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I tried Drew Barrymore's go-to de-puffing eye mask, and now it's my favorite
Glow Recipe's brightening, tightening, retinol-infused cream is 'magic in a jar,' fans say — and my 51-year-old skin agrees.
Drew Barrymore is one of those celebrities who's truly hard not to love. After decades as a child actor, a series of charming rom-com roles cemented her as one of America's sweetest sweethearts. In recent years, she's seamlessly pivoted to accessible daily talk show host, conducting some of the most thoughtful, poignant celebrity interviews I've ever seen. Barrymore also helms a lifestyle brand, complete with her own popular housewares line at Walmart, and publishes her own print magazine. Now in her late 40s, she exudes an ageless beauty, with a somewhat visibly lined "undone" face (at least by Hollywood standards) and skin that always seems to glow.
I admire Barrymore's natural approach to aging, which is why I love following her beauty picks. They tend to be unexpected, often brands I've never tried and, while not always ultra-affordable, not completely out of reach. Case in point: This $43 retinol eye cream from Glow Recipe, which is one of the best new-to-me products I've tested. According to Drew's website, the star "can't get enough" of the avocado overnight mask, which is meant to "moisturize, brighten, fight fine lines and de-puff."
Made of de-puffing caffeine, moisturizing niacinamide and time-released, wrinkle-reducing retinol, this little of pot of eye cream packs a serious punch.
- Ultra-hydrating
- Reduces puffiness
- Tightens skin
- A little goes a long way
- Pricey
- Small package
First things first: I'm 51, with all the normal crinkling, wrinkling and discoloration that comes with a face that's been around for more than a half century. I'm also genetically predisposed to dark circles and often have what looks like a set of luggage under my orbs, especially in the morning.
I never expect miracles from anti-aging products, but in the month that I tested Glow Recipe's Avocado Retinol Eye Cream, I consistently woke up to less puffiness than usual. Over the course of two weeks, the skin around my eyes was noticeably smoother and tighter, and the lotion even seemed to lighten my dark circles a bit. I particularly loved the texture, a super-creamy gel-like lotion that sunk deep into my skin almost upon contact, with no pilling or laying on top of my face. It was also gentle and nonirritating, even when I accidentally placed a bit too close to my eye.
It's made of a number of high-quality, clinically proven ingredients, including caffeine to reduce puffiness, avocado, two forms of hyaluronic acid to moisturize, and niacinamide for brightening and evening skin tone. Best of all, especially for those who want to increase collagen production and encourage skin-cell turnover, there is slow-release encapsulated retinol, which is less irritating and drying even for ultra-sensitive skin. This is a true "murderers' row" of star ingredients that target most every under-eye and upper-lid concern I can think of, including improving laxity and firming your skin. The cream is also ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested and cruelty- and fragrance-free.
An important note: This is an overnight mask dressed up as an eye cream — it was most effective when I applied it right before sleeping. My one complaint? The cost, as $43 ain't cheap. However, while the adorable green-glass jar is not the largest, you need less than a pea-size amount per day to see results. So even with the higher-than-I'd-like price tag, the cost per use balances out. I've used mine for weeks and am still holding onto an ample amount.
Amazon shoppers are falling under the spell of Glow Recipe's Avocado Retinol Eye Cream too.
"Worth. Every. Penny," raved one reviewer. "I held off for a long time on buying this eye cream because of the cost, but recently I went ahead and went for it ... although I know I will never be able to get rid of my dark circles completely, this stuff is amazing. I wake up and my eyes are brighter, more hydrated, a little less dark, and my puffiness has gone down significantly. It is seriously magic in a jar for me."
"It's working!" exclaimed another happy customer. "It's been three weeks, and I already see huge results. My eye [area] has brightened and the bags are less. ... My friends and family even notice immediately the difference in my face. My complexion is clearing, dark spots fading, and this product has helped my eyes so much."
"Lasts two years," wrote one more pleasantly surprised shopper. "I was always skeptical about buying under-eye creams, but I finally did. I woke up one day shocked at how bright my under eyes looked from this cream ... I've had it for about a year now, and it's only halfway gone — a little bit goes a long way, so it's worth the price actually."
"I do wish it was cheaper," said this final fan. (Author's note: Same!) "But this eye cream does help with my dark circles and puffiness. I love that it does [not] burn around my eyes even though it has retinol in it."
If you regularly experience dreaded morning under-eye bags, the skin around your eyes is looking saggy or extra crepey, or you're not loving the fine lines in your orbital area, this avocado-infused potion just might be for you.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
