After reading all the reviews here and seeing that this really seems to be a time-trusted, quality product, I went to my local Macys and picked up a bottle. My first impression was that it had a much different texture and smell than I expected. I would say it smells sort of like a pine tree (?) and feels somewhat sticky for a while after applying but not immediately moisturizing. This is a serum after all so its moisturizing properties aren't great. If you are extra dry, just slap on a layer of something on top (I use Cerave lotion on dry nights). When I originally tried this I didn't form much of an opinion. I did wake up to somewhat brighter skin, but I use Retin A every 2 days and nothing compares to what that Rx does overnight. So I forgot about this product for a while and moved on. Recently I moved cross-country and the first thing out of my big box from NY was this. I still use Retin A, which is a wonder product, but it's harsh. So I sort of got into the groove of using this on my days off. I have to say that the more consistently I use this product the more I like it. I've been using it most nights for about a month, and I can see that my skin looks and feels healthier the longer I use it. It's not a "I woke up and all my (wrinkles/melasma/acne) were gone!" product (no product is) but I have to say there is definitely a reason that so many people trust it. It's very gentle, doesn't clog my pores, seems to help my adult acne and brightens my skin (I've definitely noticed decreased redness). So unfortunately it's not going to cure your face of age, but if you buy this product with grounded expectations it can really be a staple on your counter. Not the most exciting product out there but there really is a reason that it's been around for so long!

That serum is supposed to help in the long term, so I don't know how effective it is. However, I've been faithfully using it for about 4-5 months now, because my skin seems to drink it and love it.

It smells like vitamins. It feels like I'm giving liquid vitamins to my skin.

The reviews + the fact that this product has been around for 20 years convinced me to splurge. No regrets so far.

It contains retinol so:
- you may find it a little bit irritating if you put it on damp skin
- you had better start using sunscreen in the daytime to guard against potentially increased sun-sensitivity.

OMG!!! I've been waiting 5 days to write this review, simply because I refused to believe this serum was that good!
Last monday a received some samples of it and started to use it twice a day, by recommendation of the lovely sales lady in my local "Parfumerie". I stepped inside and was actually looking for (another) good foundation for my troubled skin. She suggested I'd use the serum and first improve and heal my skin, before purchasing foundation. She said I would be convinced immediately... Yah, I know these sales talks, but anyway, I decided to give it a try just because she told me she used to have troubled skin too before using this serum.
After using it 1 night I woke up with a more clear and eventoned skin. My hidden acne (small bumps under my skin surface on the forehead) was less visible. I couldn't believe it. After 2 days I went back to her and showed her the results. She was thrilled to see me again and was also surprised that my skin had improved so fast. I asked for the price and this was a bummer.... soooo expensive! She agreed with me, but said that it was worth it. I started to believe her everytime I looked in the mirror and noticed day by day a healthier and better looking skin.
After 5 days of use, day+night, I was completely convinced that this was THE solution for me. Me, who had troubled skin ever since my teens and either bought skincare that was too agressive or too mild. If I think of all the money I've spent on all these wrong skincare products, this serum comes out cheap! So I went back to the lady and purchased it, with 30% discount :).
This was my very first encounter with Estée Lauder, which I always considered too expensive. I'm used to buy Yves Rocher/Nivea/Sabon skincare. Now, I know better! Thanks Estée! :)

At first I received this product as a sample. It sat in my drawer unused. My sister had used hers and it gave a glow to her skin. Upon her advice I started using it religiously. I have finished 2 small bottles and I'm on my way to finish a big bottle. In the heat of the moment, I went ahead and purchased another big bottle.This serum did NOT do anything to my skin. I do like the moisturized feeling when applied, but I believe I could also achieve the same feeling with a good moisturizer. It never gave me the glow,or even changed anything on my skin. Now I'm left with a big bottle which I can't bear to throw, because it was very expensive. The packaging looks good, however, the dropper I have has issues. The serum gets clogged in it and wouldn't come out. I had rinsed it out with water, thereby losing the serum and it was like "putting money down the drain", and when put back into the bottle, it clogged again. Finally, I threw the dropper out. I guess I could get good/better results with some other product costing the same amount. I will NEVER repurchase this product again.

I have to admit that I considered Estee Lauder makeup/skincare as a very "grandmotherly - old fashioned" brand and i never really gave their counter a second look. When my skin went haywire i panicked and scrambled to find a skincare routine to save what was left of my dignity and confidence in the mirror lol That sounded way less vain in my head just now lol
Basically i went to my "go to brands" - Chanel, Dermalogica, Bliss, Murad etc and every single haul ended up in either disappointment or complete indifference. Every single bottle became an epic fail for me! Then the unassuming gwp brown bottle made its way to my bathroom and one night i figured why not - it cant get any worse and besides i was desperate (a few drops cant kill me right?). In the morning i was pleasantly surprised to see the redness had turned baby pink, the flakies were less visible and there was no stinging!!! Basically i was looking at "HOPE" in the mirror and i was in love just like that :) Our love affair continues and all i can say Estee Lauder is the best relationship i have ever had - a little bit high maintenance (the price is a little ouch) but really-really worth it! It turns out that looks arent everything when it comes to relationships - its what inside the ugly brown exterier that counts :) I love you ANRSR - dont leave me please...

I have a confession...I have too much else in my nightly skincare routine to throw a serum in there so I use this in the morning :-)
I liked the original ANR but did find it a bit drying, I don't have that problem with this version. It's a apricot tinted very runny liquid with a faintly gel-ish feeling. It sinks into my skin fast and I can use it all over my face, including under eyes and on eyelids without stinging or irritation.
It's hard to pin point the effect of this stuff, I know that my skin feels more hydrated and soothed, and it makes a lovely base for BB creams and foundation. I'm not sure if I've seen much in the way of other changes in the month of so that I've been using it, but I'll give it to the end of the jar and then reassess.

I've been using this product for almost 2 years and i always come back using it after trying out other stuff. This product really makes my skin glow in the morning and my skin feels so smooth and hydrated every morning. Definitely a good investment and one of my HG serums.

I am surprised at how popular this serum is. I was not aware until I looked on this board that this serum is a "cult" item. I do understand why people enjoy using it because it has a very nice texture and smell and feels like you are doing something medical (meaning with powerful results) to your face.


I am 36 and so I have fine lines around my eyes and some melasma which is my main "pet peeve" with my face. I have good skin that is not overly sensitive in terms of getting irritated, but I do think my skin and my body in general are sensitive to active ingredients and so i tend to see results quite quickly from products that I try. To me this serum seems to do nothing. I don't see any signs of improvement, my skin looks exactly the same after using it. Plenty of other products, I will see noticeable benefits within one or two nights of use. I have been using this serum several nights a week for about 3 weeks and basically I really think it is a waste of time, time that could be better spent applying something more powerful to my skin. For this price I especially, I expect something to happen.

I am honestly addicted to this serum. I had wanted to wait a few weeks before reviewing to ensure I had given it a good month on my skin. From the first night I used this I saw results. I woke up with my skin feeling amazing. I use this morning and night, and at times when the weather is humid, I wear this in the morning with no additional moisturizer. It is amazing under make up and I could not live without it! How did I not find this earlier. Even if you have the odd day with a solo pimple, you can put this on, and voila its like the skin is instantly clear. My skin loves this, I suggest everyone give it a try. It is expensive but I consider the cost well worth it, I have never been happier with my skin since finding this product.

At the time I was using this, I didn't notice any special positive or negative effects. However since I finished the bottle and started using another serum a few weeks ago, my skin has broken out like never before. I don't know whether this is just because of the change from one product to another but I found it interesting to read the acne related reviews here and have to wonder if this serum was the reason.