Medik8 Illuminating Eye Balm
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingBacillus ferment, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 14 moreGood evidence
“A multitasking balm with subtle, light-diffusing pigments to disguise the dreaded darkness and revitalise your eyes, the silky texture glides across your fragile skin to nourish and replenish precious moisture.”
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 hyaluronate.
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, dimethicone.
Anti-agingTocopherol, Lactic acidWeak evidence
“With line-smoothing multi-weight hyaluronic acid alongside red algae extract to counteract puffiness, this Illuminating Eye Balm is a godsend on the morning’s when the ‘ding’ of your alarm feels far too early.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sorbitan sesquioleateMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Titanium dioxide~9.2–11.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~5.1–6.2%
- 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 triglycerideC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3.5–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateButylene glycol~2.6–3.2%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~2.3–2.8%
- 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol~2–2.4%
Dimethicone~1.8–2.2%
- 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 DimethiconeGlyceryl stearate citrate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateMica~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaPolyacrylamide~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideSorbitan sesquioleate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to help oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Sorbitan sesquioleatePolyglyceryl-3 stearate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearateC13-14 isoparaffin~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinCaprylyl glycol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetyl alcohol~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.6–0.9%
- 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 stearateHydrogenated lecithin~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinStearic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPeg-75 stearate~0.45–0.7%
Silica~0.55–0.8%
Laureth-7~0.45–0.65%
Cucumis sativus fruit water~0.35–0.6%
Tin oxide~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideCeteth-20~0.5–0.75%
Steareth-20~0.5–0.7%
Phenylpropanol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolAlumina~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaCaffeine~0.3–0.6%
- 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 CaffeinePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidHydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Bacillus ferment~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of bacterial fermentation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Bacillus fermentTocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 TocopherolSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLactic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Ci 77492~0.15–0.25%
Ci 77491~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 77499~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Titanium dioxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Mica, Polyacrylamide, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, C13-14 isoparaffin, Caprylyl glycol, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Hydrogenated lecithin, Stearic acid, Peg-75 stearate, Silica, Laureth-7, Cucumis sativus fruit water, Tin oxide, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Phenylpropanol, Alumina, Caffeine, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract, Bacillus ferment, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Ci 77492, Ci 77491, Ci 77499
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 6Safety Assessment of Tin(IV) Oxide as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.