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Shoppers 50+ love this anti-aging retinol eye stick — and it's nearly 50% off

'Dark circles have lightened' and 'brighter eyes within a week' are just two of the nearly 6,000 accolades given to this stick.

Ready to perk up your eyes? Now that the sun is shining brighter, we want our eyes to be brighter, too. That's where Velamo's Advanced Retinol Eye Stick comes in. Puffy under-eyes and dark circles are often the culprits when it comes to an exhausted appearance, but the right skin-care product can liven up your look. Many shoppers in their 50s and 60s have said they're amazed by how much brighter their eyes looked after a few applications. Right now, it's down to just $16 (was $30) at Amazon.

Shoppers in their 50s and 60s 'stick' it to dark circles and fine lines.

$16 at Amazon

Inexpensive but high-quality skincare is hard to come by, but this $16 stick has thousands of perfect ratings to back up how good it is (just under 6,000 and counting). When you compare it to luxury brands or professional treatments — which can cost upward of a thousand dollars — it's not just a deal, it's a steal. We've barely ever seen it drop lower than its current price, at nearly 50% off.

retinol eye stick
When it comes to skincare, we value efficacy as much as the next commerce website — but c'mon, who can resist that pretty packaging? (Amazon)

It's no secret that retinol is a powerhouse ingredient when it comes to a wide range of skin concerns. Not only can it help unclog pores and exfoliate, but it's also effective at increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen production, which equals plumper, firmer-looking skin. This small yet mighty stick packs a punch in terms of eye-boosting power: In addition to retinol, it contains a power peptide complex, squalane and astaxanthin to preserve that delicate skin's moisture, firm up under-eye bags, brighten dark circles, reduce puffiness and even help smooth out the appearance of fine lines. We're lookin' at you, crow's feet!

One caveat: While this product was designed to be safe for sensitive skin, introducing retinol into your routine too quickly can cause irritation. To start, the brand recommends applying it every two or three nights, and then upping it to nightly after two to four weeks. And we do mean nightly, as retinol can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. (Which reminds us: Use sunscreen during the day — we have some excellent, dermatologist-recommended finds, as well as other fan-favorite SPF products.)

a series of before and after photos and the retinol eye stick
Many reviewers noticed a remarkable difference after using this retinol eye stick. See for yourself! (Amazon)

More than 5,700 Amazon reviewers have given the Velamo Advanced Retinol Eye Stick a five-star rating, with many lauding the feel of the product and its usefulness in eliminating dark under-eye circles.

"I absolutely love this product," said one repeat buyer. "My eye area is dry, and as I’ve aged I have gotten wrinkles and dark circles. This eye cream has worked miracles. My eyes are brighter and the dark circles have lightened. It feels amazing as soon as you apply, giving my eye area lots of moisture. I have tried several eye creams over the years and this one is by far one of the best."

This five-star reviewer wrote: "I was so glad to find a product that really hydrates my 50-year-old eye area so that concealer doesn’t settle into the cracks. Plus, this product is a fabulous treatment for fine lines around my lips. I now always keep a tube on my nightstand for a pre-sleep application!"

"I didn’t have much faith, but to my surprise, this product works great," admitted one skeptic-turned-fan. "My pigment spots have faded to the point where I don’t need [foundation]. They are not gone, but so light that I can go without it. ... This stuff has a wonderful slip to it, making my skin feel soft and moisturized. The best part is that I have had no blemishes. I live in Florida and I’m in my early 60s ... I have had my share of sun damage, but thanks to this product I’m seeing much improvement in my skin."

Users with oily or combination skin may want to prioritize this stick in their overnight beauty routine, versus as part of their morning makeup groove: "Since my skin tends to be somewhat oily, I will only use this unscented stick applicator at night, as it has the consistency of Vaseline," said one devotee. "For me, it would be too greasy to use under makeup."

Another reviewer added, "I wish they would be more open about how much retinol is in the product but knowing how potent it is, it's usually in the last line of ingredients for most products."

Add it to your cart while you can still save nearly 50%!

$16 at Amazon

Psst: Did you know retinol isn't just for your face? One Yahoo Life shopping writer swears by this affordable (and on-sale!) Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion, in case you want to round out your collection.

"It contains seven moisturizers, including shea and cocoa butters, to help keep skin hydrated," she said. "I'm pretty sure it's because of this that I woke up after the first application with zero redness or itching. But even better? My skin felt noticeably more moisturized and smoother just eight hours after I'd slathered it on, and stayed that way the rest of the day."

$10 at Amazon

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.