Review: Fior Awaken Eye Cream
*Sponsored post but all opinions are my own thoughts, feelings, and experience with the product. Read my full disclaimer here
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, you've probably heard about CBD. A big buzzword in the wellness world CBD is believed to help with a variety of health-related problems from arthritis to anxiety Better still, it can be taken in the form of gummies, tinctures, beauty products, or even your latte!
Having not tried any of these new CBD products yet I thought it was perfect timing when Fior contacted me to try a few of their products containing.. you guessed it CBD.
But, what exactly is CBD? And did this eye cream live up to all the hype?
WHAT IS CBD?
If you've heard of CBD but never quite understood where it comes from —cannabis, marijuana, hemp..?? Then you are not alone. Here's a brief recap of what I learned. Spoiler, it won't get you high!
CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is one of the many active compounds known as cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The Cannabis plant has two primary species, hemp, and marijuana.
CBD is derived from hemp. The hemp plant has high levels of Cannabidiol and very low (less than 0.3%) levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana —the one that gets you high.
*For a more in-depth explanation of CBD check out this article on Healthline
What's The Difference Between CBD Oil & Hemp Oil?
Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. There are no cannabinoids—CBD or THC—in hemp oil. However, this oil does contain high levels of vitamin A, E, antioxidants, and Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs).
PRO TIP: If you have oily or acne-prone skin add hemp oil to your daily routine. Here's why: Hemp oil has the correct fatty acid ratio for your skin type —high in Linoleic Acid (omega-6) and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (omega-3), but low in Oleic Acid (omega-9). These kinds of plant oils can help to naturally balance your skin and prevent acne.
CBD Is Beneficial For Three Skin Conditions
Years of research have pretty much shown us that the answer to most of our health problems lies in nature.
So, how can this plant oil help our skin?
1. Acne
Cannabidiol contains some very helpful compounds when it comes to acne.
A 2016 study reported over 540 phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that are attributed to the cannabis plant. Some of these, such as the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties help to improve acne by calming inflammation and preventing infections that spread acne breakouts across the skin.
Another fun fact about CBD was discovered in a 2014 study on the effects it has on human sebocytes. These are the cells that create sebum —the skin's natural oils. Sebum keeps our skin and hair moisturized and protected, but excess sebum can clog pores and lead to acne. The study showed that CBD has the ability to prevent sebocytes from creating too much sebum.
*CBD oil may also help to reduce acne scars.
2. Eczema
A 2019 study reported that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may reduce potential triggers of skin conditions, such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It also helps to soothe and calm dryness, itching, and irritation for sensitive skin types.
3. Premature Aging
CBD oil is jam-packed with powerful antioxidants. Why are antioxidants anti-aging? Because they help to reduce oxidative stress, a process that contributes toward skin aging like wrinkles, sagging, and an uneven skin tone. Both the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in CBD can help to slow down the visible signs of aging.
Awaken Eye Cream Review:
What is it?
A gel-cream texture that is designed to reduce the appearance of dark shadows and puffiness. Deliver moisture and antioxidants to the delicate under-eye area to awaken your skin and promote a more youthful appearance.
What makes it special?
This eye cream is formulated with a unique combination of CBX, Heptapeptide-7 (more on this ingredient later), Caffeine, Shea Butter, and Rose Water. It also has a patented, cool-tip applicator. Stimulates circulation to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. This age-defying formula delivers moisture and antioxidants to the delicate under-eye area to awaken your skin and promote a more youthful appearance.
Use this link for 20% off Fior Awaken Eye Cream.
What is CBX?
From the Fior website: "The X reflects our meticulous selection of hemp derivatives that feature the most beneficial compounds, paired with thoughtfully curated, bio-agreeable ingredients.
There are more than 60 known cannabinoids in hemp, and we don’t keep the spotlight on just one — instead, we combine the powerhouse properties of CBD with other researched cannabinoids like CBDA and CBG to achieve a highly effective skincare solution.
Your skin will love our infusions of CBD extracts and organic hemp seed oil, which contain high concentrations of essential omega fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins. CBX is our brand promise — of deep moisture, balance, and protection, with noticeable improvements to your skin’s overall look and feel."
How to use it
Apply to clean skin, after toner, and before serums and creams. I use the cool-tip applicator to apply the product, and then I prefer to use my fingers to gently massage the product around the eye area.
Ingredients
Star ingredients: Full spectrum CBD and CBG derived from phytocannabinoid-rich hemp extract, Heptapeptide-7, Trehalose, Shea Butter, Caffeine, Rose Flower Water.
Other Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate-13, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutene, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Carnosine, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hexylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Heptapeptide-7, Lecithin, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum
Ingredient List Breakdown:
What I Like...
CBX:
There's no denying this is a super nourishing ingredient that contains a ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that provide intensive moisturization, balance, regeneration, and protection.
Heptapeptide-7:
Hexapeptide-7 is a synthetic peptide made up of seven amino acids designed to mimic the body’s natural defense and repair system. This is a relatively new skincare ingredient, but studies show it stimulates keratinocyte (skin cell) migration and collagen synthesis in women who are undergoing menopause. Making a great anti-aging ingredient.
Trehalose:
Pronounced Tray-Ha-Lows: this is a sugar molecule found in plants such as mushrooms and seaweed. It has antioxidant, rehydrating, and water-binding properties. It is beneficial for the skin because it forms a protective gel phase around cells that begin to dehydrate. This stops them from falling apart and allows for less damage that would normally follow a dehydration/rehydration cycle.
Caffeine:
A very common ingredient in eye creams and serums, caffeine stimulates circulation to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. It also has a brightening and tightening effect on the delicate skin around the eye area.
Shea Butter:
Shea butter is very high in tocopherol (vitamin E), which contains powerful antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage like UV rays + pollution. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin F, and fatty acids that promote healthy cell growth and boost collagen production. Shea butter is extremely beneficial for dermatitis-related skin conditions like eczema because the waxy part of the shea nut butter —the cetyl esters, condition, and lock in moisture.
Rose Flower Water:
A firm fixture in my skincare cabinet, I use rose water in and on everything! From DIYs to dampening my skin before applying hydrating serums. One of the biggest benefits of rose water is its anti-inflammatory properties. This can help treat and soothe skin irritation from rosacea or eczema.
The Cool-Tip
It really is cool! As in temperature cool.. not sure how it works, or if it's just that I've got a very cold bathroom cabinet. But I love it!
What I Don't Like...
Dimethicone: Not considered harmful or toxic, dimethicone is a molecule that provides a silky touch and forms a film on the outer layer of the skin. Personally, I'm not a fan of silicones in my skincare products. I just don't think they bring anything to the table. To me, dimethicone is great in a makeup primer, where it serves to fill in pores and create a smooth surface for your foundation to sit. I feel it takes away in terms of making this a super nourishing eye cream enriched with all those amazing CBD properties!
Conclusion
As a brand, I love what Fior is doing using innovative ingredients like CBX and keeping their formulas simple.
As the name implies this is an eye cream for your morning routine. I love eye creams that contain caffeine! It's a lightweight formula, more of a gel texture than a cream so is suitable for oily and acne-prone skin types.
I do think this eye cream is best suited to the 20-30-year-old age group. If you're 40+ like me, you may want something a little more heavy-duty.
However, the skin around my eyes is still pretty wrinkle-free so I've made Awaken Eye Cream my new morning routine eye product!
Other than that, I love the packaging with the "cool-tip" and the fact that it's a 24ml tube as most eye creams tend to come in smaller quantities.
More Fior skincare reviews to come! Have you tried any CBD skincare yet?
Use this link for 20% off Fior Awaken Eye Cream.
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