This Depuffing Gel Is Like Coffee for Tired Eyes

This time of year, many of us are up late watching holiday movies, wrapping presents, mingling with friends at dinners and parties (hopefully with some espresso martinis)—the list goes on. Not to mention, we’re logging longer hours at work, trying to wrap up 2022 with a neat little bow.

Come morning, our puffy under-eyes might as well have a sticker on them that says “TIRED.” That’s when I reach for Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Depuffing Eye Gel, which feels and acts like a tall glass of cold brew on my skin, prepping me for the day to come. Here’s why it’s worth a try (it also sold out at Ulta Beauty when it launched).

The Benefits:

For all of the reasons mentioned above, this is one of those products most of us need in our arsenal. And that doesn’t even account for signs of aging, which this formula also addresses. The delicate skin around our eyes shows signs of aging like fine lines and crepiness earlier than other areas of the face because it’s nearly 10 times thinner. (I digress, but that’s one of the reasons why I think it’s important to use a good mascara, because you don’t want to be rubbing your under-eyes all day.)

For a super-soothing effect, I like to keep this tiny tube in the fridge so the gel goes on nice and cold when I wake up puffy—it’s really refreshing. Caffeine revs up circulation to help quell puffiness; tetrapeptides help firm up crepey skin and smooth fine lines; and rosemary leaf extract does a little of both with an added hydrating benefit. A bioengineered succinic acid blend (also hydrating) and voandzeia subterranea seed extract help smooth skin and increase luminosity as well. If you let it absorb for a few minutes after applying it (what most experts recommend you do with all eye creams/gels), and then layer your makeup on top, it works really nicely as a base under concealer.

In an independent study on 30 participants who used the gel once in the morning, after just 10 minutes, they reported looking more well-rested with a reduced appearance of puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles, and visibly firmer and smoother skin texture. Three participants’ before-and-after images are shown below.

Key Ingredients:

Caffeine, tetrapeptides, rosemary leaf extract, succinic acid and voandzeia subterranea seed extract

Price/Where to Buy:

$56, dermalogica.com
*You can also try it (full-size) in this year’s Luxury Review Box, along with 37 other products!

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