Review: Yes to Cucumbers 2 Step Eye Kit
It’s review time again. This time I express my views on the Yes to Cucumbers 2 Step Eye Kit. I wanted something for my eyes for awhile now. When I saw this mask at my local Fairways supermarket, I snatched it immediately. It was definitely affordable at six dollars and change. But I wanted to wait until a suitable time to use it. No time like the present. I finally gave it a go and it was worth the wait. First up is Step 1 of the eye kit.
Let’s look at some of the ingredients for the Step 1 eye mask portion:
Water: Great hydrator which is used as a solvent in cosmetics and personal care items. Forms emulsions in which the oil and water components of the product are combined to form creams and lotions.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Contains aloin, a compound which has anti-inflammatory properties. Also contains metallothionein, an antioxidant protein that has a protective effect against skin exposed to UV rays as well as vitamins A and C. Used to treat burns, acne, dry skin, and other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Helps with future lines and wrinkles. Treats dandruff for hair and scalp. The plant is very hydrating and moisturizing. Has another compound aloesin, which studies show might be effective with post-acne hyperpigmentation. Aloe may stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin fibers in the skin which keeps skin firm and supple.
Glycerin: Colorless and odorless liquid from plant sources. Humectant that retains moisture and hydrates the skin. Especially effective on dry spots like callouses.
Pentylene Glycol: A synthetic humectant used in cosmetics and beauty products that is used as a solvent and preservative.
Propanediol: An alternative to propylene glycol that is supposed to be gentle on the skin. It is a solvent, humectant, and emollient that is derived from corn sugar. As a hair and skin conditioner, it pulls moisture into the skin and encourages water retention. As an emollient, it may soften and smooth skin by reducing water loss. Propanediol may be safe to use on acne-prone skin. With this substance as an ingredient, products can contain fewer surfactants (harsh cleansing chemicals) which may be gentler on the skin.
Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water: Has high water content making it a great moisturizer and hydrator for the skin. Also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C), caffeic acid (an antioxidant), fatty acids, the mineral silica, plus other trace minerals.
To begin with, I applied the eye mask paper discs under each eye. I was waiting to feel some tingling. Waiting, waiting, not yet. Perhaps that’s a good thing because other reader reviews complained of a burning sensation. I have sensitive skin so no thank you to that. I didn’t really feel anything except the dampness of the discs so I can only hope that some magic was worked on my delicate under eye area.
If anything, my skin feels like it is undergoing some sort of moisturizing process which is really important in terms of lines, bags, wrinkles, crow’s feet, you name it.
The other thing I noticed about the eye mask discs was that it was very light in terms of fragrance. Again that might be a good thing regarding potential irritation to the skin.
Eventually I did feel a little something, something under my eyes. What I wanted to feel though was a slight tightening of the skin. I suppose you can’t expect miracles for the price point on this 2 for 1 type mask.
My skin was somewhat softer and smoother than before the eye mask. As a person who has had eczema in the past, I’m always leery when it comes to trying out new products on my skin in general.
I left the eye mask discs on longer than the 10 minutes recommended because I wanted to get the full-on effect. Also, I wasn’t sure if it was working or not.
Perhaps the glycerin in the product helps in terms of moisture retention. Anyway, my skin was glowing and shiny after using the eye mask.
What I appreciated with the eye mask is that it wasn’t drippy like some masks to the point where you may have to wring it out the excess into the sink or something. It was damp enough to hydrate but not overly so.
After allowing the mask to penetrate into my skin for maybe a good 15 to 20 minutes, I took it off and moved on to Step 2.
Step 2, the eye treatment ingredients include:
Water: Great hydrator which is used as a solvent in cosmetics and personal care items. Forms emulsions in which the oil and water components of the product are combined to form creams and lotions.
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil: Beneficial for skin due to its high fatty acid content like oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids. It also contains phenolic compounds that provide antioxidant benefit.
Glycerin: Colorless and odorless liquid from plant sources. Humectant that retains moisture and hydrates the skin. Especially effective on dry spots like callouses.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: Emollient rich in fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, stearic, and a small amount of omega-3 linolenic acid.
Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter): Emollient and emulsifier that protects against skin dryness and speeds up healing of irritations and wounds. Contains fatty acids and vitamin E that reduces wrinkles and restore skin firmness and elasticity.
Glyceryl Stearate SE: Emulsifier made from stearic acid and glycerin. Acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, giving the skin a soft and smooth appearance.
So I moisturized my under eye area with the eye treatment. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure if it did anything regarding the fine lines and dark circles under my eye but my skin is definitely moisturized. The ingredients in the eye treatment would make a great cream moisturizer for the entire face and I certainly had more than enough to last. I decided to save the rest and stored it in a handy Ziploc bag for further use later.
The consistency of the eye treatment was thicker than I imagined so a little does go a long way. I was tempted to use some of the treatment on other areas of my face but I wanted to see how it fared with the area it is supposed to impart those benefits.
One advantage of this kit is that there was no drying effect whatsoever after using the kit. I appreciated the fact that shea butter was one of the major ingredients for the eye treatment since my skin tends to agree with that emollient. What’s more, the treatment does contain coconut oil as well which is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and might work to reverse those signs of aging. I know this kit is nourishing because of the added bonus of fatty acids thanks to these rich emollients.
Another thing I noticed was that the eye treatment wasn’t goopy or oily like some other eye creams on the market. My skin was just shiny and firm without that icky Crisco look.
My skin didn’t feel like I used an intensive eye mask and eye treatment. I really was looking for sort of lift so my reaction is meh it’s just okay. I’m not sure how I feel about that. The positive sign is no adverse skin reaction whatsoever. I was a little worried based on the reviews I read.
The one thing I like about Yes to Cucumbers is that they seem committed to using as many natural ingredients as possible. For someone prone to breakouts, I really appreciate that. And the scent for the eye treatment was just as subtle as the one for the eye mask. Less harsh chemicals and more natural substances to make skin dewy and hydrated.
So all said and done, would I buy this kit again? Maybe for a special occasion but not on a consistent basis. As with some creams, the whole process was a tad messy. But the results speak for themselves with bright and flawless skin.
I did wonder if the mask and treatment were more suitable to be used at night versus daytime when you need to be stimulated and wide awake. Both steps in the kit seem to be designed to calm the skin.
It is nice to walk away from this mask and treatment without any major skin blemishes. After using both the mask and treatment I was surprised that my skin didn’t have that heavy feeling that may clog your pores. Overall, my skin felt plump and smooth. No greasy residue was left behind which is a plus.
The downside to this kit is that I didn’t really notice anything different regarding the eyes themselves. I can’t honestly say that the kit smoothed out my wrinkles or the bags under my eyes.
I would recommend this kit to anyone that just wants to bring a little affordable luxury into your life. For instance, maybe you want to do a Face Mask Friday. This kit can certainly fit that bill. If you want add some decadence to your beauty regimen, then try the Yes to Cucumbers 2 Step Eye Kit.
