Eye Derm Cosmetics

Packaging

Eye Derm’s packaging consists of single-use plastic containers (e.g. plastic cream tubes and patch tubs), with no indication of recycled content or compostable materials. The under-eye hydrogel patches come in a plastic jar for 30 pairs (reducing per-use packaging compared to individually wrapped pairs), but the dissolving microneedle patches are sold in single-use foil/plastic sachets for each application. There are no refill pods or take-back programs, and no mention of using PCR plastics, bioplastics, or FSC-certified paper for packaging. Inks or dyes on packaging (if any) aren’t described as soy-based or non-toxic. Overall, packaging appears to be conventional and disposable, without notable efforts to minimize waste or improve recyclability. 

Ingredient Sustainability

Across their formulas, Eye Derm clearly avoids the worst-offender ingredients (no parabens or PFAS, no microbeads, no petrolatum, etc.), but does use conventional synthetics (polyethylene glycols, silicones, polymers) where needed for function. There is no evidence of sustainable sourcing initiatives like using COSMOS-certified organics, RSPO palm derivatives, or recycled content in ingredients. Likewise, ingredient transparency is limited to what’s on the label. We know what’s in each product, but not where those inputs come from or how they’re produced. The brand exhibits a mix of conventional and some greener ingredients with moderate attention to environmental impact. They avoid highly persistent or toxic chemicals, but don’t actively pursue the most sustainable alternatives or certifications for sourcing.

Energy Use and Footprint

Eye Derm provides no public information on its energy use or carbon footprint. As a small, new brand, it has not published any sustainability report or emissions data. There are no stated climate targets or carbon offsets, and no mention of using renewable energy in manufacturing.

Waste Management

The brand has no visible initiatives to minimize waste or implement circular practices. There’s no discussion of how manufacturing waste is handled or reduced. The products themselves (single-use patches, disposable packaging) generate post-consumer waste with no recovery program. Eye Derm does not offer refills or recyclability information on its packaging. For example, the hydrogel patches must be discarded after one use, and the dissolving microneedle patches dissolve into skin (leaving only backing materials to trash). The packaging components (plastic jars, foil pouches, tube) are likely landfilled by consumers since they are not part of any take-back or recycling scheme and are composed of mixed materials that complicate recycling.

Business Model

Eye Derm’s business model leans toward slow, needs-based consumption rather than fast-paced turnover. The brand launched with just a handful of core products and is not driven by seasonal trends or fads. It specifically addresses ongoing concerns (dry eyes, puffiness, fine lines) in a consistent way. All products are part of the permanent lineup (no limited-edition drops or constant new launches). This limited SKU count and focus on efficacy reflect an emphasis on quality and longevity over quantity.

Eye Derm was explicitly founded to eliminate harsh and harmful chemicals from eye-area cosmetics. The brand’s formulations avoid virtually all ingredients with known high toxicity or health risks. They have a published “Never Use” list of over 1,500 substances, including parabens, formaldehyde-releasers, prostaglandin analogues, retinoids, sulfates, phthalates, heavy metals, coal tar dyes, talc, fragrances, etc. – many of which are legal in the US but can pose risks to eyes or skin. Instead, the products use ingredients that are generally recognized as safe and non-irritating. For example, the under-eye patch formula is fragrance-free and uses gentle humectants and extracts. The Eye Bag cream, despite its synthetic film formers, is free from the irritating ingredients found in some competitors (it’s positioned as a safer alternative to products like Plexaderm that contain harsher chemicals).

We did not find any “red flag” toxins in the ingredient lists. A few synthetic ingredients included (e.g. phenethyl alcohol as a preservative in the microneedle patches, or colorants in the cream) have mild risk of irritation for some individuals, but these are used in low concentrations and are rated as low-to-moderate hazard by cosmetic safety databases.

Eye Derm is a small, privately owned brand, and it provides minimal public information on labor practices. The products are manufactured in “certified labs,” which implies compliance with cosmetic GMP standards, but we do not know details of the supply chain or worker conditions. Given production is likely domestic (USA) or in countries with established labor laws, it’s reasonable to assume basic legal labor standards (no child labor, OSHA-regulated working conditions, etc.) are met.

Eye Derm is clearly positioned as a cruelty-free brand. They state that none of their products are tested on animals, and this applies to both the final products and their development process.

In the area of community social responsibility, Eye Derm shows little active engagement or philanthropy so far. The brand’s communications are centered on product benefits and eye health education (e.g. blog posts about eye care routines), but we found no mention of charitable partnerships, donations, or community programs associated with the company. There is no “1% for the Planet” pledge, no tie-in with eye health charities, nor any indication of proceeds supporting specific causes.