The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG for oily skin
Caffeine
Egcg Epigallocatechin Gallate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Oxidized Glutathione
GlycerinAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other eye cares fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin as caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside provide antioxidant effects and reduce the appearance of puffiness, though it lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside.
- It offers moderate benefits for oily shine and puffiness, but could be enhanced with ingredients that more directly address oil regulation.
People Say
★4.1Overall rating based on 6.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly regarded for its affordability and effectiveness in reducing morning puffiness and making eyes appear more awake. While it offers some brightening for tired eyes and has a pleasant lightweight texture, its impact on dark circles is inconsistent, with many users finding it ineffective for pigmentation or hollows. Additionally, a moderate number of users report a drying effect, particularly those with dry skin, who may need to layer with a moisturizer.
Highlights
Reduces puffiness Mostly Mentioned
- “deflates morning bags”
- “helps swollen eyes”
- “noticeable depuffing”
- “great for fluid retention”
Unbeatable value Mostly Mentioned
- “extremely affordable”
- “bottle lasts forever”
- “great price point”
- “cheap but effective”
Ineffective dark circles Often Mentioned
- “no change in pigment”
- “didn't fix genetic circles”
- “useless for hollows”
- “darkness remained”
Brightens tired eyes Sometimes Noted
- “looks more awake”
- “helps tired look”
- “subtle brightening”
- “refreshed appearance”
Lightweight texture Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “cooling sensation”
- “nice gel consistency”
- “not greasy”
Drying effect Sometimes Noted
- “dried out skin”
- “emphasized fine lines”
- “made wrinkles worse”
- “crusty residue”
Texture issues Sometimes Noted
- “sticky finish”
- “pills under makeup”
- “tacky residue”
- “concealer separates on top”
Irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning”
- “redness and stinging”
- “rash around eyes”
- “sensitive skin reaction”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.co.nz, sephora.co.uk, ulta.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Caffeine Solution work for oily skin?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution works moderately well for oily skin by reducing puffiness and providing antioxidants, though it lacks sufficient oil-controlling ingredients. While it has a safe formula with no irritation risks, an eye care product for oily skin also needs targeted ingredients to effectively manage excess oil and shine.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside make this serum a good fit for oily skin by providing antioxidant effects and helping to reduce the appearance of puffiness. While the formula is safe and soothing, an eye care product for oily skin also needs targeted ingredients that manage oiliness and excess sebum production.
What does Caffeine do for oily skin?
Topical caffeine helps keep oily skin looking fresh by preventing excessive fat accumulation and boosting microcirculation. It is generally well tolerated and provides antioxidant protection against sun damage.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013
What does Egcg do for oily skin?
EGCG helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping hydration balanced. Studies show that using it topically can significantly lower sebum levels and improve acne-prone skin over a few weeks.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This eye serum goes in the evening routine, placed after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing, though some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day. This product is a moderate fit for oily skin because it helps with puffiness and provides antioxidants, but oily skin of this type needs additional oil-controlling ingredients for optimal shine control.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
This caffeine serum is safe to use alongside retinol, applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product. It is unlikely to irritate oily skin, though this type of skin needs oil-controlling ingredients for best results.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment serum in the evening as part of your routine for simplicity and extra safety. Some formulas like this one may also be used in the morning or twice a day if your skin tolerates them well. To better manage oily shine, this type of product also needs ingredients that directly regulate oil.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as its formula avoids heavy ingredients that typically trigger blemishes. However, to truly balance oily skin and control shine, a product of this type needs additional oil-regulating ingredients.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
Why other eye cares fit oily skin better
Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Sodium ascorbyl phosphate provides effective antimicrobial action, prevents sebum oxidation, and demonstrates superior clinical efficacy compared to a standard acne treatment in patients with acne vulgaris.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
Ingredients
Water, Caffeine, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Propanediol, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oxidized Glutathione, Melanin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract Soybean Seed Extract, Urea, 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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