Versus

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Versus Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème

Eye Moisturizer
Eye Moisturizer
American Brand United States
Danish Brand Denmark

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe eye moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Midnight Recovery Eye
Banana Bright Eye Crème

Water

Skin Conditioning

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isododecane

Emollient

Coconut Alkanes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Vitamin C IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Synthetic Beeswax

Emulsion Stabilising
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer

Emollient

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Cocoyl Proline

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate

Emollient
2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Colloidal Gold

Antimicrobial

Collagen

Moisturising
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract

Masking

Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Glucosyl Hesperidin

Humectant

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide

Skin Conditioning

Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Morus Alba Root Extract

Bleaching

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Jojoba Esters

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate

Emulsifying
Can worsen Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Emulsifying

Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate

Emulsifying

Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Polyacrylate-13

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Polyisobutene

Beheneth-5

Emulsifying

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sorbic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 77491

Cosmetic Colorant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

This oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.

Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.

It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.

This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.

Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.

Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.

Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol
Skin Conditioning

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

35 Routines
11% use in am
89% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
451 Routines
66% use in am
34% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye 36 ingredients

Midnight Recovery Eye hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème 60 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 6 ratings
Hydrating (1) Light Scent (1) Works Well (1)
EleynaPaige_123's avatar

EleynaPaige_123

2 years ago
Review

instant brighten of the under eyes, been using it for years, feels great on the skin, not thick spreads like butterrrr

Vespers's avatar

Vespers

2 years ago
Review

The only thing that helps reduce darkness under my eyes. Actually better than any other eye product or concealer for the under eye circles. Even better than the new Ole Henriksen products such as the Banana sticks and so on.