Introduction
Ishonest has quietly built a reputation among ingredient purists for formulas that let the science do the talking, yet it still flies under the radar for many skincare shoppers. That low-key profile feels almost at odds with the confidence behind its latest launch, the rather bureaucratically named No. 401 Under Eye Dark Circles Cream. Numbers aside, the brand promises that this lightweight serum will tackle discolouration, puffiness and the tell-tale signs of late nights.
The star of the show is unroasted green coffee oil, which Ishonest touts as a collagen-boosting multitasker packed with skin-loving lipids and a uniquely stable form of caffeine. They also highlight research pointing to improved elasticity, lymphatic drainage and even a touch of UV support. It is a tall order for a few nighttime drops, but the claims are intriguing enough to warrant a proper road test.
I spent two full weeks applying No. 401 religiously before bed to see whether those early-morning shadows would actually fade or if I would just end up caffeinating my face for nothing. Consider this the first chapter of that deep dive into whether Ishonest’s coffee-charged eye treatment deserves a spot in your routine and your budget.
What is No. 401 under eye dark circles cream?
No. 401 is an under eye treatment, a niche category of skincare designed to address concerns that ordinary face moisturisers often overlook. Treatments in this group focus on the thinner, more delicate skin beneath the eyes where circulation is sluggish and signs of fatigue tend to show up first. They aim to soften dark shadows, calm puffiness and generally make you look like you slept a bit longer than you did.
Ishonest positions this particular formula as a lightweight nighttime serum that relies on caffeine sourced from unroasted green coffee. The brand cites laboratory data suggesting that this form of caffeine encourages collagen and elastin production while helping lymphatic drainage, two mechanisms that can visibly brighten and depuff tired eyes. Green coffee oil is also rich in lipids and tocopherols which slot into the skin barrier and lend some antioxidant support.
Alongside its cosmetic goals the product is framed as gentle enough for contact lens wearers. Application is straightforward: a few drops patted in before bed with excess wiped away after absorption. For stubborn circles daily use is advised while milder concerns can alternate nights, making it a flexible add-on rather than a total regime overhaul.
Did it work?
I pressed pause on my regular eye cream for three full days before starting No. 401, which felt wildly scientific for someone whose last lab experiment involved baking soda volcanoes. Fourteen days seemed like a fair trial window so I stuck to the directions: two drops per eye, patted in gently, then a quick mop up of anything gleaming after the four-minute mark. I kept the rest of my routine unchanged to isolate results, going so far as to skip late-night streaming binges that usually gift me extra puffiness.
The first morning I noticed a subtle tightening sensation, almost like a miniature caffeine buzz under the skin. Visually though my circles looked the same graphite shade they always do after an early alarm. By day four the surface felt smoother and concealer went on with less creasing, which I counted as a small win. Puffiness also backed off a little, especially on the nights I remembered to drink water instead of finishing that second glass of wine.
Week two brought the most obvious shift. My inner corners lightened just enough that I could skip color corrector on casual days, and the mid-afternoon eye bags that usually pop up at my desk were less dramatic. Still, the deepest part of the shadows hung around. Friends asked if I had slept well, never if I had discovered a miracle cream, and that distinction summed up the results perfectly: noticeable but not game changing.
I was happy to find no irritation even while wearing contacts and the texture never pilled under makeup. Yet when the 14-day mark hit I realised I was looking forward to returning to my old standby. No. 401 delivered a modest bump in brightness and de-puffing, just not enough to make me reshuffle my permanent lineup. If you are starting with mild circles you might get more dramatic mileage, and I do appreciate the straightforward ingredient list. For now it stays on my “nice to have” shelf rather than the must-grab drawer.
No. 401 under eye dark circles cream’s main ingredients explained
There is really one hero here: Coffea Arabica (Green Coffee) Oil. Because the beans are left unroasted the oil keeps its full spectrum of fatty acids, sterols and vitamin E relatives known as tocopherols, which together reinforce the skin barrier so the delicate under eye area holds moisture better overnight. The unroasted beans also carry a purer, more stable form of caffeine than you get from your latte. Topically, caffeine is valued for encouraging micro-circulation and helping excess fluid move out of the tissues, the combo most responsible for the modest de-puffing I noticed by week two. In cell studies green coffee oil has nudged fibroblasts to produce more collagen and elastin which, in theory, can firm up the thin under eye skin over the long haul.
Although it is an oil, its comedogenic rating sits at the lower end of the scale (generally seen as 1 to 2 where 5 is most pore clogging). That means the likelihood of it triggering milia or congestion is small, especially since you are applying just a couple of drops to a limited zone. Still, anyone highly prone to clogged pores should patch test first. Vegans and vegetarians can relax: the formula is 100 percent plant derived and contains no animal by-products or fragrance allergens.
Caffeine in any form raises a pregnancy flag because systemic absorption, while minimal, has not been fully quantified. The safest route is to run it by your obstetrician before adding nightly applications. The same caution goes for anyone on prescription eye treatments, as occlusive oils can occasionally interfere with medicated drops.
Worth noting is what the ingredient list leaves out. There are no silicones, essential oils or added dyes, which reduces the risk of irritation for contact lens wearers and sensitive skin types. However, the simplicity cuts both ways: without humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid you may want to layer a light water-based serum underneath if your under eyes skew very dry.
All told the INCI reads like a single-origin coffee label: short, traceable and purpose driven. If you appreciate formulas that let one ingredient do most of the talking No. 401 is refreshingly honest about putting green coffee oil center stage.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown after two weeks of nightly use.
What works well:
- Feels light and sinks in fast so it layers smoothly under makeup the next morning
- Noticeable softening of puffiness and a slight brightening of inner corners within one week
- Single ingredient formula keeps chances of irritation low and plays nicely with contact lenses
What to consider:
- Light to medium circles may fade but stubborn hereditary shadows see only modest change
- Oil-only formula may leave very dry under eyes wanting an extra hydrating step
- Instructions add an extra wait and wipe step and the cost sits above many basic caffeine serums
My final thoughts
After two weeks of solid use I feel I gave No. 401 a fair audition beside the parade of under eye treatments that have crossed my bathroom shelf over the years. On balance it earns a respectable 7.5 out of 10: enough brightening and depuffing to register in morning light, not enough to retire concealer forever. If your circles are mild to medium, if you like ingredient minimalism and if you can commit to nightly applications, you will probably be pleased. Those battling deep hereditary shadowing or craving a plush, hydrating finish may want to layer something else or look elsewhere.
Would I recommend it to a friend? I already have, with caveats. My colleague who keeps asking for “a little lift but nothing gloopy” is the perfect match. My sister with genetically carved hollows, less so. Ultimately the product is a measured performer rather than a revelation, and sometimes that is exactly what a routine needs.
If No. 401 does not quite tick every box, a few alternatives I have put through their paces might. Dark Circle Cream by Deascal is an excellent allrounder that brightens the whole orbital zone without fuss and is priced very sensibly for the results it delivers. Vinoperfect Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream by Caudalie leans on vine sap and niacinamide for those who prefer a creamier texture and a touch of antioxidant support. The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG remains a straightforward, wallet friendly serum that punches above its weight for puffiness. For a more luxe feel Auto Correct Brightening & Depuffing Eye Contour Cream by Sunday Riley offers a hint of optical brighteners alongside caffeine for instant and longer term payoff.
Before you slick anything near your eyes, remember the basics: patch test first (sorry to sound like an over protective parent) and give the formula a few weeks before judging. Consistent use is non negotiable if you want to keep results from slipping away once the tube runs dry.