I love Paula’s Choice’s Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer (it’s Holy Grail status for me), so it was a no-brainer to try the accompanying eye cream, the Ceramide-Enriched Eye Cream (CEEC). Reader, I hate it. Here’s why: find out more in my Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Eye Cream review.
Paula’s Choice has a hard time with eye creams in general. For years, the brand’s stance was that you don’t need eye cream, full stop. OF COURSE they then got a lot of flak when they introduced their own eye creams, citing customer demand. Of all four eye creams PC carries right now, I’ve tried three: and I don’t like any of them. They never get it right. The gel is too lightweight, the cream too heavy, and the CEEC is just wrong on so many levels for me.
I actually don’t think that I’m particularly high-maintenance when it comes to eye creams: my eye area isn’t particularly dry and sensitive, and usually, I’m completely fine with something from the drugstore or from a pharmacy brand.
And what’s more: I generally use my retinol products right up to my eyes and onto my lids, and have never experienced any troubles. So, there seems to be strong indications that my eye lids aren’t actually very sensitive, fainting divas, right? Right.
Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Eye Cream review: What it is
“This extremely hydrating eye cream blends five ceramides and fatty acids to restore skin’s youthful resilience and firmer appearance. Four forms of vitamin C, retinol, peptides and plant-derived brighteners visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles and under eye darkness.”
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Eop, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Cholesterol, Squalane, Retinol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Dunaliella Salina (Algae) Extract, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Carnosine, Panthenol, Sodium Pca, Pullulan, Glyceryl Ascorbate, Behenic Acid, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-6, Propyl Gallate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate
Hover the mouse / tap over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Ceramides, Vitamin C and retinol: a trifecta I love – ceramides for a healthy skin barrier, Vitamin C for brightening (my dark circles say thank you) and retinol for cell-communication and anti-aging. Yes! It seems very rich and moisturising, but really isn’t. The main moisturising factor is glycerin, and the spreadibility is achieved by using silicone-alternatives.
Application
This comes in an airless pump dispenser, and yes, dispenses too much product if you’re not very careful. You’re supposed to “apply sparingly to the entire eye area using a gentle patting motion” and follow up with an SPF during daytime. It’s a night-time cream for me, though, so I’ve never tried it with SPF (and concealer, and makeup. Sorry! Can’t talk about its compatibility with make-up.).
The smell doesn’t come from added essential oils or added fragrance, of course: But it’s definitely noticeable. Depending on my mood, it smells like burnt caramel or self-tan lotion.
Effect
The first, immediate effect CEEC has on me is that it makes my eyes water and sting. So that’s not great.
Then, while it dries down, it forms a noticeable film that tightens and feels uncomfortable.
And finally, for its claims to “visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles and under eye darkness”? No, I haven’t seen ANY effect from this (please keep in mind that I do use retinol on and under my eyes regularly).
Comparison
Where does that lead me? I used to dread applying CEEC at night, and the purple dispenser used to glare at me every time I instead opted for my fave Dermasence eye cream every evening. Nowadays, I simply use it as a face moisturizer: it’s very similar to the regular CEM, while those two are by no means dupes. I wouldn’t, in fact, recommend doing this if you like the eye cream. It’s much, much more expensive than the regular CEM.
But if you don’t have the eye cream, are intrigued by it and use the CEM: why not try it first (carefully) on the eye area?
When it comes to Paula’s other eye products, the Anti Aging Eye Gel is too light for me. I do need more moisture. The Anti Aging Eye Cream, though, is very, very solid, needs to be warmed up in your hand to not to tug on your skin. Then it creeps into my eyes while feeling too rich.
Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Eye Cream review: Worth it?
For that kind of money, I’d suggest other brands. I’ve heard good things about the Allies of Skin Eye Cream. Meanwhile, I’m doing very well with my drugstore/pharmacy brand eye creams.
Price & Availability
47€ for 15ml/ $49 for 0.5 oz
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
