This Retinol-Alternative Eye Cream Has Amassed a 3K+ Waiting List, and It’s Finally Back in Stock (Not for Long, Though)

It’s no surprise that Ilia Bright Start Retinol Eye Cream ($46) has gathered more than a 3,000-person following after it sold out recently. This do-it-all eye cream was sought after for its de-puffing and brightening superpowers, making eyes look like they’ve been treated to eight hours of sleep and an Instagram filter. And after much awaited anticipation, the eye cream is *finally* back in stock. Not sure what the fuss is all about? Let us explain.

What makes Ilia Bright Start Retinol Eye Cream so good

This eye cream is like a shot of espresso for tired eyes. Formulated with caffeine, peptides, and avocado extract, Bright Start brings down puffiness and reduces the appearance of dark circles, helping you look more awake. Also in the formulation is sea fennel extract, a retinol alternative that firms and smooths fine lines without the harshness of traditional retinol, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin.

While other eye creams tend to lean on the oiler side and take time to absorb, this eye cream doesn’t. “The formula is silky, lightweight, and absorbs immediately into the skin,” says Marie Lodi, an LA-based writer and editor who tested the serum.

Another nice touch is the subtle shimmer—which is possible thanks to the formula’s light-reflecting pearls. After just two weeks, Lodi recorded that her under eyes looked brighter every morning, “with the skin under and around my eyes feeling soft and hydrated.” What sets Bright Start apart from the other eye creams on the market is that it does double duty as a primer for concealer. Lodi says that she didn’t have to worry about her eye cream interfering with her makeup—which was one of the eye cream’s biggest selling points.

Related Stories

Reviewers go as far as to call Bright Start “the best eye cream ever.” One Ilia customer writes: “Ladies …you must try this eye cream! I’m 64 yrs old…I have tried over 400 eye cream products since 1987, and I’ve never found an eye cream that didn’t burn the delicate skin around my eyes or cause my eyes to burn and water. Ladies, if you want an eye cream that is everything you’ve ever wanted ‘in an eye-cream’ then this product is for you!…Whether you are 18 or 80, this is the soothing smoothing eye cream for youthful looking line-free, wrinkle-free, sensitive young or aging eyes!”

Another shopper says, “After using for 3 to 4 weeks I’ve noticed quite a bit of difference. I was impressed at how much it hydrates and removed my fine lines and wrinkles. I like that it brightens to. I like that it’s plant based retinol and has some great ingredients.”

We can’t make promises that this eye cream will be in stock for long, so if you’ve been meaning to jump on the opportunity, now’s prime time. Shop the eye cream before it sells out (again).