Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair vs Holika Holika One Solution Anti-Wrinkle

~ stashy

Firstly, I need to make a PSA: once again I’m in SPAM HELL. 😡 I’ve noticed that many of my comments on other blogs are disappearing which means they’re likely being flagged as spam. Please check your spam folder as shown in this post. I recently upgraded to Windows 10 system, not sure if that’s what caused it, grrrr. 👿 Onward to the post!

I didn’t originally set out to compare these two serums, but then I noticed how similar their bottles are:

Right? 😮 I’ve been using the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II at nights and the Holika Holika One Solution Anti-Wrinkle for days – let’s see how these two perform and compare.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

This product has a cult following. I’m always game to try something popular to see if it lives up to the hype. I’ve been itching to try this and I finally redeemed points for it in January. I’ve been using this for about 2 months.

This has a faint dusty medicinal smell that’s like a mixture of crushed up headache tablets and damp sawdust. It has no added fragrance so the smell is a combination of its ingredients.

The serum has a slightly gooey texture that dries to a slightly tacky finish on the skin. It spreads well and absorbs into the skin quickly. I use this after I’ve cleansed and toned my skin, and before my moisturizer.  The aforementioned scent does not linger.

This serum claims to help reduce fine lines, improve hydration and more even toned skin. Let’s see what’s in this thing:

Ingredients:
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lecithin, Tripeptide-32, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Rna, Bisabolol, Glycereth-26, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Yeast Extract, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Red 4 (CI 14700), Yellow 5 (CI 19140).


The 2nd ingredient, after water, “Bifida Ferment Lysate” is a type of probiotic, which is the first I’ve heard of probiotics in skincare. We all know about probiotics in yogurt and supplements which are “good” bacteria and yeast that help with the digestive tract.  It seems that when used in skincare, probiotics act as an antioxidant. Based on what I’ve read online, the science is still not firm on how probiotics applied topically helps the skin.

EDIT!: fellow blogger Victoria highlighted an ingredient to me: Triethanolamine (the 8th ingredient from the bottom). This stuff is harmful to the skin (causing irritation) and should not be included in skincare that’s meant to remain on the skin like moisturizer or oh a SERUM!? 😮  I’m dropping the rating down due to this!  Please check out Victoria’s informative post on this subject. Thank you Victoria for pointing this out to me! ❤

I must admit that I didn’t see noticeable difference using this nightly for at least a month. But I persevered. I know that people noticed significant improvements with this serum but I found the results to be subtle for me.

The most noticeable improvement I saw was more radiance on my skin but I did not find that it helped much in hydration even though it contains squalane and hyaluronic acid.  I did not see reduction in fine lines (I was focusing on my laugh lines).

I always love how high-end skincare include a massive sheet of information in multiple languages.  I can never fold these sheets back into the original form. 😛

The serum retails for $80 for a 30ml bottle. Larger sizes at 50ml ($118) and 115ml ($225) are also available.

Pros:
• Contains good ingredients
• Skin looked more radiant
• Did not break me out
• Dropper dispenser easy to use
• No added fragrance

Cons:
• Expensive
• Didn’t yield significant results
• Contains Triethanolamine, a harmful ingredient

Stash worthiness: 4/10

Bottom line: Your results will vary! I was hoping to join the legions of people who love this serum.  Avoid this serum due to the harmful ingredient. There are much better serums on the market that are less expensive as well!

Holika Holika One Solution Anti-Wrinkle Ampoule

The holographic packaging drew me in! 😉

I’ve been using the Holika Holikda serum for less amount of time compared to the Estee Lauder since I ran out of my night serum earlier – I’ve been using this for about a month.

I stumbled upon this serum at Winners last year for $17 and liked how it looked (I guess subconsciously it reminded me of the Estee Lauder? Even though it didn’t click until I put the 2 bottles side by side).

As mentioned, I use this in the mornings as my daytime serum. This product feels quite slick and leaves a slightly oily finish on the skin. It is perfumed and smells of faint floral scent which isn’t too offensive. 
It wears well under makeup and helps to keep my skin looking glowy and plump during the day.

It’s interesting to note that the first ingredient is not water.

Ingredients:
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Glycerine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Butylene Glycol, Trehalose, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycereth-26, Cyglopentasiloxane, PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer, Dimethicone, Beta-Glucan, Dipropylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Diethoxyethyl succinate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Pentapetide-4, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Arginine, Xanthan Gum Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Lauryl Dimethicone / polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Water, Creatine, Polymethylsilsequioxane, Chlorphenesin, Sodium bicarbonate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance.


Gentiana Scabra Root Extract is a bitter herb, when ingested, helps with a variety of internal organ functions from the liver to kidney to digestion. It has been shown to have skin conditioning and soothing properties when applied topically.

Compared to the Estee Lauder, I found the effects of this to be even more subtle and temporary. It mostly provided hydration and creates a nice base – but there was no long lasting skin improvements. I was pleased that it didn’t cause me to break out or react with my other skincare or foundation (like ball up or separate). I would say this serum is probably better suited to those with drier skin type due to the oilier texture.

Pros:
• Provided good hydration
• Did not break me out
• Dropper dispenser easy to use
• Inexpensive

Cons:
• Scented
• No noticeable improvements

Stash worthiness: 6/10

Bottom line: Again, your results may vary. I just didn’t see improvements to my skin.

Note that Holika Holika has repackaged this with tweaks in the formulation (water is the first ingredient now and it doesn’t even contain Gentiana Scabra Root Extract at all). The new packaging doesn’t look anything like the Estee Lauder serum anymore:

The new name is ONE Solution Super Energy Ampoule Anti Wrinkle and retails for $28.

Quick comparison of Estee Lauder vs Holika Holika:


• Holika Holika bottle is actually glass, while the Estee Lauder one is plastic!  Compared to the Estee Lauder, the Holika Holika bottle feels more luxurious.

The Holika Holika one shows the expiry on the bottom (Feb 2018) – I did not see an expiry on the Estee Lauder except to indicate 24 month from opening.


• Holika Holika is runnier and feels more oily on the skin
• Estee Lauder absorbs quicker into the skin
• Estee Lauder is darker yellow colour compared to Holika Holika
• Estee Lauder has no added fragrance (but is not unscented)
• Holika Holika is better suited for drier skin types whereas Estee Lauder is good for all skin types
• Estee Lauder is made in USA and Holika Holika is made in Korea

Now, I have no idea if Holika Holika was trying to copy Estee Lauder but I did notice that on Estee Lauder’s box and stamped on the bottle are the words “US and International Patents”. 😛 Rest assured, the ingredients between the 2 aren’t that similar – at the most, they both contain Butylene Glycol and Hyaluronic Acid – that’s all.

Both of these serums were just ok for me, and neither I would repurchase. Sometimes skincare are like that – there’s nothing terrible about either of these but my skin just didn’t have an affinity to them.  Has that ever happened to you with skincare?  Also, tell me, what’s your favourite serum?

60 thoughts on “Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair vs Holika Holika One Solution Anti-Wrinkle”

  3. Hey Stashy, I didn’t have any visible results either. I must say, if I’m writing the EL review, I’m a lot less forgiving. Probably because I used 300ml and saw nothing for my money. I did give them a fair chance.

    I ended up liking the eye one better though (the one in the jar with no pump). That one at least I could see results after 1 jar. Yes, I bought 3 jars at a time as well. Fine lines were reduced, but mine were so light. It was discolouration under my eyes that it did manage to improve significantly. This was tested before I bought the talika. After their recent advert using Jenner, I’m not repurchasing any EL. I have concluded that their campaign is inline with insulting consumers’ intelligence (come on, she is in her 20s + the excessive PS). Too annoying and so many things out there to try.

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    1. I guess I’m more forgiving because I didn’t pay cash for it as I redeemed points for it! 😛 But yes, I definitely would be more frustrated because it isn’t cheap!

      The eye serum wasn’t on my radar but now it IS! I don’t have any issues with the Jenner association. I mean, if that’s the case, then largely ALL beauty companies would be on my banned list – every single one of them use youthful models to convey the desired results. That’s what advertising is about – fantasy! 😉

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      1. Wahaha I am just a grumpy consumer. Those “fantasy” adverts are not talking to me at all. Give me Julia Robert, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman etc any day. No more 20+ on anti-aging products please. Actually, perhaps they should. It will help me with anti-haul / no buy for sure *LOL*

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            1. Sorry, I meant more that the celebrities you list all likely have had SOME cosmetic procedures done. At the very least, they have won the genetic lottery and are not representative of us “common folk”. In addition, their lifestyles are much more pampered than ours… I mean, I’m getting frown lines from stress here. 😆

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              1. Wahaha at the very least, they’re around the same age as us AND we know they work for their looks (surgery, injections etc.) There is no fantasy for me if they photoshop a 20+. Frankly, my skin was better when I was their age 😂😋

                I am sure you’re imagining some of your lines.

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  4. I find the Estee one better for radiance. I do find when I don’t use it, my skin isn’t as glowy or bright. Shame it’s not great at reducing fine lines too though as it’s quite pricey x

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    1. I was hoping it would help diminish fine lines since that’s one of the key “anti-aging” claims. The radiance it gives is minimal for me. I find that my Vitamin C serum is more effective in that regard and it’s almost 1/3 the price!

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      1. I tried the under eye Estee serum and that did nothing for fine lines. I preferred the face one. I agree bit overpriced as it doesn’t seem to help at all with anti-aging. I’ve been trying a couple of sheet masks that give better radiance than Estee too x

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  6. Good comparison. In a way I am glad that I can now take EL away from my wishlist as for the price, the results are not so obvious for people who have other than dry/normal skin.

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      1. I like their Azelaic acid but was a bit disappointed with niacinamide as I couldn’t see any result I wanted it to have and I am yet to try their retinol from my stash.

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  10. Hmm I steal the EL from my mom and it really helps my fine lines. I just think it gets so expensive. I will get to it when I get to 30. So far sheet mask and my current routine can handle my fine lines.
    Nice comparison! I need this type of post. It will be interesting if Holika Holika does way better than EL. I guess EL actually use nicer formula.

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      1. Thank you fo the information! Now I am curious about the amount they put in and why it gets so expensive when it has this harmful ingredient. But let me check my skincare storage first. (run)

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  13. The Estee one has TET (the one I talked about in one of my posts) huhuhu. 😦 I have yet to try any anti-wrinkle product. I’ll probably look into that Holika Holika one!

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      1. Scratch that. I meant TEA not TET. Lol sorry, my bad. But yea, I try to avoid any product that has this ingredient. Even with a very small percentage of it could be really harmful especially when used for a long time. I haven’t encountered any research or study that disproves earlier claims that this is dangerous. So until then, nope, staying far FAR away.

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        1. Thanks for alerting me. I know I read your post and said I’d keep my eyes open for it but obviously I did not! 😮
          I’ll stop using the serum! I have only about 1/4 left now… the rest are absorbed in my body now! 😥
          By the way, I commented on your blog a couple of times the other day and I think my comments went into your spam folder! 😦

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          1. Ugh. I hate it when beauty companies insist on putting an already-proven harmful ingredient on their products. -____-

            Oh yes, I just checked. Wow. Didn’t realize that happened. I just migrated them over to the “Approved” folder.

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            1. Gosh, I am researching more about Triethanolamine and did you know that several of The Ordinary products contain it? And not just in low concentrations – some are listed within the top few ingredients! Check out:
              Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
              Aqua (Water), Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

              Lactic Acid 10% + 2% HA
              Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Arginine, Potassium Citrate, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

              Others:
              • Lactic Acid 5% + 2% HA
              • Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
              • Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
              • Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
              • AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

              Save for the Peeling Solution, the rest of these items are meant to be left on the skin, not rinsed off! 😮

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              1. OH MY GOD, THE ORDINARY, WHYYYYYYY!!!!! I don’t know if I’m being biased or what but I really do love the Lactic Acid and I’m going to go through the entire bottle because it really is super good. But now I’m reconsidering repurchasing it. (The rest of my TO stuff, fortunately, do not have TEA).

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  14. I’m surprised to see an ingredient that harmful in an expensive product like that, you’d think they would use all quality ingredients that aren’t harmful.

    I’ve always wondered what the difference between a serum and a facial oil is, can you explain?

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    1. From my experience, serums are typically absorbed into the skin better (water based) whereas facial oils sit on the skin. But some serums are oily so they act like facial oils. Sometimes I use both a serum and a facial oil at the same time – I use the serum first, then layer facial oil on top. The facial oil has occlusive properties – meaning it forms a barrier on the skin to keep moisture in – so it helps the serum sink into the skin better. 🙂

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      1. Skincare confuses me lol but thank you for the explanation! 😛 I keep my skincare routine simple and it seems to work so I tend to stick with it 🙂

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  16. Awesome review!! 😀
    I think it’s mind-boggling that Estee Lauder’s version is in PLASTIC!! What!! For the price of their products, I would 100% expect it to be in a glass bottle. How funny that Holika Holika has better quality packaging! AB represent!!

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    1. I was really surprised to find it was a plastic bottle when I opened it. At that time I had no opened the Holika Holika one yet. From all the photos I saw online of the Estee Lauder one, I always assumed it was glass. Yay, AB!

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  18. I feel like they must have been trying to copy the packaging, it’s not like brown bottles are that common in my opinion, even if the ingredients aren’t that similar I guess you could be fooled into thinking that they could be a dupe of one another.
    I’ve never really fully read up on EL’s but it being such a cult product I’ve always had it in the back of my mind to try one day – glad I finally read a review of it because yiiiiiikes, I do not want Triethanolamine anywhere near my face!

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    1. Holika Holika could have been just going for that apothecary appearance, who knows.
      And yes, stay away from that EL serum. I have about 1/4 left and I’m tossing it, ugh.

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  20. Interesting review! It’s really concerning to me how many harmful ingredients can be found in cosmetics and skincare and that somehow companies get away with it. I honestly don’t have a favourite serum right now but I’d love to know what yours is! 🙂 I’m using up a little foil pack of the Ole Henrikson Youth Serum and debating if I should buy a full size of it.

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    1. I have a handful of serums that I like for different purposes. For pure hydration, I really like NeoStrata’s Moisture Infusion – it works well under skincare and makeup and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! ($40). I had another one I really liked for hydration but of course they discontinued it! 😛 For a treatment type of serum, I like Paula’s Choice RESIST C15 Super Booster.

      I’ve not tried that Ole Henrikson Youth Serum (just the Truth Serum, which I do like but it’s spendy) – I just did a quick read through the descriptions of the Youth Serum and it’s an OIL… that opens up a whole other category for me. I consider serums and oils differently – to me, serums go underneath face creams whereas oils go on top (since oils are more occlusive, they “seal” everything in). Also, I often use oils alone since they’re hydrating enough on their own while I don’t typically use serums on their own. I hope that somewhat helps…. But I’m fairly fickle when it comes to serums, I’m constantly trying new ones! The next ones I’m going to try are The Ordinary ones.

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