Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Eye Cream Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Eye Gel-Cream

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Eye Cream Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Eye Gel-Cream

This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Retinyl Acetate and Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and fade the look of dark spots.

This barrier-repair eye moisturizer is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Caffeine to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate

Squalane

Butylene Glycol

Glycerin

Dipropylene Glycol

Behenyl Alcohol

Dimethicone

Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone

Myristyl Myristate

Potassium Methoxysalicylate

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Stearyl Alcohol

Beheneth-20

PEG-400

Phenoxyethanol

Hydrogenated Palm Oil

Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil

Polyvinyl Alcohol

Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer

Elaeis Guineensis Oil

Parfum

Disodium EDTA

Tocopheryl Acetate

Xanthan Gum

Rosa Damascena Flower Water

Retinyl Acetate

Sodium Citrate

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

BHT

Alcohol

Caffeine

Sodium Metabisulfite

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Citric Acid

Sodium Metaphosphate

PPG-3 Dipivalate

Limonene

Hexyl Cinnamal

Tocopherol

Linalool

CI 77492

Citronellol

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract

Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract

CI 77491

Olea Europaea Leaf Extract

Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract

Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Inositol

Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract

Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract

Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract

Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract

Cellulose

Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, Beheneth-20, PEG-400, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Retinyl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Alcohol, Caffeine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Linalool, CI 77492, Citronellol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, CI 77491, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Cellulose

Methyl Trimethicone

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Propanediol

Petrolatum

Sucrose

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Trehalose

Tripeptide-32

Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Lactobacillus Ferment

Faex Extract

Hypnea Musciformis Extract

Sodium Rna

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil

Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract

Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract

Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium PCA

Phytosphingosine

Hydrolyzed Algin

Hordeum Distichon Extract

Jojoba Esters

Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Lecithin

Isohexadecane

Jojoba Alcohol

Isopropyl Jojobate

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

Polysorbate 80

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Tromethamine

Sorbitan Oleate

Sodium Lactate

Polysorbate 40

Potassium Gluconate

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Water, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Petrolatum, Sucrose, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Trehalose, Tripeptide-32, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopheryl Acetate, Faex Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Sodium Rna, Caffeine, Squalane, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Jojoba Esters, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Isohexadecane, Jojoba Alcohol, Isopropyl Jojobate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 40, Potassium Gluconate, Tocopherol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77491, CI 77492

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.

The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.

However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.

As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.

Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.

You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.

Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.

Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.

Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).

It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.

This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.

Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.

Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.

No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).

Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.

The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.

Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.

A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.

The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.

Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.

It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.

One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.

Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.

Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.

Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.

The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.

Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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