EYE CREAMS divide the beauty community – some argue that all that you need to apply on this area is a good general moisturiser and SPF, while others make the case that the under-eye area is a uniquely delicate one and needs its own targeted products to protect it from the detrimental environmental effects as well as holding back the aging process. After seeking the opinions of skincare experts, Tarryn Warren of PfefferSal and the Face Place’s Rowan Hall-Farrise, Glass is leaning to the latter view. Prevention is always better than cure.
The skin in this area of the face doesn’t produce any oil of its own so it is one of the first parts of the face where ageing really begins to show. However a little care invested this area will have long-lasting results. The Glass beauty team has tried and tested the latest innovations in eye creams. You can thank us later. CS
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Spa Eye Serum
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm
Sister product to the highly rated Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum (beauty demi-goddess Sali Hughes loves it), after using the eye balm, I found my under-eye area was moisturised and well-rested. Containing Hyaluronic Acid (which plumbs the skin naturally) Aquabioryl, λ Carragheenans, and caffeine, this is a great serum to use as a nightly treatment, but used as a day cream while wearing eye make-up, I found it caused my eyeliner to transfer from the edge over my upper eye-lid somewhat.
In my case, the serum didn’t sink in or absorb so much as rested on the surface of the skin around my eye area. However, after regular usage, this Vichy eye serum did lessen darkness and bags under my eyes.
I would highly recommend this as a treatment cream to be used in the evening before sleeping.
by Sophie Arditti
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Balm (15ml) £15 is available here
With 10 anti-ageing patents behind them, Nuxe’s age fighting credentials are well established. Nuxuriance Ultra, their rich moisturising lip and eye contour cream, boasts complete anti-aging results; plumping, reducing dark circles and redefining skin in lack-lustre prone areas.
by Stephanie Clair
Nuxuriance Ultra Eye and Lip Contour by Nuxe £35 (15ml) is available from Nuxe
Paula’s Choice Anti-Ageing Eye Cream
Paula’s Choice Anti-Ageing Eye Cream
As a woman in the “You look a bit tired” years – a euphemism for “You look a bit old,” I am constantly searching for skincare products that address the excess eye baggage. This is a tricky area: too much or too heavy a cream drags the skin down further, whereas if it is so light you can hardly feel it, it barely makes a difference.
This product, containing the much hyped Resveratrol, an anti-oxidant with many fountain of youth claims (also found in red wine) is light and easy to put on,
A few weeks of use and I find I am wearing it without concealer and though I can’t see a real life difference myself, I seem to photograph better. My guess is like most eye products, prevention is more efficacious than damage limitation; start using it before your creases have their own postcode and I reckon you can pull off the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed look well into your mid-40s – if you also stay out of the sun and don’t smoke.
by Michele Kirsch
Paula’s Choice Anti-Aging Eye Cream, £29 (15 ml) is available from Paula’s Choice
Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Creme
Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Creme
This eye cream by the Danish skincare brand, Ole Henriksen, named after its founder who is a celebrated skincare expert, aims to restore firmness and get rid of any signs of lines or wrinkles in the undereye area.
To achieve that, the formula contains many natural ingredients, such as avocado oil, also known to be good for strengthening the skin owing to vitamin E, and oats, which act as a natural moisturiser and remove the dead skin cells.
The cream has a fresh smell of cucumber, also one of its ingredients, and on applying it leaves the area with a tingling feeling. My skin around my eyes feels refreshed and less tired. Additionally, it is a great make-up base for any make-up you’d like to use around your eyes.
by Sara Hesikova
Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Creme £32 (50ml) at John Lewis
This Works Light Time Open Eye
This Works Light Time Open Eye
What’s this, you ask? Oh, only a 15ml tube that does to morning eyes what a tall drink of water does to thirst. Addressing the impact of dehydration and fatigue on the skin, This Works Light Time Open Eyes diminishes sleep-induced lines and puffy skin using a brew of aloe vera and comfrey root (to soothe), argan oil (to de-puff) and hyaluronic acid (for deep hydration).
Gliding the cream on using the cooling metal applicator offers pretty immediate results: my eyes, which are usually small for at least the first hour after waking, look wide-awake within minutes and the sensitive skin really feels like it’s being looked after.
The only drawback? If, like me, you don’t have time to faff about in your morning routine, immediately applying the newly launched Light Time Open Eyes before eye make-up, (such as my everyday must-wear eyeliner), results in more of a slip and slide than my usually steady hand is used to.
by Natalie Egling
This Works, Light Time Open Eyes, £25 (15ml) from here
VENeffect Anti-Aging Eye Treatment
VENeffect Anti-Aging Eye Treatment
Recently launched skincare brand VENeffect developed by two sisters, one a gynecologist with a great interest and knowledge of hormonal wellness; the other a beauty industry professional with over 28 years in the industry, VENeffect focuses on harnessing the latest scientific innovations in skincare to offer women a targeted skincare regime for a more youthful and brighter appearance.
This Anti-Aging Eye Treatment contains the brand’s unique phytoestrogen technology, peptides and brighteners, shea butter, vitamins B, C and E and aims to improves elasticity around the delicate eye area, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This is a rather pricey product but only a tiny application is needed for each use supplied via the VENeffect pump-action container which limits the amount dispensed.
After a month of using this smooth and unscented cream, my eyes look refreshed and I have noticed, pleasingly, that fine lines are fading from view, the skin is refreshed and a patch of dryness and allergy-related puffiness has declined considerable. A highly effective product.
by Caroline Simpson
VENeffect Anti-Aging Eye Treatment £90 (15ml) from Space NK