Formula · 7.9

Brand · 8.3

The Ordinary · caffeine 5% with EGCG · Canada

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
7.9

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.4Actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2
  • Active concentration1.0Declared concentration of caffeine; the rest — by position in the list
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “puffiness and dark circles” — 100 %; without hydration and a retinoid the thin under-eye skin stays translucent and circles show more; could be added without conflict: hyaluronic acid; a narrow formula for one purpose
  • Tolerance1.0Debatable ingredient groups: benzyl alcohol
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • sensitive skinirritation possible
  • fragrance allergyon the EU list of 26 allergens
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Under-eye puffiness is briefly reduced by caffeine, which constricts vessels. Cosmetics change dark circles little: hydration and a retinoid slightly thicken the thin skin, but the cause is usually vessels and anatomy.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
in the morning, under the eyes, patting in
When to expect an effect: puffiness — within an hour, briefly; dark circles — no effect to expect; antioxidant protection is not felt — no visible effect to expect

Ingredients — 24 components · 2 work

What works: 2 of 24 ingredients: caffeine, egcg. Under-eye puffiness is briefly reduced by caffeine, which constricts vessels. Cosmetics change dark circles little: hydration and a retinoid slightly thicken the thin skin, but the cause is usually vessels and anatomy.

Strengths: active concentration, completeness for the purpose, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2

Questions: benzyl alcohol — a preservative and solvent permitted in the EU up to 1 %. It is also on the list of 26 fragrance allergens that must be declared separately, which matters to people allergic to fragrance.

  • Caffeine + EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) — reinforce each othertwo antioxidants from green tea and coffee often go together; evidence of reinforcement is laboratory-only
  • AQUA (WATER base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • CAFFEINE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: caffeine
  • MALTODEXTRIN base: coating, fillers · carbohydrate filler
  • GLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • PROPANEDIOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATYL GLUCOSIDE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: EGCG glucoside
  • GALLYL GLUCOSIDE base: coating, fillers · skin-microbiome ferments, prebiotics and formula antioxidants
  • HYALURONIC ACID base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • OXIDIZED GLUTATHIONE base: coating, fillers · skin-microbiome ferments, prebiotics and formula antioxidants
  • MELANIN base: coating, fillers · skin-microbiome ferments, prebiotics and formula antioxidants
  • GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) SEED EXTRACT base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • PENTYLENE GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6 base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • XANTHAN GUM base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • LACTIC ACID base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • DEHYDROACETIC ACID base: coating, fillers · a preservative against yeast and mould, often paired with benzyl alcohol. Permitted in the EU up to 0.6 %.
  • TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • PROPYL GALLATE base: coating, fillers · skin-microbiome ferments, prebiotics and formula antioxidants
  • DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • BENZYL ALCOHOL questions · a preservative and solvent permitted in the EU up to 1 %. It is also on the list of 26 fragrance allergens that must be declared separately, which matters to people allergic to fragrance.
  • 1,2-HEXANEDIOL base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • PHENOXYETHANOL base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • CAPRYLYL GLYCOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a product whose active ingredient is caffeine + egcg (epigallocatechin gallate) at a declared 5 %. There is little evidence of effect: caffeine, egcg (epigallocatechin gallate). The formula has 24 ingredients, 2 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Benzyl Alcohol (a preservative and solvent permitted in the EU up to 1 %. It is also on the list of 26 fragrance allergens that must be declared separately, which matters to people allergic to fragrance.). Well-matched pairs in the formula: caffeine + egcg (epigallocatechin gallate). Under-eye puffiness is briefly reduced by caffeine, which constricts vessels. Cosmetics change dark circles little: hydration and a retinoid slightly thicken the thin skin, but the cause is usually vessels and anatomy. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy. sensitive skin, fragrance allergy — ask a doctor. Use: in the morning, under the eyes, patting in. When to expect an effect: puffiness — within an hour, briefly; dark circles — no effect to expect. Label score — 7.9 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2; debatable ingredient groups: benzyl alcohol).

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

Similar products

Same nutrient and the same purpose — closest by form and dose. Each has its own score by the same method, so you can see whether there is an option nearby that is more honest or simpler in composition.