If there’s one question I’m asked A. LOT. it’s this “Can you recommend a good eye cream?” or “What eye cream do you use?”
My answer is usually this : “I don’t use an eye cream”
It’s a fact. I don’t!
But I recently met the people from Dr. Dennis Gross, during a Sephora press event that I attended, and they told me that the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream was one that you could use around and even ON your eye lids. The fact it contains retinol piqued my interest as well.
And I recalled that I had one tub in my stash :D I have a tendency to forget what I buy over time :P
I don’t use eye cream
I have used eye cream off and on through the years, but the issue for me, is that I never really noticed much of a difference with and without.
Granted, my eye area would feel a little more moisturized, but that was about it. I have fine lines around my eyes (at my age, who doesn’t!) but it isn’t that prominent a problem, and they aren’t deep. My lids are a little droopy, but again, it isn’t a prominent issue, nor one that affects my lifestyle or looks.
I put it down to genetics. And I’m very thankful for it! :)
So, over the years, I decided to do away with using eye cream altogether. I don’t think I’ve suffered very much for it :P Usually, I just tap a little residual product on my fingers around my eye area, and call it a day.
Did the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream make a difference?
When I started using the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
This lightweight eye cream is formulated with ferulic acid and retinol which serve an anti-aging function. It is claimed that this cream will protect skin against sun damage, protect skin with antioxidants and firm and smoothen skin, while reducing puffiness and irritation.
Sounds like a lot!
Lightweight cream absorbs quickly
I can attest to the cream being lightweight. It absorbs very quickly, and is easy to work with. My lids do not feel greasy, and I use it both in the day and night.
In the day, once it is absorbed, I experience no oiliness so it doesn’t mess with eye makeup at all.
As an eye cream, I like the texture very much. It feels rich enough for my drier skin, yet isn’t greasy or uncomfortable to use around the eyes.
As advised by the people from Dr. Dennis Gross, I use this directly on my eyelids as well, and experience no irritation whatsoever.
I have read of people experiencing tingling around the eyes, due to the ingredients, but I did not experience any untoward incidents. However, it is worth noting this, in case your skin is more sensitive than mine.
No scent – yay!
I abhor strongly scented skincare products these days, so the fact that the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream boasts no scent at all is a boon!
Hydrates and moisturizes the eye area
If there is one thing I can attest to after a couple of months using the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream, it is this – it hydrates and moisturizes the eye area very well.
My eye area feels comfortable, and because I use it regularly, I do notice that the skin around the eyes look a touch smoother. However, I cannot say with 100% certainty that it is fully attributable to this eye cream. I usually experience this with any eye cream I use LOL! :P
Lids look less puffy and a little more lifted
However, there is one diminutive improvement I noticed, and that is my eye lids don’t look as puffy. This, I attribute to the caffeine in the ingredient list.
Because the lids don’t look as puffy, they also look a little more lifted at the corners, which for me, is a good thing.
I noticed this primarily as I have been having poor sleep for the past few months, which adds to the general puffiness and lacklustre glow to my skin. In recent times, I find that when I draw my eyeliner, it can actually be seen when I open my eyes, instead of disappearing into the fold of my lid – yes, that’s how I notice any improvements :P
Consistency is key to improvements with eye cream
The one thing I’ve noticed when using an eye cream is this – consistency pays dividends.
I am lucky, in that I can get away with not using an eye cream, if I don’t want to. But when I do, and am consistent about it, I will notice some results. Not very significant results, if I might say so, but little results nonetheless.
However, if I don’t use it consistently, then naturally the results will not be as noticeable. Any improvements will not appear overnight. You must give yourself time.
And above all, you must manage your expectations. No topical cream will turn back time, lift lids, erase lines and puffiness around your eyes, and remove dark circles. It is not possible. There are surgical procedures you can undertake, but don’t place your hopes in an eye cream.
The Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream is a decent one. It is pricey, but you use very little each time, and it will last you ages. I expect to be quite diligent using this, and you shouldn’t expect me to suddenly go out and buy a new eye cream every week. It won’t happen :P
But if you’re wondering if it’s worth trying, I’d say yes. If you’re wondering if an eye cream is a worthwhile investment, I’d say yes – with a caveat.
Manage your expectations, expect hydration and moisture but do not expect a miracle. That way, you’d not be disappointed.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream boasts a lot of anti-aging ingredients, and is touted to smoothen, lift, firm, hydrate and brighten skin, among other benefits. The cream has a lightweight texture that absorbs easily and quickly into the skin without leaving any residue. It sits nicely under eye makeup without causing it to slide. You can use it on your lids, and around the orbital area. Most eye creams do not advise use on lids. With regular use, I do notice that my eye area feels more hydrated and moisturized. My lids appear a touch lifted, and look less puffy. But any improvements are infinitesimal, and noticeable only if you are observing. It’s a decent eye cream, as far as I’m concerned but the price tag can be prohibitive. (Please note that mine is the old packaging. But the ingredient list looks the same as the new packaging)
PROS:
Lightweight but rich, creamy texture
Absorbs easily and quickly into skin without leaving any residue
Sits well under eye makeup
Skin around eyes look and feel more hydrated and moisturized
With prolonged and regular use, lids appear less puffy and a little more liftedCONS:
Pricey
Tub packaging can be unhygienic and messy
Results can be quite hard to notice if you don’t pay attentionWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a lightweight yet rich eye cream that hydrates and moisturizes the eye area and contains retinol for anti-aging
PRICE: RM303 | £68 | US$69 for 15ml
WHERE TO BUY: Sephora, Cult Beauty, SpaceNK, Net-a-Porter, LookFantastic, Bath and Unwind, Nordstrom
For those interested, this is the ingredient list for the Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Isododecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, Lauryl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Collagen Amino Acids, Ferulic Acid, Gallic Acid, Ellagic Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Retinol, Aminobutyric Acid, Caffeine, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Sphingolipids, Phospholipids, Tetrapeptide-21, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Algae Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Tetrahydropiperine, BHT, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isohexadecane, Benzophenone-3, Behenic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica (CI 77019), Annatto (CI 75120)
Have you tried this Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream? Do you use an eye cream?
I don’t forsee myself using any other until I’ve finished this tub. It took me a while to be consistent about using it, but once I got into a routine, it’s been easier. I do still forget now and then. Old habits die hard :P
Paris B
I’m the same about eye creams, I use them occasionally, but not really consistently. But I liked the DDG Ferulic + Retinol eye cream.
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble sleeping. I think I mentioned it before: have you looked into “the sleep book“ (Guy Meadows)? It was a game changer for me. After years of insomnia, I turned into a pretty good sleeper most nights.
Recently I have dabbled into “slugging“ (covering all my skin care with Aquaphor, at night). I love it. :-) It improves absorption of product and it’s great for the skin barrier.
Hi Maja, thank you and yes I remember you telling me about The Sleep Book :D I’m happy to report that I don’t have as much of a sleeping problem now as I used to. It might be because I got a pup, and he tires me out as much as I try to tire him out in the day so we can ALL sleep better haha! :D
*Finger tapping, holding my breath, waiting for pup photos* :-)
By the way, sleep masks are also helpful, if you have the odd bad night. I mean the one covering your eyes, to make it dark.
Real good eye creams are rare in the cosmetics world. I was using one from Kiehl’s that had also a beneficial, at least for me, SPF, but they discontinued it. I’m still wondering why, I believe sensitive eye area needs sun protection. Jar packaging except of unhygienic and messy is a waste of money, from what I have read, in my opinion, because the beneficial formulas that contain does not stay stable. Have a wonderful Autumn!
Thanks Amalia :D Yes I’ve read a lot of flack given to jar creams, but I must confess that I still enjoy using products that come in jars haha oops :P But you are right, I do wonder why there aren’t many eye products with SPF. I wonder if it might be because SPF makes the formula very thick and therefore uncomfortable or might clog pores around the eye area
Adrienne
Darn, if only this review was done before Sephora’s sale, I don’t mind giving it a go as I’m a sucker for eye creams but never found one that really works. Will give it a go in the next sale. Great review as always.
I think Dr Dennis Gross had some Christmas sets that had this cream? I can’t remember as I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the offers and sales haha! But here’s a reminder, if you haven’t already tried this eye cream! ;)
The texture of this eye cream sounds wonderful!
I use my retinol serum (Futurederm’s 0.75% Time Release Retinol) around the eye area every couple nights or so (and then I apply eye cream over the top) so I would still use this eye cream because retinol is a little lower in the ingredient list – every little bit counts I say! And for the ferulic acid :) I might give it a go once my current eye creams run out!
Sorry if you mentioned this Paris, but did you use the eye cream in the mornings too?
I sometimes cheat and apply a little bit of retinol (for the face) around the eyes too haha! I’ve finished this cream and haven’t gotten around to getting another tub :P I don’t use it in the day (due to the retinol) but quite generously at night :)
Hi everyone.
I have been using Missha Geum Sul eye cream for several years, I am happy with it so far that I do not bother on trying other eye creams anymore. This one keeps my eye area at bay. Unless I have a lazy day I use it morning at night. I works very well with concealer too. I would recomend it.
Hi Patricia, thanks for sharing your favourite eye cream! Glad to know it works so well for you :)
I dislike using eye creams before too much of a bust, no improvements or I get an allergic reaction from them. But past years have been using RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Facial Filler and have to admit it has “erased” or kept deep wrinkles at bay. I’m only using it in the eye & outside of mouth area so one tube lasts for a long time. Also I’m applying it with the Body Shop Precision Eye Massager. Pop this tool in the fridge before application and it feels divine. A definite morning wake up.
That’s good to know that the ROC Retinol works so well for you :) Thanks for sharing!