SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream | Top Eye Cream of the Year

I’ve used SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream for over 5 years by now and continue to love this Japan-made eye cream. It’s one of the highest-rated eye cream over here at myBeautyCravings.

Are you looking for an eye cream that’s rich enough to nourish the eye area but without the grease and stickiness? If you are, read on as I think you may love it as much as I do.  

Update Nov 2024: This post was first published in Nov 2018 and updated to include latest opinion. After so many years, I’m still loving it and have repurchased several tubes. I just emptied one today, and will open a new one that I got recently in my trip to Fukuoka. 

 

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Tell me More about SANA Namerakahonpo

SANA Namerakahonpo is a Japan-made skincare brand established in 2004 and owned by Tokiwa Pharmaceutical Co. This company also owns other cosmetic brands such as Excel and Pore putty.

The main selling point of SANA Namerakahonpo is how its products are infused with soymilk isoflavones, which is an ingredient known to brighten skin tone and improve skin elasticity. Now that we know more about this brand, let’s dive into what this plumping eye cream is supposed to do for us.

Marketing Promises of SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream

SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream contains fermented soybean milk and vitamin E derivative. It is said to provide intensive care for dryness and roughness around the eyes. In addition, this eye cream also contains light-reflecting powder that is supposed to brighten the skin tone and hide shadows and dullness.

In a nutshell, this eye cream is said to help make the skin bright, firm and hydrated. It targets women in their 20s and 30s. Oh dear, I’m too old for this eye cream. LOL! But it works for me, so I don’t care! :)

Update Nov 2024: Even after using it for so long, I still feel that the richness of the cream is just right for my 40+ skin.

Two Types of Eye Cream Under SANA Namerakahonpo

When I first bought this eye cream in Okinawa, I was buying it blindly. The descriptions were in Japanese. But don’t worry, you don’t have to ‘go blind’ like me because I’ll explain the product details here. 

This is one of the more difficult reviews – had to do quite a bit of research and translation.

There are two types of eye cream sold under SANA Namerakahonpo – the white one that I’m reviewing today and another one which has a gold packaging.

The gold one – Namerakahonpo Wrinkle Eye Cream – should be targeting those aged 40s and above (me???) because it contains retinol derivatives and is said to target wrinkles. I would have bought the gold one if I’d done a proper research before visiting Japan. 

Update (Nov 2024): I’d tried the gold version in my repurchase, and honestly, couldn’t quite figure the difference in texture and effect. But I’ll still get the gold one, just because it’s created for mature people like me. :)

 

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What’s Good about SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream? 

1. It’s a Thick Cream

Even though SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream is targeted at a younger age group, the texture of the cream is surprisingly quite thick.

See, I only need this little amount per application, which makes it very good value for money.

2. Lasting Hydration without Being Overly-Greasy or Sticky

Don’t worry that the thick cream will turn all greasy and sticky on your skin. It won’t.

When applied on the skin, you’ll feel just a light yet noticeable film over the eye area. The veil of cream stays for hours, nourishing and protecting the eye areas from the dry elements.

Despite its thick texture, the SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream didn’t lead to any milia formation.

That tiny dot of eye cream could cover half the back of my palm. What you see above is before the eye cream was completely spread out. 

3. Plumped Up the Undereye Areas

I thought my undereye wrinkles were less pronounced after using SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream for a few months. Unfortunately, I don’t have a before-after photo to verify this.

Whether it’s a placebo effect or not, it is keeping me reaching out for this eye cream almost twice daily. 

4. It’s an Affordable Eye Cream

How much do you normally pay for a drug-store eye cream? I would expect one to cost around S$20.

If you get SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream in Japan, this cost only 900 yen. That’s roughly S$11. What’s more, you get 20g of product which is about 30% higher than the industry norm of 15g. 

Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay about S$20 if you get it from physical stores in Singapore.

 

5. Hygienic and So Easy-to-dispense

One thing I love about SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream is how easy it is to use. Unlike creams in a tub, you don’t have to worry about it getting under your nails. And you also avoid any risk of contamination from your fingers.

6. Light & Portable

Do you know how light this eye cream is? It’s so light I don’t mind carrying a brand new tube overseas.

For someone who usually travels light, that’s saying something. I’m used to transferring all my skincare products into mini travel containers, but with the SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream, I didn’t even need to!”

7. No Fragrance and Mineral Oil

For those with sensitive skin, you may like to know that SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream is free from fragrance and mineral oil. Here’s the full ingredient list.

Ingredients:

Dicentaerythrityl tetra (hydroxystearic acid / isostearic acid) dipentaerythrityl, dimethicone, behenyl alcohol, pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, beeswax, di (octyldodecyl / phytosteryl / behenyl) lauroylglutamate, macadamia seed oil, Diphenylsiloxyphenyl trimethicone, PEG-60 glyceryl isostearate, glyceryl stearate, sodium tocopheryl phosphate, soymilk fermentation broth, soybean seed extract, soy protein, (hydroxyethyl acrylate / acryloyldimethyltaurine Na) copolymer, ethanol, ethylhexyl Glycerin, licorice root extract, dimethicone crosspolymer, squalane, cellulose gum Tocopherol, polysorbate 60, mica, titanium oxide, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben

 

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What’s Not Great about SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream?

1. No Visible Lightening of Dark Circles

SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream is said to contain light-reflecting powder to hide shadows and dullness. I didn’t notice any cosmetic difference in the tone of my skin after application. Even if there is any brightening effect, it must have been really subtle.

I wasn’t disappointed because I didn’t know it was supposed to fade dark circles in the first place. As you know, I’d bought the last round of Japanese beauty stuff blindly. :)

Furthermore, it’ll be quicker and easier to cover dark eye circles with a foundation or concealer. 

 

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Recommendations: Should you buy Sana Eye Cream?

How often do you find a cheap eye cream packed with so many good things? If you are in your 20s or 30s and like an affordable eye cream that provides sufficient and lasting nourishment, SANA Namerakahonpo Plumping Eye Cream is definitely worth trying.

Plus, I absolutely love how hygienic and easy it is to use! This is going into my Japan Must-Buy List. Rating: 5/5

 

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(This post was first published in Nov 2018, and last updated to include latest opinion.) 

 

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