My absolute favorite eye cream is about to be completely empty, so I thought it was time to write up a review on it.

Whenever someone asks me what my favorite eye cream is, I say this one without hesitation but I also give a quick disclaimer because it is pricey and it may not be for everyone. For example, if you are young and just need some hydration to keep the eye area moisturized and supple, there are more affordable options out there. If your main concern is dark circles, this may not be sufficient to fully tackle that issue. For me, my main concern was tightening up my eyelids and helping with fine lines under my eyes and it works amazing at addressing those concerns.

Claims:

Chanel claims that repeated use will help to firm and lift the eye area, help with crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles. I primarily wanted this for my eye lids to help tighten up the skin and to help with fine lines under eyes. I also wanted something that would keep my eye area moisturized.

Did it work?

Yes! I noticed immediate hydration, but for the tightening I found that it took about 6 weeks of consistent use to see results (which Chanel claims will be permanent but I think it needs upkeep, but it is definitely more permanent than the results you get from something like Hyaluronic acid, for example)

I took before and after photos to make sure it wasn’t all in my head and when I looked at those I could see that my eyelids were tighter and had less noticeable excess skin. It isn’t a miracle worker, but I definitely saw an improvement. Also, for 6 weeks I did a split face challenge with another eye product and I noticed that some fine lines seemed more noticeable on the side that was using the other product.

Note: I don’t think this would help with deeper lines associated with crow’s feet. FWIW I use Botox to treat my crow’s feet and that works like a charm. The Botox stops the dynamic wrinkles from happening, which I have found reduces any static fine lines over time.

How long does it last?

I bought this back in February and it lasted me 8 months (Note: it says it has a 6 month shelf life). I would say that for at least 5 of those months I was using it morning and night, every day.  Around month 4 or 5, I started to compare this to other products to see if I could find a cheaper alternative (Note: I couldn’t).

How I apply it:

I use the spatula to apply a tiny pea size amount. I apply it using the massage technique described in the fancy little booklet that came with the product. I apply this after thin serums but before heavier moisturizers or oils.

Price:

$105 for 15ml (ouch, I know).

• Tips on how to save:
  • Buy it at Nordstrom and use your extra points day or at least the purchase can go toward a Nordstrom Note
  • My favorite way to buy it is to look on Rakuten (formerly called Ebates) and wait for one of the stores that stock it to have 10-14% cash back. **If you haven’t signed up for Rakuten yet you can use my referral code and get $10 iny our account after your first purchase (which would save you even more for this eye cream)
    • Neiman Marcus frequently has about 10% cash back specials.
    • Bloomingdales also stocks it and frequently has 10-14% cash back
    • Macy’s is another option that has some high cash back deals.

Pros:

• I can use this on my eyelids and it never stings my eyes
• Non-fragranced
• Cream/gel texture – super lightweight while still being incredibly moisturizing. I ADORE the texture of this cream.
• Never resulted in any milia (for me)
• Works well under makeup (even on eyelid) and didn’t contribute to any concealer creases
• I only get dark circles sporadically when I don’t get enough sleep, and this seemed to help a bit with puffiness and dark circles (but I wouldn’t say that it is its strength).

Cons:

• 6 month shelf-life and it is a little hard to use it all up within that time frame.
• It isn’t cheap. However, I have bought a lot of eye creams hoping they would work on tightening my eyelids and around my eyes and they haven’t worked as well. So for me personally, I can justify the cost.
• In a jar (but I appreciate the inclusion of a spatula). I don’t think that it being in a jar has an adverse effect on the ingredients, but it would be more sanitary if it were in a pump or tube.

What is Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract?

After over a decade of research, Chanel scientists discovered a molecule from the Ipomoea Batatas var. Edulis plant (in English… Sweet Potato) – dicaffeoylquinic acid (3.5DA). Dicaffeoylquinic Acid promotes elasticity, re-contouring, toning, and refining. The 3.5DA mimics microRNAs (or miR) in skin cells. miRs influence the expression and functions of proteins that regulate cellular function. Chanel found three microRNAs were most important in terms of ageing – miR-130a, miR-138 and miR-191 – all of which multiply over time. 3.5DA is said to inhibit the expression of these miR and stimulate the production of youth proteins (specifically, Sirtuin 1 and p63), so skin tissues are rejuvenated on a daily basis, restoring suppleness. Basically, it detects and targets individual factors of aging to help the restore skin firmness and improving tone and suppleness. And who doesn’t want that?

Chanel grows this edulis plant and extracts the active ingredient from its roots (hence “Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract”). Edulis extract is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. But what makes the type used in Le Lift unique is that it is grown hydroponically and uses a patented extraction process where the roots are treated with “positive stress” with a nourishing mist every three minutes. This process is thought to harvest the nutrients at maximum potency.

In clinical trials (that are sadly unpublished and not peer reviewed, so that is one big thing to keep in mind…sigh), Le Lift has been shown to reduce wrinkles and increase the skin’s firmness after four weeks of use. Chanel also reported that hydration levels and the skin’s elasticity are also improved by up to 90 per cent. I think there are two results you will see. The first occurs after you apply it. My skin looked and felt soft. But the real effects (e.g., the tightening of skin) takes time… like at least 6 weeks of consistent use (so patience and consistency is needed). But at least for me, the wait was worth it.

***UPDATE 3 MONTHS LATER: Regarding the lack of clinical trials: To me this is a huge downside, and it made me quite skeptical but now that I have finished this and have seen tightening of my upper eyelids AND I have had two friends that I have recommended this to that have also seen tightening, that’s all the evidence I need (for myself).***

Before and After photos

Keep in mind that my main concern was droopy eyelids so that is what these photos focus on. Also, from Feb to July I was using Chanel every day, morning and night. After July I started to test other eye creams and through Nov. I wasn’t using it as consistently. I finished my tub in Nov. and bought a new one immediately! I am very pleased with the results. I think what matters is whether this lived up to my expectations. And it did. Without some sort of eye lid surgery I wasn’t expecting my hooded eyelids to disappear. But I can see less folding and less extra skin in the before and after. Someone else might think this results don’t justify the cost, but for me, it does.

What I was using (and loving) before I found Chanel Le Lift: 

• Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye and Lip Cream (I can’t find the price):  I loved this eye cream, but I think it is now discontinued. It worked great, just not as great as Chanel Le Lift. If you can find this, it is worth a try.

Eye Creams that I will use in addition to Chanel Le Lift: 

• When my eye are extra puffy: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (30 ml, $6.70): For me this is only good for reducing puffiness. If my eyes are super puffy, I will apply this and then put the Chanel on top.
• When I want some gentle exfoliation: BeautyRx Gentle Exfoliating Eye Therapy Cream*(15 ml/$60): I like to use this once or twice a week to incorporate some gentle exfoliation around the eyes. I like the texture and how it moisturizes (it isn’t as hydrating as Chanel). This was gifted to me by BeautyRx. 
• When I need extra brightening: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream (15 ml/$31): This is great when I want some extra (and immediate) brightening under my eyes. It has light reflecting qualities that give the appearance that the eye is brighter. This was gifted to me by Origins, but it is a product that I had purchased in the past and already loved. 

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* Affiliate link

References

Ang, E. S. W., Lee, S. T., Gan, C. S. G., See, P., Chan, Y. H., Ng, L. H., & Machin, D. (2000). The role of alternative therapy in the management of partial thickness burns of the face-experience with the use of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) compared with silver sulphadiazine. ANNALS-ACADEMY OF MEDICINE SINGAPORE, 29(1), 7-10.

Gaspar, L. R., Camargo, F. B., Gianeti, M. D., & Campos, P. M. (2008). Evaluation of dermatological effects of cosmetic formulations containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract and vitamins. Food and chemical toxicology, 46(11), 3493-3500.

Gupta, M. B., Nath, R., Srivastava, N., Shanker, K., Kishor, K., & Bhargava, K. P. (1980). Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of β-sitosterol. Planta medica, 39(06), 157-163.