I’ve had many products in my skincare lineup – I’ll double cleanse, tone, try every serum and moisturizer around the block – but until recently (read: when I turned 28 a few months back), I didn’t see the need for an eye cream. Sure, I got the appeal, but did I really need the brightening? Would it make an actual difference to the dark eye circles I was beginning to get as a result of quarantine-induced insomnia?
A quick glance at the title of this will tell you that, yes, I did need the brightening and, hell yes, it would make a difference to my dark circles. And thus, I’ve accepted that I’ve crossed over into a new world of skincare.
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RENREN Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream$65
REN Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream: is it worth the hype?
But let’s start with the product. REN’s brightening eye cream is vegan and cruelty-free with a Clean at Sephora stamp (not to mention REN just partnered with competing brands Biossance, Caudalie, Herbivore and Youth To The People to sign an incredible zero-waste pledge by 2025). We’re already feeling great about the brand itself, but now about the cream. Retailing for $65 at Sephora, it is a higher-end eye cream (though eye creams in general tend to sit on the pricier range per fl. oz), but the hundreds of four- and five-star reviews on Sephora told me that this product might just be worth the coin.
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REN Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream: The pros
The packaging of the product is recyclable and comes in a small pump that dispenses just the right amount of cream. The cream itself is thick and nearly scent-free. To banish those dreaded dark circles, it contains elderberry flower (an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory wonder that will help with both photo-aging and puffiness). It’s moisturizing, but not greasy, and the hyaluronic acid (everyone’s favourite skincare ingredient) helps create a smoother appearance to those fine lines.
REN Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream: Lessons learned
For those who, like myself, are new to using an eye cream, here’s the order you want to add it into your routine: cleanse, tone, serum, eye cream, moisturizer. Your under-eye is a delicate area, so take care when applying products to the delicate skin. I like to use my ring or pinky finger to lightly pat the cream into my skin. When applied to the skin, the cream leaves it a long-lasting moisturized feeling that is surprisingly not heavy or greasy for the thick consistency. I also noticed that my skin instantly looked more luminous and bright. It’s subtle, but I did feel I looked more awake and youthful. A tiny bit goes a long way and this little cream will last you months (even when using AM and PM!).
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