Why These Anti-Ageing Eye Products Should Have a Spot in Your Skincare Routine
Lisa Patulny is a beauty editor, journalist, career creative and Italo disco enthusiast. (She’s also a qualified volunteer ethics teacher, so if you’re looking for a D&M on an ethical issue, you know who to call.) She’s passionate about a lot of other things too: sun safety, skincare, fragrance, family (hi kids!), food and travel. Find her on socials @lisapatulny.
There’s something you should know about me.
I’ve been deeply unimpressed by almost every eye product I’ve ever tried.
That doesn’t sound too bad until I tell you I’m a career beauty editor and have tested hundreds of them.
For years I remained unconvinced that I couldn’t just apply a well-formulated moisturiser to my entire face.
In my experience, too many eye creams are not fundamentally any different from regular facial moisturisers.
That said, there are a small handful of eye products that I do believe in!
In an attempt to broaden that selection, I took a month off my usual regimen to trial a bunch of newbies.
Keen to incorporate an eye product or two into your routine? Keep reading for my honest thoughts.
First, Are Eye Creams Worth It?
Listen. The eye area is one of the first on your face to show signs of ageing.
And while I am a harsh critic of eye products, they are typically formulated with lighter textures, offering hydration without clogging pores or causing milia. (Fun fact: the skin around the eyes is prone to dryness!)
Also, those that contain actives (vitamin A, vitamin C, AHAs et al.) are generally made with the fragile eye area top of mind, enabling these heavy hitting ingredients to be used without triggering irritation.
Interestingly, there’s been an uptick in eye product interest on Adore Beauty year after year, which proves that y’all are keen to try/use/know more about all kinds of eye products, especially the anti-ageing kind.
With that in mind, I’m bringing you mini-reviews of the four eye products I rate.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3.
Fast facts:
- Billed as the “world’s first clinical strength retinal for under eyes”, it’s been specially designed to provide wrinkle-reducing retinal to the delicate skin around the eyes without causing irritation.
- Featuring a powerful blend of 0.06% twin-encapsulated retinaldehyde (a next-gen vitamin A that acts eleven times faster than retinol), nourishing ceramides, soothing bisabolol and plumping hyaluronic acid filling spheres, it promises to improve fine lines, puffiness, dullness and skin laxity.
- A multi-benefit product, it hydrates, smooths, brightens, and rejuvenates tired-looking eyes.
- Airless packaging protects the formula from UV light and oxygen, keeping it at peak potency.
My mini Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 review:
My first foray into using an eye product with retinal!
While the product was designed for regular vitamin A users (“not me”), I gradually introduced it into my skincare regimen anyway, starting with three, then four times a week. Note: I do not have sensitive skin.
FYI, this product comes in three strengths, of which Eye 3 is the least powerful with 0.03% of retinal. Eye 6 is moderate-strength, with Eye 10 delivering 0.1%. (The idea is that you ladder your way up as your skin adjusts.)
After two weeks, I noticed an improvement in the brightness and texture of the skin around my eyes.
The fine lines under and around my eyes were less pronounced, giving me a more refreshed appearance.
Essentially, I looked like I’d slept more. (I hadn’t.) What a win.
What truly impresses me is that this formulation is effective but doesn’t cause my weepy eyes to go aggro.
I’m now using it every other night, which is a testament to how much I like it. It’s a new staple for me.
Hada Labo Deep Wrinkle Corrector Eye and Mouth Cream.
Fast facts:
- This versatile cream caters to both the skin around the eyes and mouth, making it a multi-use buy.
- Powered by three forms of hyaluronic acid (“super-hyaluronic acid”) to provide deeper hydration.
- Enriched with retinol and collagen for their anti-wrinkle, smoothing and rejuvenating properties.
- Best suited to ages 20 and up, it addresses the early signs of ageing for a more radiant complexion.
My mini Hada Labo Deep Wrinkle Corrector Eye and Mouth Cream review:
For me, the best thing about this wallet-friendly, lightweight eye and mouth cream is its ability to hydrate.
Made with multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, it aims to provide hydration at different levels of the skin, moisturising the deeper layers whilst also offering an immediate plumping effect at the surface.
This focus on flooding the skin with moisture ensures the delicate skin around the eyes receives long-lasting hydration, smoothing the look of fine lines and helping with dryness and flakiness. (The allergy girlies know.)
It keeps the eye area refreshed throughout the day too – an excellent option for wearing under makeup.
I can’t say I saw an improvement in wrinkles, lifting or firming, but someone younger than me might.
(For your reference, I’m 37 and have two small children, so my eye bags aren’t Chanel, they’re Samsonite.)
I don’t love applying it around my mouth, but I’m not used to wearing anything other than a lip mask.
I’ve got lips drier than Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s sense of humour, so I’m still trialling it in that regard. TBD!
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum.
Fast facts:
- This eye serum cocktails two forms of hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5, caffeine and niacinamide to target wrinkles, plump and rejuvenate the eye area.
- The gel-water formula has a refreshing, melting texture that feels really nice to apply. Bonus points for the doser/massage roller applicator thingie – it’s delightfully cooling and depuffing on tired eyes.
- The brand conducted a small clinical study that demonstrated visible results in two weeks: the eye contour feels firmer, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and dark circles become less visible.
- Fragrance-free, suitable for all skin types – including sensitive – and safe for contact lens wearers.
My mini La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum review:
Another fantastic hydrator; I’ve added La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum to my summer skincare lineup.
I get a real sweaty face when it’s warm out (cute) so I like to swap out heavier products that sit on the skin.
This one has a silky, water-gel texture that’s so refreshing, and the massage roller is good for depuffing.
So good in fact, that using this made me realise I have more of an issue with puffiness than I’d thought.
My eye contour was definitely smoother and more hydrated, and I noticed a slight reduction in dark circles.
Because this is a serum, you can use it underneath an eye cream to boost your results.
I didn’t do this because I wanted to trial it solo (I take my job seriously my friends), but I have plans to layer it going forward.
Aspect Eyelift 3.
What: Aspect Eyelift 3
Fast facts:
- A multi-purpose eye treatment for reducing dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness.
- Enriched with more than 28 antioxidant-rich botanicals for maximum skin nourishment.
- Also contains amino-peptides for a firmer, younger-looking eye area.
- The brand says it’s suitable for all skin types, but it might be slightly too rich for oily/combo.
My mini Aspect Eyelift 3 review:
After adding this eye cream to my nightly routine, I observed some positive changes to my tired eyes.
Mainly a subtle sort of luminosity that I haven’t seen with many other products.
With shea butter and a peptide complex, it’s hydrating, soothing and leaves the skin looking pretty juicy.
Enriched with vitamins B5, E, and A, it also brightened up my dark circles and smoothed out fine lines.
This cream itself is on the thicker side and while it mostly absorbs, I wouldn’t dare wear it under makeup.
I do enjoy it underneath a sleeping mask for a spot of slugging too. It’s that kind of thicc, buttery vibe.
Final Thoughts...
If you’d like to treat the skin around your eyes to some special attention, you’re in the right place. :)
For more eye care products to keep on your radar, check out these BIQs:
