Think of your skin as your body's armor—the first line of defense against environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays.

A good skincare routine goes beyond just making you look good (although that's a pretty awesome perk!).

A good skincare routine helps maintain a healthy skin barrier, which keeps moisture in and irritants out.

And, even if a product doesn't magically erase wrinkles overnight, there's compelling research suggesting that certain ingredients can help minimize lines, giving you smoother, more radiant skin.

Here’s another interesting fact: the act of caring for your skin can actually boost your mood. One study found that applying facial skincare improved self-image and well-being in older women residing in nursing homes. So, the confidence boost you get from a glowing complexion is a real thing!

While some ingredients have been touted as super awesome, others have been touted as super bad.

For example, putting large amounts of parabens (an effective preservative that keeps “bad” bacteria and mold at bay) on your skin isn’t recommended because it might disrupt the endocrine system (and for that matter, so might lavender and tea tree essential oils).

However, using it in a mascara, well, it won’t do anything to harm you. The amount in the mascara is small, and as you use it on your lashes, not much of the product comes in contact with your skin.

Think of it like sugar—half a teaspoon a day isn’t going to disrupt your body. Half a cup a day, on the other hand, likely will.

Unfortunately, once an ingredient is labeled as “bad” people might fail to notice its good qualities.

Compare it to cinnamon. If you’re into healthy foods (like I am!), you might have heard cinnamon is good for you. It can help lower blood sugar, for example and comes with a plethora of other benefits. But both cassia and ceylon cinnamon contain coumarin which, in large doses, is toxic. Ceylon contains less coumarin, so if you eat a lot of cinnamon (maximum one teaspoon a day), then you should stick to ceylon.

And therein lies the other problem—once an ingredient is touted as “good” people over use it. As in the case with tea tree and lavender oil. Both ingredients come with some amazing benefits, but in larger quantities and/or too frequent use, they can disrupt your endocrine system.

This is why you have to truly research an ingredient before you decide whether it’s “good” or “bad.”

Don’t skip this step! Because what you put on your skin is often absorbed by the skin (the molecules that are small enough to sink in). Your body “eats” skincare products!

What’s more, research suggests that putting a cream on once might mean you can detect traces of various substances from that cream for several weeks. (And yes, the study participants did shower during those weeks!)

All that said, here are some ingredients you should use with care, or only in smaller amounts, such as parabens, tea tree, and lavender oil:

• Fragrance/Parfum: This is a catch-all term for a blend of synthetic chemicals that can irritate the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin. It's best to opt for fragrance-free products if you have any concerns.

  
  

• Sulfates (SLS/SLES): These are cleansing agents that create a lathering effect. While effective at removing dirt and oil, they can be overly stripping and drying for some skin types.

  
  

• Alcohol (Denat Alcohol): Similar to sulfates, some alcohols can be drying and irritating. However, not all alcohols are created equal. Fatty alcohols like Cetearyl Alcohol are often used as thickeners and emollients and shouldn't be a cause for concern.

• Physical Exfoliants (Walnut Shells, Apricot Scrubs): These can be too harsh and cause microtears on the skin. Chemical exfoliants with AHAs or BHAs are generally gentler alternatives.

  
  

• Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: These are common sunscreen ingredients that have been linked to coral reef bleaching. There are also some concerns about their potential endocrine disruption, though research is ongoing.

  
  

• Hydroquinone: This is a potent skin lightening ingredient that can be very effective, but it can also cause irritation, ochronosis (blue-black discoloration), and sun sensitivity.

  
  

• Synthetic Dyes: While generally safe, some synthetic dyes can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

Remember what I said about sugar? When used in the right amounts and diluted properly, some of these ingredients won’t harm you. You just have to ensure you don’t use them too often.

• BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids): Cleanse pores, target blackheads, and help with acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA…but note that it can cause irritation.

• Ceramides: Essential for healthy skin barrier function, helping retain moisture and prevent irritation.

• Sunscreen Ingredients (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide): Protect your skin from harmful UV rays, the leading cause of premature aging and skin cancer.

• Herbal Extracts and Essential Oils: Some botanicals are excellent in skincare, doing anything and everything from fighting off free radicals, to fighting off inflammation and bacteria. Just remember that even if they are good for you, some people still experience allergic reactions (though it’s very rare with some botanicals and more common with others).

These ingredients are good…in the right amounts.

• Retinol: This powerhouse tackles wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin tone.

• Vitamin C: An antioxidant that brightens skin and protects against free radical damage.

• Hyaluronic Acid: This humectant magnet attracts and binds moisture to your skin, plumping your skin and thereby minimizing the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.

• Niacinamide: Reduces redness, minimizes pores, and improves skin barrier function. This versatile ingredient is great for a variety of skin concerns.

• Peptides: Signal the skin to produce collagen and elastin, improving firmness and elasticity.

• AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids): Exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting smoother and brighter skin texture. Common AHAs include glycolic acid (oilier skin), lactic acid (more sensitive skin), and mandelic acid (acne-prone skin). Note that only small amounts should be used, or the effects are damaging, not good.

Hydration Powerhouses:

• Aqua (Water): The base ingredient, providing hydration.

• Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture from the air and deeper skin layers, keeping your skin hydrated.

• Butylene Glycol: Another humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin.

• Sodium Hyaluronate: A form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, plumping and hydrating the skin.

  
  

Nourishing Emollients:

• Squalane: A lightweight emollient that mimics natural skin oils, softening and smoothing the skin.

• Jojoba Seed Oil: A natural oil similar to sebum (skin's oil), offering moisture and creating a protective barrier.

• Cetyl Ethylhexanoate: An emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin, and can also aid in moisture retention.

• Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient, softening the skin and creating a protective barrier. However, it can be drying for some skin types, so watch for any irritation.

Moisture Locking Agents:

• Trehalose: A sugar molecule that helps protect skin cells from dehydration.

• Glyceryl Stearate & Glyceryl Glucoside: Emollients with additional benefits of helping retain moisture in the skin.

• Peg-100 Stearate: A thickener and emollient that can also help prevent moisture loss.

  
  

Antioxidant Powerhouses:

• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): An antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental factors like UV rays and pollution.

• Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide (Vitamin C): A stabilized form of Vitamin C that brightens skin tone and protects against environmental damage.

• Tocopherol: Another form of Vitamin E, offering antioxidant protection.

Botanical Extracts:

These offer various benefits depending on the extract:

• Witch Hazel Extract: An astringent that can tighten pores and reduce inflammation, but may be drying for some skin types.

• Sunflower Seed Oil: Rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, offering nourishing and protective benefits.

• Avocado Oil: A moisturizing and nourishing oil that can benefit dry or sensitive skin.

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract: A soothing and hydrating extract that can calm irritation and redness.

• Saffron Extract: May have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, although research is limited.

Chelating Agents:

• Disodium Edta: This ingredient helps bind metal ions that can contaminate products and affect their quality.

  
  

Other Ingredients:

• Arginine: An amino acid that may play a role in wound healing, but research on topical application is limited.

• Propanediol: A solvent derived from corn sugar, often used in skincare products.

• Isohexadecane: An emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin.

• Laureth-7: A cleanser and surfactant that helps remove dirt and oil.

• Caprylhydroxamic Acid: A preservative booster that enhances the effectiveness of other preservatives.

• Glucose: A humectant that can attract moisture to the skin.

• 1,2-Hexanediol & Ethylhexylglycerin: Solvents and preservatives that may also have some antimicrobial properties.

• Ppg-5-Ceteth-20: A thickener and emulsifier that helps combine water-based and oil-based ingredients in the product, creating a smooth and stable consistency.

As you can see, PrimeEyes Hydrate contains a lot of active ingredients. We’ve gone all out researching what will truly help hydrate the area around your eyes!