PRODUCT REVIEW
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon US $9.20
More options from: $6.40
Price as of 3/23/2025 4:16 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Lightweight, vegan and cruelty-free, this caffeine solution helps to leave the skin feeling refreshed and lifted, with enhanced hydration and a more even-looking tone.
urea
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
hyaluronic acid
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
glycerin
2.4% -
3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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Anti-oxidation
epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A synthetic version of green tea polyphenol that helps neutralize free radicals in skin
caffeine
6.6% -
8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
glycine soja seed extract
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Lightweight, vegan and cruelty-free, this caffeine solution helps to leave the skin feeling refreshed and lifted, with enhanced hydration and a more even-looking tone.
glycine soja seed extract
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
lactic acid
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
75/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.1% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
caffeine
6.6% -
8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
De-puffing,
Anti-oxidation
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (14)
Recommend
14 reviews
14%
|
86%
How well does it work for evening out skin tone?
4 reviews
Poor
Excellent
How well does it work for moisturization?
6 reviews
Poor
Excellent
How would you describe the texture?
13 reviews
heavy
Light
How much does it pill under makeup?
8 reviews
A lot
Not at all
How much does this product clog
pores?
12 reviews
Definitely clogs pores
Doesn't clog pores
How would you describe the smell?
13 reviews
No smell
Light fragrance
Strong fragrance
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
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LOW
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HIGH
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
lactic acid
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
hyaluronic acid
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
Show more
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.1% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
caffeine
6.6% -
8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
De-puffing,
Anti-oxidation
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
caffeine
6.6% -
8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
De-puffing,
Anti-oxidation
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
propanediol
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Caffeine, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Gallyl glucoside, Hyaluronic acid, Oxidized glutathione, Glycine soja seed extract, Polypodium vulgare rhizome extract, Cetraria islandica thallus extract, Sphagnum magellanicum extract, Urea, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid, Citric acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Propyl gallate, Dimethyl isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Benzyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol