Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

The Ordinary

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a eye care. Our analysis of its 28 ingredients (19 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to dry skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Eye Care
Ingredients
28
Low-risk
19
Fragrance
Fragrance-free

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 8/3
Good for dry skin
Ethoxydiglycol Caprylyl Glycol Glycerin Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract Hyaluronic Acid Urea Lactic Acid Oxidized Glutathione
Caution for dry skin
Maltodextrin Xanthan Gum Glycerin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin No data
Sensitive Skin 4/8
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Propyl Gallate Gallyl Glucoside Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Caution for sensitive skin
Ethoxydiglycol Caffeine Glycerin Citric Acid Propyl Gallate Lactic Acid Phenoxyethanol Benzyl Alcohol

Ingredients list

28 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (5)
All28 Skin Conditioning20 Humectant10 Fragrance8 Solvent8 Emulsion Stabilising7 Viscosity Controlling5 Viscosity Decreasing Agent5 Film Forming4
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
A
Dehydroacetic Acid
(Preservative)
1
Dimethyl Isosorbide
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding)
1
A
Ethoxydiglycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Humectant, Perfuming)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
Caffeine
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Masking)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
(Chelating Agent)
1
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
(Bulking Agent, Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Hydroxyethylcellulose
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Hyaluronic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Humectant, Moisturising)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
A
Urea
(Buffering Agent, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
3
B
Propyl Gallate
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Perfuming)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
5
A
Benzyl Alcohol
(External Analgesic, Fragrance, Oral Health Care Drug, Preservative, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
Gallyl Glucoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Sphagnum Magellanicum Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Polypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
Cetraria Islandica Thallus Extract
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
Oxidized Glutathione
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Maltodextrin
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting

Benefits

Good for dry skin

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Solvent
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Preservative
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Maltodextrin
Absorbent, Binding agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AbsorbentBinding agentEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingHair conditioningSkin conditioningSuspending agent - nonsurfactantBinding
Ethoxydiglycol
Fragrance, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSolventViscosity decreasing agentHumectantPerfuming
Xanthan Gum
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingSkin conditioningSurfactant -emulsifying agentViscosity increasing agentBindingGel formingViscosity controlling
Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Caffeine
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 FragranceSkin conditioningMasking
Caprylyl Glycol
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningEmollientHumectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chelating agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Chelating agent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingViscosity controlling
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingViscosity increasing agentBindingStabilisingViscosity controlling
Hyaluronic Acid
Skin conditioning, Viscosity increasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningViscosity increasing agentAntistatic agentHumectantMoisturising
Urea
Buffering agent, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Buffering agentHumectantAntistatic agentSkin conditioning
+ 7 more — see the full ingredients list above
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
Bulking agent, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Bulking agentEmollientHair conditioningMoisturisingSkin conditioningSolvent Good for Dry Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Benzyl Alcohol
External analgesic, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 CIR A External analgesicFragranceOral health care drugPreservativeSolventViscosity decreasing agentMasking Allergens

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Evening, start slow: Best in the PM a few times a week to begin with; avoid layering with other strong actives the same night.
  • 2 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Officially notified as a cosmetic in Malaysia (NPRA). Government registration record.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Lactic 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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From the SkinCarisma community

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20 reviews restored from our original community.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
PIHRosaceaAnti-Aging

I decided I needed something to help with the dark circles in my under-eye area. As I have combination skin (oily T zone & dry cheekbones + under eye area) with vascular rosacea (hence, sensitive skin), I needed something that fitted in with my skincare. Having note that my skin does not flare up when exposed to Citric or Lactic Acid (which this product contains), I decided to give it a try. BEST decision ever made! It not only reduced my under-eye dark circles (please inform yourself before ...

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
PIHRosaceaAnti-Aging

I decided I needed something to help with the dark circles in my under-eye area. As I have combination skin (oily T zone & dry cheekbones + under eye area) with vascular rosacea (hence, sensitive skin), I needed something that fitted in with my skincare. Having note that my skin does not flare up when exposed to Citric or Lactic Acid (which this product contains), I decided to give it a try. BEST decision ever made! It not only reduced my under-eye dark circles (please inform yourself before ...

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
PIHAcnePores

I used this caffeine solution for a few weeks but didn't see a huge difference, maybe I didn't have enough puffiness to really see a difference but it definitely didn't help with my dark circles. Have you ever had puffy eyes after a good cry the night before? I was really hoping this product would save me from that but alas, not a miracle in a bottle. 1 of 3 1 of 3 Community Collections with "The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG" Bad Products for My Sensitive Skin 26 products delauraen

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
BlackheadsFungalPores

Around 3 weeks of application, so here's my thoughts. The good: * effective for my puffy eyes. my main concern upon buying is actually my puffy eyes. i can see that this has visibly reduced my puffiness. On the fence: * not sure if it does anything for my dark circle. i don't have a very distinct dark circle to begin with, so its hard to tell. The bad: * mild irritation for the first few days of application. maybe i used a tad too much? but there's no more irritation after that few days.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
BlackheadsFungalPores

Around 3 weeks of application, so here's my thoughts. The good: * effective for my puffy eyes. my main concern upon buying is actually my puffy eyes. i can see that this has visibly reduced my puffiness. On the fence: * not sure if it does anything for my dark circle. i don't have a very distinct dark circle to begin with, so its hard to tell. The bad: * mild irritation for the first few days of application. maybe i used a tad too much? but there's no more irritation after that few days.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
PIHAcnePores

I used this caffeine solution for a few weeks but didn't see a huge difference, maybe I didn't have enough puffiness to really see a difference but it definitely didn't help with my dark circles. Have you ever had puffy eyes after a good cry the night before? I was really hoping this product would save me from that but alas, not a miracle in a bottle.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
AcneBlackheadsFungal

Ive been using this for a few weeks now, every morning and night. But i still have not really seen a difference in my under eyes. i will continue using it though. there is no harsh scent and it feels nice and makes my under eye area soft and hydrated. I just wish there was more of a difference. i still have bags and dark circles

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
AcneBlackheadsFungal

Ive been using this for a few weeks now, every morning and night. But i still have not really seen a difference in my under eyes. i will continue using it though. there is no harsh scent and it feels nice and makes my under eye area soft and hydrated. I just wish there was more of a difference. i still have bags and dark circles

shizukasou · Oily skin
BlackheadsFungalPores

Although it didn't help with my dark circles like advertised, it works wonders in reducing puffiness, especially if using it in the AM like I usually do. I actually apply it all over my face, leaving it feeling smooth and great overall, also thanks to its consistency, which is almost gel-like and not greasy at all.

SkinCarisma member · Normal skin
Anti-AgingBlackheadsWhiteheads

andradappt has left a 3 star rating. 1 of 2 1 of 2 Community Collections with "The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG" Bad Products for My Sensitive Skin 26 products delauraen

SkinCarisma member · Normal skin
PIHAcneAnti-Aging

Left a 4-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Normal skin
PIHAcneAnti-Aging

Left a 4-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
AcnePoresSensitive

Left a 4-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
AcnePoresSensitive

Left a 4-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Normal skin
RosaceaPoresSensitive

Left a 4-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Normal skin
RosaceaPoresSensitive

Left a 4-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
FungalSensitiveWhiteheads

Left a 3-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
Anti-AgingFungalSensitive

Left a 3-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
FungalSensitiveWhiteheads

Left a 3-star rating.

SkinCarisma member · Combination skin
Anti-AgingBlackheadsPores

Left a 1-star rating.

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