Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
At A Glance
Neutrogena’s newest lineup of products would be lost without arguably the most important figurehead of the bunch: Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream. All skin is important, but the skin around the eyes is among the most tender and fragile, as well as some of the most noticeable. We decided to investigate exactly what makes this particular eye cream a cut above the rest, and where there may be hidden dangers.
A Closer Examination
While not included in the title, Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream includes the brand’s currently favored skincare solution: Retinol. It has been used for decades and maintains a top ranking among many beauty lines, Neutrogena included. In fact, it’s in most of their Rapid Wrinkle Repair product line. In this particular product, Retinol reprises its role as a hero for smoothing skin and filling even the most gaping wrinkles by boosting collagen and rapidly accelerating cell division and growth.
Neutrogena claims that daily and nightly applications of this cream can even discolorations under the eye, brighten skin tone, and reduce the look of dark circles. Who needs coffee? This cream can supposedly reverse the look of aging in as little as a week, with progressively more drastic results during continued, extended applications.
It works by focusing highly absorbent emollients into the sensitive under eye skin tissue, permeating down deep to plump fine lines from within. This both causes a moisturizing and smoothing effect which many say takes up to a decade off of their eyes alone. But while this cream dives deep for the sake of moisture, there may be additional stowaways along for the ride that you don’t want to welcome aboard.
Positives
- Highly absorbent into multiple layers of skin
- Works well under makeup and other skincare products
- Moisturizes dry, cracked, rough skin for a smooth feel
Negatives
- Effects can vary from user to user depending on skin condition
- Tingling sensation on application can be concerning
- Can cause redness, irritation, or swelling
- Some users report caking when used under makeup
Ingredients that Matter
Retinol might be the star, but it has a rather impressive supporting cast behind it. This eye cream features ingredients which work together, each effect compounding and magnifying the others. In some instances, hydration and smoothing for example, this could not be more of an ideal result. In others, the potential may be catastrophic. Dimethicone and glycerin combined with Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract make for a creamy, dreamy product that glides over skin and leaves behind a refreshed feel. Disodium Edta and Ceteareth-20, however, may make users feel more ‘grunge’ than ‘gorge’.
Dimethicone
According to chemists, Dimethicone is a silicon-based polymeric organosilicon compound. In normal English, that translates simply to silicone oil. It provides that smooth, creamy feeling when sliding across the surface of the skin. Some claims state it can improve irritation caused by dermatitis, and it is approved by the FDA. However, as it is silicone, it does not readily absorb into the skin, but rather rests on top like a blanket, trapping everything below it. Also, it is not biodegradable.
Glycerin
Perhaps the single-most popular emollient commonly included in beauty products nowadays. It is a humectant, which means that it attracts water to itself. Most oils, whether plant-based like glycerin or lab-created, have the opposite effect of repelling water. However, Glycerin can pull water from deep skin tissue or even the air in a humid environment, thoroughly moisturizing the dermis.
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
A mouthful to say, and probably not something you would like to eat, though technically it isn’t poisonous. This lengthy term is the scientific name for the common myrtle leaf when it is broken down into its base compounds. Myrtle leaf extract has been used for centuries for a veritable plethora of reasons, from medical to culinary. Its health benefits are not limited to its acne fighting prowess, either. It has been proven to help skin cells heal and regenerate more quickly when used as an essential oil or extract.
Disodium Edta
While Disodium Edta is commonly included as a preservative or stabilizer in many skincare products, it also functions as a penetration enhancer. While this can be helpful in allowing the additional ingredients in the product to move deeper into the skin, it also allows anything else that might come in contact to move past the dermis’ normal barriers as well. This is particularly troubling when paired with certain chemicals which you probably don’t want diving deep into your skin and beyond, including this next one.
Ceteareth-20
Cetarath-20 is a man-made fatty alcohol, but it is often derived from natural sources, such as coconut oil. Now what in the world could possibly be wrong with adding coconut oil to a skincare product? Well, there is a reason that isn’t what’s listed on the label. While Ceteareth-20 can be created using natural nut oils, it is processed with a handful of suspect chemicals, such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Both of these are potential human carcinogens. It is not guaranteed that these chemicals will pass along their ill effects to the final product in processing, as manufacturers can take steps to purify the ingredients and make them safe and harmless. However, it is nonetheless worth noting so that the savvy consumer can choose to interact with or avoid them.
Full List of Ingredients:
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Isohexadecane, Trisiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, Polyethylene, Chlorphenesin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PTFE, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Bht, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Edta, Laureth-7, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Sodium Hydroxide.
Directions
Neutrogena advises this eye cream is best used on a washed and cleansed face, patted dry. Apply a small dollop to the fingertip and gently dab around the eye area until the product is completely dissolved and absorbed. Repeat each morning and night.
Due to the potential effects of this cream, it is heavily advised to test a less tender part of the skin, preferably not on the face, prior to using under one’s eyes. Check for any signs of redness, blotchiness, or swelling.
Conclusion: The ‘Eyes’ Have It
The skin around our eyes is by far the most sensitive, and arguably the most important determining factor in how we wear our age. Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream may leave some users swooning, while others are far less charmed. The hydration it can provide is undoubtedly the best feature, but buyers should beware of the less savory ingredients and their potential effects.
To learn more about Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair line and all of your other beauty and skincare needs, look no further than the links to our other reviews.
OUR BEST RATED PRODUCTS
- #1 recommended to support younger-looking skin.
- Clinically shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Rescues and protects skin from damage.
- Deeply moisturizes to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- All-in-one, full spectrum anti-aging serum
- Repairs and fights damage to keep skin healthy and youthful
- Contains Ritapro 165, a next-gen moisturizer
- Helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles
