No. 184
in skincare
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We earn a commission on Amazon purchases — rankings are based on Reddit consensus, not commission rates.
How it works.
23% would recommend
Why we ranked it No. 184 in skincare
Sample
44 redditors with explicit opinion · 7 positive · 13 negative · 10 neutral
Score0.262 — formula: 0.75 × % positive + 0.25 × pos/neg ratio
Confidence95% CI: 12–41% · the true approval rate falls in this range with 95% statistical confidence
Verdict
Polarizing — Threshold-based label from our methodology.
Sources
r/TheOrdinarySkincare, r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction, r/SkincareAddicts, r/SkincareAddictionUK + 1 more
The Ordinary · skincare
Polarizing
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
r/TheOrdinarySkincarer/30PlusSkinCarer/SkincareAddictionr/SkincareAddictsr/SkincareAddictionUKr/acne
TL;DR — Reddit consensus
Ultra-affordable eye serum that temporarily depuffs and brightens tired eyes. Results fade quickly, and some users report irritation or product contamination issues.
Amazon vs Reddit
Amazon loves it. Reddit isn't sold.
On Amazon: ★4.4 from 17,429 reviews — that's roughly 85% positive.
On Reddit: 23% of 44 redditors recommend it.
The gap of 61 points is unusual and worth reading the cons before you buy.
What redditors love
+
Makes eyes look visibly more awake and less puffy
“It really helps my eyes look more awake, lifted, less puffy”
u/AlieninABQ · r/TheOrdinarySkincare →
+
Works quickly for temporary depuffing effect
“I accidentally put caffeine solution on my whole face this morning. Maybe my face won't be puffy today.”
u/Professional-Ad-5744 · r/TheOrdinarySkincare →
+
Repurchase-worthy for consistent users
“This is what I use and buy most often: Caffeine solution”
u/VampiriaBoo · r/TheOrdinarySkincare →
What they don’t
−
Can cause red bumps or raccoon-eye discoloration
“gave me red-tinted raccoon eyes instantly after use… it's been 10 hours and it's still like this???!!”
u/mooeymonet · r/SkincareAddiction →
−
Results only last temporarily, not long-term solution
“caffeine solution only work temporarily. i want a permanent solution.”
u/lazyintrovert001 · r/TheOrdinarySkincare →
−
Product develops white mold or crusty residue in tube
“I saw this white mold looking substance at the top of the tube.”
u/Canigetanowaowa0__O · r/TheOrdinarySkincare →
−
Can cause dryness or skin irritation under eyes
“experienced skin irritation that looks like red bumps in a line on the under eye area when using the caffeine solution”
u/PinkFox13 · r/TheOrdinarySkincare →
−
Doesn't improve dark circle pigmentation over time
“I've used the ordinary caffeine solution and thought it was ok but again no difference in colour after a few weeks of use.”
u/GreenDaff0dils · r/SkincareAddictionUK →
COMPARE WITH
Cheaper alternative
Mizon
Snail Repair Eye Cream
→
Direct quotes
What 36 redditors actually said.
Top 6 by confidence shown — expand below for the rest. Click any to open the original on Reddit.
T
u/theprocrasinartist
·
r/SkincareAddicts
- daily The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser - when I wear makeup The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner - daily The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid - daily The Ordinary Caffeine Solution - daily under eyes Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel - daily La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF - daily Nizorial 2% Sha
C
u/CabbieCam
·
r/SkincareAddiction
For the price and the effectiveness, I would HIGHLY recommend The Ordinary's Peeling Solution. It contains strong AHA acids and BHA. Start out with only applying for as long as you can tolerate, so a couple of minutes or less and then slowly work up to the maximum time of 10 minu
M
u/mooeymonet
·
r/SkincareAddiction
gave me red-tinted raccoon eyes instantly after use… it's been 10 hours and it's still like this???!!
C
u/Canigetanowaowa0__O
·
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
Brought the caffeine solution a month ago and I now just opened it. I saw this white mold looking substance at the top of the tube.
S
u/szechuan_sauce42
·
r/30PlusSkinCare
It's been incredible, and I would love to know if any other brands out there compare
A
u/AlieninABQ
·
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
Best I've ever used and will die on this hill. It really helps my eyes look more awake, lifted, less puffy
Show all 36 mentions ↓
"caffeine solution only work temporarily. i want a permanent solution."
View thread →
"Iv been using that for a couple weeks now and have noticed some slight dryness"
View thread →
"I've been using it daily for a while now but I'm not really sure what it's doing for me."
View thread →
"I've used the ordinary caffeine solution and thought it was ok but again no difference in colour after a few weeks of use."
View thread →
"I accidentally put caffeine solution on my whole face this morning. Maybe my face won't be puffy today."
View thread →
"Been loving using these plus toner and alternating the arbutin with Glow recipe"
View thread →
"I'm slowly stockpiking ordinary products as I told my mother once I liked it and she keeps giving them as gifts."
View thread →
"I have bought this for my dark circles. Pretty new to the ordinary. It has been 3 weeks since the purchase and I keep it in a cupboard"
View thread →
"Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (eyes)"
View thread →
"Followed by caffeine solution around the eyes (although I think you could do away with this to begin with then add it later if needed."
View thread →
"This is what I use and buy most often: Caffeine solution"
View thread →
"The ordinary caffeine serum on eyebags"
View thread →
"Then a caffeine Ordinary serum. Now, I'm double cleansing with an Ordinary water based cleanser"
View thread →
"caffeine solution around eyes and mouth, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid on entire face"
View thread →
"I mainly use their caffeine solution, rose hip serum, niacinamide, and retinol."
View thread →
"The ordinary caffeine serum morning & night"
View thread →
"know how I never considered this before. Was having a bit of a spa day and suddenly had the idea of using The Ordinary's Peeling Solution on my dry crusty feet and omg did it WORK!! I looked it up to make sure it was …"
View thread →
"cicaplast balm b5+, spf PM: cleanse with Cerave foaming oil cleanser, 3-4 sprays hypochlorous acid solution, 3-4 drops the ordinary soothing and barrier support serum, la roche-posay cicaplast balm b5+"
View thread →
"- daily The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser - when I wear makeup The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner - daily The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid - daily The Ordinary Caffeine Solution - daily under eyes Neutrogena Hydroboost Water G…"
View thread →
"no, I'm still not selling foot pics. A few of ya'll asked me to update you in 3 days to see the results of The Ordinary's Peeling Solution 3 days after use on my crusty lil grippers. To say I'm impressed is an underst…"
View thread →
"make please. my current routine is washing my face with the youth to the people superfoods cleanser, then the ordinary caffeine eye serum, the from mad hippie i use the vitamin c serum, the antioxidant serum and the f…"
View thread →
"retinol 0.5% in squalane (would use this a few times a week, not in conjunction w the below peel) * PM - the ordinary aha bha peeling solution (i used this weekly at most) * PM - vichy mineral 89 moisture recovery nig…"
View thread →
"ideas? Current routine: Botox every 4-5 months Night: \- Byoma milk toner \- Byoma hydration serum \- The Ordinary caffeine under the eyes \- Retinol every second day \- Dr Jart ceramidin cream Day: \- Byoma milk tone…"
View thread →
"been pretty consistent for the last six months: daily SPF 50 (La Roche-Posay Anthelios), Glycolic acid (The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Toning Solution), Vitamin C (SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic), Retinol (Paula’s Choice 1% Retin…"
View thread →
"I recently ran out of the ordinary's glycolic acid 7% toning solution. It was the first bottle I'd ever bought (only started getting into skincare semi recently) and I've been using it on my face, neck, chest armpits …"
View thread →
"so sick of buying concealer, my under eyes looked even worse with it on and made me look older. I do like the Ordinary Caffeine solution , I’m really about Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream and under eye cream. Sooooo g…"
View thread →
"hmm, when my acne cleared up I also had heavy scares & hyperpigmentation. i don’t want to be cliche but the ordinary aha bha peeling solution really helped a lot! i didn’t see any difference with paula’s choice, but y…"
View thread →
"For the price and the effectiveness, I would HIGHLY recommend The Ordinary's Peeling Solution. It contains strong AHA acids and BHA. Start out with only applying for as long as you can tolerate, so a couple of minutes…"
View thread →
Threads tracked
The conversations we're watching.
●
r/SkincareAddiction
Product Question The Ordinarys Caffeine Solution
●
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
Is This Mold
●
r/30PlusSkinCare
Swapping Out Epstein Products
●
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
What Products Are Actually Worth It
●
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
Help Please
●
r/30PlusSkinCare
1 Month Update Of Dry Undereyes
●
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
Is Something Wrong With My Caffeine Solution 5Egcg
●
r/TheOrdinarySkincare
Caffeine Eye Serum Side Effects
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