A long, VERY detailed and honest review- from a skincare junkie...
I am a 42yo, die hard skincare junkie with sensitive, combo skin that I am obsessed with keeping as youthful and healthy as possible. Not only am I obsessed with the products themselves (and the results they deliver), but I am also extremely interested in the product chemistry and formulation as well. I have researched chemistry- A LOT- and I am at a point where I can just look at a formulation and know if the product will deliver or not. I love trying new things and always need help around my eyes (I don't sleep much, or very well and I do whatever it takes to not get wrinkles), so I decided to give these a try. ⭐ARRIVAL & UNBOXING⭐ These arrived quickly. The box was quite plain, but had all the relevant information like ingredients, directions, special call outs (ie. fragrance free, hydrate and soothe, made in Korea). There is a lot # and expiration date (01/13/2028) stamped on the bottom of the box and the open jar symbol lets us know that these are good for 3 months after opening. The box was sealed shut with a sticker upon arrival. Inside, the white plastic jar (which is plain, but not full on white label) has the same lot # and expiration date stamped on the bottom (which is good as it means the product is legit and not swapped). Under the twist off lid, there is a heavy seal completely covering the jar. Once that is removed, there is a sturdy plastic jar disc liner/jar shive set into the jar (offering further protection to the gels and locking in the moisture) and a plain, clear skincare spatula is set on top of that. I thought it was interesting that they came with a spatula and not tweezers, as most eye gels do. As far as packaging and security goes, so far- I'm impressed. ⭐INGREDIENTS⭐ As always, I don't just glance at the ingredient list, I inspect it carefully. As always, I will include the full list of ingredients (straight from the box) at the end of this review. Let's take a deep dive into these gels... I wasn't surprised to see water as the first ingredient, as that's quite typical. I was however thrilled to see glycerin as ingredient #2! Glycerin is a skincare superstar and humectant (which helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin) galore! There have been studies that show that, because of the low molecular weight of glycerin it pulls moisture into the deeper layers of your skin- making it more effective than hyaluronic acid! Glycerin has antimicrobial and antiviral properties, helping to protect against irritants and bacteria and it improves the skin barrier as well. Not only is it hydrating, but it is brightening as well. Next up is Chondrus crispus powder, also known as Irish moss or carrageenan. This is a red algae that lends strong hydrating, protective, and soothing properties. It also has the ability to help the skin retain moisture, strengthen the skin's barrier, and potentially calm irritation. This is also a thickening/gelling agent, which doesn't surprise me as these are eye gels, but there is also some evidence that Chondrus crispus powder can have light exfoliation benefits as well. That might sound surprising for eye gels, but it's actually a very good thing- especially when we see some ingredients later on. Hanging out in the middle of the list we have Hydrolyzed Collagen, which is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides and has major skin hydrating properties. Collagen, which is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body, is responsible for keeping the skin firm and youthful. The formula also contains Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, commonly known as Argireline. It's not uncommon to hear this peptide referred to as a “Botox-like” because it helps reduce muscle movement slightly (but it is NOT anywhere near as strong as the 'Tox itself!). By relaxing these micro-movements, Argireline may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There is also Arginine, an amino acid which has antioxidant properties and helps repair damaged skin as well as Panthenol, which helps hydrate and soothe. Then, almost at the very bottom, we have the all important Tocopherol (Vitamin E) an antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. This contains Allantoin, which is important because it plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. The addition of this is really important because down towards the end of the list we can see that these also contain Retinyl Palmitate - which is a form of retinoid. It is interesting to see the presence of a retinoid in eye gels (usually retinoids around the eyes are a no-no), however seeing how this is towards the end of the list (and not in high concentration), it's quite safe and a pretty massive bonus. Retinoids (Vitamin A) have massive anti-aging benefits, as they renew the skin (which makes the presence of Chondrus crispus- which has exfoliant properties important) and improve the overall skin quality. This was a nice surprise that made me quite happy! The Arachis Hypogaea Oil at the very bottom was a bit of a surprise. Arachis Hypogaea Oil actually comes from peanuts! It's not terribly common, but it's a strong emollient that helps soften the skin. It also has antioxidant properties, which fight free-radicals. So while different, this is a nice addition to the formula overall. While this is a plus for most, it should be avoided by those with fungal acne, as it can make it flare up. I'll also note that this formula contains Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, which actually comes from licorice root. This ingredient has antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties, so it's another important one. As we can see, this formula is in fact fragrance free. It is also free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol and silicone. Yes, these DO contain artificial colors (and Synthetic Fluorphlogopite- which is the synthetic version of mica), but those aren't actually in the formula, rather they are responsible for giving the gels themselves the color and appearance they have. I really can't say anything on this list jumps out as 'bad' or dangerous. I DO however question the Calcium Chloride (which is most likely used as a stabilizer as it improves product consistency, help retain moisture, and prevent ingredient separation), BUT it's not something you want to get IN your eyes! Overall, I would say this is an impressive formulation and after reading through it, I felt safe to use these (ALWAYS do a patch test first though!) and I felt like these seemed quite promising too! ⭐THE PRODUCT⭐ After opening the jar and removing the disc liner (DO NOT throw the liner away! It helps contain the moisture in the gels and it reduces contamination!), I can see that the gels are piled high in the jar and sitting in a bounty of the formula! Seriously- these are some of the juiciest eye gels I have ever seen! There is no shortage of formula, that's for sure! The gels are peach in color and are quite sparkly (not glittery, rather thanks to light reflecting, synthetic mica). They are a generous size, covering a generous area under and around the eye. Each gel is on the thicker side- these are not the paper thin gels that are easily ripped, but they can be damaged though, if you try. Since the gels are a bit thicker, they are easy to separate in the jar and I've never had an issue with them sticking together. The included spatula comes in handy for things like moving/separating the gels in the jar and it helps with placement once they are on your skin (they adhere VERY well and don't slide around), but I don't think it's the best tool they could have included for a product like this. The formula that's on the gels (and VERY abundant in the jar) is void of any color at all, it is crystal clear (transparent) and there is NO smell/aroma to these at all (yea!) The formula is on the thicker side (on my thickness scale, 1 being water and 10 being a rich body butter, I give the formula a 5.5) and quite slippery, as it has a super slick, almost soapy feeling. When I leave just the formula to dry/absorb on my skin, it does take a while for the rich mixture to absorb completely (that’s exactly what you want for eye gels). There is a slight tacky feeling in the beginning (again, I'm referring to JUST the formula, without the gels) but after a few minutes, that tackiness goes away and leaves super soft, bouncy, well hydrated skin behind. Since the gels are thick AND the formula is slick (and slippery), these can be a bit tedious/ difficult to work/apply. Again, the spatula does help with some things, but not everything. You don’t want to handle these a ton, but even if you do (I have to use two hands!), they will still have more than enough formula on them by the time they are in place under the eye. ⭐EN USE⭐ Once these are in place, you immediately feel a nice, refreshing coolness on the skin underneath that is quite soothing and pleasant. They stay very well (despite the weight of the gel and the slipperiness of the formula) and I’ve never had an issue where I have had to adjust them. Now, my skin might be sensitive, but it is very tolerant of retinoids as I use them often. I’ve never had an issue with these causing any adverse reactions to my skin (or my eyes- even when the formula gets IN them, there is no burn) or anything uncomfortable for the matter BUT… I can definitely tell that there is some type of retinoid in this formula as I can feel a super slight tingle almost while the gels are on. It is NOT uncomfortable, or anything even close to concerning, but I just thought I would mention that. To me, this is a sign they are working, however I don’t know how skin that isn’t used to retinoids would do. These are supposed to stay on for 10-15 minutes before removal and then pat in the remaining formula. Yes, they will deliver results after just 10 minutes, but I have gotten busy and had these on for almost an hour before. I feel like the longer you trap the good stuff on your skin, the better. ⭐RESULTS⭐ It is suggested by the company to use these 2-3x a week for ‘best results’. As always with my skincare trials/reviews, I have used this product now for the past month (sometimes 2x a week, some weeks 3x) and I haven’t introduced anything new to my skin. That way, If I do see results (or have reactions) I know exactly what they came from. I really do love how these feel under my eyes. Even though I do not keep these in my skincare fridge, they stay cool the entire time they are on my skin. That coolness is so refreshing and calming in and of itself that it relaxes and soothes my skin and my person! I really love that about these. You absolutely will/can see results after the very first use. On top of the coolness relieving any bags and puffiness (making it look like you got a good night’s sleep when you really didn’t!) there’s also a noticeable increase of hydration which makes the skin look and feel fuller, bouncier and more elastic. That hydration (plumpness) will also choke out the fine lines around the eyes, making them less noticeable. That increase in moisture isn’t short lived, but it doesn’t last forever, so that’s why continued use is recommended. I hate saying things like this because they sound ridiculous, but in this case it’s the truest thing I can say about these- they are really like sleep in a jar! Since I have been using these for a while, even on the days I don’t use them (and I don’t sleep), I’ve seen less and less bags and puffiness- so they do have a cumulative effect. I even had a client ask me if I just got back from vacation because I ‘looked so well rested’. Complement taken. We all know hydration is like kryptonite to wrinkles, so with all the added moisture going into the concentrated area under the patch (and even the skin surrounding), I'm definitely NOT seeing any new lines or wrinkles! Yes, they were choked out in the beginning, so they weren’t as noticeable, but even on the days I don’t use these- I’m still not seeing the lines like I used to! So I can say, for a fact, that these are doing quite a bit in the anti-aging department! Then overall, my skin is bright, plump (NOT puffy) and super soft! Sure, I have always used eye cream and eye products, so I’m not going from nothing to something here, but I really am quite impressed at the positive difference these have made in my eyes! I feel like they have given me back one of my best assets/features where they are twinkling again and not hidden behind bags of sleepless nights! ⭐VALUE & FINAL THOUGHTS⭐ I honestly think these gels are pretty amazing! Are they perfect? - Well, they are pretty darn close! They absolutely DO deliver results (and for me with no adverse reactions), both immediately noticeable and cumulative. They aren’t hard to work with, but they aren’t the easiest either, as they can be a bit annoying to apply. I honestly hate saying that because they aren’t terrible (or even close to), but because there is so much formula on such a thick gel, they are just different from thinner gels. I don’t mind the somewhat messy application at all though because the bottom line is that these really do deliver results! I am amazed though that these are just $16! And lucky for me, as I came back to reorder another jar, there was a 15% off coupon! With the formula being chuck full of beneficial ingredients and how well these work, either price (the original or sale) is a STEAL! I have used other gels in the past that cost double and even triple what these do and they didn’t deliver half as well as these do, so they are a total steal- a WIN all around! Yes! I recommend these (as long as you can handle retinoids and don’t suffer from fungal acne) and YES, I have already reordered them and will continue to do so too! I love these things and find them incredibly beneficial and helpful! ⭐FULL INGREDIENT LIST⭐ Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Glucomannan, Dextrin, Calcium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Pentylene Gly-col, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Esh-ylhexylglycerin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide -8, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Arginine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Arachis Hypogaea (Peanut) Oil Read more
