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Shop Physicians Formula Cucumber & Bamboo Eye De-Puffer, Refreshmint
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Physicians Formula

Cucumber & Bamboo Eye De-Puffer, Refreshmint

~$16· 0.45 Ounce (Pack of 1)

What it's good for

Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.

  • AllantoinAnecdotal evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.

    Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating

  • Aloe VeraModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.

    Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating

  • CaffeineModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Tightens and brightens the under-eye area, reducing the look of puffiness by constricting tiny blood vessels. Best deployed in eye creams.

    Good for: Anti-aging, Antioxidant

  • DimethiconeStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A silicone that sits on your skin as an invisible, non-greasy shield. Reduces water loss, protects against irritants (think soap, friction, incontinence), and is FDA-recognised as a skin protectant from 1-30%. The reason your favourite primer feels silky and your barrier cream actually works under makeup.

    Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating

  • GlycerinModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

    Good for: Hydrating

  • Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

    Good for: Hydrating

  • NiacinamideStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

    Good for: Brightening, Barrier repair, Anti-inflammatory

  • PHAModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    The mildest exfoliating acid. Refines texture and hydrates at the same time, and it's sensitive-skin friendly.

    Good for: Exfoliating, Hydrating

  • Witch HazelAnecdotal evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A botanical astringent backed by real anti-inflammatory evidence. Extracts genuinely calm acne-related inflammation by blocking the same NF-κB pathway that redness-causing cytokines depend on. Honest caveat: most shelf-ready witch hazel toners are distilled water with trace tannin; look for "Hamamelis virginiana extract" rather than "hamamelis water" on the label if you want the active fraction.

    Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-acne

New to this? Patch test on your inner arm for 24 to 48 hours before applying to your face. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, start 2 to 3 times per week and build up slowly.

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

AllantoinAnecdotal evidence6 citations

A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.

Xu Z et al., Efficacy and Safety of Topical Compound Heparin Sodium Allantoin Gel for the Treatment of Rosacea, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(4):e70129 — RCT (n=82, 12 weeks): allantoin gel improved erythema and alleviated itching/burning vs traditional therapy

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40177799View source ↗

Tan C et al., The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate mitigates UVB-induced PGE2 synthesis by keratinocytes, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024;46(5):691-701 — in vitro: allantoin combination reduced UVB-induced PGE2, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα

2024Mechanism onlyPMID:38433250View source ↗

Saucedo-Acuna RA et al. (Mexico), Characterization and In Vivo Assay of Allantoin-Enriched Pectin Hydrogel for the Treatment of Skin Wounds, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023;24(8):7377 — allantoin-pectin hydrogel reduced wound healing time by ~71% with complete closure at day 15 in rat model

2023Mechanism onlyPMID:37108540View source ↗
Aloe VeraModerate evidence7 citations

Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.

Huang YN et al., Effects of Aloe vera on Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal of Burn Care & Research 2024;45(6):1536-1545 — topical aloe vera reduced burn wound-healing time

2024Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:38605441View source ↗

Tungkasamit T et al., Reduction in severity of radiation-induced dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients treated with topical aloe vera gel: A randomized multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial, European Journal of Oncology Nursing 2022;59:102164 — aloe vera reduced severity of moderate-to-severe radiation dermatitis

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35767935View source ↗

Sharma S et al., Second-Degree Burns and Aloe Vera: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review, Advances in Skin & Wound Care 2022;35(11):1-9 — topical aloe vera shortened time to healing for second-degree burns

2022Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:36264753View source ↗
CaffeineModerate evidence5 citations

Tightens and brightens the under-eye area, reducing the look of puffiness by constricting tiny blood vessels. Best deployed in eye creams.

Elias M et al., Caffeine in Skincare: Its Role in Skin Cancer, Sun Protection, and Cosmetics, Indian Journal of Dermatology 2023;68(5):546-550 — evidence for topical caffeine's photoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-cellulite roles

2023Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:38099120View source ↗

Gherardini J et al. (Germany), Transepidermal UV radiation of scalp skin ex vivo induces hair follicle damage that is alleviated by the topical treatment with caffeine, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2019;41(2):164-182 — topical caffeine reduced UV-induced hair follicle cytotoxicity and premature catagen entry in ex vivo human scalp

2019Positive (efficacy)PMID:30746733View source ↗

Luo L, Lane ME (UK), Topical and transdermal delivery of caffeine, International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2015;490(1-2):155-64 — review of caffeine physicochemistry and formulation strategies for skin permeation supporting cosmetic and transdermal use

2015Mechanism onlyPMID:26004004View source ↗
+6 more ingredients
DimethiconeStrong evidence5 citations

A silicone that sits on your skin as an invisible, non-greasy shield. Reduces water loss, protects against irritants (think soap, friction, incontinence), and is FDA-recognised as a skin protectant from 1-30%. The reason your favourite primer feels silky and your barrier cream actually works under makeup.

Beeckman D, Verhaeghe S, Defloor T, et al. A 3-in-1 perineal care washcloth impregnated with dimethicone 3% versus water and pH neutral soap to prevent and treat incontinence-associated dermatitis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2011;38(6):627-634.

2011Positive (efficacy)PMID:21952346View source ↗

Saary J, Qureshi R, Palda V, et al. A systematic review of contact dermatitis treatment and prevention. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53(5):845-855. (Barrier creams containing dimethicone prevent irritant contact dermatitis.)

2005Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:16243136View source ↗

FDA OTC Final Monograph, 21 CFR Part 347 — Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; dimethicone listed at section 347.10 as a Category I active ingredient at 1-30%.

2003Regulatory approval21CFR347.10View source ↗
GlycerinModerate evidence6 citations

A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35167133View source ↗

Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin

2021Positive (efficacy)PMID:31869257View source ↗

Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration

2017Positive (efficacy)PMID:28889318View source ↗
Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidence7 citations

A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.

2025Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:40990743View source ↗

Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging

2022Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:36200921View source ↗

Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:33911737View source ↗
NiacinamideStrong evidence10 citations

A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

Moro F et al., Skin Cancer Prevention and Antiaging: Role of Nicotinamide, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:42278444View source ↗

Passeron T et al., An Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2026

2026Positive (efficacy)PMID:41240206View source ↗

Vergilio MM et al., Topical Formulation with Niacinamide Combined with 5 MHz Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2025

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:39171587View source ↗
PHAModerate evidence5 citations

The mildest exfoliating acid. Refines texture and hydrates at the same time, and it's sensitive-skin friendly.

Peng Y et al., Comparison of Efficacy and Willingness to a 5% Gluconolactone-Based Topical Serum and Intense Pulsed Light in Mild Erythema of Rosacea: A Paired Control Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(3):e70025 — 5% gluconolactone serum improved erythema and moisturization over 30 days

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40111222View source ↗

Kantikosum K et al., The efficacy of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene vs adapalene monotherapy in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2019;12:151-161 — gluconolactone cosmeceutical added benefit on top of adapalene without hindering treatment

2019Positive (efficacy)PMID:30858720View source ↗

Edison BL et al., A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen, Cutis 2004;73(2 Suppl):14-17 — 12-week PHA regimen matched AHA antiaging benefits with significantly less stinging/burning

2004Positive (efficacy)PMID:15002657View source ↗
Witch HazelAnecdotal evidence4 citations

A botanical astringent backed by real anti-inflammatory evidence. Extracts genuinely calm acne-related inflammation by blocking the same NF-κB pathway that redness-causing cytokines depend on. Honest caveat: most shelf-ready witch hazel toners are distilled water with trace tannin; look for "Hamamelis virginiana extract" rather than "hamamelis water" on the label if you want the active fraction.

Liu X, Hage TW, Chen LC, Wang EHC, Liao IC, Goldberg J, et al. Revealing the Therapeutic Potential: Investigating the Impact of a Novel Witch Hazel Formula on Anti-Inflammation and Antioxidation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025 Feb. — Clinical evaluation of a novel witch hazel formula demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on skin.

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:39575475View source ↗

Wojciak M, Pacuła W, Sowa I, Feldo M, Graczyk F, Załuski D. Hamamelis virginiana L. in Skin Care: A Review of Its Pharmacological Properties and Cosmetological Applications. Molecules. 2025 Jun 26;30(13):2744. — Narrative review of pharmacological properties and skin care applications of Hamamelis virginiana.

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40649262View source ↗

Piazza S, Martinelli G, Vrhovsek U, Masuero D, Fumagalli M, Magnavacca A, et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes. Antioxidants. 2022;11(6):1119.

2022Mechanism onlyPMID:35740016View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

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Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.