Introduction
Ambi might not dominate billboards like some of the heavyweight beauty houses, yet within skincare circles the brand enjoys a quiet cult status for formulas that respect diverse skin tones and back up their claims with thoughtful science. I have always admired Ambi’s knack for weaving dermatology driven ingredients into accessible products, so when the company announced its Even & Clear Under Eye Serum I was immediately intrigued.
The name is certainly a mouthful, calling to mind a magic eraser that promises both brightness and clarity. According to Ambi the serum harnesses a cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, green tea and licorice to soften fine lines, revive elasticity and smooth uneven tone. All that in a cruelty free blend designed for use twice a day with the lightest touch around the orbital area.
Intriguing claims aside I gave the serum a full two week audition, applying it morning and night to determine if it could genuinely earn a spot in a busy routine and justify the spend.
What is Even & Clear Under Eye Serum?
At its core this is an under eye treatment, a niche of skincare designed to tackle the thin, easily tired skin that frames the eyes. Unlike a standard face moisturizer an under eye serum focuses on lightweight delivery of actives that aim to soften lines, improve elasticity and address darkness without overwhelming the delicate area.
Ambi’s formula leans on a mix of peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin A to support collagen and smooth texture, while green tea and licorice extracts contribute antioxidant protection and a gentle brightening effect. The water based serum is intended for twice daily use, applied with light tapping motions before heavier creams so the ingredients have direct contact with clean skin. Cruelty free and framed as suitable for a range of skin tones, it slots into a routine as the step that bridges cleansing and moisturizing whenever the eye contour needs extra attention.
Did it work?
In the spirit of rigorous at home science I benched my usual eye cream for a three day washout period, feeling very much like a lab technician in fuzzy slippers. Fourteen days struck me as a fair window to witness real change so I logged morning and evening impressions like a diligent skin diary.
Days 1 to 3 were all about texture. One pea sized dab tapped under each eye sank in fast leaving a light slip rather than a film. Hydration arrived immediately but by lunchtime I craved a top up, a sign that the hyaluronic acid was doing its thing yet needed sealing in with a heavier cream. No irritation surfaced, just a faint tingle on night one that disappeared by the second application.
By day 7 I noticed a modest softening at the outer corners where my smile lines like to congregate. The area looked a touch smoother in photos, though my dark circles stayed largely the same despite the licorice and peptide claims. Mornings felt refreshed but the brightening effect read more like a good night’s sleep than a cosmetic overhaul.
The final stretch to day 14 delivered incremental but real improvement in elasticity. Pinching the skin produced a slightly faster bounce back compared to my baseline, a small victory I credit to the peptide blend. Fine lines appeared less etched, especially under makeup that had previously settled into creases. Still, the deeper expression lines held firm and the overall tone difference was subtle rather than transformative.
So did it work? Partly. The serum kept the eye area comfortably hydrated, lent a gentle smoothing effect and avoided any flare ups, satisfying the bulk of its promises. However the limited brightening and the need for extra moisture prevent it from dethroning my staple treatment. I will finish the bottle happily and would recommend it to someone seeking a light, peptide focused formula yet I am not rushing to make it a permanent member of my personal lineup.
Main ingredients explained
The heart of this formula is a trio of signal peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and dipeptide-2) that act like friendly messengers, telling skin to step up collagen production and calm inflammation. They are supported by hesperidin methyl chalcone and N-hydroxysuccinimide, two flavonoid-based ingredients often used together to reduce the look of pooled blood that can darken the under-eye area. While results from these actives tend to be gradual, the combination creates a sensible long game for smoothing and firming.
Hydration comes from classic humectants glycerin and hyaluronic acid, both of which draw water into the epidermis for that quick plumping effect. Because neither ranks high on the comedogenic scale they are unlikely to clog pores (a comedogenic ingredient is one that can block follicles and trigger bumps) so even acne-prone users can tap away without fear of milia. Vitamin A appears as retinyl palmitate, the gentlest over-the-counter retinoid. It helps speed cell turnover but also makes skin a touch more sun sensitive so morning SPF becomes non-negotiable.
For antioxidant support Ambi leans on green tea extract rich in soothing polyphenols along with licorice extract that offers a mild brightening nudge through the compound glabridin. Both botanicals are known for calming redness and fighting free radicals which is helpful in a zone that sees a lot of environmental stress. The base is rounded out with corn-derived propanediol for slip, hydroxyethylcellulose and carbomer for gel structure and methylisothiazolinone as a preservative; the latter can bother very reactive skin so patch testing is wise.
All raw materials appear synthetic or plant sourced so the serum should suit most vegetarians and likely vegans, although the brand does not carry an official vegan certification and glycerin origin is not disclosed. There are no heavy oils, waxes or butters that typically rank high on comedogenic charts. The presence of a vitamin A derivative means those who are pregnant or nursing should consult a physician before use, as most dermatologists recommend skipping retinoids during that time. Beyond that precaution the ingredient deck is thoughtfully balanced, cruelty free and free of added fragrance, making it a solid option for users seeking gentle efficacy without unnecessary extras.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is how the serum stacked up for me after two weeks.
What works well:
- Lightweight gel absorbs fast leaving no residue, so concealer sits smoothly on top
- Peptide and hyaluronic combo gives a visible softening of fine lines and a subtle elasticity boost
- Fragrance free and cruelty free formula stayed gentle on my reactive skin with zero stinging
What to consider:
- Hydration drops off by midday if you are on the drier side, making a follow up cream necessary
- Brightening effect is modest, so pronounced dark circles may need extra help
- Contains a vitamin A derivative, which means diligent SPF and a patch test are wise
My final thoughts
After two solid weeks, I can say Ambi’s Even & Clear Under Eye Serum earns its 8/10 by quietly delivering on softness and bounce without ruffling sensitive skin. It is the kind of treatment I would happily recommend to anyone in the early to mid-fine-line stage who wants a reliable peptide boost under makeup yet does not expect their darkest circles to vanish overnight. If your under-eye story is more about deep pigmentation or extreme dryness you will likely need something heftier or a companion brightening cream. For me, the improvements were real though modest, and that is enough to keep it in rotation for daytime when I want a feather-light layer.
Friends often ask what else is worth a try, so here are a few eye products I have cycled through that could suit different needs. Dark Circle Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that genuinely lifts overall brightness and sits beautifully under concealer while remaining sensibly priced. Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Circle Eye Cream by Goodal leans on a punchy dose of vitamin C for those who crave luminosity and are comfortable with a slightly richer texture. Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream by Caudalie offers a graceful blend of viniferine and caffeine that gradually lightens discoloration for the patient user. Finally, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a minimalist option for puffiness and light shadows that works well as a first venture into targeted eye care.
Before you dab anything new around your eyes, remember the skin there is thinner than the rest of your face so a patch test on the inner arm or behind the ear is your best friend (apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent). Consistency is also key; any gains in smoothness or tone will fade if the serum gathers dust on your shelf. Use it, evaluate after a month and pair it with daily SPF so those peptides and antioxidants can show their full potential.