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Updated 9.07.15* What is it? 'This breakthrough serum-in-a-gel contains a synergistic antioxidant combination to help protect the delicate eye area from oxidative stress, while targeted actives revive under-eye skin and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness.'
Who is it for? Literally all skin types and ages, but sit up and pay particular notice if you have issues with your eyes or are 30+ and/or smoke/drink/party. :)
What’s in it? Aqua / Water / Eau, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbic Acid, Undecane, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecane, Phloretin, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta.
What's not in it?m ineral oil, parabens, fragrance
Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients? alcohol
Natural? Organic? Man-made? Vegan? Man-made, vegan
Sold in China/possibly tested on animals? Unknown. If the brand confirm I will update the post.
What’s good about it? Lord above this is the best eye cream I have used in years. It's up there with Zelens Triple Action and Tata Harper - both of which are very different products, but ones I use when my eyes are in certain 'states'.
This little powerhouse has an immediate firming and lifting effect and has taken years - years off of my lower eyes in particular. The effect is extremely noticeable (on me), to the point where I now find myself trying to ration it so I don't run out by using my usual heavy-handed dosage. Upon doing my research, I discovered that they recommend using half a pump per eye whereas I've been happily using a full pump, ggrrr.
It contains three antioxidants: 1% Phloretin, 5% Vitamin C and 0.5% Ferulic Acid to help with all aspects of free radical damage and therefore pretty much all the signs of ageing along with ruscus aculeatus (it's an evergreen plant) and caffeine to counteract dark circles and puffiness.
And it works.
I am still often asked if we 'really need an eye cream?' because 'it's all just skin Caroline'. Yes, it is all skin, but the skin around the eye is up to 10 times thinner than the fat stuff on your cheeks, meaning if you use a really thick, gloopy, mineral oil eye cream, it doesn't penetrate and swells the surface giving you puffiness ahoy. Even if you disagree with my stance on mineral oil, I would really, really, urge you to avoid it in eye creams.
What’s not so good about it? The alcohol content is a little confusing for me personally, this is in no way drying or irritating, something that my skin would normally pick up on. I have asked SkinCeuticals to confirm that a: my inci list is correct (this is a reformulation) and to advise why they have used it. If for example, it is to mildly 'strip' (I hate that word but it makes it clear what I mean) back the epidermis to allow the other products to penetrate deeper, something we know that a lot of companies use it for? When I get a reply I will report back.
*UPDATE* - 09.07.2015 SkinCeuticals have replied to my email with: 'The small amount of alcohol in AOX+ Eye Gel is necessary to solubilise phloretin. The alcohol, however, has a high flash point and quickly flashes off of the skin.' It's £69.00. Not the cheapest, so if you have no problems with your eyes, still spend on your serum as the priority. If, however, you look in the mirror and think 'Oh gimme a break, look at my eyes!' then check it out.Having said that, it's recommended for once a day use so will last twice as long as normal.
The other challenge is finding it - SkinCeuticals are not a high street brand - normally sold through clinics/spas etc - details are below.
Where to use in your routine? Post-tone, pre-serum, in the morning. As it's a preventative/protective eye product they recommend using in the morning and another eye cream in the evening that is more directed at repair.
How do you use it? Apply a pump to the top of your ring finger, tap onto opposing ring finger, and swipe/pat under both eyes. I take over the brow bone and end up in full circles.
Works well with?
SkinCeuticals Eye Balm
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
How much is it and where can I find it?
It's currently £70.00 sold as a kit with a Mineral Eye UV Defense SPF30 from www.my-dermacenter.com and other SkinCeuticals stockists.
As an aside, one thing I really like about the SkinCeuticals official websites is that they call out all of their unauthorised resellers: skinceuticals.com/authorize in a way that most brands are too afraid to do. Some of these retailers are known to get their products from old, deleted, stock - in some cases the goods are stolen and in others they are counterfeit. It's well worth having a look as I am asked frequently about some of the ones listed.
Similar products?
Zelens Triple Action
Dennis Gross MD Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream
Exchange rate – does it punish the UK?
Ish. It's $92.00/£69.00.
