder serum. It has a little more slip to it, and though spreading it over my face is a little bit easier, it does take longer to absorb and is slightly stickier. The stickiness becomes irrelevant quickly since it disappears completely once moisturizer is applied, but it’s still worth noting. Like the Estée Lauder serum, my skin is softer and subtly brighter within the first few nights of using this product, with a decrease in redness and a reduction in inflammation.

It’s also similar to the Estée Lauder serum in the sense that most of the anti-aging action is preventative, and therefore there’s no way to evaluate it. One area where Missha excels, however, is in the brightening effect, which is slightly more visible with the Missha Ampoule.

Winner of this Round: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule, but only by a smidge, and only because of the more visible brightening effect. In terms of texture, I prefer the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum.

Cost

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum Missha Time Revolution Night Repair



Advanced Night Repair comes in two sizes year-round – a 30 mL and a 50 mL that retail at $55 and $84, respectively. There is also a special extra large size that’s released a couple of times a year, and usually sells out quickly. That one is 100 mL, and retails for $140.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule



The Missha Ampoule only comes in one size, a 100 mL bottle that retails for $80. It used to be sold in a 50 mL bottle for a lower price, but it seems Missha has switched over to only the 100 mL size for the US market. It is still available in the 50 mL bottle from international sellers.

Winner of this Round: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule, for providing 100 mL of product for less than the price of half the amount of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum.

Scoring and Verdict

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule is the winner of this Skincare Smackdown! Don’t get me wrong – I’m still a huge fan of Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, and I maintain that the texture and the way the Advanced Night Repair feels immediately upon application is superior. But when it comes down to which product I’ll repurchase from this point on – the superior ingredient list, cleaner packaging, and more visible immediate effects make Missha Science Activator Ampoule the winner.

Skin & Tonics Rating for Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum



Performance: 4/5 – Brightening, calming, slightly moisturizing. Purported cumulative anti-aging effects.

Quality: 4/5 – Nice sturdy packaging, pretty good ingredient list, though there is one potential acne trigger

Value: 3/5 – $84 for 50 mL of product is steep, but not unreasonable for a high quality serum

Overall: 3.7/5

Skin & Tonics Rating for Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule



Performance: 4/5 – Brightening, calming, slightly moisturizing. Purported cumulative anti-aging effects.

Quality: 5/5 – Luxurious glass packaging with spillage protection, stellar ingredient list with no irritants

Value: 4/5 – $80 retail for 100 mL (3.4 oz.) of product is a great price for a quality serum. Additionally, it’s frequently on sale on Missha’s US website.

Overall: 4.4/5

Where to Buy

EDIT 10/28/2013

Exclusive 30% off sale for Skin & Tonics Readers though Thursday, October 31st, 2013 on the Missha US website

Now through Thursday, October 31st, you can use this private link to get a bottle of Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule for 30% off! This means you can pick up the Night Repair Ampoule for $35 instead of $50, so it’s an excellent deal.

* * * * *

I usually buy mine from Missha’s US website. Right now, Missha is having their semi-annual sale, so it’s a great time to pick this up! The Missha Science Activator Ampoule is currently on sale for $48, which is 40% off!

You can also pick this up from W2Beauty, which carries a 50 mL size not currently available from the Missha US website. This size sells for $52, so if you miss the sale, but aren’t ready to commit to $80 worth of product, W2Beauty is a great option.