As a 45-year-old first-time dad with a 10-month-old daughter, Emmanuelle, I’m very familiar with sleepless nights, so I’m the perfect guinea pig for the latest anti-fatigue eye gels for men. Apparently, you lose the equivalent of 50 nights’ sleep in the first year of parenting: my eyes look less clear and my bags are bigger.



I had no idea such products existed. I was sceptical and didn’t expect to like any of them. But in lieu of a decent night’s sleep, I applied the first one, L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Eye Roll-On (£11.49), a mini pen. I’m not sure if it was psychosomatic, but it felt really refreshing and is easy to apply. I’d definitely use it again.

I think the cheap ones work just as well as the more expensive products. But maybe that’s because I’m from Yorkshire David Gledhill

David Gledhill with his daughter, Emmanuelle. Photograph: courtesy of David Gledhill

The big surprise was how good Dermot O’Leary’s Eye Roller for M&S was (£10). It made me chuckle when I saw his name: does he really know about skincare? I wanted to dislike it, but it felt cooling, an immediate pep-up. Also, you can’t argue with the price.

All the brands I tested gave similar results: that sense of an instant, refreshing pick-me-up. I liked Molton Brown’s Anti-Fatigue Bai Ji Eye Gel a lot (£22); it would have been my favourite if it wasn’t twice the price of the cheaper products. The Shiseido Total Revitalizer (£44) was great, but just too expensive.

Dermot edged it as my overall winner because of the cost. I like the minimal packaging, plus it was the only one where my wife said I looked good after using it. I think the cheap ones work just as well as the more expensive products. But maybe that’s because I’m from Yorkshire.

