Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My husband and I have been using this brand for quite a long time--almost 4 years. When I first used the Alba Eye gel, I would get small hives in the section where I had put the gel. I concluded that this was an allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients. My husband was still using without any trouble and an item he loved and wanted to always keep in stock. The skin around his eyes was really looking nice. Although I think (at times) that men age better than women, this gel was surely helping! This past year I noticed I had a few more fine lines and wrinkles that I hoped would disappear. As a result, 6 months ago I began to test Alba Eye gel again. I actually waited to see if I would hive from it but that never happened. I've been using this and much to my amazement, this gel really works. It didn't take long before the fine lines looked less harsh--noticeable from up close but they looked as though I was still late twenties. My skin looked softer around my eyes and I looked less tired. I seriously wanted to buy an economy sized bottle and bathe in it. This past week the bottle was getting low and I ordered again. I was preparing to write a glowing review and grabbed the glass Alba bottle so that could include the ingredients listing. I found that the ingredients were not listed there. I searched for them and found that they're actually written on the cardboard box that you throw away after purchasing. It was after reading this list that I could *not* in good conscience keep what remained in the bottle or order more. Some of the ingredients were written with the Latin botanical name so I went through the trouble of looking up each one of them out of curiosity. 　Water 　Aloe 　glycerin 　tea leaf extract 　cucumber 　papaya 　wild/German chamomile 　golden brown kelp 　spirulina 　pinecone ginger 　allantoin-a product of oxidation of uric acid. In addition, allantoin is present in botanical extracts of the comfrey plant. 　 Hyaluronic Acid- found in organ meats, cod liver oil and non animal sources like guavas and acerola sweet cherries. 　hydrolized soy protein 　Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate--(vitamin c), 　Panthenol (vitamin b5), 　Riboflavin (vitamin b2), 　 Sodium Carbomer : Synthetic chemical as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier. 　Ethylhexylglycerin: natural preservative derived from glycerin acts as skin conditioner. And last but not least (and certainly not benign)... 　Phenoxyethanol: a preservative. Safety Measures/Side Effects: Studies have shown that Phenoxyethanol can be an extreme irritant to the eyes and skin, and can even cause blistering; it is hazardous in the case of ingestion and inhalation as well. The Cosmetic Database rates it as a moderate hazard and notes cancer, allergic reactions, skin, eye and lung irritation, organ and neurotoxicity as possible effects of using products containing Phenoxyethanol. It has shown effects on sensory organs ***even at low doses***, and brain and nervous systems at moderate doses in animals, and causes cell mutation. According to research, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) data sheets show ****"chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing as well as testicular atrophy and reproductive damage in mice."**** (Information about Phenoxyethanol was found on Wikipedia and www.truthinaging.com) What? Did I just miss something? So I've been using a "natural" eye gel from a fabulous company like Alba and they use an ingredient that is a potential NEUROTOXIN? Ummm...nope. Will not be buying again. I rather have fine lines and wrinkles rather than suffer from genetic mutations and chromosomal changes. The gel really does such a good job so I have to decide between giving this a 5 for making my eyes look lovely or a 1 for the dastardly ingredients. I have since noticed that Phenoxyethanol is in a lot of Alba products so I get the sense that they rely on the ignorance of their consumers to notice the healthy ingredients that they can pronounce and ignore those they can't pronounce with a blind trust that Alba won't deceive them. I cannot in good conscience give it more than a 1 star because *never* should a company put people at risk of injury for the sake of beauty. Never.