I can't function unless I've had eight hours of sleep. Seriously, if I get seven hours or less I wake up feeling absolutely exhausted, so I always make sure to get an early night (fun, I know). That being said, no matter how much sleep I get, I never fail to wake up with dark circles under my eyes. They've never really bothered me much as let's face it, we all get them, however after a busy start to the year, I've noticed my under eyes looking even more tired than usual.
As someone who works in the beauty industry, I'm lucky enough to have access to some of the most sought-after skincare products on the market, and there's one eye cream that people rave about seemingly constantly for its ability to diminish dark circles. I'm talking about Origins
Ginzing Brightening Eye Cream (£28).
I'm sure you've come across this bright orange pot before, as this eye cream is loved by many, so I was very excited when I saw one waiting for me on my desk. It's my job to separate the good from the bad when it comes to beauty and to inform you whether a product really lives up to its hype. Seeing as this eye cream isn't cheap for a small pot, I was keen to know whether it would make a difference to my under-eye area. Of course, there's only one way to find out, so I put the product through its paces and detailed my findings below. Keep on scrolling to read how I got on.
Junior Beauty Editor Grace Lindsay put Origins Ginzing Brightening Eye Cream to the test.
Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream Review
The Formula
First things first, what makes this eye cream so great? Well, it's all in the formula. The product contains a combination of ingredients including vitamin C to brighten, niacinamide to hydrate and caffeine to depuff the under-eye area, meaning those tired-looking eyes don't stand a chance. Not only that but the eye cream is available in two different tones (cool and warm), to help illuminate the skin. The cream itself is lightweight enough to wear under makeup so it makes for a great addition to your morning skincare routine, but you can also use it in the evening for an extra boost before bed.
Before Using Origins Ginzing Eye Cream
Before using the Origins eye cream, Grace's under-eye area looked quite dull and tired, and she felt that her dark circles were really noticeable.
After Using Origins Ginzing Eye Cream
After using the Origins eye cream, Grace could immediately tell that her under-eyes looked brighter and more awake, and her skin felt refreshed and hydrated.
The first thing I noticed when applying this eye cream was how lightweight it felt on the skin. In fact, I'd say that it's more like a cream-gel hybrid, which really does make it ideal for wearing under makeup. That being said, if you like a thicker, super-hydrating product, then this might not be for you. What I like to do is apply this in the morning and then go for more of a hydrating product at night to get the best of both worlds.
I went for the cool shade as I have quite fair skin, and after applying a small amount with my ring finger, I was immediately impressed by how much brighter my dark circles looked. The consistency also felt super refreshing on the skin and my under-eye area was less puffy afterwards. I don't know if the camera is doing it justice, but just one application made me look a whole lot more awake than I actually felt.
The Verdict
So, would I recommend this eye cream? In short, yes. If you're looking for a quick and simple way to awaken your eye area in the morning, then I'd definitely suggest giving this a go. Although I've not been using it for long enough to see the long-term benefits, it's become an easy step in my morning routine that immediately adds luminosity to my skin. However, if you're wondering whether it gets rid of dark circles, then the answer would be no.
Given my line of work, I'm cynical about whether any product will ever fully eliminate dark circles, but this one definitely helps make them look a whole lot brighter. I still make sure to use an under-eye corrector and a little bit of concealer on days when I feel like wearing makeup, but this cream makes my under-eye area look a lot more radiant. As mentioned above, it's not the most hydrating option in my opinion, so if your main concern is dry skin, then I'd recommend going for one with a slightly thicker consistency.
The eye cream currently retails at £28, and although it's not cheap, it is much more affordable than other brands on the market. Don't get me wrong—you don't need this eye cream in your routine, but if dark under-eyes are getting you down, then I do think that it's worth the price for what it does.
Shop Origins Ginzing Brightening Eye Cream:
Pros: Lightweight consistency, easy to apply, refreshing on the skin and makes the under-eye area look more awake.
Cons: Not massively hydrating and more of an investment for an eye cream.
Shop More Awakening Eye Creams:
Drunk Elephant's eye cream contains cucumber extract, vitamin C and powerful peptides to help awaken and refresh the under-eye area.
For a more affordable option, you can't go wrong with The Ordinary. This serum has been designed for the delicate eye area, and the caffeine solution helps to minimise dark circles and puffiness.
Another eye cream heralded for its awakening properties is Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème. With vitamin C, shea and jojoba seed oils, not only will your eye area look brighter, but it will feel super nourished too.
French skincare favourite Caudalie has created a luxurious eye cream that hydrates and colour-corrects the under eyes, so you can say goodbye to dark circles. It also comes with a cooling, ceramic applicator which makes using this in the morning feel so refreshing.
Another great affordable option comes from The Inkey List. The caffeine-enriched formula will help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, making it ideal for those early mornings.
Ren has created a lightweight cream that not only boosts hydration but also works to depuff. The result? A radiant-looking eye area that has the illusion of a long night's sleep.
You can always rely on Dermalogica for effective formulas that really work. This refreshing eye gel contains a blend of caffeine and peptides that work harmoniously to brighten and hydrate.
If you really want to treat yourself, Murad's luxury eye cream is infused with light-reflecting micro minerals that work to illuminate the under-eye area. It doesn't stop there, as the formula also contains
vitamin C and red and brown algae extracts to brighten and soothe. Dark circles and puffiness, be gone.
Opening Image: @mexicanbutjapanese
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