I'm 48 and this anti-aging retinol eye stick visibly reduces my fine lines — and it's on sale for under $20 on Amazon
Amazon's Velamo retinol eye stick went viral — so I put it to the test.
When it comes to aging, the eyes tell all. I love my CeraVe eye cream and Grace and Stella's energizing eye masks are incredible, but to really target those fine lines, retinol is required. I have to be very careful which retinol products I use, as many can irritate and dry out my skin. That said, I was intrigued when I came across Amazon's viral Velamo Retiol Eye Stick.
Of the more than 9,300 Amazon reviews the retinol stick has, many are saying they are in love with it, calling it a “staple item.” The praise was enough for me to add it to my cart back in June and I’ve been using it steadily ever since. Do I love it? Would I recommend it for daily use? Keep scrolling to read my thoughts.
This convenient retinol eye stick helps to hydrate and firm the delicate under-eye area.
- Fuss-free application
- Vegan
- Travel-friendly
- Be careful when applying as it may tug at your skin
- Can be irritating
The details
With regular use, this easy-to-apply retinol stick will help improve the tone and texture of your eye area, reducing the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and fine lines.
Formulated with powerhouse anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, as well as collagen-boosting Bakuchiol, this lightweight product is moisturizing but not greasy.
The vegan product is fragrance-free and designed for use on even the most sensitive of skin.
After cleansing your face, gently glide the stick over your entire eye area in circular motions, starting at the outer edges of your eye. You should also apply over and around the eyelid, being careful not to tug at the skin.
When you first try the product, it's recommended that you try it once every two to three days to allow your skin to adjust to the retinol. After about two weeks, you can go ahead and use it every night.
According to the manufacturer, within three to four weeks you can expect to see visible results.
Also, because this product contains retinol, your skin is more sensitive to the sun, so don't forget to apply sunscreen all over your face!
What I like about it
It's cute and compact: I love that the eye stick resembles a lipstick tube. It's easy to carry around with me at all times.
It really does help fine lines: As long as I use it at least once a week, it reduces the appearance of fine lines. It's also important that between uses, you keep your skin well hydrated, as this will help prevent skin from tugging during application.
Vegan and totally fragrance-free: It has no odour, for real. None. Not even the essence of a scent. I really appreciate that.
A super-hydrating blend of ingredients: In addition to retinol, the formula contains moisturizing vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, which helps keep the retinol from drying out my skin.
Velamo Retinol Eye Stick
Room for improvement
Can tug at the skin during application: When I first started using it, I noticed that when I applied the stick directly to my under-eye area, it tugged a bit at the skin, which I didn't like at all. To combat that, I put some on my forefinger and gently applied it that way. As I used it more regularly, my under-eye became more hydrated, and the tugging subsided, so I could also apply it directly with the stick.
Everyday use? Not for me: I know it says you should use this product daily, but my skin does just fine when I use it a few times a week, especially during the summer. Even when I use it once a week, I notice an improvement in the tone and texture of my skin.
There's an adjustment period: Your skin definitely needs time to adjust to the product. The first few times I used it, my skin appeared puffier and a little irritated. My son even asked me one morning if I had been crying. Your skin calms down, and the redness goes away, but there is a window during early use when you wonder if this is making your skin worse. If you have super sensitive skin, I would proceed with caution and perhaps consult your dermatologist before committing to daily use.
What other shoppers are saying
The "Amazon's Choice" retinol eye stick has earned thousands of five-star reviews. Many reviewers comment that they are "pleased" with their results and call it "truly amazing."
One reviewer, who dubbed the eye stick a "staple item," has used it every day for over a month. They said it took a bit for their eyes to get used to the formula, and they experienced "puffiness" after applying it, but that only lasted a week.
Velamo Retinol Eye Stick
Another shopper described the eye stick as "effective" and "simple to apply." The product is "so smooth" and "light," they added. As for results, they said the stick was making a "slow difference" to their eye area.
After two weeks of use, one shopper wrote that their dark circles had "drastically diminished."
However, not everyone was impressed with the stick. One shopper wrote that after three months of use, they had observed "no noticeable difference" and would "not recommend it."
One person was disappointed that the stick "pulled" at their undereye skin and complained that it didn't "soak in." It's "just OK," described another.
The verdict
Hydrating creams and masks do much to brighten the eye area, but for rapid wrinkle repair, retinol is the way to go. This Velamo Retinol Eye Stick is my secret weapon for crow's feet. It's not perfect, and it absolutely takes some time for your skin to adjust to its potent ingredients, but with regular use, I have seen noticeable improvements. Just use caution when applying directly to the thin skin around your eyes. If need be, put some of the product on your forefinger to gently apply during those early applications, working up to placing the stick directly onto your face.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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