‘H-E-L-P!’ said our eyes.

‘To the rescue!’, trumpeted Clarins Eye Lift.

That, of course, is an imaginary exchange – but it does some up what’s happened since we started using this light, soothing pump-action concentrate from that fabled French skincare name.

It was time for some serious skincare action in the eye area, after a summer squinting at a surprising amount of sunshine, for the UK. So when news of this Clarins innovation pinged into our inbox, we knew it was definitely worth a shot – and we haven’t been disappointed. They had great results in their own trials – 86% reported firmer skin – and after a few weeks, this is having a similar result, in our own experience, also brightening and smoothing out fine lines.

Key botanical ingredients: harungana (tightening) guarana (a form of caffeine, which works on eye bags), albizzia (for skin firmness and radiance) and horse chestnut (circulation-boosting, good for shadows). The texture is light, and the pump allows precision control of product – we loathe pumps which splurt out more than you need, and really, a little of this silky-textured product goes a long way.

It also – important, this – really helps with application of eye make-up on top. But – even MORE important – you really should use it morning AND night. One of the refrains we often hear from Doubting Thomasinas, on the eye cream front, is that so-called age-defying eye treatments ‘don’t work’. Well, they do. But they don’t work if you use them just occasionally; you have to be diligent and ritualistic.

A tip from a savvy beauty expert we know: rather than apply to a ‘resting’ face, smile when you apply eye creams – and take the cream to the outer edges of where the crinkles are. But when you do that, results can be pretty eye-opening.

£58 for 15ml – buy here

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