Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“providing essential hydration to the delicate eye area”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl octapeptide-3, panthenol
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“improves the appearance of crow’s feet”
This product contains acetyl octapeptide-3. 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.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimWeak support
“eye area skin appeared brighter/more radiant”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Calendula officinalis flower extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propylene glycol~4.6–6.9%
- 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 glycolPeg-12 glyceryl dimyristate~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.6–3.9%
- 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 GlycerinPeg-7 glyceryl cocoate~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateSilica~1.8–2.6%
Lactobacillus ferment~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentButylene glycol~1.2–1.9%
- 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 glycolCarbomer~1–1.5%
- 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 CarbomerPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTriethanolamine~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineBetaine~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineEthoxydiglycol~0.4–0.9%
Pentylene glycol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSaccharomyces cerevisiae extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Saccharomyces cerevisiae extractPanthenol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolEthylhexylglycerin~0.35–0.8%
Disodium edta~0.3–0.7%
Kinetin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zeatin~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyurethane-40~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Escin~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A compound obtained from horse chestnut. It is claimed that this chemical can improve circulation, but there is no evidence available that it works in skin
More about EscinRuscus aculeatus root extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium glycyrrhizate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rhodiola rosea root extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateCentella asiatica extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractAcetyl octapeptide-3~0.05–0.3%
- 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 octapeptide-3Hydrolyzed yeast protein~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.15%
- 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 extractHydrochloric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Peg-12 glyceryl dimyristate, Glycerin, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Silica, Lactobacillus ferment, Butylene glycol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Betaine, Ethoxydiglycol, Pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Kinetin, Zeatin, Polyurethane-40, Escin, Ruscus aculeatus root extract, Ammonium glycyrrhizate, Rhodiola rosea root extract, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Centella asiatica extract, Acetyl octapeptide-3, Hydrolyzed yeast protein, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Hydrochloric acid
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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.
| ObagiVitamin C Eye BrightenerYOUR PRODUCT | Perricone MDHypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream | MEDI-PEELPeptide 9 Aqua Essence Lifting Eye Cream | Dr. Barbara SturmEye Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 53% | 50% |
| Price | $60.00 | $18.00−$42.00 | $55.53−$4.47 | $140.00+$80.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 | Tripeptide-1 | Biosaccharide Gum-1 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Obagi - Vitamin C Eye Brightener" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Obagi - Vitamin C Eye Brightener ticks this box. Humectants in this product (acetyl octapeptide-3, panthenol, betaine, glycerin and lactobacillus ferment) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Pentylene glycol 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 moistruizer also contains peptides (acetyl octapeptide-3 0.05% - 0.30%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, 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 peptides in skincare are helpful. They 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.
- This formulation also uses an effective concentration of panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.35% - 0.80%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the 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.
Price
The product retails for 60.00$ in the United States and for 63.00CA$ 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 22 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
- 5
- 6
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