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The Ordinary · Skin · Eye creams

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum

A water-based caffeine serum the maker aims at puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. Cheap, and owners split between those who see a change and those who see nothing.

30 mlSerumCaffeineEGCGFragrance-free
$9.20 MSRPAmazon price not shown
Check price on Amazon →

Amazon link · we earn a commission if you buy · $9.20 MSRP · Amazon price not shown · verified Nov 1, 2026. More stores appear here as each affiliate program approves the site.

Buy it if

  • You wake up puffy and want a cheap thing to try
  • You want a thin serum under concealer or cream
  • You want no added fragrance

Walk past if

  • You want moisture; some owners say it feels dry and tight
  • You expect dark circles to go; owners often see no change
  • Your eyes react easily; owners report burning and redness

What's in it

The ingredients that do the work, from the maker’s label.

CaffeineEGCG

Sulfate-free →Fragrance-free →

Not in it: fragrance, essential oils, drying alcohol, sulfates. Nothing on our flag list.

Full ingredient list, from the maker

Aqua/Water/Eau, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Propyl Gallate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol

Known issue

Owners often see no change in bags or circles after weeks, and some report burning, red eyes, a tacky feel or white residue.Ulta and Sephora reviews

What owners say

Filled by the research pass: two or three owner reports from named venues, each linked, each with the date it was read.

If it's not right

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream$19.99 MSRPA fragrance-free eye cream with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, ophthalmologist-tested according to the maker. Most owners find it pleasant; a steady minority report burning.CeraVe Moisturizing CreamNo maker list price for this sizeThree ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum in a thick cream for face and body. The plain standard for dry skin, developed with dermatologists according to the maker.

Sources

  1. Maker's US page: ingredient list, 30 ml list price, targets, skin types and directions.
  2. Ulta reviews, about 1,900: stickiness and no results are the tagged complaints, with burning and a white cast in the low ratings.
  3. Sephora reviews, about 3,200: no difference after weeks, dry and tight eyes, a tacky feel and irritation for some.

Ingredient lists from the maker's label, not our measurements.