Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Chrysin + 1 moreWorks well
“What it is: A brightening Vitamin C eye serum that visibly reduces dark circles while smoothing fine lines and hydrating the under-eye area.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: chrysin.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 11 moreWorks well
“Our formula, enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, hydrates to improve the appearance of dark circles and when applied with a massaging action, can help to reduce the appearance of puffiness.”
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, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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: dimethicone, cyclohexasiloxane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Adenosine + 3 moreWorks well
“Clinically-demonstrated to help decrease the appearance of lines, crow’s feet and dark circles”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid, adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Chrysin + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - chrysin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Propylene glycol~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDimethicone~6.1–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlycerin~4.4–6.7%
- 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 GlycerinAscorbic acid~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidDimethicone crosspolymer~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeCyclohexasiloxane~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneWater~1.3–1.9%
Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
More about Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidLauroyl lysine~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Lauroyl lysineAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinatePolysilicone-11~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Ci 77891~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Adenosine~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSteareth-20~0.4–0.95%
Chlorhexidine digluconate~0.15–0.3%
N-hydroxysuccinimide~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Is claimed to be able to brighten skin tone by removing some blood-related pigmented compounds in skin (hemoglobin and related elements) but solid research is missing. Can be irritating
More about N-hydroxysuccinimideSodium citrate~0.15–0.6%
- 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 citratePotassium sorbate~0.15–0.5%
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.15–0.7%
- 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 Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Chrysin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as lightening the skin, but solid evidence is missing. Could somewhat help in reducing the darkness of the under-eye area. Helps to neutralise free radicals in skin
More about ChrysinPentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamatePalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.15–0.55%
- 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 Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Citric acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBiotin~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
More about BiotinIngredient list view
Propylene glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ascorbic acid, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Water, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Lauroyl lysine, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Polysilicone-11, Ci 77891, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Steareth-20, Chlorhexidine digluconate, N-hydroxysuccinimide, Sodium citrate, Potassium sorbate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Chrysin, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Citric acid, Biotin
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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.
| Kiehl'sPowerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye SerumYOUR PRODUCT | REVOLUTION SKINCARERevolution Man Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Serum | Skin ScriptPeptide Eye Serum | L'Oréal ParisDerm Intensives Vitamin C Face Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 71% | 70% |
| Price | ≈ $53.34 | — | — | $21.14≈ −$32.20 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Titanium Dioxide | Dipeptide-2 | — |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | High | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Vitabrid Wrinkle Serum ProfessionalClinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
Product summary
"Kiehl's - Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Evens skin tone, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 3.50% - 5.30% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
- Peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.15% - 0.55% and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.65%). 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 theynare 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.
- Adenosine 0.35% - 0.80%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
- Humectants (hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.35% - 0.80% and glycerin 4.40% - 6.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 31.97$ up to 97.50$ in the United States, for 87.73A$ in Australia, from 35.70£ up to 62.50£ in the United Kingdom and for 65.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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