My Puffy Panda Eyes! (Skin Doctors Potent-C+ Smoothing Eye Gel)

Member Name: skidd

Product:	Skin Doctors Potent-C+ Smoothing Eye Gel
Date:	18/02/09 (377 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pretty Pot . Not tested on Animals . Less expensive than many alternatives

Disadvantages: Not suitable for sensitive skins

Really I should have known better! Because my panda eyes are the bane of my life I am always searching for products to reduce dark circles and puffiness and my desperation (yes I exaggerate but it is a pretty serious issue for me) leads me to impulsive purchases. I have extremely sensitive skin and am prone to eczema but when I saw it was the product of a firm which included the word "Doctor" I was lulled into a false sense of security and didn't search further for any assurance that it was hypoallergenic or even dermatologic ally tested. I have since learned that it makes no such claims. I was just tempted by the hype which claims that Skins Doctors Potent C+ Smoothing Eye Gel is "a cool and refreshing formulation that firms and soothes the delicate eye area, minimizing under eye puffiness and dark circles" and one of a range of "new wrinkle killers" How could I resist? Throwing caution to the winds I clicked my trusty mouse and it landed in my Boots' virtual basket.

Skin Doctors was founded in Australia in 1998 and refer to their range of products as "cosmeceuticals" (presumably a cross between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) which "bridge the gap between ordinary skincare and cosmetic procedures by offering professional strength, science based skincare treatments". On their Australian website they claim, "whether it's wrinkles and ageing or problems such as capillary damage or stretch marks or even acne - Skin Doctors have scientifically developed a solution that promises results - and fast!" The brand has been available in then UK since 2000 where it's managed by Pharmacare, seemingly a very respectable outfit, which includes in its mission statement the intention "to bring the world pharmaceutical and healthcare products that improves lives and delivers outstanding efficacy and values to customer". It could all sound very reassuring but is the intention to suggest to the consumer that these cosmetic offerings are subject to the same regulation as pharmaceuticals or is this just a suspicion borne of my paranoid retrospect?

I knew nothing of this when my package arrived - a white and grey box containing a small round pot ( just 1.5 inches diameter and 1.75 inches high) of opaque glass with a silver coloured lid. The gel within is clear and deep turquoise in colour. There's not much of it - just 15 ml - but it's all very attractive. I can't detect any perfume but this is reassuring as perfumed products are more likely to cause allergic reactions. Being impatient I use it immediately not bothering to clean off the previously applied make up beforehand. I dabbed a little all around each eye and it just felt pleasantly cool with a slight tingle.

There were no ill effects that day. I kept glancing in the mirror to see if the dark circles were fading but of course that was ultra optimistic after just one application. As the instructions advised application twice a day, I reapplied that evening but this time I cleansed my face first. Just seconds after I applied it, the skin underneath my eyes and on the very top of my cheeks (where a little gel had inevitably strayed) started to smart and then it erupted into a real burning sensation. I couldn't stand it so I wiped it off but it was still uncomfortable for a while. The next morning the area felt a little weird but it wasn't until my daughter asked what was wrong with my face that I looked in the mirror. Now I never look my best at this time in the morning but this was dire. The skin under my eyes was all red and inflamed and below just on the cheekbone were swollen patches like hives - so swollen that I realised I could actually see them on the lower periphery of my vision. I am not sure why the first application had no such effect but maybe my foundation had somehow protected my skin from such a reaction. I didn't reflect on this for long. I was too upset studying my disfigurement!

There was no choice but to dispense with all makeup, just using my very gentle Simple cleansing milk each day, until the swelling subsided. This took a couple of days but ,even now nearly a week later, my skin has not recovered. It's not too noticeable visually but it is itchy in places and, if I run my finger over the affected areas, it feels as if it's covered with small areas which are as rough as fine grade sand paper.

Now I can't say for sure that the gel came without allergy warnings because I threw away the box but allergy warnings do tend to jump out at me if they are present! I checked on the Skin Doctors website: in fact, because I couldn't find the product at first, I checked out two of their websites - the UK and the Australian. The reason I had difficulty was because this gel doesn't come under the 'Eye Care' section but under the 'Everyday Essentials'. Maybe this is because at one time it was only available as part of a their Potent C+ Skin Renewal System - a pack containing five different products each of which is now also available separately. But I digress! There are no allergy warnings on the UK site, in fact there is a total lack of information about the product there but the Australian gives serious warnings. An initial patch test is advised and immediate discontinuance if any redness of skin, burning sensation, rash, itching or hives are experienced. The product should not be applied to inflamed sunburnt or broken skin. There is also the usual proviso that the product should not be used when there is an allergy to any of the ingredients.

On to the ingredients! Again these are only to be found on the Australian site and there I found a host of unpronouncable chemical sounding substances. I only recognise glycerin, aloe and ascorbic acid all of which I know are safe for my skin - no lanolin, its usual irritant. So I am none the wiser as to the potential culprit responsible for my discomfort.

In the interest of balance I must find some positives attributes to add and the gel does come in a very pretty pot which will grace any woman's dressing table. Also after a little research I can affirm that Skin Doctors "do not use animals in the product development process or in the testing of products" so that's a plus. In the great cosmetic scheme of things at £13.63 for 115 mls (Boots price), it's not ultra expensive and cheaper than many similar potions I have tried including Boots Number 7.

There must be consumers out there who do not suffer from problem skin and who may benefit from this eye gel and Skin Doctors products in general. After all they seem to have become well established. In the ten years since they were founded in Australia, they have expanded to New Zealand, Europe and the USA so there must be satisfied customers out there. That being so, their products must be a better alternative to cosmetic surgery for some. I will not be trying this gel or any other Skin Doctors cosmeceuticals again but would not want to discourage others. My message is just, "Proceed if you will but, if you are a sensitive soul like me, proceed with caution!" Further information can be found at http://www.skindoctors.co.uk/ and http://www.skindoctors.com.au/.

Over the years I have found some products which improve the appearance of my puffy dark circles but I am still seeking the miracle cure. I will continue my quest but I hope this experience has taught me to be less impulsive along the way

Summary: Maybe it will suit some but be careful if you have a sensitive skin