Sainsbury’s ‘gentlest’ £14 eye cream ‘drastically reduces dark circles and lines’

The CeraVe Eye Repair Cream has a 4.6 star rating on Sainsbury’s and is hailed as ‘such a steal’ that ‘competes with more expensive creams’

Sleepless nights, heavy days and changing temperatures can wreak havoc on our skin – especially that delicate area around our eyes. Whether suffering from dry and irritated patches from stress or skin sensitivity, or simply not getting enough shut-eye, resulting in puffy and tired-looking bags, a decent quality eye cream is a must in our beauty arsenal.

While luxury lotions whose price tag reflects their quality will do the job, one affordable eye cream from celebrity-backed brand CeraVe ‘definitely competes with more expensive creams’. It’s loved for ‘deeply hydrating’ the under-eye, not to mention ‘ softens the skin and makes fine lines less noticeable’.

Costing £14.50 from Sainsbury’s, the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is touted as being ‘an ultra-lightweight cream that targets dark circles, puffiness and dry skin around the delicate eye area’. What’s more, shoppers may even be able to bag it for free if they have a Nectar card as its current offer allows shoppers to bag 3 beauty products for the price of two. It doesn’t have to be CeraVe either, as it includes a range of mix-and-match goodies.

What makes this eye cream stand out, though, is its hydrating formula, packed with three Essential Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid, which help retain moisture while protecting the skin’s natural barrier.

It’s also loved by those who struggle with eczema-prone skin and sensitivities as it’s fragrance-free and is powered by the brand’s patented MVE Technology, which provides up to 24-hour hydration. While this concoction, developed by dermatologists, is ideal for helping revive and rejuvenate the skin around our eyes, it’s also praised for creating the perfect base for eye makeup, like concealer.

One user said: “I love the texture of the product, it absorbs quickly, making a good base for make-up products. It really softens the skin and makes fine lines less noticeable. Really happy with the results I have seen so far.”

It’s important to state that this product isn’t designed specifically for targeting wrinkles, so for something that is crafted for this job, Medik8’s Crystal Retinal® Ceramide Eye cream, £42, may do the trick. It’s made with gentle-release Vitamin A, otherwise known as retinAL (not retinol), which the brand claims ‘works 11x times faster than standard retinol’, which is perfect for fine lines.

Elsewhere, another budget-friendly option for tired eyes is The Inkey List’s Caffeine Eye Cream, £10 It is said to cool and hydrate under eyes, whilst targeting dark circles, puffiness, and signs of fatigue.

For those wanting to stay on the CeraVe hype – and who want to take full advantage of Sainsbury’s Nectar card promotion, which sees shoppers snagging three beauty products for the price of two – the supermarket offers a whole host of CeraVe products, including one that has given shoppers a glowing complexion and boosted confidence. Its £17 CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion AM SPF 50 is ideal for smoothing, hydrating and protecting skin in one fell swoop.

Made with SP50, it helps protect from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays, meaning one less drastic skincare step to include. Similar to the eye cream, it also contains three essential ceramides, which is complemented by Vitamin E and Niacinamide for deep hydration and smoothing. Similarly, it’s also made with CeraVe’s patented MVE Technology, which ‘locks in moisture for a continuous release of hydration, for up to 24 hours’.

If it’s blemishes that are a cause of concern, the brand’s CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Niacinamide For Blemish Prone Skin is another beloved product that really seems to help with ‘acne and clogged pores’. Costing £23.50, it’s been designed to reduce the appearance of post-acne marks by exfoliating and brightening the skin, while protecting the skin’s natural barrier and helping banish pesky breakouts. It’s also said to help even out skin tone and hyperpigmentation. This is down to its formula, which contains Encapsulated Retinol, Liquorice Root Extract, Niacinamide, and essential ceramides.

Meanwhile, Cerave’s Eye Repair Cream is said to work wonders for tired-looking eyes and dry skin. One fan of the product said in a five-star review: “I started with dry skin around my eyes, which wasn’t improved by anything I tried. I eventually tried this eye cream, and within a couple of days, it was much improved. Within a week, it had gone completely. I use this day and night, and the dry skin remains at bay.”

Echoing this, someone else remarked: “Having tried three eye creams from well-known brands, the severely dehydrated skin under my left eye (not the right, just the left strangely!) was not improving at all; in fact, the deep lines looked as if they’d become a permanent fixture. This was destroying my confidence, and then I chanced upon CeraVe eye repair cream. Wow, just wow, in three days there was an improvement and by a week my skin was back to normal. I’m now using this wonderful cream twice a day (under both eyes!) and can’t recommend it highly enough. I have very sensitive skin, and this is the gentlest cream I have tried, absolutely no stinging, but also the most effective.”

Another user noted: “Great for mature skin. This is a no-nonsense eye cream, which I love. There are no whistles and bells in the packaging, and it doesn’t promise the earth regarding bags, wrinkles, lines, etc. What it does do is deeply hydrate the under-eye area with no stickiness, residue, or greasy feeling. Make-up and concealer go on more smoothly, and the eye area stays more supple for longer. This is a brand that is well worth the money, it has all you need in skincare ingredients….. hyaluronic acid and ceramides ect without any fragrance and nasty alcohol.”

It’s important to state that, as with all skincare products, this eye cream may not work for everyone. One user experienced redness after using the cream, while another found the product quite ‘thick’. Although they did add: “The cream itself is quite thick but because the nozzle is relatively small, the cream comes out in a nice thin layer.”

For the most part, however, the eye cream has garnered impressive results, with one user sharing their experience: “I’ve tried various eye creams in the past, but none have given me results the way this eye cream has. It has drastically reduced my dark circles as well as flaky skin under my eyes. I’ve noticed my eye bags are less puffy, and I look more awake. I will definitely be purchasing this product again!”