This budget-friendly eye cream has more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon — and it's on sale for $15

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I began noticing fine lines and wrinkles under my eyes in my late 20s. Despite never wearing sunscreen, rarely drinking water and consistently forgetting to remove my makeup before bed, I was shocked.

These weren't crows feet (although I expect those to make their appearance soon), they were little lines under my eyes that would become more pronounced throughout the day as my makeup would begin to crease.

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I began visiting a dermatologist and was developed a skincare routine that worked for me and my changing skin. Over time, one of the products I quickly learned to love and rely on was eye cream, like my current favourite, the Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream by Neutrogena, on sale through Amazon for $16.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream

SHOP IT: Amazon, $15 (originally $18)

What is it?

Neutrogena's moisturizing eye cream is part of the brand's Hydro Boost line of products that has a gel-like consistency that helps skin look visibly smoother. Like the rest of the line, the gel eye cream contains skincare super-ingredients like hyaluronic acid, emulsifying agents like like sorbitol olivate (a combination of fatty acids from olive oil and dehydrated sugar) and dimethicone, an often misunderstood ingredient among skincare fans.

Dimethicone is a lightweight silicone-based ingredient t that helps fill in wrinkles and lines to deliver that noticeably smoother effect. Since dimethicone is such a pore and wrinkle-filling ingredient, some people worry that it can clog pores and lead to breakouts, but experts seem to disagree. While all skincare can potentially irritate skin and lead to breakouts, research has shown that dimethicone is safe to use in skincare and haircare products.

The Hydro Boost line of products is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, which makes it great for applying in the morning before makeup.

First impressions

I wasn't sure if I needed an eye cream in my routine since I was already applying moisturizer and serums as part of my daytime and nighttime routine, but it turns out I was very wrong. Since the skin around our eyes is incredibly thin, we need specially formulated products that can provide as much moisture and anti-aging ingredients as possible without irritating the area.

Although in the past, I've used pricey skincare products that have worked well, I was drawn to Hydro Boost because of its affordable price point. I had never used anything that had the gel-like consistence of Hydro Boost but liked that a little bit of product went a long way in my skincare routine, without feeling super-heavy or greasy on my under-eyes.

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While it's hard to say whether or not it's preventing wrinkles from forming in the long run, I've noticed the biggest difference in my overall under-eye appearance when I'm wearing makeup. In the morning after applying my go-to vitamin C serum by Derma-E, and moisturizer with SPF, I apply a tiny amount of Hydro Boost under each eye and gently tap the product into my skin with my ring finger. Here's the important part: after I apply the eye cream, I wait at least 10 minutes before moving on to the rest of my routine to let your skin absorb all the healthy ingredients and work their magic.

Derma-E Vitamin C Serum

SHOP IT: Amazon, $29

Since I started using Hydro Boost a few months ago, I've noticed less product creasing under my eyes which would cause a crepe-like texture. Even though I haven't added any new cosmetic products to my routine, I've noticed there are less frequent touch ups throughout the day because I don't have to smooth out my under-eye area, and my makeup looks fresher for longer throughout the day.

What people are saying

If you're thinking about adding a new eye cream to your skincare routine, be sure to check out the Hydro Boost product reviews to determine if the product is for you. Neutrogena's Gel Eye Cream currently has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon based on more than 4,000 customer reviews from shoppers who say they have noticed an improvement to the overall appearance of their skin.

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"I'm always on the never-ending hunt for eye cream that will hydrate and reduce lines, but not clog up the pores in the sensitive skin around my eyes. This cream did exactly that," one shopper wrote. "It's lightweight, sits well under makeup, and refreshes the skin around my eyes. I use this product in the morning and at night and it has made a positive difference in fine lines under my eyes. Sometimes when using eye cream products, I get small bumps around my eyes called 'milia'. This did not happen with this product."

"I have used Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream for nearly a year now ad the difference in my facial wrinkles is amazing. Lines around my eyes are very faint. I am 72 years old and I am constantly being told how fresh my skin looks. You only have to dip your finger slightly in the gel to get enough to cover half of your face. A jar lasts a long time."

While there are more than 2,800 five star reviews, the Hydro Boost Gel Cream may not be for everyone. Some shoppers with very sensitive skin have said the product irritated the skin around their eyes while others said it wasn't as moisturizing for dry skin as they had hoped it would be.

Personally, I haven't experienced any irritation issues with the Hydro Boost but if you have super sensitive skin, consider doing a patch test of the product before your first use, or talking to a dermatologist about products that may work for you.

Verdict

I'm a big fan of the Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream and plan to keep using it on a daily basis to help mask the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I'm much happier with how my makeup sits day-to-day and feel as though my fine lines are less pronounced than they used to be.

It's also a good idea to be realistic about what you hope to gain from skincare products. I know that fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable, but I'm glad that I have some affordable products in my tool kit that can help keep my skin looking healthy for as long as possible.

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