Ole Henriksen is one of those Scandinavian powerhouses that skincare aficionados name-drop with a knowing nod, yet it still flies under the radar for anyone whose routine stops at cleanser and SPF. The brand has built its reputation on pairing gentle exfoliation with replenishing nourishment, all wrapped in a wellness-forward philosophy that promises radiance without the drama.
Enter Banana Bright Eye Crème, a title that sounds more like a breakfast smoothie than a treatment and almost dares you not to smile. According to the brand, this newly fragrance-free upgrade leans on vitamin C, shea and jojoba seed oils and even a touch of real gold to chase away dark circles, puffiness and the fine lines that betray late nights.
Big claims, sure, but intriguing enough to make me carve out a full two weeks of testing to see if those promises translate from marketing speak to mirror-ready results, and whether it justifies a place in your skincare budget.
What is Banana Bright Eye Crème?
Banana Bright Eye Crème sits in the under eye treatment category, a corner of skincare designed specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes where dark circles, puffiness and early fine lines tend to show up first. Treatments in this group are typically lighter than face creams yet more targeted than a basic moisturizer, focusing on brightening, hydrating and supporting elasticity without overwhelming the thin under eye barrier.
This particular formula is a vitamin C concentrate blended with plant oils and butters such as jojoba seed and shea, ingredients chosen to cushion the skin while delivering antioxidant benefits.
A small amount of colloidal gold is included, primarily for its reported ability to support cell renewal and reinforce the skin’s own defense mechanisms. The result is a cream aimed at lifting surface dullness and providing a subtle soft focus effect that can double as a primer base for concealer. All claims aside, at its core Banana Bright Eye Crème is best thought of as a daily maintenance step that supplies hydration and a dose of brightening actives to an area that rarely gets enough attention.
Did it work?
In the name of “science” I benched my usual eye cream for a full three days before starting, which felt very official until I caught myself squinting into every mirror like a lab technician on espresso. Fourteen days seemed like a reasonable trial window, so I used Banana Bright every morning and most nights, tapping a pea-sized dot around the orbital bone with my ring finger and letting it sit for a minute before makeup or serum.
First impression: the cream melted in quickly and left a subtle sheen that bounced light just enough to fake a fresher night’s sleep. Concealer glided on without gathering in those micro creases that love to appear around lunchtime. Hydration stayed solid through the workday which, for my chronically thirsty under eyes, is a small victory.
By the one-week mark I noticed a modest softening of the faint lines at the outer corners. They did not disappear, but they looked less etched, especially in the morning when I normally resemble a topographical map. Dark circles, my main concern, shifted from deep purple to more of a muted mauve; certainly brighter, though still visible under harsh bathroom lighting. Puffy mornings after salty dinners were tempered but not eliminated.
Heading into day fourteen the results plateaued. Skin texture felt smoother and the area stayed nicely moisturised, yet the promised “luminous, bouncier-looking” effect felt more like a polite glow than a spotlight moment. No irritation surfaced, which I credit to the fragrance-free tweak, and the cream played well with every concealer I threw at it.
So did it work? Yes, in the sense that it delivered consistent hydration and a gentle brightening lift without any side effects. No, in the sense that it did not outperform my long-time eye treatment enough to warrant a permanent switch. I will happily finish the pot and recommend it to friends who want a reliable vitamin C option but my own shelf will stay as is, albeit with newfound respect for the power of a well-formulated quick fix.
Main ingredients explained
The headline act is vitamin C and the formula does not rely on a single source. You will find 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and straight ascorbic acid sprinkled throughout the list. Each delivers antioxidant protection and helps nudge pigment cells into producing a more even tone. The oil-soluble tetrahexyldecyl version in particular penetrates more deeply to boost collagen synthesis while the water-soluble forms give that immediate surface brightness. Vitamin C can be a little twitchy in air and light, yet pairing multiple derivatives keeps the overall potency up without spiking irritation.
For cushion and long-lasting moisture Ole Henriksen leans on jojoba seed oil and shea butter. Both mimic the skin’s own lipids so they sink in quickly and reinforce the barrier. Shea sits at a 0-2 on most comedogenic scales which means it rarely clogs pores but could be a consideration for anyone extremely prone to milia under the eyes. Jojoba scores even lower thanks to its wax ester structure that makes it less likely to trap bacteria. If the term “comedogenic” is new to you it simply refers to an ingredient’s tendency to block pores and trigger breakouts.
The flashier addition is colloidal gold. Beyond the marketing sparkle, gold in its colloidal form acts as an anti-inflammatory conductor, helping ferry antioxidants deeper while calming redness. It is joined by glutathione, a master antioxidant that recycles vitamin C back into its active state, and a smattering of citrus extracts that add a gentle enzymatic nudge for smoothness. None of these push the formula into risky territory but photosensitive readers should still keep their daily SPF on standby.
Texture boosters such as dimethicone crosspolymer and polymethylsilsesquioxane create that soft-focus blur so concealer glides on. Tamind seed polysaccharide and jojoba esters add a flexible film that locks in hydration without a heavy feel. The preservative system is modern and mild, relying on phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate instead of parabens.
Is it vegan? Probably not. The INCI lists collagen which is usually animal derived, so strict vegans will want to skip it while most vegetarians may still be comfortable. The formula is otherwise free from fragrance and essential oils which keeps the irritation score low. Pregnant or nursing readers should remember that even though vitamin C is generally considered safe any new topical should be cleared with a healthcare professional first.
One final note: there is no added retinol, acids or drying alcohols here, so sensitive eyes get the brightening benefits without the ouch factor. If you already tolerate vitamin C well there are no hidden surprises lurking in the ingredient deck.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is a quick rundown of the highs and lows after two weeks of use.
What works well:
- Quickly absorbs and leaves a soft focus finish that helps concealer glide and stay put
- Delivers reliable, day-long hydration with a noticeable but subtle brightening effect
- Fragrance-free formula caused zero stinging or milia even on my occasionally sensitive eyes
What to consider:
- Brightening is modest, so pronounced dark circles may still need extra correction
- Results plateau after the first couple of weeks so long-term transformation feels limited
- Sits at the mid-to-high end of the eye cream price spectrum which may deter budget-minded shoppers
My final thoughts
After two weeks of faithful use Banana Bright Eye Crème earns a respectable 8/10 from me. It nails daily hydration, keeps makeup from migrating and offers a gentle brighten that looks healthy rather than theatrical. If your main wish is to soften early fine lines and give stubborn circles a nudge toward neutrality this will feel like money well spent. If you expect a single swipe miracle or are chasing dramatic pigment correction you may find the payoff too polite. I have cycled through more eye treatments than I care to admit and approached this one with an even hand, skipping other actives so the results you read about are genuinely its own.
I would recommend it to friends with normal to slightly dry under eyes who enjoy vitamin C but avoid fragrance. Oilier types or those already married to a peptide packed formula might not notice enough of a leap to justify switching. Price sits in the treat category but the lack of irritation and makeup compatibility offer a clear value that some cheaper options cannot match.
For anyone shopping around, a few alternatives I have tested and rate highly deserve mention. Deascal’s Dark Circle Cream is an excellent allrounder that brightens the entire eye area and does so at a refreshingly accessible price. Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream leans on vine sap derivatives for a silky feel and steady fade of blue toned shadows. La Roche-Posay’s Pigmentclar Anti Dark Circles Eye Cream brings a lightweight melt in texture with subtle optical correctors that perk up tired mornings. Finally Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct Brightening & Depuffing Eye Contour Cream delivers a caffeine kick alongside light diffusers for an instant wake up effect. All four have served me well and cater to slightly different budgets and texture preferences so there is room to experiment.
Before you dive in a quick reality check. Any eye cream, even the gold sprinkled variety, needs consistent use to maintain results and none will erase genetics or three consecutive all-nighters. Always patch test on the outer orbital bone first and give it at least 24 hours, sorry if that sounds like an over protective parent but your skin will thank you. Enjoy the glow, keep the SPF handy and remember that good sleep still beats good skincare every time.