+INGREDIENTS

Ingredients of the Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream: Aqua, PEG-8 Beeswax (Emulsifying), Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate (Emollient), Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate (Emulsifying), Dimethicone (Emollient), C10-18 Triglycerides (Emollient + Solvent), Glycerin (Skin-identical Ingredient + Moisturizer/Humectant), Polypropylsilsesquioxane (Film Former), Phenyl Trimethicone (Emollient), Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (Viscosity Controlling + Emulsion Stabilising), Trimethylsiloxysilicate (Emollient), Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil,♦️Boron Nitride, Fructose (Moisturizer/Humectant), Jojoba Esters (Soothing + Emollient + Moisturizer /Humectant), Sodium Phytate (Chelating), Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, ♦️Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Methylpropanediol (Solvent), Caprylyl Glycol (Moisturizer/Humectant + Emollient + Deodorant), Propanediol (Solvent + Moisturizer/Humectant), Glycolic Acid, Caffeine, ♦️Mica, ♦️Triethyl Citrate, Polysilicone-11 (Film Former),♦️Titanium Dioxide,♦️Cetyl Alcohol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax (Emulsifying), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside (Surfactant/Cleansing) , Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Benzoic Acid (Preservative) , Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract, Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Lecithin (Emollient + Emulsifying), Acmella Oleracea Extract, Polysorbate 60 (Emulsifying + Surfactant /Cleansing), Sorbitan Isostearate (Emulsifying), ♦️Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, Sodium Lactate (Buffering + Moisturizer/Humectant), Silica (Viscosity Controlling + Absorbent/Mattifier), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative) , Sodium PCA (Skin-Identical Ingredient + Moisturizer/Humectant), ♦️Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Citric Acid (Buffering),♦️ Linalool, ♦️Limonene

🔅In-Depth Details Of Interesting Ingredients:

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil: Perfuming (Assessed as non-irritating/non-sensitizing/non-toxic by The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel) + Anti-inflammatory (Guaiazulene) + Anti-bacterial + Potentially wound-healing
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter: Photoprotection (Polyphenols) + Antioxidant + Anti-inflammatory + Anti-aging (Increases skin elasticity by increasing expression pattern of glycosaminoglycans and types of collagen) + Moisturizing
Safflower Seed Oil: Antioxidant (Flavones) + Potentially anti-hyperpigmentation + Potentially anti-aging (inhibited collagenase and elastase activity) + 71-76% Linoleic Acid [Moisturizing + Anti-inflammatory + Wound healing + Lightens pigmentation (Suppress melanin production)]+ 12-15% Oleic Acid [ Emollient + a couple of studies found a correlation between Oleic Acid (The main fatty acid component of olive oil) and acne formation.]
Glycolic Acid: A form of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), a class of acids that reduce cell adhesion in the top layer of the skin (decrease cellular bond between corneocytes), which leads to an exfoliating effect. AHAs have also been shown to increase the production of mucopolysaccharides and collagen in the skin. [Anti-Acne + Anti-Aging + Brightening + Antioxidative]
Caffeine: Antioxidant (slows down photoaging process) + Wound healing (promotes microcirculation)
Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract: Antioxidant (Lycopene, Vitamin C, E, A, carotenoids, phenolics) + Potentially photoprotective (Lycopene) + Antimicrobial + Potentially anti-inflammatory (Lycopene - a lot of websites and skincare companies claim that this is a fact but there is currently no strong evidence to back the anti-inflammatory properties of Lycopene or watermelon in general) + Anti-aging (Contains Citrulluside which downregulate MMPs (these contribute to wrinkles formation and inadequate wound repair) and inhibits UV-induced MMP expression (which makes Citrulluside also photoprotective)
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: Moisturizer + Anti-aging (Vitamin A) +Anti-fungal + Anti-inflammatory + Wound healing (Boosts collagen production and promotes cell regeneration)
Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract: Wound healing + Antioxidant
Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract: Antioxidant + Lentils contain oligosaccharides, whose special extracts (under the name of P-REFINYL®) have been shown to reduce the appearance of pores by decreasing sebum production, stimulating collagen I synthesis, and favoring the completion of keratinocyte maturation (abnormal keratinization causes pores to widen). However, the fact that there is only one study (made by the company that invented and patented the ingredient P-Refinul) that shows that this ingredient works which means that we should take these claims with a grain of salt. Further research is needed to solidify the claims of Lentil seed extracts as pore-reducing agents of any sort.
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract: Potentially wound healing + Antioxidative
Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract 🔴[Not enough research on its own] + Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract 🔴[Not enough research on its own] + Lilium Candidum Flower Extract [Anti-inflammatory + Antioxidant + Potentially wound healing ]: One clinical trial [Full link/summary] evaluated the clinical effects of a mixture of these three ingredients on periorbital hyperchromia (dark circles) on 21 volunteers over a period of 28 days. Results showed an improvement in skin tone and luminance attributed to anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. Although these are promising results, this is just one clinical trial (more are needed to establish the validity of this claim), and the mechanisms yielding these results are not well known.
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract: Anti-aging (Pectin (apple fiber) promotes healthy skin barrier function and growth) + Antioxidative
Acmella Oleracea Extract: Potentially slows or prevents hyperpigmentation + Anti-inflammatory + Antioxidative + Has botox-like activity due to the presence of Spilanthol, an active compound, which relaxes facial muscles.

♦️Controversial Ingredient:

Boron Nitride [light-diffusing and texture improving properties]+ Synthetic Fluorphlogopite [base for pearl effect pigments]+ Mica [colorant + base for pearl effect pigments] + Titanium Dioxide [Sunscreen + Colorant]: All of these combined will give your under-eye area a pearly glowy effect thanks to light interference. While it is a nice effect, it’s important to note that this is more make-up than skincare since it will go away as soon as you wash it off.

Triethyl Citrate: 🔴[Not enough research] Perfuming

Cetyl Alcohol: Emollient + Emulsifying + Viscosity Controlling + Surfactant/Cleansing + Emulsion Stabilising (Fatty alcohol)

Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract: Perfuming + Antioxidant + Anti-aging (inhibition of hyaluronidase (degrades hyaluronic acid), elastase (degrades elastin) and MMP-1). However, the Health and consumer protection of the European Commission has reviewed and categorized this ingredient as phototoxic and that ’’no safe limit of use in cosmetic products has been demonstrated, it is recommended that Tagetes erecta, Tagetes minuta, and Tagetes patula extracts and oils should not form part of cosmetic products.’’[SOURCE]

Benzyl Alcohol: Preservative + Perfuming + Solvent + Viscosity Controlling

Linalool + Limonene: Perfuming. They can both oxidize when exposed to air and result in skin sensitization.

+A lot of people assimilate alcohol and fragrances in skincare to dehydration and irritation. I would recommend that you watch this video: "Is Alcohol Safe in Skincare Products?" (by Liah Yoo, who worked at Korea's largest beauty company, AmorePacific, and now also has her own brand: KraveBeauty) and consult the links provided in the infobox which refer to published scientific studies and articles. The main point is: yes, alcohol and fragrance can be very stripping and irritating to the skin, but it all depends on how they are used and combined in the final formulation and of their ratio, the reactions they have with other ingredients, etc…

+HOW TO USE THE Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream Texture — **SUNDAY RILEY RECOMMENDS:** Apply two to three pumps morning and evening, and throughout the day as needed. Use your ring and middle fingers, lightly tap into the skin around the eye area.

+WHAT DOES THE Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream DO?

[Claim source]

1.Reduces the appearance of dark circles: I don’t have dark circles, but as I’ve mentioned in this post: ‘‘Dark circles are influenced by genetics, lifestyle, tiredness, and diet - among other things. But from an anatomical perspective, the skin under our eyes is thinner, making it so that the darkly colored blood vessels underneath it are more apparent. There is also the general form of the area, characterized by a depression below the eye, forming the tear trough: in some people, it’s just deeper and creates shadowing, darkening it. Taking these things into consideration, you would need ingredients that promote collagen/elastin (to thicken up the area), as well as anti-inflammatory/depuffing ones (to make it less apparent), and brightening ones (brightening the skin there follows the same logic as applying an under-eye concealer).’’ The Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream does contain ingredients that have all of these properties, as well as a particular trio that has a clinical trial proving that it reduces dark circles (see the in-depth ingredient list). But it also has a fair share of perfuming compounds: my eyes became puffy, red, and irritated because of this. So my point here is that this cream should reduce the appearance of dark circles, but it also has a high chance of irritating your under-eye area, potentially negating any positive effects.

2.Reduces the appearance of puffiness, energizing tired-looking eyes: The same thing I said above applies here. There are some pretty good ingredients in this formulation, but there are some pretty questionable/bad ones too, that have made my eyes puffier than they usually are. Moreover, the antioxidative/anti-inflammatory/anti-aging ingredients concentrations are much lower than that of eye creams I’ve reviewed in the past (as shown by their position in the ingredient list). If you want something that depuffs your eyes and gives you an ‘energized’ look, check out the Purito Centella Green Level Eye Cream instead.

3.Smoothes the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines: This contains some nice moisturizing and hydrating ingredients that will definitely plump up fine lines.

4.Gives an instantly lifted look: No. For anything to be ‘instant’ in skincare, you need ingredients that will affect the way your muscles are pulling and pushing at each other, like the Eco Your Skin Facial Pilates Mask. While this eye cream has Acmella Oleracea Extract, which has botox-like properties and should, in theory, have this effect, in actuality, you won’t see much of a difference.

5.Provides a radiant glow to the fragile skin around the eye: It does provide a radiant glow, but not because of any skincare benefits. The glow comes from the combination of Boron Nitride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, and Titanium Dioxide: All of these combined will give your under-eye area a pearly-glowy effect as they are used as pigmentation. While it is a nice effect, it’s important to note that this is more make-up than skincare since it will go away as soon as you wash it off.

6.Plumps the skin with moisture while infusing hydration into the skin: Yes, this offers adequate amounts of hydration and moisture unless you have a dry under-eye area.

I was super excited to try this eye cream and started testing it out before really giving the ingredients a look. The first reaction I got was just general discomfort in that area. As I kept on applying it every day and night, I experienced a bit of redness, continued discomfort, but most of all: puffiness. If you’ve read any of my past reviews, you know that I’m not generally a fan of fragrance, but I can sometimes look past it. However, when it comes to eye creams, fragrance is never a good idea, as the skin under your eye area is generally more sensitive and prone to irritation.
The only real effect I saw was brightening of the area, but as I mentioned above, this is achieved by makeup formulation tricks, not real skincare. All in all, I would not recommend this eye cream to anyone. Even if you think that you have skin that won’t get irritated, fragrance can be sensitizing in the long run, so even if you don’t react badly to it now, you might in the future. Also, my last point is that EVEN if this didn’t have any fragrance in it, the ingredients that would actually make a difference in your under-eye area are in lower concentrations than eye creams that cost a fraction of the cost of this one. So yea, this is just a bad purchase in general. My favorite eye cream is still the Purito Centella Green Level Eye Cream.

Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Cream with package

+BENEFITS:

Hydrating
It Will make your under-eye area brighter (mostly due to the presence of pearl-effect pigments)

-CONS:

Presence of fragrant compound which can lead to irritation and sensitization
It made my under eye area puffier
Irritated my under eye area
Actives are present in low concentrations for such a pricey eye cream
Bad price/quality ratio

👀Score: 1/5 ——— A hard pass for me. Paying 65$ for low concentrations of active ingredients, the presence of pearl effect pigments, and perfuming ingredients is a bit ridiculous. It’s getting 1 because the packaging looks luxurious.