I tried eye cream for the first time ever in 24 years.
For the longest time, I just didn’t believe in it. The best eye cream? To me, it was a creamy concealer.
Everyone has schooled me about the impending doom of neglecting my eye region. Regardless, I stood my ground because I feared the commitment of adding an extra step to my skincare routine (read: lazy).
It just didn’t seem worth it to me, until one day I noticed my concealer couldn’t even conceal my eye circles anymore. It was streaky, settled in my fine lines and upon closer look, a little baby crow’s feet started to peek at the side. Frustrated, I rubbed my eye vigorously and tugged the outer corners hard as though my fingers were magic erasers. I kept tugging it like a violin. Tug, tug, tug. Then, I stopped… and I gasped. A sudden revelation: I did not treat my eyes well at all.
Like a changed woman, I went to get myself an eye cream the very next day. An eye cream with a slightly more gutsy name – Origins’ Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Gel Cream For Eyes. A mid-tier price point ($86), but I was expecting premium results!
Day 1 Of Using Eye Cream
The first application was unfamiliar, but strangely satisfying. I was unsure of how much product was to be dispensed so I eyeballed the amount that I felt was sufficient. On first impression, it was a slime green hue that reminded me of herbal, natural ingredients. I thought all eye creams were white! But this one, opened my eyes.
Formulated with reishi mushrooms and lady thistle, this was definitely the greener alternative – and I do mean that quite literally. Albeit a greenish tinge that might initially throw you off, this unabashedly derived forest fungus is a super antioxidant and is stellar in providing mega moisture. It is also devoid from any animal ingredients, with the exception of honey and beeswax, and protects your skin barrier from harsh environmental aggressors. In all honesty, I have never linked mushrooms to be a superpower under-the-radar ingredient. I’m now astonished…and infatuated.
Day 4 Of Using Eye Cream
Alas, the flu bug hit me. As I wheezed throughout the day, I had warm and swollen eyes. I desperately needed relief and looked forward to applying the eye cream.
This time I focused on maximising the applicator for that much-needed circulation. Oftentimes, we tend to go heavy-handed in applying our eye cream and be a tad harsh in handling the most delicate area of our entire face! We sadly don’t notice these things nor can we pinpoint exactly the pressure we apply around our eyes. Nevertheless, Origins paves the way for a more effective microcirculation without the fear of tugging too harshly. Gentle yet effective, a dime-sized amount of this eye gel is enough to reduce the swelling around the eyes, so a little goes a long way with this champion of an invention. I read the product again: Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Gel Cream For Eyes. Impressive. It did what it claimed.
Day 7 Of Using Eye Cream
It’s been a week from our first date, and applying eye cream has become a daily night time routine for me. To commemorate this 7-day long commitment, I decided to be creative and refrigerate my eye cream so that it would be colder to the touch.
Scientifically, products in low temperatures, or cold skincare, constricts blood vessels, draws down inflammation and drains fluid build-up. In a nutshell, you get de-puffed and brightened skin! Applying the cold gel around my eyes was an instant perk-me-up and it felt luxurious at the same time, especially with the applicator feeling even more sub-zero cool. I believed my eyes looked more awake and my concealer felt fresh even after a day’s wear. In terms of wrinkle reduction, it might be too early to tell. However, it feels reassuring to know that prevention is key – and I am at least taking steps towards that.
Eye Creams That Have Ticked The Boxes:
Since the first meet, I have explored other eye creams and realised the two things I can’t help but to love; a sophisticated applicator or an interesting list of ingredients. My kryptonite, if you will. These next eye cream products fall nothing short, and have even functional aesthetics to boot – a triple threat (or treat) for your eyes, if I do say so myself.
1) Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex™ Firming Eye Serum, $86
The mechanics of this eye cream is as unique as Drunk Elephant’s branding. A twist-up function that unlocks the product’s dispenser, you can opt for this eye cream if you, too, are looking for a punchy aesthetic and formula. Infused with edelweiss stem cells and niacinamide, Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex™ Firming Eye Serum delivers potent results – a youthful and well-rested complexion. This product is satiny and boasts luxurious doses of black tea ferment and copper peptides that altogether combats major telltale signs of ageing under and around the eyes. With consistent use, fine lines, sun damage and wrinkles are claimed to be reduced, so you are one step closer to perkier eyes.
2) Jurlique Signature Eye Cream, $78
There is just something about botanical ingredients that makes us waive off our trust issues. Jurlique’s Signature Eye Cream infuses their formidable Silk Tree extract into a deeply nourishing consistency that purposefully targets fatigue, puffiness and dark circles. With statistics to prove it, 88% of women who tried it have agreed skin feels firmer and 80% of women have noticed more replenished skin. This eye cream is also immersed with natural-based antioxidants that minimises wrinkles around the eye area – a.k.a perfection for my crows’ feet!
3) Clinique Pep-start, $33.81 (from Amazon)
With a cool touch and de-puffing tip, all you need is 3 seconds to refresh your eyes. Lightweight, hydrating and fuss-free, it’s an instant brightened look that gives you a pep-start to the rest of your makeup base. Everyone knows Clinique, but Clinique’s Pep-start knows you even better. Start concealing the wear of busy and stressful days on your complexion, and one-up your collagen levels with its infused peptides. Suitable for all skin types.
4) Re:erth Illuminating Concentrate, $128
An innovation like no other; Re:erth’s Illuminating Concentrate tackles stubborn discoloration and unveils a luminous complexion. Although not specifically made for the eyes, this multi-purpose darling is a spot-lightening serum for your face and intense dark eye circles. With unique botanical actives such as Monkey Jack Heartwood extract and Japanese Spring Turmeric, marvel yourself with a melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity that fades dark spots and promotes an even complexion. Not forgetting, a Cherry Blossom extract that surges your skin’s resilience against glycation so as to promote collagen formation – say hello to youthful skin around the eyes in just four weeks!
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It’s been about a solid month since my first encounter with eye cream and frankly, I do not see an expiry date. From a non-believer to religiously using eye-cream, this is case in point that people can definitely change. So, I confess: I am now a staunch, oh-so-committed eye cream convert. And I’m proud of it!
Love,
Dhiya
