Review: Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Eye Patches

Where to purchase: From the Good Molecules Website HERE

Price: ~£15.45

Volume: 30 pairs (about 1 month supply)

What is it?: Gel Eye patches containing caffeine to try and ‘awaken’ and ‘refresh’ the under eyes. These are supposedly ‘infused’ with caffeine and are supposed to brighten, hydrate and reduce puffiness under the eyes and are supposed to work in 10 minutes.

Good for: Tired looking, puffy eyes (not genetic but more like tired eyes in the morning).

Good to know: A Spatula is included / This is Vegan / This is Cruelty-Free

Packaging: Plastic, screw lid with a hygiene tab (and it’s not difficult to take off or put on again which is good), unlike the Joan Day and Night Cream from Neogen.

The patches themselves are Hydrogel, so naturally cool to the touch. They’re not too slippery and slidy, I find that I can use the spatula or my fingers to pick up the patches without too much trouble. The tub itself isn’t overloaded with serum, but contains just enough to saturate the patches.

The screw top doesn’t seem to leak out any product, but the hygiene tab can sometimes squeeze out some liquid if I push it down too tightly.

Directions: ”Apply to clean, dry skin. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Gently remove and massage any remaining serum into skin. Suitable for daily use. Can be used under the eyes, on frown lines, or anywhere your skin could use an energising pick-me-up.”

How I use it: I apply this in the AM straight after toning. I apply these on and I do not have the time nor patience to leave these on for 10 minutes, so I leave them on for 5. And for me that’s absolutely fine as most of the product has been applied to my under eyes and then I can gently tap the product in. I have not applied this on frown lines simply as I don’t find a need to apply caffeine-loaded strips there.

• I usually apply an eye cream on top as I don’t find this moisturising but I find it hydrating. I don’t feel the need to use my Niod FECC, I just use these patches and then tap the product in once I remove the pads, then move on to my eye cream.

Key Ingredients:

• 1% caffeine – which helps reduce puffiness. Supposedly also helps energise and firm the eyes.

• Liquorice extract (brightening), peptides (humectant and possibly collagen-stimulating) and aloe vera helps with hydration/moisturisation – to ‘plump up’ fine lines and wrinkles.

Full Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Carrageenan, Caffeine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Cellulose Gum, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Glucomannan, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Calcium Lactate, Sucrose

NOTE: I like the addition of Glycerin (hydrating), Niacinamide (skin brightening supposedly), and of course caffeine for de-puffing. I like the addition of peptides too.

Texture: Now I thought this would be a slippery, slidy gel patch that was hard to manouver. But it’s not. These patches aren’t really really fully saturated with serum SO this means they don’t slip and slid all over my cheeks and fall off at a moments notice. I personally apply my patches righhhhtttt up to my lower lash line, so this does tend to slide down a little lower than that, but then for me at least, it sticks and stays without annoying me. This may be different for others.

The serum itself is fine, it’s not sticky or tacky, it glides under the eyes well after I’ve removed the patch and dabbed the remainder product in.

The patches are cool to the touch, so I can imagine that plays a large role in de-puffing the eyes, which I’m not mad about! It’s effective.

Do you see there isn’t a crazy amount of product leftover on the skin? This remainder will be easily dabbed under the eyes and absorbed without making a mess. It feels almost like the same texture as the be plain cicaful ampoule. It feels realy nice when I’ve taken the patches off, to slid my ring finger over and around my eyes and gently massage the skin to remove some more puffiness and make sure the rest of the product is absorbed. It’s cooling and it feels refreshing.

NOTE: You can see the remainder of product really isn’t too much. I suspect that’s also why these patches don’t slip and slide down my cheeks, because they’re not so wet.

Do you see there’s no thick layer/remainder serum left on my hand. I would say this can mean it’s not moisturising nor hydrating for some. I personally apply an eye cream on top afterwards as I find this hydrating, but not moisturising enough.

Fragrance?: None! I ‘m not a fan of fragrance and EO, especially around the eyes (as they are sensitive) so this is great that these aren’t fragranced.

Good Under Makeup?: Yes seems to be fine! (I tap this remainder in and wait a min or 2 before the product is fully absorbed and then apply concealer).

Good under SPF?: Yes! No balling up. And this has even been fine when applying my Sunday Riley Auto Correct on top

How long have I been using this?: About a month

The Effect?: Hydrated under eyes! I feel more awake (It could be just due to the fact that the patches are ‘cold’ but either way it helps.

What I like:

• Not sticky or too messy
• No balling up under other products
• No fragrance
• No essential oils
• Came with a spatula
• Easy to travel with
• Non-irritating (for me)
• Did actually hydrate my under eyes
• Not too slippery and overly saturated
• Helped with morning puffiness

What I don’t like:

• No huge change in under eye dark circles
• Not hugely moisturising
• I think some people may find this not hydrating enough (and for you I would recommend the Pixi DetoxifEYE. And sometimes this isn’t even hydrating enough for me, so that is why I put my eye cream on top.

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9/5

Would I Purchase?: Yes I think I would. In terms of preference, I’m torn between this and the Pixi DetoxifEYE eye patches as I feel like they do the same thing. I do think perhaps these patches SLIDE OFF LESS than the pixi patches (i.e. these adhere better to the skin) – but that’s because the Pixi has MORE serum on the patches. So that’s my dilemma. I do think this really helps with puffiness and I like that it’s the least messiest eye patch I’ve used.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.