The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
3.9
/ 10
Moisturizing
7.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG:

  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 3.9 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Lightly moisturizing: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG has a moisturizing rating of 3.9 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a high humectancy of 7.8 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈3.0%) and Propanediol (est. ≈2.0%).Tip: Studies suggest that humectants alone do not moisturize the skin. We recommend applying a product with some occlusive ingredients after the use of this one.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Caffeine, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Caffeine provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Caffeine (est. ≈5.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
5
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
7.8
3
2
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
3.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 7.8 10
7.8
3
2
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
3.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
2
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 7.8 10
7.8
All humectants
7.8
3
2
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 5 -
Total
0
Caffeine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
5
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
5
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 9.4 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
9.4
Caffeine
5
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
1.5
Gallyl Glucoside
1.3
Hyaluronic Acid
1
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
0.3
Propyl Gallate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Rating
1.5
1.3
0.3
All soothing 3.1 5 No
All soothing
3.1
1.5
1.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Caffeine
Est. %5
Function
Origin
An antioxidant compound that is obtained from coffee and tea leaves. It increases the microcirculation of blood in the skin and is claimed to be able to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin (although the research is lacking).
Maltodextrin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
A formula helper manufactured from starch. It has a sweet flavor and is often used in rinse-off products to support their foaming structure. Maltodextrin is also used to stabilize emulsions and to absorb and bind other ingredients in the formula.
Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Propanediol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
An excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Gallyl Glucoside
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Hyaluronic Acid
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A potent, skin-identical humectant moisturizing ingredient that is able to bind water 1000 times its own weight. The anti-aging benefits of hyaluronic acid are due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of collagen in the skin.
Oxidized Glutathione
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Melanin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An antioxidant, soothing, and wound healing extract derived from soybeans. Soybeans are a famous source of phytoestrogens - plant compounds that have a similar effect to steroid hormones.
Urea
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Urea can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins. In concentrations below 5%, urea is humectant moisturizing. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, that helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A naturally-derived thickener that can form clear gel textures without the slimy feeling, unlike some other natural gel-formers.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A polymeric ingredient that works best in water-based formulas to create gel textures. It helps to stabilize emulsions and control viscosity.
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Lactic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
The most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Dehydroacetic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A globally approved preservative ingredient. It is a powerful fungicide and a moderate bactericide, which makes it a broad-spectrum preservative. Because it is mildly effective against bacteria, it is often paired with stronger bactericides.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A chelating agent that disables harmful heavy metal ions present in skincare.
Propyl Gallate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A semi-synthetic antioxidant manufactured from plant-based gallic acid. It protects the oils in the formulation from degrading and going rancid.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A solvent for active ingredients that is claimed to help them better penetrate the outer layer of skin. It also helps to reduce the thickness of a product.
Ethoxydiglycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A type of alcohol with humectant moisturizing properties. It also acts as a solvent, since it mixes well with a variety of other compounds, including water and even some oils.
Benzyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A multifunctional ingredient that is supplied as a clear, colorless liquid. Its main function is as a flavoring agent and fragrance. It also acts as a broad-spectrum preservative, solvent, and viscosity-controlling agent that thins the product.
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
The most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.