Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

We tried The Ordinary’s new multi-peptide eye serum ahead of launch and we love it

The affordable skincare buy is less than £15 and we’ve been trialling it for a month

Helen Wilson-Beevers
Monday 16 January 2023 09:13 GMT
This lightweight concentrate is billed as being brightening and balancing
This lightweight concentrate is billed as being brightening and balancing (The Independent)

Shopping for skincare can often be an expensive pursuit, whether you’re in the market for a new moisturiser, night cream,face oil, eye cream or serum. Which is why, here at IndyBest, we’ll test fresh formulas first, so you know where to splash your cash. We’d always rather seek out affordable buys, and when it comes to beauty, The Ordinary is a one-stop skincare shop.

A budget skincare brand stocking every step of your morning and evening routine, haircare joined the line-up in 2022. Last year, The Ordinary also debuted a lash and brow serum for just over £12, which is a notably purse-friendly price in a market where some cost around £50. Plus, landing in March is a new gentle foaming cleanser, costing £11.10 for a 150ml tube.

Known for beauty buys that won’t break the bank – as well as forward-thinking formulas and impressive results – there’s a straightforward simplicity to The Ordinary’s product application and price list alike. So, we were very excited to hear about the budget-friendly brand’s newest launch – a multi-peptide eye serum, which has launched online today (16 January). The second addition to The Ordinary’s eye serum range, this is the first peptide formula. It’s billed as being effective at tackling crow’s feet, under-eye fine lines and wrinkles and dark circles, as well as puffiness – bold claims, indeed.

Interestingly, those who sign up to The Ordinary community members’ club, The O. Lab, can get early access to launches. An opportunity for brand afficionados to get a sneak peek at new product drops before everyone else – last week there were a limited number of multi-peptide eye serums available to buy early, so it’s worth keeping an eye on The O. Lab for any other exciting new drops in the future.

Costing less than £15, we were intrigued to try this serum for ourselves and have been testing the formula for a few weeks ahead of today’s launch.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about this year’s first release from The Ordinary.

How we tested

Our reviewer has spent a month testing the new multi-peptide eye serum, using it on bare skin and underneath make-up. Following instructions, they used the product in the morning and at night. During testing, they considered the consistency and formula and looked for any visible results on the under-eye area.

The Ordinary multi-peptide eye serum

The Ordinary eye serum.jpg
  • Formula: Lightweight
  • Size: 15ml
  • Fragrance-free: Yes

Presented in a signature glass bottle – in keeping with The Ordinary’s other serums and face oils – there’s a pipette in the lid for easy application.

Our tester followed the clear instructions outlined on the bottle’s label, and added a small amount of the water-based formula to the eye area in the morning and at night after cleansing. Our tester immediately noticed how lightweight the serum is, and, in turn, that felt suitably refreshing, whether you need a morning wake-up call or some pre-bedtime skin soothing.

It’s worth noting that our tester has sensitive skin, particularly around the eyes, and can often react to serums and creams applied there. However, they were pleased to see this gentle formula didn’t irritate their skin at all. Instead, the fragrance-free composition was cooling and calming around their eyes.

As the name suggests, the ingredients list includes four peptides, plus caffeine and hydrating acetyl glucosamine. Niacinamide and ash bark extract is in there too, to help with brightening and balancing out the appearance of dark circles.

For the uninitiated, peptides can help with the production of collagen and elastin, and it has been linked with plumping and firming skin.

After applying some of the serum to their eye contours, our tester saw smoothed, toned skin and appreciated how quickly the serum soaked in. This also makes the clear liquid a speedy mess-free addition to any skincare or make-up routine.

Our tester’s skin appeared softened straight after use, and with a few weeks’ application under their belt, they could see a difference on days without it. The cooling feeling helped calm puffiness first thing in the morning, too. Meanwhile, after adding a transparent layer of this eye serum, our tester could see their crow’s feet were smoother, and the hydration boost created a more supple effect.

While an eye cream can only do so much for fine lines and wrinkles, popping this serum underneath make-up did offer a more even base. And, on days without concealer, our tester could see a subtle brightening boost to their under-eye circles.

Plus, our tester thinks the light serum works particularly well formula-wise, as heavier eye creams can sometimes be too thick on the delicate skin in this area. Priced at less than £15 for the 30ml bottle, this product would likely last a while, as a little bit goes a long way.

With results said to improve with continued use, we’re keen to keep adding it to our daily skincare regime.

  1. £14 from The Ordinary
Prices may vary
Back to top

The verdict: The Ordinary multi-peptide eye serum

Our tester particularly liked the feel of this comfortingly lightweight multi-peptide eye serum on the delicate skin contours. They saw balanced refreshing hydration, and noticed how quickly the formula absorbs too. If you don’t like heavy eye creams, or are looking for a calming concentrate to help with puffiness (and add brightness) while being great as a primer too, this could be the buy for you.

Looking for some at-home pampering? We’ve rounded up the best gel nail kits for salon-quality manicures

Voucher Codes

TUI Discount Code
£100 off all bookings over £1000 - TUI discount code
ASOS Discount Code
20% off everything with this ASOS app discount code
Travelodge Discount Code
5% off all bookings with this Travelodge discount code
The Body Shop Discount Code
20% off everything with The Body Shop discount code
The Perfume Shop Discount Code
15% of all orders with The Perfume Shop birthday discount
Cult Beauty Discount Code
Up to 20% off all orders over £40 - Cult Beauty discount code

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in