Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Vitamin K Eye Cream EX Review

For a while I did not use an eye cream because I read Paula Begoun's article that they are not needed. Recently I have come to the conclusion that eye creams are indeed important, especially if your facial skin is oily. Generally, the skin around your eyes is much dryer and thinner than the skin on your face, so you don't want to use the same moisturizer formulated for oily skin around your eyes. You definitely need something richer and more nourishing, especially if you are older than 30. Being obsessed with Naruko cosmetics (seriously, try them), I chose their Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Vitamin K Eye Cream EX. It promises to "remove dullness, slackness and dry fine lines."

It comes in a 15 mg long plastic tube which is pretty hygienic. The amount is small, but I use so little that I think it's going to last a long time.

The consistency is light-weight, not heavy or rich at all. There is a light pleasant smell, nothing too strong. Upon application it is absorbed almost immediately which comes handy in the morning if you need to apply makeup after it. You are supposed to apply it twice a day, following with an eye night treatment in the evening. The instructions also suggest eye massage that is supposed to prevent circles under your eyes and generally protect from aging.

I follow Naruko's instructions religiously, including the massage, and I have to say it pays off. I don't really see any reduction in fine lines (you can't really get rid of them unless you are using Retinol), but the skin under my eyes feels moisturized all the time. My problem is under eye circles and puffiness (not sure what they are caused by), but I look less tired after I started using this cream. May be it is my imagination, but my skin looks brighter and tighter.

OVERALL: Highly recommended. I believe it has a brightening effect while keeping the under eye skin moisturized.

Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Trioctanoin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetearyl Alcohol, Tranexamic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-C22 Alcohol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Taiwan Magnolia Grandiflora (Michelia Alba) Flower Water, Xanthan Gum, Arbutin, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Magnolia Grandiflora (Michelia Alba) Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytoferulin® Extract [Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Alpine Skullcap (Scutellaria Alpina) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Masterwort (Peucedanum Ostruthium) Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Alps Wormwood (Artemisia Umbelliformis) Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Alpine Willowherb (Epilobium Fleischeri) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamolmilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract], Cyathea Cumingil Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract, Carnosine, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Methylisothiazolinone, Solidago Virgaurea (Goldenrod) Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Dipeptide-2, Phytonadione Carbomer, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7