Shiseido vs Estee Lauder 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

Famed for their luxurious skincare products packed with efficacious actives, both Shiseido and Estee Lauder are more than worthy of occupying some shelf space in your bathroom.

Come with us as we compare their best-selling anti-aging serums side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine. Enjoy!

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Shiseido Ultimune vs Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

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

As you could probably guess by the name, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum tunes into the fact that skin cell renewal peaks during our sleep. By supporting this natural process, it enables you to wake up to far more well-rested, radiant, and supple skin.

The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, on the other hand, claims to immediately activate the skin's inner defenses to defend against the effects of stress, natural aging, and pollution. By supporting the skin's natural processes, both serums aim to yield younger, healthier, and renewed skin.

The magic behind their success revolves around patented anti-aging technologies and active ingredients. In particular, 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 (antioxidant), Hyaluronic Acid (hydrator), Bifida Ferment Lysate (probiotic), Hydrolized Algae (stimulant), and Chamomile (soothing).

The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate contains Iris, Reishi Mushroom, Ginkgo Leaf, and Lotus extracts for their anti-stress, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. More importantly, though, is the inclusion of their anti-aging technology: ImuGenerationRED. Unfortunately, they are purposefully obscure about what it is exactly (which is a bit of a red flag, but if it works, it works). A little bit of digging through some old press releases reveals that it apparently helps to deliver moisturizing collagen—specifically Hydroxyproline—to the skin. Collagen, of course, helps to improve the skin's elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Results-wise, it's usually difficult to say for sure which serum comes out on top without stooping into anecdote. That said, both Estee Lauder and Shiseido have published their clinical trial results which we can compare. Shiseido showcases that ~90% of their customers felt that their skin was healthy, renewed, and smooth after 8 weeks of use. Estee Lauder reports that ~90% of their customers felt that their skin looked plumped, felt smoother, felt firmer, and had a healthy glow after just 3 weeks of use.

With both serums clocking in at more or less the exact same price per fluid ounce, and hundreds of beauty awards between them, it's definitely tricky to pick between the two. That said, the Ana de Armas-entrusted Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum certainly has the edge in terms of results and popularity—it is rated the #1 serum in the USA (and the UK) for a reason after all.

Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate by Shiseido

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Our rating: ★★★★★

Price: $$$$

Shiseido's #1 anti-aging serum with innovative technology.

What makes it special? Ultimune Serum works with a double anti-aging technology called ImuGenerationRED that works to boost both skin immunity and skin circulation. Rosella extract improves the function of immune cells, Heart Leaf extract helps your skin to be more resilient, Reishi mushroom and Iris extract optimizes the number of Langerhans cells that have an effect against stress, and the Lotus and Ginko creates an ideal environment for your skin and protects it against the effects of pollution.

Which skin types? All skin types.

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Advanced Night Repair by Estee Lauder

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Our rating: ★★★★★

Price: $$$$

The #1 serum in the US and UK.*
*According to the NPD Group / Prestige Beauty trend monitors.

What makes it special? With just your first application your skin looks radiant and plumped with hydration—all the way through till morning. After three weeks, lines and wrinkles appear visibly reduced (88% of women said their skin looked more youthful). After one bottle your skin looks healthy, with a new bounce and vitality, and your pores are visibly diminished. This product really is a not-so-hidden gem.

Which skin types? All skin types.

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This article was originally published on June 2nd 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 7th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.