My true litmus test when deciding the icon status of a beauty product is if my mom and I both know a product, or better yet, if we both use it. Some of those A-list products include everything from OPI’s Funny Bunny to Batiste Dry Shampoo. And one of the top skincare products on that coveted list is Clarins’ Double Serum.
Clarins’ iconic amber bottle is instantly recognizable. After more than 40 years on shelves, Double Serum has become the brand’s most legendary product. But Clarins is always refining the formula, continuously updating the beloved serum as technology advances and incorporating its anti-aging innovations into new formats, from a lightweight version of the original serum to a 37-shade foundation and, most recently, a reformulated eye treatment.
Meet the latest Double Serum Eye, which features a longevity-focused ingredient list designed to target various factors of aging. The launch was so major that I flew all the way from New York to France last month alongside beauty editors from all over the world to learn about the science behind it, the updated ingredients, and how they work together to elevate the iconic treatment.
About the new Clarins Double Serum Eye:
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, caffeine, marjoram extract, tumeric, squalane |
| Usage | Morning and/or evening |
The new Clarins Double Serum Eye is designed to target, yes, chronological aging, but also epigenetic aging, which refers to lifestyle and environmental factors like lack of sleep, stress, pollution, and UV exposure that can impact the delicate eye area. In other words, it's formulated to help treat both the years on your birth certificate and the skin stressors of everyday life.
The original Double Serum Eye came out in 2021, but the updated innovation includes new ingredients and a focus on preventative aging and longevity. At the heart of the formula is turmeric extract, the hero ingredient also found in Clarins’ cult-favorite Double Serum, which helps reduce the effects of free radicals, one of the major contributors to skin aging. Caffeine and horse chestnut escin are also carried over from the original Double Serum Eye. Caffeine helps minimize the look of puffiness, like a cup of coffee for the skin, and horse chestnut supports the skin's microcirculation to address dark circles.
When it comes to the new features of the eye serum, the workhorse ingredient is organic marjoram extract, a plant that supports cellular health, improves elasticity, and minimizes the effects of epigenetic aging. The reformulation also includes niacinamide, which helps brighten the under-eye area while boosting overall radiance, and squalane to keep the under-eye area supple and hydrated.
The serum also features Clarins’ signature dual-chamber technology, which keeps its thicker emulsion- and serum-based phases separate until the moment you dispense the product into your hand. This allows ingredients that don’t normally remain stable together to coexist in one bottle for a longer period of time. Once pumped into your palm, the two consistencies mix together with ease into a lightweight serum that glides onto the skin.
How I tested it:
I got my hands on the final version of the new Double Serum Eye back in May, so I’ve been secretly testing the formula for the last two months. You can use it morning or night, but I prefer morning so it can soothe my post-sleep puffiness. I use one pump, gently dabbing it under and around my eye, complete with the lid, and massage in circular motions to help with puffiness. I then even rub any excess serum between my brows on my 11s, a little tip the Clarins team taught me. After applying, I then proceed with SPF and my usual makeup routine.
My review:
I’m 26, so I’m not currently looking for the most potent anti-aging routine out there. I rely more on preventative skincare rather than correcting, so this serum fits perfectly into my existing regimen. (And if you’re someone who is a few years older and fine lines are your biggest concern, Total Eye Lift will be your best bet.)
I love that this serum is so lightweight, unlike a classic eye cream that can feel too thick and creamy and pill when any makeup is applied on top. Instead, the silky texture absorbs into the skin with ease, allowing for immediate application of my remaining skincare steps, and layering on concealer just minutes later isn’t a problem.
I have three personal concerns around my eye area: puffiness when I wake up, my purple dark circles, and fine lines (specifically by my 11s area). I found the formula to be amazing at immediately minimizing puffiness, especially when using a circular massaging technique alongside my application for about 20 seconds. And the line between my brows from years of accidental scowling is noticeably smoother compared to my first use two months back. As for my dark circles, I haven’t seen a difference—unfortunately, they’re a genetic trait that has proven to be immune to topical creams.
A bonus: as I’m massaging around my orbital bone, the serum sometimes reaches my cheekbones, and as an acne-prone girl, I really appreciate that the formula is free of pore-clogging ingredients, so I don’t mind if it soaks into other areas of my face. And the added squalane makes my under-eye area (which is often prone to flaking) super soft and smooth.
Final thoughts:
If you’re looking to prevent visible signs of aging and are willing to splurge on an eye treatment, Clarins’ new Double Serum Eye is a standout pick. It’s packed with eye-loving ingredients that help reduce the appearance of puffiness, improve elasticity, and smooth the look of dark circles, all while absorbing beautifully into the skin. If you’re searching for a hydrating eye serum that layers seamlessly under makeup, this reformulation is a reimagined icon worth the investment.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things skincare—from the latest moisturizer launches to all the newest devices. For this story, she tested the Clarins Double Serum Eye for weeks, spoke with the brand’s R&D team, dermatologists, and more to learn about the new ingredients, and even traveled to France to learn about the brand’s longevity science and the effectiveness of the research.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
