As a devotee of a certain brand of caffeine eye serum, I haven’t been tempted to deviate from my routine - until recently. Up to then, I’d resisted the urge to explore the skincare market for something new - like eye cream with electronic vibration built into the tube. These devices are just about everywhere right now, some offered by leading brands with premium formulas and others by lesser-known ones. They promise to deliver a shot of deeply penetrating hydration while using gentle pulsation to minimise puffiness and iron out wrinkles. Sounds good, but do they work? I decided to find out.
There comes a point in every skincare journey when you say to yourself ‘Hey, this product isn’t working quite as well as it did’ and ‘Maybe, I should try something else’. Well, that was me last week when I realised my serum was running low. I was primed to purchase a top-up when something stopped me. It wasn’t the price or the three-day wait for the product to arrive, it was a sinking feeling that I could be wasting my money. Ever been there?
Six months ago, I was raving about caffeine. A 5% solution literally knocked ten years off my face. Morning and night, it was my number one priority in an anti-ageing regimen. But, fast forward through the depths of winter and into Spring and I wasn’t getting quite the same vibe. The puffiness under my left eye was noticeable again and makeup just wasn’t taking the ‘edge’ off the reality of my advancing years. I'm 58, by the way. There was only one thing to do - try something else.
My first thought was to invest in a serum with a higher concentration of caffeine. Only… I couldn’t find one. While browsing online product pages, I came across not serums but creams in tubes with electronic vibration devices attached to the orifice. One brand was offering two tubes for less than the price of my usual serum. ‘It’s worth a try,’ I told myself as I ticked the Next Day Delivery option at checkout.
It isn’t lost on me that skincare needs can and do change over time. Adapting to those changes is what an effective skincare routine is all about. I viewed this purchase as a tweak, albeit an experimental one, in an otherwise OK-ish regimen. What I overlooked when I made the purchase was whether or not this particular product contains caffeine - my go-to ingredient when it comes to taking care of the hard-to-manage skin under the eyes.
O’Cheal eye cream with electronic vibration
This product is manufactured in China but sold globally across multiple platforms. You will find it everywhere from Amazon to SHEIN. With an attractive price and even more attractive marketing claims, this is a product gaining momentum in the budget skincare sphere. Sold as ‘electric eye cream’, which sounds painful (!), it promises to firm the skin while reducing puffiness and dark circles, and smooth out wrinkles.
Sold in a generous 200g tube, it has a built-in zinc alloy massage head with high frequency microseismic vibration. According to O’Cheal, the device delivers 12,000 vibrations a minute to ensure the cream penetrates deeper than the surface layer of the skin. It claims the massage head cools the skin to reduce the look of tired eyes and, combined with the cream, boosts collagen production.
The cream is said to elasticise the skin while firming it. In consumer trials, the brand points to a very high percentage of satisfaction. In fact, over 95% are said to have noticed an improvement.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Only... My heart sank slightly when I read the ingredient list. This product relies on fairly basic active ingredients to hydrate the skin. We’re talking about Cica and hyaluronic acid here - so a calming property and one known to boost moisture levels. A third ingredient is glycerinum, recognised for its homoeopathic moisturising capabilities. So, we are not talking caffeine, nor peptides nor any kind of advanced formula.
Still, I was excited to give it a try…
Using an eye cream with an electronic massage head
My twin pack of O’Cheal electronic eye cream arrived very well packaged. In fact, so well packaged I had to use a knife and scissors to remove the boxes from their seals. I have to say, the packaging looks fairly high-end considering the very low price. (I paid under £8 for the two.) Silver with black branding, there isn’t a hint of tackiness. This is a product you wouldn’t be ashamed to have on display in your bedroom or bathroom. It smacks of sophistication.
The tube is quite long - 17cm - and has a switch to turn on the massage head.
I encountered a slight blip when I first squeezed the tube. No product came out. I squeezed again, a little harder, and a streak of cream shot across the room! Applying pressure somewhere in between my first two squeezes, I managed to get enough product on the tip of the massager to apply to the skin.
The cream, which is white with a hint of opaqueness, has a very faint scent and I would liken it to sunscreen. Soft and silky, it was effortless to apply. I tried the vibration tool on the back of my hand before using it under the eyes, as a precaution. The manufacturer recommends using clockwise circular motions. Unlike some roller balls sold with eye serums, the massage head was completely smooth with no nicks or sharp edges.
The vibrations delivered by this product are gentle and soothing. I would say, very relaxing. I started the massage under the inner corner of the eye and worked out, taking in the skin at the side of my eyes.
So, does this product live up to the hype?
The metal massage head is the game-changer here. It definitely cools the skin and reduces puffiness by shifting fluid away from the under eye area - in much the same way as a professional facial does or a jade face roller. The cream delivers a decent hydration boost but does not contain properties such as retinol or other major anti-ageing compounds.
So, for puffiness, this product works quite well. For added benefits, I keep my tube in the fridge. When it comes to firming the skin and tackling wrinkles, it hasn't performed quite so well - but it’s early days. I will say the skin does feel slightly firmer about five minutes after use.
My overall opinion?
I am considering using the massage device with my usual eye serum and then applying the hydrating cream as a finishing moisturiser.
As a beauty tool, this product is worth having. I am not sorry I bought it and will continue to use it until the massage head no longer vibrates. It’s cheaper than a face roller or going to a salon and does have skin benefits.
It is easy to overlook budget brands when the big hitters spend so much to ensure they get our attention. This eye cream is one of those rare good finds that may not deliver on all fronts but definitely delivers on some. If you have an eye cream or serum that you swear by and want to take your skincare routine to the next level, this product is worth buying just for the massage head.
Disposable vibrating massagers generally work for up to 210 hours of useage.
Sold as a single tube, O’Cheal electric eye cream retails at between £3 and £4.99 - a bargain.
It’s my new go-to for unwinding at the end of the day. Relaxation in a tube!
Disclaimer: Always patch test a new product before applying it to the face. If irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice. I have no connection to the brand and this review is my honest opinion.
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