Is Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream worth the splurge? Can it do what it says on the tin? Show
If you’re a regular here, you know I don’t do eye creams. Contrary to what marketers would have you believe, they don’t contain any special ingredients to fight the delicate concerns of the eye area. They’re just facial moisturisers in a smaller, overpriced bottle – so I stick to my facial moisturiser all over. But when I heard that Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream contains 5 different forms of Vitamin C, plus a plethora of antioxidants and peptides, the skincare geek in me got curious. Could this be the eye cream we have all been waiting for? You know, an eye cream that actually keeps its promises and does more than just moisturising skin? I’ve put it to the test to find out: About The Brand: Drunk ElephantDrunk Elephant was founded by Tiffany Masterson, a confused skincare customer tired of jumping from one brand to another in the search for effective products that would provide results without irritating her sensitive skin. Tiffany decided to take matters in her own hands and create a skincare brand that took out all the filler and irritating ingredients that do nothing for skin – or worse irritate it. I don’t agree with all her choices. For example, I applaud her for taking out fragrance, the most irritating ingredients in skincare. But silicones? They’re harmless for your skin. The other ingredients Drunk Elephant won’t touch are essential oils (so irritating!), drying alcohols, chemical sunscreens, dyes, and harsh cleanser SLS. Instead, their products are packed with science-based actives, like Vitamin C and retinol, that can really fight wrinkles, moisturise skin, and fade away dark spots. The hero ingredient is marula oil, a super moisturising oil. Fun fact: legend has it that elephants get drunk on the fruits of the marula plant. Key Ingredients In Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream: What Makes It Work?VITAMIN C TO BRIGHTEN SKIN AND SLOW DOWN PREMATURE AGING Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, boosts collagen, and brightens the complexion. Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream contains not one, not two, but FIVE forms of Vitamin C. Here’s what makes each one special:
L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) is irritating and goes bad quickly. That’s why Drunk Elephant left it out in favour of gentler alternatives that won’t spoil for months. One more thing: Vitamin C works better when used together with other antioxidants. From Ubiquinone to Superoxide Dismutase, this eye cream is chockfull of them. Well played, Drunk Elephant. Related: Types Of Vitamin C In Skincare: Which One Is Better? Need help creating an anti-aging routine that really works? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!). CERAMIDES TO STRENGTHEN THE SKIN’S PROTECTIVE BARRIER Ceramides are oily waxes (“cera” means wax in Latin) that make up the glue that holds skin cells together (together with fatty acids, cholesterol etc). Their job is to strengthen and waterproof the skin’s protective barrier, so that moisture stays in (where it needs to be to hydrate skin!) and germs, pollutants, and other germs stay out (no irritations!). A stronger protective barrier also helps skin better withstand the attacks of harsh weather, pollutants, and anything else that’s trying to harm it. Talking about harm… You know when your barrier has broken down. All of a sudden, your skin becomes dry. Red. Flaky, even. Adding ceramides to your skincare routine can prevent this from happening in the first place – or nurse skin back to health if it’s already happened. Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream has 3 types of ceramides. Plus, cholesterol and Hyaluronic Acid, two more components of your skin’s natural barrier. Together, they make it as strong as it can be. Related: The Complete Guide To Ceramides In Skincare: What They Are, What They Do, And How To Use Them HESPERIDIN METHYL CHALCONE TO REDUCE DARK CIRCLES Found in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone “lowers the filtration rate of capillaries”. What does that mean? In plain English, “less blood flowing though capillaries close to the surface of the skin potentially means that less hemoglobin would be oxygenated to cause the dark bluish discoloration under the eyes.” Before you get too excited, let me point out that pretty much every study conducted on hesperidin methyl chalcone are related to oral supplements. We don’t know if it is has the same benefits when topically applied to the skin yet. Related: What Really Works To Treat Dark Circles? PEPTIDES TO BOOST COLLAGEN AND MORE? Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream boasts 8 different types of peptides:
Before you get too excited, these claims come mostly from the manufacturers. I’m still waiting for independent studies to show peptides can really do all this. Still, there are enough goodies (5 forms of Vitamin C, anyone?) in this cream to hydrate skin and slow down aging. If even a couple of these peptides work as claimed, it’s just the icing on the cake. Related: The Truth About Peptides In Skincare: Do They Really Work? The Rest Of The Formula & IngredientsNOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
TextureThis eye cream is on the thicker side, but I wouldn’t say it’s heavy. I’m not worried about it giving me milia seeds. Plus, it sinks into my skin immediately without leaving a greasy residue behind. Overall, a pleasant texture to use. FragranceIt’s fragrance-free. I like the brand has taken out fragrance from all its products, but especially from eye cream. Fragrance is very irritating – especially for sensitive skin. And the skin on the under-eye area is very delicate. Anything that could trigger dryness or irritation shouldn’t be in there. Even at the risk of making the eye cream smell bland. How To Use ItYou can use it morning and/or night, in between face serum and moisturiser. Apply 5 dots in a line under your under-eye area and pat the cream on with your ring finger (it’s the gentlest). Don’t rub! The skin there is very delicate and harsh rubbing may lead to premature wrinkles – the very thing you’re trying to avoid with this cream! Related: The Right Way To Apply Eye Cream PackagingThe eye cream comes in a white and orange bottle with a pump dispenser that releases just the right amount of product you need, so that none gets wasted. The orange colour gives off Vitamin C vibes – Drunk Elephant doesn’t want you to be confused about what’s inside! Plus, it seals the antioxidants inside, keeping them safe from the light and air that would make them go bad sooner. Isn’t it pretty, too? Drunk Elephant products always look good on your vanity. Performance & Personal OpinionDrunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream has a lovely consistency that melts immediately into the skin, without leaving a greasy residue behind. Straight after application, my skin feels softer and brighter. My eye area has a lovely glow an the lines around my eyes are plumped up, so they look smaller. It also makes a great base for makeup. No pilling. No irritation. No milia seed. What about its anti-aging properties? Vitamin C and antioxidants are preventative, so you won’t see the results straight away. Consistency is key here. But Vitamin C can brighten skin. If your dark circles are caused by excess sun exposure or hyperpigmentation, this can help lighten them. For other types of dark circles (mine are caused by my skin becoming thinner after turning 35), this does absolutely nothing. Related: What Really Works For Dark Circles? How Does Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream Compare To The Other Drunk Elephant Creams?If you ask me (and I guess you are, if you’re reading my blog), you DON’T need a separate cream for the eye area. But if you really want to use one, you may as well get the best eye cream for your skin type and needs. If you’re not convinced this is it, let’s see if one of the other two eye creams from Drunk Elephant are a better fit for you:
What I Like About Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
What I DON’T Like About Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Who Should Use This?If your eye area is drier than the rest of the face and you need a hydrating eye cream with anti-aging properties, this is it. If you can extend your facial routine to your eye area, do that and skip the eye cream. Related: Do You Really Need An Eye Cream? Does Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream Live Up To Its Claims?CLAIM TRUE? C-Tango™ Multivitamin Eye Cream is rich and restorative, featuring a brightening combination of eight peptides, five forms of vitamin C and cucumber extract for firmer, stronger-looking skin around the eye area. It can’t firm skin, but everything else is true. C-Tango™ is a dance of potent antioxidants, replenishing ceramides, plant oils and soothing actives, all designed to refresh and restore a radiant appearance. Yes, it brightens the eye area. Gentle enough for AM and PM use, powerful enough to improve even stubborn signs of damage. It’s gentle and it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Is Drunk Elephant Cruelty-Free?Yes, Drunk Elephant doesn’t test on animals and doesn’t outsource it to someone else either. Price & Availability$64.00/£54.00 at Cult Beauty, Sephora, and SpaceNK Do You Need It?If extending your facial routine to your eye area alone doesn’t cut it and you feel like you need a separate product for that, this is a good option to consider. But, honestly, for most people, using your facial Vitamin C serum on the eye area will work better. Dupes & Alternatives
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ubiquinone, Superoxide Dismutase, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Thioctic Acid, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Mica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Steareth-20, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin Is vitamin C eye cream worth it?If it's fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or dark spots, Vitamin C is definitely going to help the under eye area. But if it's dark circles caused by shallow tear troughs or veins, unfortunately Vitamin C won't help and you should speak to a dermatologist for further options to help. What is the difference between Ceramighty AF eye balm and CCeramighty AF Eye Balm Review Comparing the two creams, the Ceramighty feels a bit thicker and fluffier than the C-Tango eye cream. Furthermore, the latter is based on peptides, Vitamin C, and cucumber extract for restoration and refreshment of the skin. Is vitamin C good for under eyes?Acts as a moisturizer - Vitamin C contains hydrating and moisturizing properties which help to nourish the under-eye areas. Often dry and dehydrated under-eyes can make the dark circles even worse. Using a vitamin C will ensure that the area receives enough hydration and looks plump and radiant. How often should you use vitamin C eye cream?Fake eight hours with a blend of skin brightening Vitamin C and a proven anti-dark circle peptide. Using your ring finger, apply a small amount gently around the eye area. Take care not to drag the skin while tapping in the cream. For optimum results, use morning and night for a minimum of 3 weeks. |