The Ordinary

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Name: The Ordinary - Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Brand: The Ordinary

Efficacy62/100IrritancyLow·

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid + 4 more

Works

What the product description says

“Skin feels refreshed and lifted with enhanced hydration and a more even tone.”

Source: Lookfantastic Australia

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hyaluronic acid.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.8–4.2%

Hyaluronic acidKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne 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~1.2–1.9%

Glycine soja seed extractKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.~0.55–1.25%

Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~0.45–1.05%

Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.05–0.25%

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.2–0.7%

Evens skin tone

Glycine soja seed extract, Lactic acid

Not delivered

What the product description says

“A concentrated serum with high-solubility caffeine and green tea cathechin to visibly reduce eye contour pigmentation and puffiness.”

Source: Sephora

This product contains ingredients (glycine soja seed extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Glycine soja seed extractEffect: LowAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.~0.55–1.25%

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Caffeine + 1 more

Works well

This product contains antioxidants (epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucosideKey activeEffect: HighA synthetic version of green tea polyphenol that helps neutralize free radicals in skin~1.7–2.5%

CaffeineEffect: LowMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes~5.9–8.8%

Glycine soja seed extractEffect: LowAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.~0.55–1.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

11 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 11 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.

CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~5.9–8.8%est.

Glycine soja seed extractAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.Medium~0.55–1.25%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~0.45–1.05%est.

Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.2–0.7%est.

Dehydroacetic acidA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.

Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateUsed to improve stability of the formulationMedium~0.15–0.55%est.

Propyl gallateHelps preserve product formulations and can mask the smell of other ingredients in a productMedium~0.15–0.5%est.

1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.3%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

User reviews

Would you recommend?

86%·yes

12 of 14 community members would buy it again.

86% would14% wouldn't

Niccilu· Apr 2024Recommends
This is great for use around the eye area in the morning and evening. Just a small amount required so the bottle does last a while. It can feel a tad sticky after application but I haven't noticed it interfering with any other products I use. I have slight discolouration of the ski around my eyes due to some eye drops I have to use daily and this seems to help lessen that over time. Highly recommended and great value. My goto eye product.
Skin tone
Excellent
Moisturization
Excellent
Texture
Light
Pilling under makeup
Not at all
Clogging pores
Doesn't clog pores
Smell
No smell
H2O· Dec 2023Doesn't recommend
Texture liquide mais legerement gélifiée mais un peu collante.
Serum en grande quantité, très peu de produit suffit : une goutte seulement pour les deux yeux.
Mais ... je n'ai constaté aucun effet sur mes cernes ou mes ridules.
Au bout d'un moment, j'ai cessé de l'utiliser, je me suis lassée.
L'autre contour des yeux aux peptides de la même marque me parrait plus hydratant.
Texture
Light
Clogging pores
Doesn't clog pores
Smell
No smell
Amyh· Jul 2023Recommends
100% recommend this serum. It’s said to be used for the eye area, but I use it all over my face, and honestly it’s a really good hydrating antioxidant serum. This serum has a light texture and not oily like the resveratrol or the euk 134. It’s very moisturizing and helps fade dark spots. Will buy this again :)
Texture
Light
Pilling under makeup
Not at all
Clogging pores
Doesn't clog pores
Smell
No smell
Nat_Elly· Jun 2023Recommends
You can already see the results after several uses. It brightens the skin tone. It makes the skin dry a bit though, so it's recommended to apply a good moisturizer afterward.
Texture
Light
Smell
No smell
Skinaddict· Oct 2022Recommends
This product helps with the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, but it can be a little drying if not followed by something moisturizing. It also does help with puffiness. Sometimes I would use it on my whole face, if I was feeling very puffy, but for the rest of the face I prefere other serums. Overall this is a good and affortable product, however I found that the results were mostly temporary and it didn't make too much of difference overtime. But to be fair I wasn't very consistent with it and I wouldn't use it if I wasn't planning to go outside. Maybe consistent use offers better results. I think I will be bying it again.
Moisturization
Poor
Texture
Heavy
Clogging pores
Doesn't clog pores
Smell
No smell

What reviewers noticed

Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Caffeine~5.9–8.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine

Maltodextrin~3.9–5.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin

Glycerin~2.8–4.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Propanediol~2.1–3.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside~1.7–2.5%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

A synthetic version of green tea polyphenol that helps neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside

Gallyl glucoside~1.4–2.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Gallyl glucoside

Hyaluronic acid~1.2–1.9%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-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

More about Hyaluronic acid

Oxidized glutathione~1.1–1.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Oxidized glutathione

Melanin~0.85–1.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Melanin

Glycine soja seed extract~0.55–1.25%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin toneReduces redness

An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.

More about Glycine soja seed extract

Pentylene glycol~0.45–1.05%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol

Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.35–0.85%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6

Xanthan gum~0.35–0.75%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Lactic acid~0.2–0.7%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-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)

More about Lactic acid

Dehydroacetic acid~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Dehydroacetic acid

Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to improve stability of the formulation

More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate

Propyl gallate~0.15–0.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps preserve product formulations and can mask the smell of other ingredients in a product

More about Propyl gallate

Dimethyl isosorbide~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin

More about Dimethyl isosorbide

Benzyl alcohol~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol

1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Ingredient list view

Water, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Gallyl glucoside, Hyaluronic acid, Oxidized glutathione, Melanin, Glycine soja seed extract, Pentylene glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Propyl gallate, Dimethyl isosorbide, Benzyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Beautylish30 ml

$6.70 Out of stock

Check

Deciem

$7.50

Buy

Sephora

$7.50

Buy

SpaceNK US

$7.50

Buy

Ulta1 oz

$7.50

Buy

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	The OrdinaryCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCGYOUR PRODUCT	PixiDetoxifEYE Serum	BY TERRYHyaluronic Global Eye Serum	TypologySerum for Dark Circles and Bags — 5% Caffeine + 5% Niacinamide
Match	—	37%	36%	35%
Price	$7.50	$28.07+$20.57	$54.52+$47.02	$66.90+$59.40
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 4	3 of 4	2 of 4
Key difference	—	Sh-Polypeptide-22	Niacinamide	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop