Caffeine 3% + Escin 1% Face Serum
The Ordinary Caffeine 3% + Escin 1% Face Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 26 ingredients (22 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Ordinary Caffeine 3% + Escin 1% Face Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 26 ingredients (22 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Ethyl Macadamiate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient) |
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Ethylhexyl Olivate
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Caffeine
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Masking) |
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Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding) |
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Escin
(Tonic) |
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Bacillus Ferment
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
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Cetearyl Olivate
(Hair Conditioning) |
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Sorbitan Olivate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Cleansingagent, Emulsifying) |
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Isoceteth-20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Hydroxyethylcellulose
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Sodium Citrate
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Chelating, Masking) |
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Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Malic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
(Chelating Agent) |
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TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
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Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Malic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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