The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Versus No B.S. Caffeine eye cream

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Versus No B.S. Caffeine eye cream

This calming eye moisturizer is formulated around Caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside to calm redness and soften the look of wrinkles.

This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Caffeine and Squalane to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cetearyl Alcohol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Isopropyl Myristate

Polysorbate 60

Dimethicone

Squalane

Sodium Hyaluronate

Carnitine

Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract

Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract

Butylene Glycol

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Water, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Squalane, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnitine, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.

As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.

Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.

You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.

Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.

Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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