If there's one eye cream I keep using all the time and I always go back to then it must be AHC. There are many other eye creams that people love but each year I test a new season of AHC eye cream because it's the best solution I've ever tried for my eyes! AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting Season 12 was released in 2024. What makes it so special?
Two or three tubes later I'm back with last year's version of cult AHC Eye Cream For Face. Season 12 is called AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting.
About the brand AHC
The name AHC stands for Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics. According to AHC's website, the company started in 1999. The name of the brand is not random; AHC makes skincare products similar to those used by aestheticians. It means that AHC produces professional products for personal use, this is nothing new, as many aesthetic brands used in spas also offer lines for personal use. If I have to compare the eye creams I use at home vs. those I use during my internship as an esthetician, I would say AHC is way better than pro eye creams. Eye Cream For Face is AHC's most popular product. One of the AHC ambassadors was Anne Hathaway. During the last few years actresses Kim Hye Soo and Jo Bo Ah in AHC commercials as well as actress Oh Yeon-Seo. Lately, Krystal Jung which you might recognize from girl group f(x) became AHC's ambassador. The last time I checked AHC sold 71 million eye creams, but according to amazing Odile Monod and her video review of this eye cream, AHC sold over 120 million eye creams. Right now thanks to Unilever, AHC is available globally. The acquisition of Carver Korea and AHC took a few years ago - in 2017. You have to remember that, even if Unilever is a big company available all over the world, AHC formulas in Korea and abroad are a bit different. I haven't tried non-Korean versions, but we will talk a bit about it later.
Do you need an eye cream?
Some people believe that you don't need a special eye cream for your eye area. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive. There are some ingredients you shouldn't use near your eyes like AHA - you have to be very careful with AHA near the eye area, I put AHA only under my eyelid, but I try to be extra careful. Eyes have also different problems like puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles - it doesn't mean that normal cream won't do anything about it, but sometimes it's better to choose a targetted product.
AHC Eye Cream For Face
The reason why this cream is called eye cream for the face is easy - AHC sells this cream as an eye cream, but they also recommend using their eye creams on areas where you can see wrinkles like the mouth or forehead. Right now AHC released 10 versions of eye creams. Season 1 - Real Eye Cream For Face is a firming product with EGF. Premium Real Eye Cream For Face is a season 2 version, this one brightens the skin. Season 3 Private Real Eye Cream For Face nourishes the skin and Season 4 THE Real Eye Cream For Face is even better if it comes to hydration. The Pure Real Eye Cream For Face aka Season 5 which was my first AHC eye cream is a version for sensitive skin. I tried a version with that cute floral packaging made in collaboration with Marymond - you can read the full review on Kherblog. I didn't try Season 6 Ultimate Real Eye Cream For Face, this season is easily absorbed by the skin. Season 7 Ageless Real Eye Cream For Face contains biomimetic collagen, and it gets easily absorbed because the size of the formula is 1/300 of the pore size. What makes Season 8 Time Rewind Real Eye Cream For Face interesting is the number of peptides to increase the elasticity of the skin. Season 8 review is available on Kherblog, as well as season 9 - Youth Lasting Real Eye Cream For Face focused on 20s Biome AHC technology. Season 10 Ten Revolution Real Eye Cream for Face had ingredients that were 1/1000 size of the pore size, but it was highly innovative since it contained HumaColl21®, a biomimetic vegan human collagen. Season 11 Premier Ampoule Eye Cream For Face had fewer peptides, but it contained T4 Collagen.
Season 12 Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting is more innovative than the previous season thanks to EleVastin™ - a solution that protects skin from sagging caused by gravity.
Read more about: AHC Premier Ampoule Eye Cream For Face
AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting Season 12 - Packaging
AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting packaging was very similar to AHC Premier Ampoule Eye Cream For Face - the gold packaging with one difference - the red top part with the text that says "core lifting" - just like part of the name of the product. What I love about this version is the lack of the tip for the massage. I remember that in season 11 AHC created the tip for massage but then they released a regular version too. Still, let me complain - the texture is so thick that a few times I had problems getting bigger amounts of cream from the packaging.
There's one detail I love about this version - the rose pattern inside the box! It's gorgeous
AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting Season 12 - Texture & Scent
I can smell some floral or even rose notes in AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting, if you expected that there's no scent - it's hidden in the middle of the formula. The texture is quite thick and rich, sometimes it clogs the tip.
AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting Season 12 - Ingredients
Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Myristyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Water, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Panthenol, Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PCA Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyacrylate-13, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Fragrance, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Murraya Koenigii Stem Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polyglycerin-3, Fructooligosaccharides, Collagen, Beta-Glucan, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cyanocobalamin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Cetyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ceramide NP, Poloxamer 188, Polyurethane-15, Coco-Betaine, Polyurethane-11
Rosa Damascena Flower Water is a rose hydrosol with anti-inflammatory properties. It's a source of flavonoids and it's a great choice for dry, mature and acne-prone skin types. It might be sensitizing. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps penetrate active ingredients, protects products from drying, and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and strengthen hair. Hydrogenated Polydecene is an emollient that leaves a silky, delicate, non-occlusive film on the skin's surface. This ingredient is ideal for sensitive skin. Propanediol, also known as natural glycol, is an alternative to propylene glycol. It is a solvent with additional moisturizing properties, making the product smooth to the touch. It can even improve the effectiveness of active ingredients.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. It's a notable emollient that is quite common in skincare. It leaves a protective film on the surface of the epidermis to save your cutis from dehydration. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a significant role in skin care products - it makes the application process effortless. Some people might experience pore-clogging after using Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, but pore-clogging and skin reactions to ingredients are individual. What works for you might not work for someone else. Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. In the beauty industry, it's an emollient. Many people associate alcohol with something awful for the epidermis, but not every alcohol is nasty. Cetearyl alcohol leaves a moisturizing film on the skin to prevent your skin from transepidermal water loss (TEWL). We use Cetearyl alcohol to create an emulsion.
Betaine is an amino acid. We use it in skincare products for its moisturizing properties. Betaine keeps the water balance of the skin. It makes wrinkles appear less visible, and it soothes irritated skin. In hair care, betaine doesn't only moisturize the hair. It makes hair soft and shiny. Betaine in cosmetics usually comes from sweet beetroots. It naturally occurs in the skin and hair. Myristyl Myristate is an oily emollient. It makes skin soft on the touch. This ingredient makes a film on the surface of the skin to prevent skin from TEWL (transepidermal water loss). It's easy to apply on the skin, application is so smooth. It helps detangling hair.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 - a vitamin soluble in water. It helps with problems like wrinkles, acne, skin texture, and enlarged pores and promotes collagen synthesis. Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger. It might be handy in cellulite treatments. Do you want to fight pigmentation or uneven skin? Try to mix niacinamide with Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid or Retinol. Phenyl Trimethicone is silicone and an emollient. It improves the texture of the product and makes it easier to spread on the skin. Phenyl Trimethicone leaves a delicate film on the skin to prevent your skin from TEWL. It's easy to remove it with cleansing products. This ingredient is useful in haircare products since it makes it easier to maintain your hair. In sunscreen, it makes products more resistant to water (it makes sunscreen more waterproof).
Water is often hidden in cosmetic products under names such as "Aqua" or "Eau". It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care products must meet specific standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms, or other substances. Typically, water constitutes the majority of the product's content. Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate is a thickener. It might help with the gloss and shine of the product.
Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In hair care, Panthenol has moisturizing properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate is an emollient and thickener.
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate is a non-ionic surfactant and oily emollient. It's mostly used as an oil-in-water emulsifier. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative. It protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin and has no unpleasant effects on the epidermis. PCA Dimethicone is a silicone. It works as occlusive and we use PCA Dimethicone in hair care products since it protects hair from temperature and makes your hair look softer. Glyceryl Stearate is an emollient with emulsifying properties. Usually, when we see any alcohol, we suspect the worst. You shouldn't be scared of Stearyl Alcohol - it's an oily emollient. It leaves a protective film on your skin, It works as an emulsifier too.
Olivem 1000 is a combination of Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate. It's a natural emulsifier, and beauty companies use it to create an oil-in-water emulsion. Worth mentioning it's a biodegradable formula. Acticire® MB is a mix of Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax and Polyglycerin-3. It's an emollient with moisturizing properties. Polyacrylate-13 is a polymer that creates a film on the skin and hair to prevent water loss. Hydroxyacetophenone is an antioxidant that is supposed to help preservatives in the formula.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an oil-in-water emulsifier. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient. It's a synthetic substitute for squalane. It leaves a delicate film on the skin, it prevents skin from dehydration. Fragrance (Parfum) is a scent composition. It can cause allergic reactions. Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil is an oil that usually comes from Africa. It's a source of lauric, myristic, oleic and palmitic acid. Palm oil also contains Vitamin E, beta-carotene and ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10). Beta-carotene gives it a red colour. This antioxidant has emollient properties. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties.
Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Depending on the product, its origin can be natural or synthetic. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss), which naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs and a natural moisturizing factor. It's practical in hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it—just the opposite—it protects your skin from irritation. Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Murraya Koenigii Stem Extract is one of the ingredients in EleVastin™. It's a patented solution for the skin that boosts the synthesis of elastic fibres in the skin, but it also protects the skin from degradation so the skin won't lose elasticity. EleVastin™ is focused on wrinkles and skin sagging that is not only related to loss of elasticity of the skin but it's also caused by gravity.
Laminaria Japonica Extract is an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial antioxidant. It's a source of fucoidan and laminarin. It has moisturizing properties. Eclipta Prostrata (False Daisy) Leaf Extract is a source of vitamin C, flavonoids, triterpenes or phytosterol. False Daisy is a typical herb for Ayurveda. In skin care, this ingredient has anti-aging properties and it's an antioxidant. In hair care, it helps with hair growth and regeneration. Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the roles of adenosine in our bodies is that of neurotransmitter. In skin care, we use adenosine for its anti-wrinkle properties. Adenosine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can boost collagen production. At the same time, it speeds up the healing process. Adenosine can have positive effects on reducing redness. In hair care, adenosine can help with hair loss.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an emulsifier. Disodium EDTA neutralizes metal ions in the formula to keep products fresh. Ethylhexyl Palmitate is an oily emollient that provides a satin-like film on the skin. It makes brushing your hair easier. Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifier. Polyglycerin-3 is a humectant since this ingredient is made out of glycerin molecules. It helps promote active ingredients deeper. Fructooligosaccharides are prebiotics. They nourish the skin and help the microbiome. Collagen is a big moisturizing molecule that leaves a film on the surface of the skin. It's an ingredient that naturally occurs in our skin. Collagen is made of amino acids. In our skin, we can find collagen types I and III. Collagen can't penetrate your skin, but it makes your skin barrier stronger and it can make wrinkles less visible visually.
Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide that can come from yeast, seaweed, or fungi. It's one of the best humectants with soothing properties. It might help reduce wrinkle visibility on the epidermis. Some sources say it might be an antioxidant. Mix it with niacinamide and retinoids or use it after skincare treatments to heal the skin quickly. Beta-glucan leaves a film on the skin to prevent TEWL and lock the moisture inside the skin. Hydrogenated Lecithin is a version of lecithin. It works as an emollient in the formulas. Cyanocobalamin is nothing else than vitamin B12. It's a water-soluble antioxidant. It's an ingredient which you can find in products for wrinkles and pigmentation since this vitamin can help with both. Vitamin B12 is important for hair as well - it might help with dandruff, hair loss and hair breakage.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a low-weight humectant. We have to remember that not every molecule can get through the skin surface and lower molecule HA can penetrate the skin deeper and bring moisture inside the skin. It's a natural polymer that binds water in the skin to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Tocopherol is an antioxidant known as Vitamin E. It's an oil-soluble vitamin that fights free radicals and makes UVB protection and natural lipid barrier stronger. It's good to mix it with vitamin C for better effects. Oily skin might react with pore-clogging to vitamin E. It is not true that vitamin E works as a preservative or helps with scars. C10-18 Triglycerides is emollient and solvent. Cetyl Palmitate is an oily emollient. Potassium Sorbate is a water-soluble preservative. It's a weak preservative, and it should be paired with another preservative.
Ascorbic Acid is an antioxidant that stimulates collagen (type I and III) and elastin production. It helps with pigmentation - both PIE & PIH. It is better to use vitamin C during the morning routine because it boosts the efficiency of sunscreen. Ascorbic Acid can fix what free radicals destroy. Brands recommend mixing ascorbic acid with ferulic acid and vitamin E. Vitamin C has a cardinal role in strengthening the blood vessels and boosting wound healing. Ascorbic Acid in a concentration above 10% might be too irritative for sensitive skin or rosacea - even some acne-prone skin might not enjoy it. Ceramides naturally occur in the skin - it's like cement in the skin. Ceramide NP or Ceramide 3 strengthens the skin barrier to prevent dehydration. Poloxamer 188 is an emulsifier. It's used for oil-in-water formulas. Polyurethane-15 is a film-forming ingredient. Coco-Betaine is a mild surfactant popular in hair care and skin care. It has antistatic properties. Polyurethane-11 is a film-forming ingredient.
How does AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting (Season 12) work?
Let's go through some technology and perks of AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting first.
AHC promotes Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting as a cream that targets not only wrinkles but also the elasticity of the skin and problems caused by gravity. Now probably many of you think it's bullshit, but it's not. The truth is that aging is more complicated than you think, it's not only oxidative stress and free radicals! It's also hormones and its activity, collagen degradation and many other problems. It's normal that with age women go through menopause which usually ends up for us with a decrease in estrogen activity. Skin gets thinner and looser, that's a part of which gravity is going to take the biggest part since it makes our loose skin sag. One of the popular treatments lately is SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) lifting. SMAS itself is a three-layered structure that connects mimetic muscles with the dermis. This structure is mostly made out of fat cells, collagen and elastin fibres. SMAS thins with age and it affects skin sagging as well. So using solutions like EleVastin™ which AHC added to Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting might have sense.
EleVastin™ was developed by Gattefossé, a company that's been on the market for 145 years. This company patented many innovative solutions for the skin. Another surprising ingredient is AHC’s human-identical Collagen6™, lately I've started to notice that AHC is focused more on collagen than peptides and that's so unusual! On the other hand, I'm not surprised at all. It's a combination of 6 types of collagen: T1 (COL1A1), T2 (COL1A2), T3 (COL1A3), T4 (COL1A4), T5 (COL1A5), T17 (COL1A17) and T21 (COL1A21). It doesn't mean that AHC uses human collagen. They used matching amino acid sequences in the active region.
In season 10, the innovation was the use of particles that are 1/1000 size of the pore size. AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting Season 12 proves that AHC can do even better! Particles in this formula are 1/1,200 size of the pore size. According to the brand, particles can now penetrate 2,5 times deeper and they tested that on 21 women. One thing you have to know - AHC tests every single thing they share with customers so if you feel like there's no way a product can be so innovative - they have papers to prove you wrong. As a person who works in the Asian beauty market, I see that many people in Western countries are not aware that the brands they use are made for Western customers or are quite inexpensive, but the cost of logistics made them expensive and that's why it's common to hear unpleasant things about K-beauty from people who probably haven't ever heard about AHC or aren't aware about the technology behind Laneige products.
Read more about: AHC Ten Revolution Real Eye Cream for Face (Season 10)
The process of making particles so small is quite complex. AHC uses the quadruple pressure method, it's a patented AHC method that uses ultra-high speed and ultra-high pressure.
The main base for this product is Rosa Damascena Flower Water, aka rose water. It's an interesting choice. Not that innovative, but unexpected. AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting might have "eye cream" in its name, but this line of eye creams is called "eye cream for face" for a reason - it's not only a product that works around the eye area, you can use it on your entire face (and neck!) to target wrinkles and elasticity in other parts of your face.
There are some things to love this eye cream for, I enjoyed it even more than I enjoyed the previous version even if I don't have problems with skin sagging (and I hope these problems won't be mine for as long as it's possible), but with the amount of time I spend on sleep and amount of time I use computer or smartphone, I'm joking that the only way my eye area still does well are AHC eye creams. I had a moment in which I had to switch to another cream from the AHC series (I used AHC Pro Shot Hyaluro-Deep Volume 5 Capsule-Infused Eye Cream For Face after eye surgery). For years I've been introducing my family to AHC Eye Creams and this year my cousin got obsessed with the lifting of this version. According to her, the saggy skin around her eye looks more lifted. Obviously, there's no way to measure that but if that's what she sees and feels then I'm glad she enjoyed it.
I usually felt like every 2nd season was not that good, but since season 9 AHC has proven to me that each new product has some innovative approach. They didn't release any eye cream I wouldn't enjoy in the last few years. Still, I believe AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting (Season 12) is going to be most suitable for women over the age of 35 since they are usually affected by estrogen activity.
Where to find AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting (Season 12) and how much does it cost?
AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting (Season 12) is available at YesStyle*, it costs $13.36 for a 40ml tube, but you can use my affiliate code BETWEENDOTS to save an additional 2-5% off. There's also a mini size on YesStyle*, it costs $6.16/12 ml so it's more affordable to go with full size.
Overall, once again I'm not disappointed with AHC. If you're over 35 and you want to focus on the eye area of skin sagging, give AHC Premier Eye Cream Core Lifting (Season 12) a try, it might be a solution your skin needs.
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