Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes are common ageing signs that can be delayed with the consistent use of a good eye product. We review five eye products including eye creams, gels and serums that can help to rehydrate, smoothen and brighten this delicate area.
Rootree Mobitherapy Age-Defy Eye Cream, $54
“Made in Korea, this product taps on the medicinal properties of the Dendropax Morbifera tree, which has been used as a home remedy for years there. Recent studies seem to show it has anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects, too!
Recommended for sensitive skin, the eye cream is made with over 70 percent ingredients of natural origin and zero nasty chemicals. A rich and soothing formula, it looks quite thick when you squeeze it out of the bottle, but soaks into the eye area without feeling heavy or greasy. It’s also fragrance-free, and didn’t sting my eyes as a lot of other eye creams do. It contains vitamin C and other ingredients to lighten, tighten and reduce pigmentation, as well as moisturise and reduce wrinkles.”
– Danielle Rossetti
AHC The Pure Real Eye Cream, $26
“At $26 a pop, this hypoallergenic skincare product from Korean skincare brand AHC is a great option if you’re new to eye creams and you’re not ready to splurge. I really enjoyed the lightweight formula, which absorbs almost immediately into the skin without leaving a tacky finish.
Formulated with over 91 percent of naturally derived ingredients, including oleanolic acid to reduce wrinkles, red salvia root extract for brightening and rice extract to hydrate, this cream has a pleasant herbal and fruity scent that doesn’t linger for too long. It smells almost spa-like, so I find myself feeling more relaxed after each use. It doubles up as an anti-ageing moisturiser for your face, and I’ve also found that it works amazingly as a neck cream to rehydrate and smoothen out those niggling lines. I haven’t noticed any visible changes to the eye area, but at least it doesn’t make me break out like most creams do!”
– Anthia Chng
Nature Up Organic Eye Gel Mask, $46
“I was sceptical at first. I’ve tried too many eye creams and nothing has really worked. Most of them claimed to do a lot but I never got the best result, so when I was handed this product, I thought it would be just another empty promise. But to my surprise, it delivered!
Formulated with arbutin to reduce pigmentation, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and mullein to brighten, the all-natural, no-nasties eye gel mask claims to help reduce eye bags and dark circles. It also takes the puffiness away, soothes the areas around the eyes and brightens the skin. It’s a great mask if you tend to wake up puffy in the morning! After having it on for 20 minutes, I wash it off with water and do my normal routine of moisturising. I use it every other day.”
– Susan Knudsen-Pickles
Al’s Beauty 24K Gold Intensive Eye Serum, $68
“This lightweight and gentle eye serum is formulated with Vitamin E, real gold (yes!), and coconut oil to hydrate and brighten the delicate skin around the eye area. It’s super fun to use as you get to the see the gold specks in the serum itself. Plus, it doesn’t feel heavy at all, so it’s perfect for the humid climate in Singapore.
Made in Switzerland without parabens, sulfates, or fragrances, the hypoallergenic formula is suitable for those with dry, oily or combination skin (like me). It doesn’t break me out even though I have sensitive skin, so I’m pleased about that! I think this is one great product to have in your skincare arsenal, for anti-ageing in the long run.
– Anthia Chng
Visible Repair Replenishing Eye Cream and Galvanic Intensifier, $159.90
“This set includes two tubes of eye cream with a battery-operated vibrating attachment that stimulates the skin and helps it to absorb the product. Vibrations only start when you hold the silver top, so you can squeeze out the product and dot it around the eye area, and then start the massage. It did use quite a bit of cream. While the recommended is a pearl-sized dollop of cream, whenever I used less, the vibrations would tug at my skin. It was all absorbed without feeling greasy or oily at all though.
It can also be used on forehead lines (although I found it hurt quite a bit on the bone) to lift the skin around the jawline and reduce the nasolabial lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth. The sensation is quite pleasant and my skin was slightly tingly afterwards. I tested it on one side of my face daily for six weeks, and that eye area definitely looked smoother underneath with less deep wrinkles. There was not much change to the dark rings underneath for me, but the upper lid area was markedly lifted, with less of a crease hanging above my lashes. I would definitely continue to use this – will start on the other side of my face now!”
– Danielle Rossetti
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Eye Lift, $740
“Being a huge fan of the La Prairie Caviar range, I’ve been keen to try this new product for a while now. The newest product is a dual-phase serum that pairs the iconic caviar beads with a gel-cream emulsion. When combined, the formula emulates the benefits of an eye lift.
This serum tackles the whole eye area, starting with the brow and eyelids; I noticed the area felt firmer and more lifted after each use. It also smoothens out fine lines, brightens up dark circles and reduces puffiness. The formula feels light, and only one tiny pump is needed for each eye. The application process is easy too; just gently dab across the eyelid crease and along the brow, ending below the eye. Of course, it’s on the expensive side of eye creams, but a little goes a long way and it’s still a great alternative to that eye lift!”
– Jacqui Young
Kglow Bright Radiance Rejuvenation Eye Serum, $118
Available at Kglow Skinlab, #02-23 Millenia Walk
“My under-eye areas are very sensitive. Many creams I’ve tried have been too harsh and led to irritation, while others haven’t moisturised enough. I’m under no illusion that there will be a magic eye cream or serum that turns back the hands of time to reduce wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles, but I’m convinced that with the right products the eye area can be improved over time.
This Kglow eye serum is one that has ticked all the boxes. It comes in a luxurious black and gold jar, which I love. The serum has a soft, lightweight yet creamy consistency that feels great on the skin. It goes on smoothly, is absorbed easily and locks in the moisture, making my undereye area look plump and hydrated. It didn’t lead to any irritation either, so I could use it quite liberally. While it hasn’t helped to reduce my dark circles, I’ve found that it makes my eyes look fresh and reduces some of the puffiness.”
– Karin Galley
This article first appeared in the October 2020 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
If you feel you need a bit more, read up on the best facials in Singapore.
