Although my skincare stash is more stocked than I like to admit, where eye creams are concerned, I've always kept things quite minimal. But, as it turns out, simply taking your face serum up further may not be quite right for your delicate eye area. At a recent beauty dinner the conversation turned to the fact I don't always reach for an eye cream. And it's safe to say the dermatologist sitting beside me was less than impressed. While there's always going to be some debate as to what you do and don't need in a beauty routine, an eye specific product is considered a good option by many professionals as its ingredients will be tailored specifically to suit more delicate skin.
After years writing about ingredient concoctions, you get to know the ones that don't typically blend well together. Of course, both vitamin C and vitamin A work well individually to target different concerns, but I'd never really considered their potential prowess as a duo. Why? I worried that two strong actives blended together would be a recipe for irritation. Sarah Chapman's new launch, however, has proved me wrong.
Some context: Sarah Chapman's Sloane Square Clinic is the ultimate destination for some of the best facials in London. The clinic is one of the worst-kept secrets for celebrities and beauty editors alike, with treatments that offer instant glow and a wealth of shoppable products that allow clients to continue their radiance journey from home. Not to mention, her hard-working vitamin C serum is a firm favourite of Sienna Miller herself. Naturally, when the email landed in my inbox about the launch of Sarah Chapman's new AC+ Eye Serum, £115, I was utterly intrigued.
What does Sarah Chapman's AC + Eye Serum do, and who is it for?
A high-potency formula suited to anyone who wants to boost the appearance of their eye area. It aims to improve the appearance of darkness, fine lines, puffiness and skin smoothness. Thanks to is unique deep-delivery technology, this formula is not only encapsulated to ensure its stability (meaning it remains efficacious) but it also strives to deliver targeted results without causing unwanted pilling, redness or unwanted sensitivity.
What Sarah Chapman says:
'By combining Vitamins A and C in a single serum, this next-gen formulation delivers powerful results while still respecting the skin’s natural integrity in the most delicate areas of the face. With AC+EYE, I bring the same level of clinical precision and performance we achieve with our clinic face serums to a targeted solution for the eye area.'
Ingredients: At A Glance
Retinal – a vitamin A derivative to deliver faster results than retinol – will rebuild collagen, remove dead skin cells and repair the appearance of fine lines, loss of volume or unwanted scarring.
Hydro-C - a highly stable water-soluble form of vitamin C - helps to brighten dull skin and improve the appearance of discolouration.
Amino acid – a powerful protective antioxidant, to amplify the benefits of this serum.
Shop: Sarah Chapman AC+ Eye Serum
115
How to use Sarah Chapman's AC+ Eye Serum
This hard-working eye serum can be applied both morning and evening as part of your skincare routine. For maximum effect, I prefer to apply my eye product on a cleansed face to ensure it has full contact with the skin. The brand advises wearing SPF every day (a non-negotiable in my book), but wearing it is even more crucial when using vitamin A. Apply SPF every morning to protect your skin, as vitamin A makes the skin more susceptible to the dangers of UV rays.
Our review
Georgia Scott, beauty commerce writer, says:
'First impressions? The cooling, doe-foot applicator (the slanted, flat tip) feels satisfyingly weighty and makes application a breeze. Often with eye creams, it's easy to let the product travel down onto the cheeks and into the temples, whereas this precise applicator allows you to be more methodical.
Let's talk texture. Although I have dry skin, I'm not keen on anything with a thicker consistency. I needn't have worried - this is featherlight. The yellow-tinted, gel-like serum sinks immediately into the delicate under-eye without causing any unwanted pilling. It sits beautifully under the rest of my skincare and make-up which is a non-negotiable.
To say this new launch came as music to my ears would be an understatement. I have always struggled with puffy, dark undereyes, and although I've tried a plethora of formulas to help battle this, I've never found one that totally covers all bases. Not to mention, I'm not far off turning 30 (okay, in just over a year), but the countdown is well and truly on. With this in mind, I've been wanting to start seriously thinking about targeting those pesky fine lines around my eyes before they continue to get deeper.
What I love most of all is that this potent formula doesn't make me fear sensitivity. Usually, the use of retinols and strong vitamin C could compromise the skin's barrier, but not this. It's reassuringly gentle.
After consistent use for two weeks, I've already noticed a difference in the appearance of my dark circles. I always struggle with my concealer looking dry and creasing under my eyes but with this serum underneath, I've noticed a change in how it looks throughout the day. I love how my eye area looks brighter, smoother and more radiant.
I look forward to seeing continued results – and with this encapsulated formula, I know my sensitive skin will thank me for it.
Georgia Scott is a beauty commerce writer for Grazia. She has been obsessed with beauty products for as long as she can remember and spends her days hunting for the latest trending products to get her hands on to review.