Main Image – Courtesy of writer
Eye creams are always a little bit of a wishy-washy issue for me. I always ponder over whether I actually need one as I feel my skincare routine should be hydrating, anti-ageing and brightening enough without that extra step.
Of course eye creams are more lightweight and suit the eye area far better than, say, a luxurious night cream, but as someone with oily skin, I don’t tend to use very thick formulas anyway.
Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright+ Eye Cream (£38 from Cult Beauty UK /$44 from Sephora US) came into my life when I probably needed an eye cream most. I hadn’t been sleeping very well, my summer glow had worn off only to reveal some brand-new fine lines that had previously been camouflaged and I was suffering from an allergic reaction to a room diffuser (don’t ask).
The skin under my eyes was officially in desperate need of some TLC.
But, surprisingly, there has been chatter surrounding this product both before and since its reformulation to fragrance-free in 2022, with some claiming to have experienced reactions in the form of inflammation, irritation, puffiness and even burning after use.
So did my skin reap this eye cream’s makeup priming, brightening, dark circle-banishing benefits? Or did it react badly like a percentage of other consumers? Keep scrolling to find out.
The product details
Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright+ Eye Cream was recently reformulated with a new and upgraded fragrance-free formula “that brightens, visibly diminishes dark circles and crow’s feet and improves concealer application and wear.”
Lightweight, and now fragrance-free and vegan, it contains light-reflecting yellow mineral pigments for colour correction and giving tired eyes a boost.
‘Gold complexed’ vitamin C also promises to help brighten the skin and fade dark spots, as well as boosting elasticity. And hardy orange extract, an antioxidant, aims to protect the skin. It is also meant to be suitable for all skin types.
Image – Courtesy of writer
First impressions
The eye cream is packaged exactly how you would expect to see an eye cream– in a small pot with a screw-on/off lid. The cream itself is an orangey colour and smells of nothing. Well, except the familiar smell of un-fragranced moisturiser.
I dipped my ring finger into the pot and dabbed some onto my under-eye area – my skin felt instantly cooler. The formula was lighter in weight than I had been expecting – always a joyous moment for anyone with oily skin – and I felt confident to continue applying more under my other eye.
I didn’t experience stinging or any immediate ‘reaction’. Time would tell, of course, but so far so good. The only on-the-spot result I did experience was an instant brightening effect thanks to the product’s colour-correcting and light-reflecting mineral pigments.
My eye area looked fresher than before, and I just looked more awake than five minutes ago. Clever.
I allowed it to sink in before applying my other skincare products and then went in with my foundation and under eye concealer. The eye cream provided a cushiony, smooth, hydrated base for my makeup.
This was a welcome treat as my eye area in the days running up to this had been unusually dry thanks to tiredness and that damn room diffuser, so my fine lines and crow’s feet had been depressingly accentuated. But not today. They had been moisturised, plumped and temporarily erased.
I am lucky enough not to really experience dark circles, unless one of my children has decided to disco at 3am, but I can absolutely see how this eye cream would help those who do. It’s got this instant brightening effect that I haven’t experienced so instantaneously with an eye cream before.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My tentative verdict
It’s such a shame other consumers have experienced reactions to this eye cream and I’m a little tentative to recommend it given the number of negative reviews I have read about it, but there are plenty of positive reviews too.
And, having been using it regularly for a few weeks now, the skin under my eyes speaks for itself so I have only good things to say about it. But I can only speak from personal experience.
What other users are saying
Well here goes. Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Or should I say Boots website?
Nicnac says, “this cream make my eyelids swell up like I had been in a fight and lost. They were red, sore, itchy and started peeling.”
Whilst Emily writes, “I don’t have especially sensitive skin, but this has caused extreme soreness and burning to the skin around my eyes. The skin is now peeling.”
And Allison adds, “within an hour my eyes puffed up and were burning. Took a week to die down and disappear.”
It’s worth noting however that there are 185 five-star reviews on the same website with many experiencing the positive results I’ve had.
Here a few highlights, starting with Pinksparklelips. “Makes the skin under my eyes softer, smoother and brighter, makeup sits better on top of it and my lines look more diminished.”
Ruth adds, “I always have dark circles under my eyes no matter how much sleep I get or how well I am feeling. This is such a lovely product that makes you feel so glowy around the eyes. Really gentle and feels so nourishing on the skin.”
Kinga agrees, “my dark circles are still there but they have gotten smaller and seem a little faded after a few months of use. I’m sold!”
Image – Courtesy of writer
Ole Henriksen’s comment
Given the number of users who seemed to have a problem with this eye cream, we contacted the brand to get their take. Ole Henriksen suggested some reviewers may have an undiagnosed allergy to the vitamin C in the product.
Here’s what they told us: “Our top priority at OLEHENRIKSEN is the safety and efficacy of our products.
“Rest assured, our entire product range undergoes rigorous clinical testing before being brought to market. They are produced using internationally recognized standards for cosmetics, and each lot is carefully reviewed to ensure the final product is consistent and safe for the consumer.
“Nonetheless, we do recognize that skincare is never one size fits all.This potentVitamin Cproductis highly effective, but might not be ideal for those with sensitive skin.
“Many people do not realize they may have an allergy to topical Vitamin C application. Allergic reactions are very unique to your own immune system. We recommend you do not use if you are allergic to Vitamin C or any other ingredient in this formula. If irritation occurs, discontinue use.”
Overall value for money
At £38/$44, this is an expensive eye cream. Having said that, it’s the one I have noticed leaves the biggest difference to my skin so, whilst it’s a shame it has to cost me so much when I eventually need to top it up, it works out for me.
Plus, you only need a little bit so it’s not going to run out in a hurry.
The takeaway
Whenever I review something that I really like, I want to shout it from the rooftops and let everyone know so they can share in the joy. This one’s a little bit different because I know that a lot of people have had mixed results.
However, if you’re up for giving it a go consider first whether you have any vitamin C intolerances (if you do, probably give this a miss), and start slowly.
Don’t go straight for your under-eye area as this is where your most delicate facial skin is. Apply it somewhere a potential reaction won’t be so noticeable instead, like behind your ear. You could even ask your local Sephora or similar for a sachet sample first to do this.
See how your skin reacts to it there and if it’s ok, move somewhere else until you feel confident enough to apply it under your eyes. You only need to use a little bit too so don’t overload your skin.
If you experience any sort of reaction, then stop using it. But if you don’t then I hope you enjoy the benefits I have.
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