I rolled out of bed, grabbed Gemma’s leash, and prepared to take my small fluff ball of a cavapoo puppy outside for her first walk of the day. My eyes had barely opened but I was already zipping up my bulky puffer coat to face the chill of a New York City winter. I avoided looking in my mirror as I passed by, knowing that I’d see a zombified version of myself with puffy under-eye bags looking back at me.
When I brought home my first-ever puppy about a year and a half ago, I knew becoming a dog mom would be a big lifestyle change. But what I didn’t realize is that this would even include the need to upgrade my skin care routine.
I’ve had “normal” skin my entire life and gotten away with a minimal skin care routine, even in my early 30s. While people tend to credit their good skin to the products they use, I point to genetics whenever I’m mistaken for being 10 years younger than I am (which I happily admit, regularly happens to me). But this past winter, I found myself going outside more frequently for puppy potty breaks, and noticed my skin becoming drier. Plus, the earlier-than-usual wakeups caused puffiness in my under-eye area. After a decade as an editor at women’s magazines, I knew the best solution was to finally get serious and invest in products to target my new skin concerns.
Wanting to look more well-rested, I prioritized finding an eye cream that would hide the fact that I woke up to an early-bird whining puppy. While I had previously tried a few popular options, none gave me memorable results, so I decided to research something new to try. Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado stood out since I already use the brand’s everyday sunscreen and moisturizer. This hydrating eye treatment promises to smooth, de-puff and brighten the under-eye area—all results I was seeking. Plus, as an avocado toast-loving millennial I have to admit the ingredients list caught my eye, even if it wasn’t exactly for the right reasons.
I was hopeful that this eye cream would work, but what I didn’t expect is just how quickly it would make a difference. The first time I applied the cream, the thick texture immediately felt cooling on my “just woke up” puffy skin. I applied it right before taking my morning dog walk, and by the time I got back, my under eye area looked smooth with no sign of dryness.
According to Dr. Ryan Turner, a New York City dermatologist and co-founder of his own skin care line, TRNR Skin, this product’s effectiveness is due to key ingredients including the avocado oil that originally caught my attention. “Avocado oil is one of my favorites in skin care because it’s high in natural fats and lipids,” he says. Healthy fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are hydrating to the skin while sodium PCA, which pulls in moisture, has a fast-acting plumping effect, says Dr. Turner. The formula also contains the antioxidant beta carotene, which he says helps lessen puffiness and “can increase the microcirculation of the blood vessels under the eye.”
While the eye cream is suitable for all skin types, it’ll have the best results on drier skin like mine. Since the formula is heavy, it might lead to milia buildup (small white bumps under your skin’s surface) or cause eye congestion and inflammation for those with more oily skin, says Dr. Turner.
I’ve been working on my first 0.95-ounce jar over the past five months and I’m not even halfway through the cream. Its thick texture means a little bit goes a long way; it’s also sold in a mini travel size if you’re not ready to commit to the standard jar.
Since adding the eye cream to my routine, I’ve also noticed my under-eye area has become smoother overall. I’ve also noticed that I feel more confidence to tackle the day each morning, knowing that I look well-rested.
Now that my puppy is getting older, our early morning wakeups are more rare, and we’ve made it through the coldest months of the year. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Treatment is the first step in my skin care routine every morning.
