Klairs Fundamental Eye Awakening Gel
Works for
2 of 4 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Oligopeptide-32 + 9 moreStrong evidence
“Fatigued, puffy eyes? Not here! This lightweight gel formula contains both caffeine and red bean extract to provide anti-aging benefits, brightens dark undereye circles, as well as reduces inflammation and puffiness. Argan oil and jojoba seed oil hydrate, while green tea extract helps to soothe.”
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, sodium pca.
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: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, argania spinosa kernel oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, oligopeptide-32
Anti-agingAcetyl hexapeptide-8, Oligopeptide-32 + 3 moreModerate evidence
“Fatigued, puffy eyes? Not here! This lightweight gel formula contains both caffeine and red bean extract to provide anti-aging benefits, brightens dark undereye circles, as well as reduces inflammation and puffiness.”
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, oligopeptide-32. These ingredients 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.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“Boost your routine’s effectiveness with this gentle exfoliating AHA treatment.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Evens skin toneCamellia sinensis leaf extractWeak evidence
“It improves dark circles and skin tone whilst also helping with de-puffing.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Portulaca oleracea extract + 3 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) 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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Chrysanthellum indicum extract, Cinnamomum cassia bark extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Caffeine~22–34%
- 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 CaffeinePhaseolus angularis seed extract~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Argania spinosa kernel oil~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilCamellia sinensis leaf extract~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractWater~2–3.1%
Glycerin~1.7–2.5%
- 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 Glycerin1,2-hexanediol~0.55–1.3%
Butylene glycol~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPropanediol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolArgania spinosa kernel oil~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilTocopherol~0.5–1.2%
- 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 TocopherolCaffeine~0.45–1.1%
- 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 CaffeinePhaseolus angularis seed extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Artemisia princeps leaf extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractChaenomeles sinensis fruit extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chrysanthellum indicum extract~0.4–0.95%
Cinnamomum cassia bark extract~0.4–0.95%
Diospyros kaki leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Perilla frutescens extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractAcetyl hexapeptide-8~0.35–0.8%
- 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-8Copper tripeptide-1~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A naturally occurring peptide. One of the most studied peptides in dermatology. It is sometimes abbreviated GHK-Cu. Belongs to the class of carrier peptides. It stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen in skin. It is released in skin wounds and inflammation to support healing. It accelerates wound-healing of the skin and can stimulate hair growth. There are preliminary studies that confirm that copper tripeptide can help support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles and decrease inflammation in skin.
More about Copper tripeptide-1Oligopeptide-29~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oligopeptide-32~0.35–0.8%
- 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 Oligopeptide-32Carbomer~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerHydroxyethylcellulose~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateSorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateCaprylyl/capryl glucoside~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosideSodium pca~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaTromethamine~0.1–0.35%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Ingredient list view
Caffeine, Phaseolus angularis seed extract, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Water, Glycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Phaseolus angularis seed extract, Artemisia princeps leaf extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chaenomeles sinensis fruit extract, Chrysanthellum indicum extract, Cinnamomum cassia bark extract, Diospyros kaki leaf extract, Perilla frutescens extract, Portulaca oleracea extract, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Copper tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Sorbitan isostearate, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Sodium pca, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Product summary
"Klairs - Fundamental Eye Awakening Gel" is effective for: Moisturizing
This moisturizer could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.10% - 0.45%, oligopeptide-32 0.15% - 0.65% and copper 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 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Klairs" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 20.00£ up to 25.64£ in the United Kingdom, from 31.20A$ up to 38.51A$ in Australia, from 17.00$ up to 25.00$ in the United States and from 34.00CA$ up to 42.00CA$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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