Overview
Skin Medica began as a pharmaceutical company specializing in promoting the health of the skin and hair. It manufactures and distributes many prescription-only products that are available only after consultation and direction of a physician or dermatologist. In addition to its pharmaceutical products, Skin Medica has developed a full line of non-prescription anti-aging products for the general consumer. All of these products are based on the proprietary ingredient complex known as Nouri-Cel MD. Among these is Skin Medica’s Illuminating Eye Cream, which is meant to reduce dark circles, decrease eye puffiness, as well as diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Featured Ingredients
Skin Medica seems to be one of the only companies to include highly advanced ingredients that contain plenty of scientific and real customer research data. This puts it on the level of Dermalogica, Dermitàge and other high-end cosmeceutical groups. We were impressed by the Illuminating Eye Cream, which features Skin Medica’s unique Nouri-Cel MD complex. The scientific research on this ingredient’s ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines is well-established.

Illuminating Eye Cream also contains a combination of Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, which helps reduce dark circles by eliminating harmful compounds like iron and other pigments that cause skin to darken. In addition, Illuminating Eye Cream contains a derivative of Chamomile to soothe the eye area skin and reduce puffiness, and Panthenol for advanced protection.  

We were a little disappointed by the statistics on Illuminating Eye Cream’s effects. Most of the improvement was measured at 50% or less, even after six weeks of use. In addition, costumer-assessed improvements in dark circles, wrinkles and other measurements came in at less than 70%. These statistics are less impressive than Dermitàge Eye Renewal Collection, whose customer-based research put most measurements at 85% and above. Perhaps the Skin Medica formula is still being perfected and may need to be revised to include a higher concentration of ingredients.

Web Site Description
Skin Medica has a very clear and well presented web site. There is an equal amount of succinct description on the products, matched with clear charts and graphs explaining the effects of its formulas. We did not see any customer testimonials, however, which would have been an addition that could attest to how the formulas have worked with real people. In addition, Skin Medica does not offer a free trial of product.

Positives
- Highly effective ingredients with plenty of scientific research

- Web site is clear and company has a strong reputation

 Negatives
- No customer testimonials are listed

- Data on customer satisfaction seems low - especially when compared to Dermitàge

- No free trial is offered

Conclusion
Overall, we are impressed enough with Skin Medica’s Illuminating Eye Cream to give it a tentatively strong recommendation for those looking to reduce dark circles, crow’s feet and undereye puffiness. We wish the customer satisfaction data was more convincing, and that the company offered a free trial of product. But we feel most people who used this formula will notice improvements in their eye area, even though it may take six weeks or longer to notice the full effect.