“It’s potent!” Benefits shout, at the top of its lungs, in the middle of Sephora.
But who is it trying to convince? Women desperate to fade their dark circles and wrinkles… or itself?
I think it’s deluding itself (or just lying outright). Because, there’s nothing potent about Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream.
On the contrary, my friend. This eye cream is a mess. Here’s why:
What’s In Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream?
SQUALANE
Squalane is one of the safest oils you can use it for your skin. It’s non-comedogenic – even fungal acne sufferers can use it without getting a breakout.
But what does it do in Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream? It’s super moisturizing. Very similar to human sebum, it sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue behind.
Once on your skin, squalane strengthens the skin’s protective barrier so that moisture stays in and germs, pollutants and irritants stay out.
When your skin’s protective barrier is damaged, all hell breaks loose. Skin dries out to a wrinkled old prune. Everything it comes in contact with irritates it.
But reinforce the protective barrier and everything changes. Now that skin has all the moisture it needs, it plumps up so your wrinkles look smaller. Its texture is super soft. Its glow comes back, too.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Squalane Oil In Skincare
EYELISS
Eyeliss is one of those annoying ingredients that’s made of a bunch of stuff. It has:
- Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone: A citrus bioflavonoid that’s said to reduce dark circles caused by blood pooling. One study shows that it lowers the filtration rate of capillaries so that less blood flows close to the surface of the skin. Unfortunately, there’s no proof yet it does this when topically applied to the skin.
- Dipeptide-2: Made up of amino acids valine and tryptophan, it’s very moisturising. Some says it also improve lympathic circulation, reducing puffiness and dark circles. Still, I couldn’t find any studies supporting this second claim.
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7: Made up of 4 amino acids, it helps reduce inflammation, one of the main causes of wrinkles.
Eyeliss is a promising ingredient: it definitely moisturise and soothes but the jury’s still out there on whether it can do anything for dark circles and puffy eyes.
Related: How To Treat Dark Circles (What Really Works)
HYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic Acid is a moisture magnet on steroids: it attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water.
What happens when skin gets all that extra moisture? It plumps up, so fine lines look smaller. Its texture gets softer. And the whole area glows.
P.S. Hyaluronic Acid isn’t the only moisture magnet in Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream. Glycerin does the same thing, but on a smaller scale.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
Texture
In the jar, it looks so thick, you’re sure you’re gonna end up in Mila Seeds City after the first application. But don’t let that deceive you. When you pat it on, it’s lightweight and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue behind.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
Morning and night, after cleansing and serums. Pat it on with your ring finger. It’s the gentlest.
Performance & Personal Opinion
For something that claims to be potent, Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream is incredibly weak. Like, it doesn’t do anything apart from moisturising your skin.
I’ll give it its due: the lovely texture sinks in smoothly and hydrates skin, leaving it softer and suppler for a while. If that’s all you’re after, you’ll like this.
But it doesn’t do anything else…
It doesn’t do anything for dark circles.
It doesn’t help with puffy eyes.
It doesn’t even have enough antioxidants to prevent premature wrinkles…
Can someone tell me why I should buy this instead than slathering my face moisturiser on the eye area, too?
Related: Do You Really Need An Eye Cream?
Who Is This For?
Young women who want an eye cream that only moisturises skin, but don’t want to use their face moisturiser all over.
Who Is This NOT For?
Personally, I don’t recommend it to anyone. Even if you want to use a separate eye cream, there are better options around.
Packaging
Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream comes in a small jar with a cork lid. It’s pretty, but not the most hygienic.
Does Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Brightening eye cream to fade dark circles. | It doesn’t brighten and it doesn’t get rid of dark circles. |
| Moisturizing. | True. |
| Contains a peptide complex known to help restore elasticity & firmness. | Technically, it’s true. It does have a peptide complex that claims to do those things. But it doesn’t work. |
Price & Availability
$34.00/£29.00 at Feel Unique and Ulta
Do You Need It?
Nope. No one needs eye cream, especially one this basic. Just use your face moisturiser instead.
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
- CeraVe Eye Repair Cream ($15.99)
- Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($34.00)
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Steareth-21, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Hexyldecanol, Steareth-2, Glyceryl Hydroxystearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Steareth-20, Tromethamine, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Sodium Hyaluronate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Dipeptide-2, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Plankton Extract. N?? 06345/A
Too bad about the alcohol, that puts me right off it…
Melissa, me too. A shame indeed.
Only 2.5 ?? !!! OH !! I am not going to buy this 😀
Poonpo, it’s pretty disappointing, isn’t it?
This cream needs to be applied very carefully. Heaven help you if it strays into your eye. It burns! I gave up on my free sample immediately. Age Transforming eye cream by Olay is far better. Brilliant for soothing eyes when you’re sleep deprived and also hayfever suffering and it doesn’t sting. Cheaper too.
Chrissie, ouch! Lots of creams sting like that, unfortunately, if itthey end up in the eyes. But, I agree, Olay is a much better choice. It’s gentler and works much better.