I heard about CeraVe Eye Repair Cream by chance, having stumbled upon a recommendation online. I purchased it soon after, around late 2019, use it daily (usually twice a day) and I am only on my 3rd tube! A little... Read full review
I heard about CeraVe Eye Repair Cream by chance,
having stumbled upon a recommendation online. I purchased it soon after, around late 2019, use it daily (usually twice a day) and I am only on my 3rd tube!
A little goes a long way with this product.
This stuff is good.
*Why I love it* : First off, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that a huge factor in my loyalty to this eye cream is the cost/benefit aspect. To date, I'm yet to find a similarly priced eye cream containing so many science backed, active ingredients, in decent concentrations for less than AU$20.
Niacinamide, for example is the second ingredient after (of course) water [sidenote: most ingredient-checking types know that they are listed in order of most prevalent to least], which is remarkable in a budget brand/ pharmacy brand cream. The other ingredients that sold me were :
Anti-acne: -- Phytosphingosine (Niacinamide also helps)
Antioxidant: -- Tocopherol (vitamins E)
Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Skin brightening: Niacinamide
Skin-identical ingredient: Glycerin, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-Ll, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol
Soothing: Jojoba Esters, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Equisetum Arvense Extract.
It's also fragrance free (including essential oils) and alcohol free,
[Info credit: adapted from INCIDecoder]
The tube may appear small, but I found that so little product is required that it lasts months. Though I love the sensorial aspect of luxe packaging as much as the next person, I love that CeraVe are super minimalist and recyclable and especially LOVE that this dermatological brand actually put thought into the common-sense factors which affect the integrity, longevity, hygiene and ease of use with their products (no jars, no glass, pump bottles or squeeze tubes to ensure that 1. You aren't introducing bacteria into the product and 2. Ensures minimal exposure to air and sunlight). They eye cream is a small squeeze tube with an extended conical nozzle and small hole for dispensing. The lid is screw top, not secured to the tube unfortunately, so it's not easy to use as a flip top etc., if your hands are slippery from a just-applied serum and I've dropped the lid and had to hunt around for it a couple of times but it's a small price to pay for a worthwhile eyecream (and possibly a sign I have too many items cluttering my bathroom :)
Fragrance - as mentioned, it's unperfumed, including essential oils, and there is no detectable fragrance. Though I enjoy a nice light fragrance, I get skin sensitivity easily, particularly around the eyes, and have been pleased to find the fragrance-free, alcohol-free formulation is non-irritating even on sensitive skin days. What you trade off in aesthetic appeal you gain in "useability".
Texture is quite pleasant - it comes out easily in a thin ribbon of white (almost iridescent!) cream, light viscosity so it's easily spreadable, light to medium thickness so it's quite hydrating without feeling heavy and leaves no shiny residue. It is absorbed remarkably well.
Having said that, I have noticed it's best applied before any "heavy" serums as they can affect it's absorption and you end up rubbing too hard to spread the usually smoothly applying eyecream or you have to use more eyecream than usual to prevent the friction created from an occlusive serum. I have only found this to be an issue with some brands/types of serum which are "stickier" than others.
Dark circles are a recurring thing for me and though the evidence is not definitive on efficacy of certain "natural" ingredients and oils - this does contain almond oil (often touted for it's benefits re:dark circles, among other perks) and horsetail extract (touted for it's great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) so bases covered with a few natural boosters for dark circles, eye puffiness and fine lines.
I have had no sensitivity to this product, even on and skin days, no adverse reactions, it does not affect the way eye makeup or concealer etc. sits if I am wearing cosmetics and doesn't pill when other products are added (for example, I apply eye cream before I apply night creams, day moisturiser, SPF, etc, and have never had a problem with pilling or any other nuisance interaction between products) .
Overall - I believe I will keep CeraVe Eye Repair Cream in the skincare go-to box as a solid, staple product I can trust and find is excellent value for money. Having said that, I still try and will continue to experiment with other eye skincare products as I am ever curious, I like to have variety and to be able to choose which product is most suitable for my needs at any given time (this cream isn't vitamin C based or retinol based for example) but even with future purchases of higher-end eye creams, I see this little tube as having a permanent place in the kit and potential to become a Holy Grail item.