I used this $48 eye cream for two weeks straight — here's what happened

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Sahajan's Radiance Eye Cream
Sahajan's Radiance Eye Cream

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Time and time again, the topic of whether spending the money on an eye cream is worth it comes up on beauty-related websites.

There’s lots of information to review, but the most unhelpful part about this never-ending discussion is that there’s so many answers.

Depending on the advice you read from a skincare professional or product formulator, you’re bound to hear different interpretations of “it really depends on the product.”

Though if you’re applying an eye cream packed with brightening agents like vitamin C and anti-inflammatories like neem, there’s a great (not just good) chance you’ll see some results.

Fortunately, in addition to triphala, honey, mango seed butter and bitter cherry seed oil, you can find vitamin C and neem inside Sahajan Skincare’s Radiance Eye Cream - an Ayurvedic inspired blend designed to protect, hydrate and give life to the delicate under eye area.

The best part? I used the $48 product for two weeks straight and saw results — here’s what happened.

Sahajan Radiance Eye Cream

Sahajan Radiance Eye Cream
Sahajan Radiance Eye Cream

SHOP IT: Sahajan, $48

Ayurveda’s beauty secret

As winner of the Indie Beauty Expo’s Best in Show Award, the Radiance Eye Cream has been a game changer for the bruised-looking, baggy, fine-lined under eyes of many.

However, Sahajan founder Lisa Mattam (pictured above) wasn’t always one to believe in the power of a good eye cream.

“I used to think eye cream was developed by the beauty industry to make us buy yet another product,” Mattam said. “In my research, I found that eye cream really is important. The area under the eye is very delicate and much thinner than the skin on the rest of the face. A good eye cream can lock in moisture and promote cell growth while you sleep, so I believe it’s very important to use a cream – day and night – that’s specially formulated for the area around the eye.”

As for the inspiration behind creating her own, Mattam has her Keralan roots and the “science of life” — otherwise known as the ancient practice of Ayurveda, to thank.

“I wanted to show people that they could get the same results that they would from a conventional product, and to do that I knew that I needed to go back to what I’d been raised with and trusted,” said Mattam. “That’s the ancient science of Ayurveda. I knew that you could get results from these time tested formulas and high-performing ingredients, so with my pharma background, I set out to prove them.”

And she did - the Radiance Eye Cream has proven to fight signs of stress and fatigue, diminish fine lines, and fight free radical damage while keeping things soft and hydrated.

On top of a strong 4.5-star rating, I knew I had to give it a whirl.

Test of time

Between weeks one and two, I saw that the Radiance Eye Cream had a brightening affect but felt the biggest improvement in how hydrated my undereyes were.

Maybe it’s the change of season, but my eyes have felt mercilessly dry. This product helped keep my under eyes moisturized and my hands away from touching them.

I also noticed a major improvement in the puffiness of my eyes. It may not look like much in these photos, but due to genetics and a kidney condition (which I recently found out is connected to inflammation!), I do get bags.

Results of the Radiance Eye Cream after two weeks of use: Week one (left photo), week two (right photo).
Results of the Radiance Eye Cream after two weeks of use: Week one (left photo), week two (right photo).

Besides, I wasn’t expecting a miracle - normally, these kinds of products take time to work. Hydration and sleep were going to factor into the results I saw too.

As Mattam said: “People need to understand that skin care isn’t about the short game. While we have many clients who tell us they see a difference overnight or within three days, science tells us that we need to wait at least four weeks to judge results. You need to use the products diligently and as someone who believes in Ayurveda, it’s important to couple it with lifestyle changes. So, apply the Radiance Eye Cream, drink your water and get your sleep. You will see a difference in your skin.”

Results of the Radiance Eye Cream after two weeks of use: Week one (left photo), week two (right photo).
Results of the Radiance Eye Cream after two weeks of use: Week one (left photo), week two (right photo).

In it for the long run

The gauzy skin around the eyes is the first to show signs of stress, aging and fatigue.

Maybe that’s why the Radiance Eye Cream’s potent Ayurvedic blend infused with triphala - a triple fruit blend that packs more than twenty times the vitamin C of an orange - anti-inflammatory neem oil and honey effectively soothes, repairs, and brightens the look of skin.

In Sanskrit, the liturgical language of Hinduism and Buddhism, neem literally means “healing tree.”

In the Radiance Eye Cream, it helps to minimize the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

So, is it worth a try?

Judging from the results I saw in just two weeks, I would say so.

According to Mattam’s criteria for an eye cream, (which I wholly trust), it checks all the boxes:

  • A good eye cream needs vitamin C. It brightens the skin and protects against free radical damage.

  • It needs a potent ingredient to help with dark circles and puffiness - that’s where neem oil comes in.

  • A great eye cream also needs a component like honey to help hydrate and smooth the skin’s texture - one of the reasons eye wrinkles often look more prominent is because the skin under the eye can appear dry or sagging.

If you do try the Radiance Eye Cream, (or any eye cream, for that matter), make sure to factor in the amount of water you’ve been drinking and rest you’ve been getting before you judge its performance.

As we know by now, no eye cream is going to take perma-bags down to nothing in just one night’s sleep (especially if you’re up till 2 a.m.).

Lastly, be sure to use the following method when applying an eye cream. Take it easy on those peepers, OK?

Result-producing tips for applying an eye cream:

  • Apply eye cream sparingly to cleansed skin twice daily before moisturizing.

  • Gently pat it in using your fingertips from the outer eye towards the nose to increase blood flow and reduce dark circles. With a product like the Radiance Eye Cream, take it 360 degrees. It can go all over the eyelid, so gently tap there too.

  • Do not pull at the delicate area under the eye. Gently massage, but never pull. You don’t want to increase any “sag” that may be occurring under the eye.

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