++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides
Eye CreamAnti-Aging
Efficacy
Solid
3.9 / 5.0
Safety
Mostly Safe
4.0 / 5.0
System Verdict
One of the better retinol eye formulas on the market, but it is still a cautious eye treatment, not a miracle eraser. The formula earns its score because it stacks a real S Tier active (retinol) with strong A/B Tier support from caffeine, peptides, glycerin, niacinamide, ceramide NP, and panthenol, but the retinol sits past the midpoint of the INCI, so the likely concentration is modest rather than aggressive. That makes the efficacy solid for gradual fine-line and puffiness support, yet not high enough for a top-tier 4.5+ score; the formula is also buffered by a rich emollient base that improves comfort but can dilute treatment punch.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Retinol
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
Water/Aqua/EauGlycerinSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea FermentNiacinamideCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideSclerocarya Birrea Seed OilGlycine Soja (Soybean) OilSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerBiotinCeramide NPLecithinPanthenolUbiquinoneTocopherol
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
OctyldodecanolBoron NitrideCaffeineCoconut AlkanesCetyl AlcoholCetearyl OlivateSorbitan OlivateMangifera Indica (Mango) Seed ButterHippophae Rhamnoides OilBis(Tripeptide-1) Copper AcetateDipeptide-2Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Copper Lysinate/ProlinateHesperidin Methyl ChalconeHydroxyethylcelluloseGlucoseMethylglucoside PhosphateTrideceth-6 PhosphateCoco-Caprylate/CaprateCetyl PalmitateLeontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell CultureN-HydroxysuccinimideCitric AcidThioctic AcidChrysinSclerotium GumMethylglucoside PhosphateXanthan GumPotassium SorbateSodium BenzoateCaprylyl GlycolSodium HydroxidePhenoxyethanolPentylene Glycol
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
ChlorphenesinEthylhexylglycerin
Analyze on DemythSkin →
DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.