This $7 Caffeine-Powered Serum Is Like Coffee for My Dark Circles

We purchased The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

At first glance, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG eye serum is everything I love about The Ordinary. For one, it’s super affordable, but most importantly, it incorporates research-backed ingredients to target skin concerns.

However, dark circles and puffiness aren’t usually so easily remedied. As a lifelong recipient of the phrase you look tired—even after the best nights of sleep due to my chronic dark circles—I’ve mostly accepted that concealer is the only solution (well, that or fillers).  

Still, I’m always excited to try something new, so with that in mind, I used The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG eye serum for a couple of weeks to see if it made any major changes to my circles.

About My Skin: Genetic dark circles

Other than dark circles that just won’t quit, the skin around my eyes looks healthy. I don’t have fine lines to deal with (yet) or any major puffiness. The skin is thin, which means I can see veins around my skin, and I’m sure that contributes to my dark circles, too. I do have some dryness under my eyes, but nothing too bothersome. My skin is pretty normal—neither too oily nor too dry—and even though I experience breakouts, my skin isn’t too sensitive or over-reactive to products.

Confession: I don’t typically use eye care products—I typically carry my face products over to the area. But during my testing period, I used The Ordinary's Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG morning and evening all over my eye area, from my dark circles up to the brow bone.

Ingredients: Caffeine and EGCG

This product improves the look of puffiness and dark circles with two key ingredients: caffeine and EGCG. It uses a 5% caffeine solution, which the brand calls “extremely high,” to reduce eye puffiness. Caffeine helps with under-eye bags because it increases skin circulation and might even dissolve fat under the skin (one reason it’s often included in products formulated to reduce cellulite). However, it’s worth noting that these anti-puffiness effects aren’t long-term solutions. 

EGCG, AKA epigallocatechin gallate glucoside, is the other star ingredient, here. It’s made from green tea leaves and has soothing and anti-aging properties. It also protects the skin from environmental stressors.

Lastly, this serum is free of alcohol, oil, silicones, nuts, and gluten, and is vegan and cruelty-free.

The Feel: Super light serum

Everything about this serum is light. The clear liquid has a barely-there tint, and just slightly more viscosity than water. This means it spreads easily over the eye area and disappears almost as quickly (although I can sometimes feel it on my skin if I apply too much). I find that it dries enough to apply other products on top of it almost immediately, so it won’t hold up your routine. In fact, our testers even chose this as the best budget for best eye creams for men to use in their daily skincare routine.

The Results: Depends on your situation

To see results with this eye serum, the cause of your dark circles and puffiness matters. If your dark circles are caused by pigmentation, this might work for you. If your eyes are puffy due to a bad night of sleep or a major cry session, it might bring them down. But, if like me, your dark circles are a combo of thin skin and shadows, you might not see a big difference.

The Ordinary even highlights a few cases in which you might not find success with this product. The first is if dark circles are caused by a hollowness in the eye contour due to fat or bone loss. While this looks like dark circles, it’s actually a shadow and therefore this product—or any topical remedy—won’t help. The second situation where this product (and again, any topical product) won’t work is if eye puffiness is due to fat deposits under the eye.

If you have under-eye dryness, you’ll need something else for that, too. While this serum didn’t make my eyes any drier, it didn’t improve them, either.  

Ulimately, to find success with this product, make sure that your issue is one that it—or any topical product, for that matter—can fix. If it is, this serum is packed with ingredients that can help.

The Value: Insanely affordable

It’s not only cheaper than most other products, but the 30 ml will last you a long time—I only need about one drop for both my eyes.

Similar Products: Lots to choose from

The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream: Another extremely affordable eye product is this one from The Inkey List. This one uses caffeine too, plus Matrixyl 3000, a peptide that targets fine lines and wrinkles. This formulation is more hydrating than The Ordinary’s, and might be a good choice for drier skin.

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Hydrating Eye Serum: If dark circles are more of an issue, something like this non-greasy serum with pure caffeine might be a good choice. It uses 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid serum and 1% pure caffeine to re-energize and brighten the under-eye area without leaving greasy residue behind. It’s more expensive than The Ordinary at $36, but thanks to the triple roller applicator, you only need a little bit each time.