ILIA Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Anti-agingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, TocopherolModerate evidence
“Slow down your morning and wake up eyes with a potent eye cream that delivers the benefits of retinol without the drawbacks. With a weightless texture that layers seamlessly under makeup, Bright Start is clinically proven to refresh and revive tired eyes instantly—and reduce dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles over time.”
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Squalene + 13 moreStrong evidence
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalene.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Squalene, Caffeine + 2 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (squalene) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.6–8.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglyceridePersea gratissima oil~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilPropanediol~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPentylene glycol~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolCetearyl alcohol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCandelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Help oil and water mix together
More about Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersJojoba oil/macadamia seed oil esters~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~1–1.3%
Glyceryl stearate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateBehenyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholCaffeine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineMoringa oil/hydrogenated moringa oil esters~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium stearoyl lactylate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateMica~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaHydroxyacetophenone~0.3–0.6%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.25–0.5%
Squalene~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneCaprylic/capric/succinic triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium phytate~0.25–0.4%
Phytosteryl macadamiate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Phytosteryl macadamiatePersea gratissima fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
Crithmum maritimum extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
More about Crithmum maritimum extractPhytosterols~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsTocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-8Sodium citrate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCi 77891~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77491~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Persea gratissima oil, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, Jojoba oil/macadamia seed oil esters, Brassica campestris/aleurites fordi oil copolymer, Silica, Glyceryl stearate, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Behenyl alcohol, Caffeine, Moringa oil/hydrogenated moringa oil esters, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Mica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Squalene, Caprylic/capric/succinic triglyceride, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Sodium phytate, Phytosteryl macadamiate, Persea gratissima fruit extract, Crithmum maritimum extract, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Sodium citrate, Ci 77891, Ci 77491
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ILIABright Start Activated Eye CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Beekman 1802Mushroom Milk Better Aging Eye Cream | Beauty PieSuper Healthy Skin Über Youth Eye Energy Cream | Soho SkinEye Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $46.00 | $52.00+$6.00 | $48.13+$2.13 | $73.53+$27.53 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Ganoderma Lucidum Extract | Alteromonas Ferment Extract | Avena Sativa Kernel Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "ILIA - Bright Start Activated Eye Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. ILIA - Bright Start Activated Eye Cream ticks this box. Acetyl hexapeptide-8, glycerin and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Persea gratissima fruit extract, persea gratissima oil, phytosterols, phytosteryl macadamiate and caprylic/capric triglyceride in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.20% - 0.35%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "ILIA" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 70.77A$ in Australia and for 46.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Squalene and its potential clinical useseuropepmc.org
- 4
- 5Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxidesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Safety Assessment of Phytosterols as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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