If you're looking to brighten dark circles and soften down the appearance of fine lines, The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG may be the perfect pick-me-up you've been looking for.
To break down the potential advantages and considerations attached to this product, our in-depth review below covers everything you need to know before you shop.
Key Takeaways:
- A high concentration of caffeine (five percent) and highly purified EGCG are the main ingredients of The Ordinary's Caffeine Solutio.
- Both ingredients are rich in antioxidants and can provide several benefits to users.
- Eye creams don't work overnight, as it can take several weeks to months before they start showing results.
- Other eye concerns (hollowness and permanent puffiness) may require treatment from a licensed professional.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution
Eye Serum for Dark Circles and Puffiness
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
This eye serum contains a high concentration of caffeine to reduce pigmentation and puffiness around the eyes.
This is one of the best The Ordinary products for those looking to address two of the most common eye concerns: dark circles and puffiness. Caffeine has been shown to effectively reduce the appearance of dark circles and de-puff the eye area.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Alcohol-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Some reviewers complained about the slightly greasy texture
In addition to caffeine, this eye product contains epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. EGCG is high in antioxidants and can help increase skin hydration and decrease wrinkle formation.
Much like anti-aging creams, regularly applying eye creams to the skin beneath your eyes (aka the eye contour area) can help ward off signs of aging.
Eye creams also provide additional perks to the eye area. These include preventing loss of moisture, eliminating puffiness, and correcting dark circles.
Benefits of Using an Eye Cream
Eye creams have demonstrated impressive potential in several studies.
- One study found that when study participants used a caffeine-containing eye cream alongside sunscreen and night cream, it significantly improved the appearance of crow's feet and skin smoothness in the preorbital area [1].
- Additionally,e ye cream products that combined low molecular weight heparan sulfate (LMW-HS) with a blend of naturally derived extracts greatly improved the appearance of hyperpigmentation, puffiness, and fine and coarse wrinkles [2].
In short, eye cream products do have the potential to make positive impacts on the skin.
However, keep in mind that eye creams aren't an overnight fix to all eye contour problems, as it can take several weeks of use before you start seeing results.
Product Overview
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution is an eye-care product applied directly to the eye contour area.
The solution contains a high five percent concentration of caffeine and highly-purified Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) as its main ingredients.
Caffeine has been widely used in cosmetics because of its antioxidant properties, which help protect cells against UV radiation and slow down the process of photoaging [3].
Like caffeine, EGCG also has positive effects on skin health. This is likely because ECGC is chockfull of catechin and is an abundant polyphenol found in green tea.
When used in cosmetics, ECGC offers plenty of benefits to users. These include improvements in skin hydration, moisture retention, and wrinkle formation, in addition to radical scavenging activity and reduction of melanin generation [4].
Claims
The Ordinary Ordinary Caffeine Solution claims to reduce puffiness and dark circles in the eye contour area.
At the same time, the brand makes it clear there are concerns this product cannot address.
Hollowness in the eye area (often confused with dark circles) and fat deposits that cause permanent puffiness cannot be corrected and may require professional treatment.
Key Ingredients
1. Caffeine (5%)
Aside from slowing down photoaging and protecting the skin from UV radiation, caffeine helps reduce cellulite because it prevents excessive accumulation of fat in cells [3].
Similarly, because caffeine increases the microcirculation of blood in the skin, it also stimulates hair growth [3].
Because it is rich in antioxidants, topical caffeine can also lower your risk of developing certain diseases. These include incident rosacea and both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers [5].
2. Highly-Purified EGCG
As previously stated, EGCG provides anti-aging, hydrating, and protective properties when applied topically to the skin.
Moreover, topical EGCG also boasts the ability to treat common skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), alopecia, and UV‐induced skin damage [6].
How to Use
- After cleansing and drying the face, massage a small amount of product onto the eye contour in the morning and evening.
- If The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution causes continuous irritation, discontinue using this product, and consult with a physician or dermatologist.
When to Use
You'll only want to use this solution as directed by the product instructions.
With that being said, it's best to use a small amount of product during the morning and evening hours, and never use any more than is advised.
Other Tips
1. Be consistent
While it's normal to expect to see instant results, you'll want to give this product enough time to work.
Some products can take weeks to months to yield results, so you'll want to be patient and consistent in your usage.
2. Store in the fridge for a cooling effect
If puffy eyes are your nemesis, storing this product in the fridge overnight can provide a soothing, cooling effect to the eye contour area in the morning.
3. Pair with moisturizing products
If The Ordinary Caffeine Solution is drying to your skin, feel encouraged to layer a hydrating cream on top.
What to Expect
Much other skincare products, you'll want to give this product time to work. This means you may not see results until after weeks or months of use.
Simiarly, results vary from person to person, and while some may notice improvements in the eye contour area, others may not. With this in mind, try to remember that your experience using this product will not be the same as others.
Also, be advised that there are skin concerns this product will not fix.
Hollowness in the eye area (often confused with dark circles) and fat deposits that cause permanent puffiness, for example, cannot be corrected and usually require professional treatment.
What Experts Think About The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
1. Board-certified internist Dr. Sunitha Posina, MD
"Because caffeine causes vasoconstriction, it tightens the skin, and reduces puffiness," Dr. Posina says. "Due to its antioxidant effect – EGCG helps decrease inflammation and thus helps fight free radicals. As a result, it helps reduce UV damage and helps fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation. "
2. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stacy Chimento, MD
"When using products containing EGCG, it is important to be sure that the product you are using is packaged well and formulated correctly," Dr. Chimento explains. "Otherwise, EGCG is susceptible to breaking down."
3. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zain Husain, FAAD, MD
"EGCG is an excellent antioxidant and pairs well with other skincare ingredients," says Dr. Husain. "Caffeine is also known for its antioxidant content. Antioxidants can protect your skin from free radicals, which can damage the skin and cause premature signs of aging, like wrinkles, or age spots."
How Do I Use The Ordinary Caffeine Solution?
After cleansing and drying the face, massage a small amount of product onto the eye contour in the morning and evening.
Can The Ordinary Caffeine Solution Correct Hollowness And Extreme Puffiness?
No. These usually requite evaluation and treatment from a professional.
How Do I Store The Ordinary Caffeine Solution?
Because EGCG is sensitive to light, the product is supplied in UV-protective packaging. However, to prevent the ingredients inside the product from breaking down, you'll want to store it in a cool, dark place that is not exposed to sunlight.
The Bottom Line
Because The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution is rich in antioxidants, this product may be useful in giving the eye contour area a much-needed boost.
However, remember that eye creams don't work overnight, as it can take several weeks to months before they start showing results. Just be consistent (and patient!) in your product usage habits, and do not use more than is advised.
