You’re probably already aware of the energy-boosting, focus-enhancing benefits of ingesting caffeine, but did you know caffeine also provides many benefits to the skin?
Caffeine is particularly helpful for waking up tired eyes — aka reducing puffiness and dark circles. That’s why The Ordinary combines caffeine with the potent antioxidant EGCG in the brand’s one and only eye care product: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG.
But is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution right for you? To help you decide, we’ll give you all the details on the key ingredients in this formula, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care.
We’ll also share The Ordinary Caffeine Solution reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
Is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Right For You?
Before we get into the details, here’s the TL;DR if you just want to know whether or not The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is right for you.
- Key ingredients? Caffeine, EGCG, Hyaluronic Acid
- Skin type? All skin types; ideal for reducing eye contour pigmentation and of puffiness
- Texture? Lightweight liquid
- Fragrance? No
- Cruelty free? Yes
- Cost? $6.70 USD for 30 mL
What Are The Key Ingredients in The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG?
In order to determine how well The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG performs, we’ll have to evaluate the key ingredients in this formula. Let’s get started.
Caffeine
Like we mentioned above, caffeine is well known for reducing under eye puffiness and dark circles. But how does it work?
Well, you already know that caffeine functions as a stimulant when you ingest it, and that’s exactly how it works when you apply it to your skin.
As a stimulant, caffeine causes vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels) and stimulates blood flow when applied to the skin. This helps to tighten and firm the skin due to the removal of excess fluids and possible stimulation of the lymphatic drainage system.
It also aids in reducing the amount of blood that accumulates under the eyes (a major factor that contributes to dark circles).
Furthermore, caffeine functions as an antioxidant, which means that it helps to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can attack important cellular components, such as DNA, cell membranes, proteins, etc., causing damage. This damage is known as “oxidative stress” and over time this stress can lead to signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Therefore, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG may be able to help prevent these signs of aging.
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
In addition to caffeine, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG includes epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) derived from green tea leaves.
EGCG is a type of polyphenol that is widely regarded as one of the most powerful antioxidants available. EGCG targets free radicals, particularly those caused by UV-induced oxidative damage.
According to a publication in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, “Catechin molecules such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are capable of attenuating the biomolecular damage induced by UV radiation, possibly through molecular mechanisms involving the cell membranes.”
Lastly, EGCG in green tea is also anti-inflammatory, which means it can help to reduce skin redness and irritation. This is particularly helpful after a night of little sleep when you need to reduce red, puffy skin around your eyes.
Hyaluronic Acid
The final key ingredient in The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is hyaluronic acid, which is one of the best ingredients for hydrating skin.
As a glycosaminoglycan (a large sugar molecule), hyaluronic acid is able to attract moisture from the environment and draw that moisture into the skin’s upper layers.
In fact, hyaluronic acid has the ability to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This not only hydrates skin, but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles because the extra moisture is extra volume which plumps out the skin for a more youthful look.
How to Use The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG?
Massage a small amount of The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG onto the eye contour in the morning and in the evening. If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised.
Where to Buy The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG and other skin care products by The Ordinary are sold on the brand’s website (deciem.com), as well as third party sellers like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora. The brand has a store locator and list of authorized retailers on their website.
How Much is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution costs $6.70 USD for 30 mL.
What is The Ordinary Return Policy?
All Deciem brands, including The Ordinary, offer a 365-day full refund policy.
Is The Ordinary Cruelty Free?
Yes, The Ordinary is cruelty free. DECIEM and The Ordinary do not test on animals and do not ask others to do so. For this reason, none of their brands or products are sold in stores or conventional retailers in mainland China, since such sales require animal testing for registration purposes.
Is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution Vegan?
Yes, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution and all of The Ordinary skin care products are vegan.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution Reviews
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG reviews on the brand’s website are a mix of positive and negative, with the product receiving an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars after more than 300 customer reviews.
Positive reviews for The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG mention that it really does help to reduce eye puffiness while improving the overall look of the eye area.
For example, one review says, “After about 3 months of two times daily use of this product (morning and evening) I am extremely satisfied, especially considering the price. It has reduced chronic undereye puffiness and has generally made my under eye area firmer, tighter, and healthier looking. It has seemed to undo several years of under eye aging that was starting to affect my self-esteem. Thank you The Ordinary!”
And another raving review says, “I just used this product for 2 weeks now and people around me already see the results. My parents and sister made a comment telling me my eyes do not look so dark like before. I’m so happy when I hear that.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG from customers who were disappointed that the product didn’t produce noticeable results.
For example, one review says, “This was the first Ordinary product I tried, and sadly it was a major disappointment. I used it faithfully for a few months but never saw any difference in the appearance of my eye area.”
And a similar review says, “I’ve been using this product for 3 months (am and pm) and noticed no change in my dark circles. I’ve been struggling with dark circles since I was a teenager. Maybe I need something stronger.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is formulated well and could be worth trying out, especially since it’s so affordable.
Pros
- Affordable
- Ingredients have research to support their benefits
- Many positive The Ordinary Caffeine Solution reviews
- Fragrance free
- The Ordinary is cruelty free
- 365-day full refund policy
Cons
- Some reviews mention that it didn’t produce any results
What Are Some Alternatives to The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG?
While we think that The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is formulated well, you may be hesitant to try this product due to the negative reviews from customers who didn’t notice any benefits after using this product for months. If so, we have an alternative for you to consider: Formulyst’s Anti-Dark Circle Eye Cream.
The Anti-Dark Circle Eye Cream is a lightweight, fast-acting formula that contains a rich blend of vitamins, amino acids, and minerals to help visibly brighten and smooth the delicate skin in the eye area.
Similar to The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, this Formulyst eye cream contains caffeine to help reduce puffiness and dark circles. But the Anti-Dark Circle Eye Cream also contains quinoa seed extract, butcher’s broom extract, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Together, these ingredients help to brighten and smooth the under eye area.
Another brand that balances the power of plants with cutting edge science is Carrot & Stick. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals commonly found in skincare products.
References:
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019 Jan 1;173:312-319.
