As a board-certified dermatologist with over 7 years of experience, I've treated countless patients struggling with visibly aging skin, and over the years, I've seen and tested a lot of anti-aging skincare products.
Finding a face cream that visibly helps improve fine lines, wrinkles, and that loss of feeling firm can make or break your skincare routine.
Not all face creams are created equal. And with so many products on the market making such big claims, it can be challenging for consumers to cut through all that noise…
…but, why rely on false promises when you can just turn to science and expert advice?
I’ve discovered that the one thing the skin needs most to stay looking youthful is one of the simplest things there is – hydration!
This is why I always recommend products designed to soak up moisture, so it always looks healthy & radiant!
Today I’m here to talk about two of the most brilliant anti-aging night creams of 2024 - Restore Ultra-Rich Night Cream by Naked & Thriving vs. Advanced Génifique by Lancôme. I’ll compare what I love about them, and then talk about which one you should start using!
Lancôme is a well-established brand with an ultra-loyal following. They always have luxurious packaging that feels as good as it looks.
Lots of my patients have noticed a visible boost in radiance and have a healthier look within a few weeks of using Advanced Génifique. Personally – I feel like the texture spreads smoothly, but does take little time to fully absorb – even still, it leaves a subtle floral scent behind – some like this, some don’t.
Remember, hydration is the key here! If you want a dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free option focused on reinforcing the skin's natural building blocks, Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream checks most boxes…
…but if addressing dry skin is your top priority…and I find it generally is…other options with more immediate results in that key area may fit the bill even better.
Even after using this cream just once – I felt absolutely blown away by Restore! I feel like it just glided over my skin, it left no greasy residue or tackiness. Plus, it’s got a very subtle, botanical scent and a cashmere-soft finish that my nose really agrees with.
I’ve loved Naked & Thriving for a long time and this one delivered some truly visible results.
Immediately my skin drank this up! And after just 2 weeks of nightly use, I feel like Restore has brought back the plump, even, and line-free skin of my twenties!
I got comments from some of my patients like – “Oh, doc your skin’s glowing - it’s like you don’t have any wrinkles anymore!!”
I recommend Restore to patients because I feel like it’s capable of delivering that visible transformation at a super reasonable price! I'd easily choose it over much pricier creams with harsh synthetics.
Naked & Thriving's Restore Night Cream contains some amazing naturally-derived ingredients specifically designed to target visible signs of aging so you can love your refreshed, hydrated-feeling complexion!
One of their stars here is the Resurrection Plant. This plant contains enzymes and that help it survive in ultra-dry climates. Studies show it supports the skin's moisture levels helping it look more luminous. 1
Restore also combines Wild Indigo Extract and Bakuchiol!
Wild Indigo has been traditionally used for centuries to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections and unevenness. 2 Bakuchiol is fantastic too! Studies show this retinol-alternative ingredient can target visible wrinkles without the same irritation you’d maybe expect with traditional retinol. 3
Restore’s triple-weight hyaluronic acid also helps retain very deep moisture for visibly plump skin that looks smooth and feels incredibly soft. 4
How does this compare to Lancôme?
Advanced Génifique also contains ingredients that have demonstrated great benefits in maintaining hydration:
It features ceramide, which studies have shown can promote and support skin hydration very well. This may be particularly beneficial for extra dry skin types! 5
It also uses hyaluronic acid to promote more visible hydration benefits. Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture to a stunning degree, helping to smooth the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles we all see as we age. 6
It’s also formulated without harmful parabens or pore-clogging dimethicone – a type of artificial silicone used in many skincare products. This may suit the needs of people with sensitive skin who suffer from irritation or breakouts. 7
Its list of extracts, with pre - and probiotics, like bifidus extract has shown great promise as an antioxidant behind the scenes. These help to support your skin’s natural defences against environmental threats. 8
However, I feel Restore takes the two-in-one approach, not just addressing hydration but also targeting specific signs of aging: like wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
With its unique combination working together, Restore offers a more complete anti-aging effect, allowing you to achieve the youthful look you need!
It’s hard to argue with a track record like Lancôme’s...
Founded in 1935, the esteemed French house pioneered skincare, blending science and luxury. Today Lancôme is everywhere, from Sephora to the Hollywood red carpet. 9 10
…but reputation isn’t everything…
Founded in 2016, Naked & Thriving has emerged from a shared belief in the power of naturally-derived skincare ingredients.
Naked & Thriving has quickly gained popularity within the cosmetics industry by promoting healthier-looking, more hydrated-feeling skin all while committing to using organic and naturally-derived ingredients without sacrificing visible results.
Let’s talk about price…
I feel Naked & Thriving just gets its pricing right on this one. Restore offers outstanding anti-aging and hydration-supporting ingredients at a simple, affordable mid-tier price range.
I also feel Restore delivers easily comparable cosmetic outcomes for less cost than Lancôme or other expensive brands out there!
Why do people pay more for brands like Lancôme?
A big part of what you pay for with Lancôme is the brand. The iconic packaging and world-famous name plastered across stores lure shoppers to experience French luxury... Its followers largely pay for the glamour.
So let's compare these another way…
Over a year using recommended amounts of each cream, you'd actually spend far more on Lancôme Advanced Génifique than you would with Restore.
So by going with Restore, you also get a lot of savings, while still seeing visible results!
Lancôme isn't certified cruelty-free. 11
Combined that with Naked & Thriving's uncompromising ethical standards. Naked & Thriving is fully committed to certified vegan and cruelty-free formulations, and their products are only tested on willing human participants…
…plus the brand uses recyclable glass packaging and makes a promise to plant 1 tree for every bottle sold.
In my opinion, Naked & Thriving acts more responsibly for consumers and the planet.
So, if you can get fabulous-looking skin without feeling guilty, why settle for less?!
Unlike Lancôme's more viscous night cream, I feel Restore as it glides light as a feather without leaving residues or grease behind. It doesn't go on thick, and it doesn't go on sticky, just melted moisture and smoothness.
I feel like the elegant absorption suits oilier and combination complexions too…no thickness suffocating pores or imparting shine, just simple, fresh, matte nourishment…
I love the texture of Restore too! It supports bright skin without feeling heavy, and it’s great for patients of all skin types, offering noticeable anti-aging benefits and a healthier, more youthful complexion!
Restore's ingredients make for great outcomes too. The lush gel cream comforts a broad range of skin types with its cashmere texture, rapid absorption, and subtle scent.
Naked & Thriving specifically designed Restore to suit a broad audience, revealing refreshed, petal-soft-feeling skin with this vessel of versatility.
By comparison, while Lancôme boasts a more fragrant formula, some might find it heavy or greasy, especially for oilier skin types. For some, this could clog pores and lead to results you don’t want.
While both Restore and Advanced Génifique offer powerful wrinkle-fighting tools, I feel Restore Ultra-Rich Night Cream by Naked & Thriving clearly wins!
I truly feel Restore takes the crown here for visible results in particular.
The naturally-derived ingredients target visible signs of aging, and support hydration minus the harsh synthetics… win-win…
All this at nearly half the price of Lancôme!
While I respect the iconic Lancôme name, the beauty, and elegance of their branding don't equal the same visible results!
Lancôme fights wrinkles well, but the brand falls short of commitment to sustainable practices and overall value per use…
…and the oilier texture and added fragrance could spell trouble for sensitive skin.
If your goal is affordable, certified cruelty-free refreshment without synthetic irritants, I feel Restore Ultra-Rich Night Cream by Naked & Thriving is an absolute must-have!
Try Restore for fresher, more hydrated-feeling skin that looks dewy and healthy! …and if you’re unsure, there’s a 30-day returns policy!!
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