L’Oreal vs Estee Lauder (The Definitive Guide)

When it comes to anti-aging facial serums, there aren't many out there that can claim to be as effective or as popular as those by L'Oreal and Estee Lauder.

Come with us as we compare the L'Oreal Midnight Serum vs Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serums side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

L'Oreal Midnight Serum vs Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Beyond the obvious differences between the bottles, we're going to have to dive straight into their formulas to start seeing any differences of note.

As one might've guessed from their names alone, the L'Oreal Midnight Serum and the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum both tune into the fact that skin cell renewal peaks during our sleep. By supporting this natural process, these serums enable you to wake up to far more well-rested, radiant, and supple skin. However, it's how they achieve this that sets them apart.

The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum contains Tripeptide-32 which promotes the natural synchronization of the skin's circadian rhythm (in which skin protects itself by day and repairs itself by night). Estee Lauder sell themselves a little bit short on their official product page, though, as they make little-to-no mention of the other holy grail ingredients packed into its formula. Here are a few of them:

• Kola Seed Extract: rich in energizing caffeine, a powerful antioxidant.
• Hyaluronic Acid: binds up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful hydrator.
• Bifida Ferment Lysate: a probiotic which helps the skin maintain its supportive microbiome.
• Hydrolized Algae: known for its stimulating effect on cell renewal.
• Chamomile: known for its soothing properties.

The L'Oreal Midnight Serum instead contains a patented antioxidant recovery complex including Vitamin E. This boosts the cellular turnover of your skin's surface (akin to gentle exfoliation) revealing millions of fresh, new skin cells every morning for that coveted radiant glow. You won't find quite as many additional benefits as Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair, but this is understandable considering that the L'Oreal Midnight Serum is less than half the price of Estee Lauder's per fluid ounce.

Both serums double up as protection against external stressors during the day when used in the morning, and are effective for all skintones and skin types.

This comparison is yet another example that you really do get what you pay for when it comes to skincare. While the L'Oreal Midnight Serum could pass as a decent dupe on a budget, the additional skin-nourishing benefits make the Ana de Armas entrusted Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum oh so worth the splurge—it is rated the #1 serum in the USA (and the UK) for a reason after all.

This article was originally published on May 10th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 5th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.