“I finally found an eye cream that ticks every single box”

New year, new eyes

January 27 2021

Like so many of us in the last year, I became really invested in my skin care routine. But if there’s one step I’ve always found it hard to find a favourite product in, it’s eye cream.

And it’s definitely not because I don’t need one. Whenever asked what my number one skin concern is, it’s a whole list of eye issues; we’re talking crow’s feet, puffiness, uneven skin tone and don’t get me started on UV damage. Also, my 2020 consisted of A LOT of Netflix so blue light protection is up there too. (FYI, the blue light that emits from our devices can cause photo-ageing. Think: hyperpigmentation and a breakdown of collagen.)  And that’s all before we even get to texture and smell (also very important).

My mission became to find an eye cream that ticked every box before the new year so that I could start my routine fresh with a favourite that I could apply every day.

Now, the thing with eye creams is that if you want one that works, you’ve got to look for active ingredients, otherwise you might as well just be using a stock-standard moisturiser.

After trying the serum earlier in the year, I knew that Estée Lauder was privy to some of the best repair technology in the skin care game. And with my crow’s feet predominantly caused from sun damage and blue light (it’s hard to stop watching Bridgerton once you start), repair is exactly what I needed. So, the Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex Synchronized Recovery was top of my list.

What I didn’t expect, however, was how much I would enjoy using it. When I’ve tried eye creams or eye serums in the past I’ve just gotten ‘over’ them and dropped them as a skin care step as soon as I got bored.

But this one had me hook, line and sinker. So much so, that I’ve been able to start the year fresh-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Let me count the ways I love this little pot…

The texture

Here’s where it all started for me, it just feels so damn good on my skin. Instantly cooling (cold, even), hydrating and gel-like but NOT a sticky gel (very important). I want to call it a velvet-finish gel. My skin drinks it in and even on the hottest of days it doesn’t resurface as a sweaty, greasy mess. It’s for this reason I not only used it at night but morning too. It sits amazingly under makeup and plumps the eye area so creases become less noticeable. As for the smell, it’s the same subtle, herbal scent as the serum.

The technology

This product is like the iPhone of eye creams. I swear Steve Jobs himself would be impressed with the science that goes into it. The repair technology I was talking about? They’ve crammed 10x its power into this pot to neutralise dark circles. And keeping with the times, the ChronoluxCB™ Technology helps to repair the damage from blue light pollution. I know it’s not something we can see, but when you think about how much time we all spend on our devices, it’s going to have some effect. And as someone who’s either on a laptop or phone until lights out, I sure feel better knowing it’s being fought against.

The protection

While we all love the idea of our lines being magically erased, the reality is prevention is always the better bet in the wrinkle department. And after many interviews with experts and dermatologists, I know antioxidants are what's needed. So after I fell in love with the texture and how it made my skin look and feel, it was good to know Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex Synchronized Recovery is also potent in this department, with long-lasting, 8-hour antioxidant power. Combine that with an SPF and sunglasses during the day, and I now know I’m putting in my best effort to prevent more lines from popping up. I’m awarding myself an A+.

Final verdict

If you’re struggling with the whole eye cream thing, I can confidently say it’s because you haven’t found ‘the one’. I’ve tried many and from what I’ve found, it all comes down to the quality of ingredients used and technology behind the formula. With this one, I was also able to stick with it because it was a JOY to use. Of course, the plumping, smoothing and protection was all a bonus too. So I say keep looking, you might just find your match in 2021.

Main image credit: Are Media

Dreary under eyes getting you down? Check out our edit of the best concealers for dark circles.