Introduction
Florence By Mills might already be bookmarked by Gen Z beauty lovers but if it has skirted past your radar, think of it as the spirited skincare line that marries playful concepts with a surprisingly serious ingredient list. The brand has a knack for turning everyday routines into small joy-sparking rituals, and its latest eye-catcher is none other than the whimsically named Swimming Under The Eyes Brightening Gel Pads.
The title alone sets the scene: tiny whale-shaped patches that promise to glide beneath your eyes, delivering a cocktail of sodium hyaluronate for thirst-quenching hydration and niacinamide for that coveted bright-eyed look. Florence By Mills describes them as clean, vegan and cruelty free and positions the pads as quick 15-minute pick-me-ups for tired under-eyes.
Curious about whether these aquatic helpers are more than just a cute concept, I committed to a full two-week trial, morning and night, to see how they stacked up against real-world fatigue and screen-time puffiness. Here’s how the experience unfolded and whether these whales are worth diving into.
What is Swimming Under The Eyes Brightening Gel Pads?
This product sits in the under eye treatment category and is designed as a leave-on set of gel pads soaked in a lightweight serum. The serum relies on two main actives: sodium hyaluronate, a water-binding form of hyaluronic acid that helps draw moisture into the skin, and niacinamide, a B3 derivative known for supporting the skin barrier and easing uneven tone. Together they target common concerns such as dryness, dullness and the early signs of fatigue that tend to show up beneath the eyes.
The formula is marketed as clean, vegan and cruelty free which means it omits animal-derived ingredients and avoids animal testing. Each use calls for a 15-minute wear time followed by gentle tapping of any leftover serum into the skin so nothing goes to waste. In practice the pads function as a quick at-home treatment you can slot into a morning or evening routine when you want a visible pick-me-up without layering multiple products.
Because the pads are pre-soaked you get consistent doses of the actives with every application which removes the guesswork often involved with eye creams or serums. The no-rinse format also makes them suitable for anyone seeking minimal effort care: cleanse, apply, wait, then pat in the excess.
Did it work?
In the spirit of rigorous skincare science I pressed pause on my usual eye cream for three full days before starting the whale pad experiment and felt like a very official lab coat was in order. Fourteen days felt like a fair runway to spot any real changes so I slotted the pads into my morning routine every other day and saved them for late-night rescues on the in-between evenings.
The first application was all sensorial satisfaction: a cool splash of hydration that de-puffed my screen-strained eyes within the 15-minute window. I patted in the leftover serum and noticed a soft, slightly glazed finish that made concealer glide on more evenly. The effect held for a few hours but by late afternoon the brightness had largely faded, leaving me curious about cumulative benefits.
By day five subtle improvements started showing up in the bathroom mirror. Fine pillow creases that usually linger until coffee time were smoothing out faster and the area felt less tight when I smiled. However dark shadows did not exactly vanish; they looked more diffused as though someone had dialed down the contrast rather than switched on a spotlight.
Heading into week two I experimented with chilled pads after a restless night. The cooling plus sodium hyaluronate hit acted like a quick lymphatic nudge, shrinking puffiness in under ten minutes. Still the brightening claim remained modest. Niacinamide is a slow burner and while I appreciated the plumper texture I did not witness any dramatic fade in my genetic under-eye circles.
On day fourteen I compared photos and saw incremental gains: smoother texture, slightly livelier tone and consistently better makeup laydown. The pads definitely deliver hydration and a temporary fresh-from-vacation look which is more than many gimmicky eye treatments can boast.
So did they work? Yes, if your goal is a fast hydro-boost and a gentle nudge toward brightness. They did not become a must-have for my own lineup simply because the results, while pleasant, were not game-changing enough to justify the extra step long term. Still I would happily reach for them before an early flight or post-marathon Zoom day because sometimes a tiny whale makes tired eyes look like they actually slept.
Main ingredients explained
The real workhorses here are sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which means its molecules are small enough to nestle into the skin’s upper layers and draw in water like a sponge. The result is that instant plump, dewy look you notice after each 15-minute session. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, operates more like a slow-burn fixer: it strengthens the skin barrier over time, tamps down redness and can gradually soften the appearance of uneven tone. Used together, the two create a one-two punch of quick hydration and long-term brightening.
The formula is peppered with extra soothing and buffering agents. Allantoin calms irritation, while dipotassium glycyrrhizate (derived from licorice root) brings a mild anti-inflammatory effect that helps shrink morning puff. Glycerin, pentylene glycol and propanediol act as humectants so the moisture pulled in by sodium hyaluronate does not evaporate too quickly. You will also spot coconut fruit extract and castor seed oil, which give a bit of emollient slip. For anyone prone to clogged pores, castor seed oil is considered low to medium on the comedogenic scale, meaning it can occasionally trigger breakouts in very oily or acne-prone skin. Comedogenic simply refers to an ingredient’s likelihood of blocking pores and promoting blemishes.
As for what is not inside, the pads are free of added fragrance and drying alcohols, a welcome relief for sensitive under-eyes. The ingredient list is also vegan friendly and the brand remains cruelty free, so both vegans and vegetarians can use the product without hesitation on that front.
Pregnancy safety is a frequent question. While niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate are generally viewed as low-risk during pregnancy, every complexion and pregnancy is different. To err on the side of caution it is best to check with a healthcare professional before adding any new topical treatment to a prenatal routine.
One final callout: the sparkling finish you see comes from synthetic fluorphlogopite and iron oxides, two light-reflecting minerals that give the pads their subtle shimmer. They do not contribute any active skin benefits but they do deliver that camera-ready glow that makes the whole experience feel a little more special.
What I liked/didn’t like
After two weeks of consistent testing here is the quick tally of positives and potential drawbacks.
What works well:
- Instant cooling hit and hydration visibly soften fine lines for several hours
- Niacinamide and licorice derived extract offer gentle brightening with no sting or redness
- Lightweight serum sinks in cleanly so concealer glides on and creases less
What to consider:
- Effects lean temporary so regular use is needed to keep the fresh look
- Castor seed oil may not suit very oily or congestion prone skin
- Per use cost can climb if you plan to make them a daily staple
My final thoughts
After fourteen days of faithful wear I can say Swimming Under The Eyes Brightening Gel Pads earn their 8/10. They hydrate quickly, ease mild puff and lend a healthy sheen that helps makeup sit better. If your main goal is a fast, feel good refresher for mornings after too little sleep then these whales deliver. If you are chasing a dramatic lightening of hereditary circles or want a treatment that leaves lasting results after you stop using it, you may prefer a more potent cream or serum. I would happily recommend the pads to friends who enjoy a self care moment and do not mind a treatment that behaves more like a weekly booster than a permanent fix.
For anyone weighing options, four other formulas have impressed me in past testing. Dark Circle Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that brightens the entire orbital area and feels surprisingly luxe for its accessible price. Goodal’s Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Circle Eye Cream leans on vitamin C for gradual radiance and works well under sunscreen. La Roche-Posay’s Pigmentclar Anti Dark Circles Eye Cream pairs gentle exfoliators with light reflectors for a quick and long-term payoff. Finally StriVectin’s Super-C Dark Circle Brightening Eye Serum offers a thin vitamin C and peptide blend that layers seamlessly if you prefer a serum texture. Each of these has its own strengths so matching one to your concern and texture preference is key.
Before you let any new treatment near your delicate eye area, consider the basics: realistic expectations, diligent use and skin compatibility. I know I sound like an over-protective parent but please patch test first, especially if you are sensitive or use active ingredients elsewhere in your routine. And remember results stay only as long as you keep up the habit so consistency wins the marathon every time.