The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG for dry skin
Caffeine
Egcg Epigallocatechin Gallate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Oxidized Glutathione
GlycerinAverage
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other eye cares fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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
- Highly suitable for your dry skin due to the humectant action of Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, which help to hydrate and plump the skin.
- The presence of Caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside offers moderate reduction of puffiness and dark circles, providing antioxidant effects.
- The formulation is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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 dry skin?
This eye care works for dry skin, though other products fit it better. To properly care for dry skin, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and sodium hyaluronate to lock in moisture and support the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate make this serum a good fit for dry skin by pulling in moisture to help hydrate and plump the skin. To work best for dry skin, this type of product also needs rich moisturizing ingredients like Shea Butter and nourishing components that provide deep hydration and support the skin barrier.
What does Caffeine do for dry skin?
Caffeine helps protect skin cells against UV damage with antioxidants and increases microcirculation. It is unlikely to directly fix dry skin on its own, so dry skin types need added hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients to stay soft and smooth.
What does Egcg do for dry skin?
EGCG helps dry skin by boosting hydration and increasing natural moisturizing factors. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve overall skin softness.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2019International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This eye serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Dry skin needs a product of this type to include extra moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate along with safe, gentle formulas that avoid irritation.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to clean skin and following it with your retinol product once it absorbs. This formula provides hydration and helps reduce puffiness safely, though dry skin specifically needs richer moisturizers containing ceramides and plant oils to properly lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in your evening routine, as treatments fit best there for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to help hydrate your dry skin, though this skin type needs extra rich moisturizing ingredients to stay fully soft and smooth.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as its formula contains no heavy or harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation. Reviewers occasionally mention a drying effect, so a product of this type needs rich moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to keep dry skin soft and smooth.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
A 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, 2017Topical caffeine acts as an active cosmetic compound by preventing excessive fat accumulation through phosphodiesterase inhibition, protecting cells against UV radiation with antioxidant properties, increasing skin microcirculation, and stimulating hair growth via 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013A 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, 2025The 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, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
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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