Introduction
Ulta is the kind of beauty giant that most skincare aficionados can spot from a mile away, though its in-house collection still manages to surprise even seasoned shoppers. With that pedigree in mind, I was eager to see what the cheekily titled Chill Out Under Eye Balm could really do. The brand promises revived, refreshed under eyes, a cooling kick and a nutrient-rich formula powered by caffeine, aloe and fruit extracts. It all sounds like the perfect antidote to late nights and too many screens.
I spent a full two weeks swiping on this balm morning and night, paying close attention to texture, absorption and the all-important de-puffing claim to determine if it lives up to its chill reputation and deserves a spot in your routine.
What is Chill Out Under Eye Balm?
Chill Out Under Eye Balm is an under eye treatment, a niche category designed to address the thinner, often more delicate skin beneath the eyes. Products in this group typically aim to reduce visible puffiness, soften fine lines and lend a rested look where fatigue tends to show first. Ulta positions this particular formula as a cooling balm that leans on caffeine to energize the appearance of the area while aloe juice and fruit extracts offer hydration and a mild soothing effect. Free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates and certified cruelty free, it fits the clean beauty guidelines that many shoppers now look for. In short, it is a skincare step meant to be tapped gently around the orbital bone to give the eye contour a quick pick me up, especially after short nights or long screen sessions.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual under eye serum for three full days before starting this trial, a move that made me feel wildly professional despite still wearing pajama pants. With the slate cleared, I committed to the brand’s twice-daily schedule for 14 days, which I think is a fair window to judge an eye product that promises quick pep.
The very first morning I noticed that brisk chill the second it touched skin. It woke me up faster than my coffee but sadly the wide-awake look faded almost as soon as the cool sensation did. Puffiness was tamped down for an hour or two, especially when I had stored the product in the fridge the night before, yet by lunchtime any earlier brightness looked pretty average again.
Midweek I started timing absorption under concealer. It sank in within a minute which kept makeup from slipping, and the area felt lightly hydrated rather than slick. Caffeine-powered depuffing remained modest though consistent: I looked slightly less swollen on video calls but dark shadows and the fine line caravan under each eye stayed put.
By day 14 the skin felt soft and calm with no hint of irritation, impressive given the menthol derivative in the formula. However the balm never delivered the lasting “revived” payoff I had hoped for. After a bad night of sleep my eyes still advertised every hour I missed, just marginally less ballooned.
So did it work? Partly. It cools and lightly hydrates, making mornings feel fresher, yet the results are fleeting and cosmetic. I will finish the stick for its pleasant wake-up effect but I will not graduate it to permanent status in my personal lineup. If you crave a quick chill fix before rushing out the door it is a fun, skin-friendly option, just temper expectations for anything more transformative.
Chill Out Under Eye Balm’s main ingredients explained
Caffeine headlines the formula and that makes sense since it is a vasoconstrictor that can temporarily shrink swollen capillaries so puffiness looks less obvious. In practice you get a short lived tightening effect and a mild jolt of circulation support that pairs nicely with the product’s icy feel. Because caffeine does not penetrate deeply it is generally considered safe for most skin types including sensitive, although anyone pregnant should still clear any caffeine containing topical with a doctor first just to be safe.
Aloe barbadensis leaf water steps in as the primary soothing and hydrating agent. Unlike thicker aloe gels this watery form sinks in quickly and brings polysaccharides that help calm redness. It is also naturally rich in amino acids which support the skin’s barrier function so the delicate eye contour feels less dry without the weight of heavier emollients.
Watermelon, lentil and apple fruit extracts round out the botanical roster. These are included for their vitamin content, light antioxidant benefits and a gentle hit of carbohydrates that can improve surface hydration. Think of them as supporting players that keep the area looking fresh rather than serious anti aging heavy hitters.
Menthyl lactate and a smaller amount of menthone glycerin acetal are the ingredients responsible for the noticeable chill. They are gentler cousins of straight menthol so you get that cooling rush without a harsh sting. Still, if your skin is reactive or you have a compromised barrier, patch test first because any menthol derivative can trigger irritation.
Dimethicone shows up to give slip and lock in moisture. It has a very low comedogenic rating which means it is unlikely to clog pores, something especially reassuring when you are applying product so close to oil producing hair follicles. The formula skips common pore blockers like mineral oil so overall it reads as non comedogenic.
On the preservative front phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin keep microbes at bay while the vivid tint comes from FDA approved Blue 1. Both are considered safe at the percentages typically used though extremely sensitive skin types may prefer completely dye free options.
The blend is free of animal derived ingredients which makes it suitable for vegans and vegetarians and Ulta certifies the entire line as cruelty free. Aside from the caffeine note mentioned earlier there are no ingredients flagged as pregnancy unsafe but because every pregnancy is different the safest route is always to ask a healthcare professional before introducing any new topical.
All told the ingredient list leans uncomplicated, low risk and lightweight with its eye opening kick coming more from cooling agents than high potency actives. That keeps the balm friendly for daily use but also explains why results taper off once the chill factor fades.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of daily use.
What works well:
- The instant cooling hit feels refreshing and helps take down morning puffiness for the first couple of hours
- Light balm texture sinks in fast so concealer applies smoothly without creasing or slipping
What to consider:
- The de-puffing effect is short lived so mid-day touch-ups may be needed
- Does little for dark circles or fine lines which limits its all-around eye treatment value
- Cooling agents include menthol derivatives that may not suit very reactive or compromised skin
My final thoughts
After two solid weeks of daily use I can comfortably give Chill Out Under Eye Balm a 7.5/10. It is a pleasant wake-up call for mornings when the snooze button wins, yet its perks are squarely in the quick-fix camp. If your primary concern is temporary puffiness and you enjoy a brisk cooling sensation this will scratch that itch without upsetting the skin barrier. If dark circles, persistent fine lines or long-haul brightening are top of mind you will probably want a product with more heavyweight actives.
I have cycled through more under eye formulas than I care to admit, so I feel confident that I gave this stick a fair shake. The fleeting nature of its results keeps me from raving, but I would still recommend it to friends who need a fast pick-me-up before work or a post-flight refresh. Night owls hoping for a miracle in a swipe should temper expectations.
For anyone hunting alternatives that push beyond a passing chill, here are a few I have used and would happily put back into rotation. Dark Circle Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that genuinely brightens the entire eye area and remains surprisingly affordable. Goodal’s Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Circle Eye Cream leans on vitamin C to even tone over time while staying gentle enough for most skin types. Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum serves up a stronger dose of vitamin C with a silky texture that layers well under makeup. Lastly, La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Anti Dark Circles Eye Cream combines niacinamide and light-reflecting pigments for both instant and gradual improvement.
Before you test any of these, including Ulta’s balm, remember the basics: patch test first (sorry for sounding like the over-protective parent) and give the product consistent use if you expect to see lasting change. Results are never permanent so plan on keeping up the routine if you like what you see.