Where to purchase: La Roche-Posay: HERE / Cult Beauty: HERE / Skin Store: HERE / Look Fantastic: HERE
Price: £26.99
Volume: 15ml
Made in: France.
What is it What does it do?: A 0.3% Retinol-containing eye cream that is specifically formulated for the sensitive eye area (and also tested with contact-lens wearers). It aims to reduce Dark Circles (with 0.2% caffeine) and Fine Lines
Aims to: Reduce Dark Circles + Fine Lines
Supposedly Good for: All skin types including super-sensitive skin.
What I think: I agree; I have sensitive skin especially around the eye area and this has been fine for me. It’s not greasy or oily or sticky so oily skins could even use this. It’s not as moisturising as other thicker eye creams so dry skins may also want to apply a thicker moisturiser on top.
Vegan?: No.
Cruelty Free?: Still sells in China.
How long does it last after opening?: 6 Months.
Packaging: Metal tube with a cap and a thin long nozzle which makes this easy to dispense.
Directions: Apply in the evening from the inner corner of the eye outwards. This can be used before a more moisturising (thicker) eye cream. Make sure to wear daily Sunblock + space-out applications to let the skin adjust, and do not use with other Retinoids (from the Website).
How I use it: I apply this under the eye and on the eyelid. I can gently tap and massage and spread but I make sure not to get this way too close to the eye, especially as I sleep with an eye mask (I don’t want this to spread too close or into the eye). A very little goes a long-way thanks to the silicone, so even less than a pea is needed for both eyes. I only apply this in the PM and wear sunblock in the AM. I do not wear this under makeup as I want this to not mix with foundation etc.
Note: For an extra double-whammy well-ageing routine, I also can use the Niod Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate (Well-ageing serum) first, and then apply this cream on top, to receive some extra skin-beneficial ingredients like collagen-stimulating peptides).
Key Ingredients:
- 0.3% Retinol – The most proven anti-ageing ingredient. It gets converted into Retinoic acid (retinol is 10-20x more gentle than retinoic acid) in the skin in order to be used (please see the diagram below). It helps smooth out skin wrinkles and tightens it. This isn’t as irritating as retinoic acid or tretinoin (tretinoin is prescription). Which makes this good for sensitive skin and also for the delicate eye area.
- Antioxidant: 0.2% Caffeine – this helps constrict blood vessels under the eye to reduce both puffiness and dark circles.
- Adenosine: Wound-healing, Anti-inflammatory and helps with elasticity and firmness by helping with collagen production.
- Hyaluronic Acid + Glycerin: Hydrating and moisturising.
Full Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Isocetyl Stearate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caffein, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Retinol, Retinyl Linoleate, Adenosine, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide / Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Polysilicone-8, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol.
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: Due to the inclusion of silicone; this feels lightweight on the skin. This spreads far and absorbs quick. It’s not thick and creamy like the Paula’s Choice Firming Eye Cream. But that also means it’s not as moisturising. And it’s also not as hydrating as the Vichy Eye Gel.
Sticky?: No.
Greasy?: No.
Balls up?: No.
- As you can see, this is at first an opaque cream that blends out.
- As you can see this becomes translucent the more you spread it.
Product Swatch Comparison: No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)
Fungal Acne safe?: Yes.
Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: This doesn’t sting if the skin is sensitised, but do consider that Retinol can cause irritation. From my experience of using this almost every other day, this has not irritated or made the skin around my eyes sting or itch.
Summer or Winter?: Works for both seasons as this is not thick or heavy.
Layerable?: Yes (doesn’t ball up).
Video Swatch:
- As you can see, this is a smooth, lightweight eye cream that isn’t too oily or greasy.
Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free (doesn’t have a very strong scent compared to the Paula’s Choice eye cream).
Good Under Makeup?: Yes but this is recommended to wear as part of a skincare routine in the PM.
How long have I been using this?: 3-4 months.
Will I use until Completion?: Yes!
How Long will that take?: 3-4 months (I don’t use it every day and I don’t use a lot as it spreads quite far).
The Effect?: Lightly moisturised skin. This doesn’t irritate or sting my eyes (I do spread out uses i.e. every other day or more). This is supposed to help with dark circles which I haven’t noticed a huge change (but definitely hasn’t gotten worse) in but in terms of the texture and fine lines around the eyes, this has definitely helped! Also this hasn’t dried out the skin around my eyes or make it feel too dehydrated.
Note: You may prefer the Paula’s Choice Firming eye Cream if Dark circles is more of a concern to you than fine lines (Review HERE).
If this is slightly above your budget, then The Inkey List’s Retinol Eye cream is a similar alternative (and it is Vegan + Cruelty-Free) however the texture is slightly thicker + creamier.
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£2.00
What I like:
- Fragrance + EO Free
- Lightweight
- Fast-absorbing
- Moisturising
- Effective (0.3% Retinol)
- Not sticky or tacky
- Not greasy
What I don’t like:
- Price (can be seen as pricey for an eye cream)
- Not that moisturising (like a thicker eye cream) or hydrating (like a gel)
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.2/5 – A really good eye cream for me as it’s not too thick or creamy, and it’s not too watery where I feel like I need to apply an eye cream on top. For Oily-Combination skin like mine, this has been a great texture. This hasn’t hugely affected dark circles (but certainly hasn’t made them worse) and I want to keep and incorporate retinol into my well-ageing routine without causing too much irritation, and using a product tested for the delicate eye area.
Would I repurchase?: Yes. My favourite retinol-containing Eye Cream so far (But I’m open to having my mind changed!)
Dupe?: A cheaper alternative is The Inkey List’s Retinol Eye Cream: HERE
- This is Vegan + Cruelty-Free
- Contains a slow-release 0.3% Retinol
- However it is slightly thicker / creamier
-Also helps to brighten the eye area
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
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.
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My Skincare Regime 