Emma Lewisham skincare has long been the inside secret of beauty editors the world over, the sort of brand that, when asked by friends or colleagues, 'so, what skincare products should I really be using?', in-the-know beauty journalists like to name-drop in a bid, not only to impart a bit of valuable information - this stuff really is good - but to look clued-up. Because it's still not the first brand most beauty buyers Google when they're looking to change up their skincare routine. So when Grazia's Beauty Editor Rachael Martin started waxing lyrical about Emma Lewisham's new SPF, my ears pricked up. I was on mission to find a new eye cream, perhaps I needed to try theirs.
Enter the Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Eye Crème. Its purple pump pot won me over in the first instance - skincare can oxidise quickly, so the more you can avoid exposing it to the open air the better. Pump pots solve this problem for you and in my opinion, they're a necessity when you're talking about a 15ml pot of cream that costs £72, you want to keep this stuff fresh for as long as possible. Now onto the formula.
How does Emma Lewisham's Skin Reset Eye Crème work?
The clinical stats behind this eye cream are impressive. It's proven to increase collagen production by up to 74% by stimulating the cells in your skin that actually make it. Ingredients like Ribose and CoQ10 (they sound techy but all you need to know are that they're effective rebuilders where skin is concerned) work with your skin's own healing system to strengthen its structure. The stronger your skin's barrier and structure, the less prone to irritation and inflammation it is. It's brimming with antioxidants too, to ward off further irritation from stressors like pollution and temperature fluctuations. Hydration wise there's aloe vera, which also helps to calm skin and tone down puffiness.
My Verdict
While I'm impressed with the clinical results, I'm only human and I'm keen to see results in the mirror right away. I do. The texture is smooth without feeling like it's loaded with silicone - I'm really averse to the dull peach-skin-smooth formulas that flooded the market a few years ago. This cream is glossy and rich without being greasy. There's some sort of grip to it which means it's unlikely to slip and sits really well under make-up, I'd go so far as to say it feels like a skin-loving primer. It smooths the texture of my delicate under-eye area and it's light reflecting to some degree, so even before I reach for my under-eye concealer, my resident dark circles are slightly brightened. It's fragrance-free - my under-eye area is sensitive so that's a must - and because of its thickness, the formula makes my under-eye skin feel bolstered and protected in seconds. The hydration lasts all day too. As for the long-term results, I have been wearing this for two weeks (applying day and night). Most derms advise sticking with a product for at least three months before making any assessment, so stay tuned.
Grazia's Beauty Director Annie Vischer reviews Emma Lewisham's Skin Reset Eye Crème
Annie Vischeremmalewisham.co.uk
What the brand says: 'This classic, must-have eye crème is tailored to meet the unique needs of the eye area and deliver powerful results. Partnering deep scientific understanding of this skin’s specialised challenges with advanced ingredient technology, this rejuvenating eye crème helps brighten the appearance of dark circles, smooth away puffiness and even out skin tone.'
Grazia's Beauty Director Annie Vischer says: 'Without even glancing about the clinical testing results tied to this product and its ingredients list, I was impressed. First of all, the packaging. I'm a big fan of a pump pot - beauty products with sensitive ingredients can oxidise and lose their efficacy, so although open pots with cute little spoons can feel fancy to use, they bring forward its unlabelled 'use by' date dramatically. Pump pots prevent exposure and significantly increase the lifespan of your skincare buy - something that's pretty important when you're dealing with a relatively pricey product like this. Then there's the texture - rich and smoothing. I could tell this would even out the texture of my under-eye area and sit nicely under make-up, which is does. There's zero fragrance - absolutely no need when you're dealing with eye products and often an irritant. Superficially it ticked every box for me. Then I started to get granular. According to the brand's clinical stats, this pretty peach stuff increases collagen production in the delicate under-eye area by up to 74% - that's impressive when you're dealing with some of the thinnest skin on your body. It does this by stimulating the cells in your skin that create collagen and actually increasing the number of them. Brimming with strengthening complexes, powerful antioxidants and soothing aloe vera, the formula does everything it can to calm, de-puff, smooth and boost your overall skin health with consistent wear. If you're after instant results you can see in the mirror, this delivers, as for long-term skin benefits? Commit to daily wear (I apply mine day and night) and you'll notice less irritation, smoother skin and less puffiness.
Pros
- Science-backed formula.
- Clinically proven to increase collagen production.
- Sits well under make-up.
- Fragrance-free.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Deceptive in size - the pot itself is large but you only get 15ml.
Annie Vischer is beauty director at Grazia. Annie was previously beauty editor across a number of lifestyle titles at TI Media (now Future Plc) including Woman & Home magazine and Feel Good You. Annie has over a decade-worth of experience as a beauty journalist under her belt and is an established authority in the beauty industry, known for covering skincare, make-up, hair care, body care, treatments and wellness in print, online and across social media.