🇮🇪Ireland

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG for mature skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Average

  • AverageNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for mature skin; other eye cares fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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 reduction of puffiness and dark circles for you due to caffeine and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, but these ingredients do not directly address your main goal of reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
  • Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration suitable for your normal skin, though the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients for optimal nourishment.
  • The product is safe for your normal skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

People Say

★4.1Overall rating based on 6.3k+ reviews

Based 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 5% + EGCG work for mature skin?

This eye care works for mature skin by helping with puffiness and dark circles, though it does not directly target wrinkles and fine lines. While it provides basic hydration, a product of this type needs smoothing and firming ingredients like peptides and retinol, along with nourishing ingredients to properly care for mature skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for mature skin?

Caffeine and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside help reduce puffiness and dark circles, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide moisture. However, mature skin needs an eye care product of this type to also include peptides, retinol, and nourishing softners that smooth and firm lines and wrinkles.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What does Caffeine do for mature skin?

Caffeine helps protect mature skin against sun damage and early aging by acting as an antioxidant that fights off daily environmental stress. It may also boost blood flow and improve overall skin firmness over time.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013Experimental Dermatology, 2024

What does Egcg do for mature skin?

EGCG helps protect mature skin by fighting cellular damage and supporting a smoother, firmer look against UV and heat stress. It is unlikely to irritate and works well to keep skin looking healthy and youthful.

Drug Delivery, 2017Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 2017

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for mature skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine as a treatment step before your moisturizer, though it may also be used in the morning. Because it lacks sufficient rich, softening ingredients for mature skin, this skin type needs extra nourishment and anti-wrinkle ingredients.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this eye serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following with your retinol treatment. This approach helps hydrate the skin safely, though mature skin also needs richer, softening ingredients and targeted wrinkle care for best results.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this eye serum daily, in the morning and evening, because it has a safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation. However, mature skin needs products with nourishing ingredients and wrinkle-smoothing actives to properly address fine lines.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?

This eye serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for mature skin since it has a safe formula with no harsh ingredients. However, it lacks rich, nourishing oils and butters that mature skin needs to stay fully 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

  • Topical 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, 2013

  • 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, 2017

  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

  • 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2019

  • Caffeine 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, 2021

  • Topical 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, 2017

  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009

  • An 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, 2019

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 2019

  • Glutathione 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, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2014

  • Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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

  • Niacinamide/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

Why other eye cares fit mature skin better

  • Topical application of retinol and retinoic acid both increased epidermal thickness and upregulated collagen genes and proteins in human skin, with retinol producing similar histological and molecular changes to retinoic acid alongside a significant reduction in facial wrinkles after 12 weeks.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 10 Oct – 5 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Ireland.

How does it fit your skin?

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