One morning, a little over two years ago, I woke up.  

There was no office to rush to and no traffic to beat. So, I sat up in bed, gazed out the bedroom window, and started what would become my new and improved morning routine: gratitude to live another day, warm lemon water, exercise, and a ten-minute meditation. I used to wear being busy like some badge of honor—and got burnt out in return. Would this forced slowness reignite my flame? 

In some ways, yes. As much as I had touted the idea of recharging to others, I had yet to take my own advice, like a cobbler without shoes. I felt a whole lot better! And yet, no amount of sleep or self-care could solve what I saw in the mirror—an exhaustion hangover. The shadows under my eyes lingered, and were becoming increasingly difficult to camouflage with concealer. Despite my aha moment—my internal awakening—the external one had yet to come. 

I wasn’t the only one. 

I’d heard from countless NakedPoppy customers, team members, and friends across the country that they were looking more tired than they felt. (And they all felt pretty tired.) Then, a new idea stirred—an all-in-one eye cream that ticked all the boxes of safety, sustainability, efficacy, and affordability, and could help us shake the look of sleepiness that had settled under our eyes. 

So, our research scientist Marisa—who was having her own struggles with puffiness—got to work, embarking on a cross-country scavenger hunt to find the very best ingredients, to concoct the very best formula.

After 14 months and 7 different versions, we finally had our winner, and I’m so glad we took our time. (That’s the magic of slowing down!) Awaken Eye Cream is the skincare equivalent of that morning workout, or glass of warm lemon water, or ten gratitudes. It’s a way to enhance the feeling of being ready, alert, and excited to face the day, and it adds this healthy, glowy foundation for your makeup, layering beautifully under a swipe of concealer. 

The carefully calibrated blend includes: a highly stable, potent, and gentle form of vitamin C, one of the most studied antioxidants in skincare, that visibly brightens and smooth; caffeine, known as a vasoconstrictor, that minimizes the appearance of dark circle-causing blood vessels; glucosyl hesperidin, a citrus-peel extract, that ups circulation to lift away shadows like a botanical gua sha massage; and upcycled avocado, extracted from imperfect avocados that would otherwise become food waste, that delivers a luminizing dose of hydration. 

In short, it’s the all-in-one, depuffing, brightening, smoothing, moisturizing eye cream I’ve always wanted—and everyone deserves. 

Since we’ve thankfully all awoken to the fact that our planet is in peril, I knew the last thing we should do was produce some fancy eye cream jar that would end up in a landfill (not to mention harbor bacteria from endless finger-dipping). So, we found a sugarcane-derived tube, and housed it in a carbon neutral and FSC-certified paper sleeve. It’s costlier for us but we believe it’s a smaller price to pay in the long-run of this world. 

Just because I think it’s amazing, however, means very little. I’m a big believer in not overpromising and under delivering, so we ran an independent test with a third-party research firm. The NakedPoppy team who had been testing the cream and loving it were so close to it, but the women in the panel had never even heard of our little brand—I knew they wouldn’t sugarcoat. 

According to the study, 94% said Awaken Eye Cream keeps the skin around their eyes hydrated, 85% said their eye area looks healthier after using Awaken Eye Cream, and 82% said after using Awaken Eye Cream, their eyes look more fresh and rested. But I think their words paint an even more powerful picture: 

“I look 10 years younger around my eyes… this eye cream kept my eyes looking fresh with no puffiness, dark circles, or bags.” -Laura P.

“My under-eye area looks better than I had ever imagined. I am truly blown away!” -Whitney S.

“I love how hydrated it makes my under-eye area. It isn’t greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin. I feel like I do look more rested and brighter in the eye area.” -Charlotte B.

”It makes my eyes feel soft and moisturized and reduces my puffiness and dark circles. My eyes look much brighter” -Carrie G.

As I write this, I just wrapped up my not-so-new morning routine. When I glanced out my window, the garden was in full bloom. I thought, how lucky to wake up to a new day.