Is The Inkey list Caffeine Eye Cream a dupe for The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG? I’ll be honest. If there’s one product that’s let me down this year, it’s The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG.
Not that’s it a bad product. It makes my puffy eyes disappear faster and helps me keep crow’s feet away. But when it comes to treating dark circles, it fails.
So when I heard The Inkey List released a (slightly more expensive!) dupe called Caffeine Eye Cream, I wondered if that can do the job? I’ve put it to the test to find out. Here are the results. Which one is better?
What Ingredients Do The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG And The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream Have In Common?
CAFFEINE TO TREAT DARK CIRCLES
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor: it tightens the blood vessels in the eye area, making your dark circles and puffiness look less obvious.
The catch? It works only if your dark circles are caused by leaky blood vessels. Mine aren’t, so hard luck. Neither serum can help me here. *sighs*
FYI, here’s a little test to know if your dark circles are caused by leaky blood vessels: make some pressure on the dark circle and see what happens.
If the darkens temporarily disappears, leaky blood vessels are the culprit. I can’t guarantee caffeine will make them go away for good, but it can certainly help you.
Even if caffeine won’t help your dark circles, there’s still another good reason to use it: it’s a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, protects skin from UV damage and prevents premature wrinkles.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG has a whooping 5% caffeine. I know it doesn’t seem like a massive amount but when it comes to skincare, IT’S A LOT. If you’ve got sensitive skin, this much caffeine can irritate it.
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains. Smart, because judging on how low it’s on the ingredient list, there’s only a drop of it here.
It’ll probably won’t work as well but hey, it’s way less irritating. It’s up to you to judge if the trade-off is worth it.
Related: Caffeine In Skincare: What It Does (And What It DOESN’T Do)
HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Have you noticed hyaluronic acid is everywhere? It’s for a good reason: this moisture magnet attracts water into the skin and binds it there. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Skin loves all that extra moisture: it plumps it up so fine lines and wrinkles look smoother, makes it softer and gives the complexion a luminous glow.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
Want more affordable dupes for expensive skincare products? Download your FREE “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet and start saving money (without compromising on results) today:
What Else Is In These Caffeine Eye Serum?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
THE INKEY LIST CAFFEINE EYE CREAM
- Water (Aqua / Eau): The main solvent in the product, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
- Glycerin: A humectant that attracts and binds water to your skin, keeping it hydrated for longer.
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate: An emollient that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Propanediol: It enhances the penetration of active ingredients while hydrating skin.
- Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate: It has two jobs. As an emollient, it makes skin softer and smoother. As an emulsifier, it helps the watery and oily parts of the formula blend together seamlessly.
- Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol that hydrates skin (yep, not all alcohol is drying!).
- Glyceryl Behenate: An emollient that makes skin softer.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in your skincare products.
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: It helps create a pleasing and smooth texture.
- Jojoba Esters: Derived from jojoba oil, it makes skin softer and smoother.
- Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract: It has antioxidant properties to fight premature wrinkles.
- Squalane: It strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and deeply moisturises without clogging pores.
- Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax: Derived from beeswax, it’s an emollient that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Phospholipids: Natural lipids that strengthen your skin’s protective barrier. They keep skin soft and smooth and help it withstand attacks from environmental aggressors.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: It hydrates skin and has mild hydrating properties.
- Xanthan Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: A non-fragrant plant oil that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Polysorbate 60: An emulsifier that helps the water-based ingredients and oil-based ingredients blend together seamlessly.
- Sodium Phytate: A chelating agent that keeps the trace metals in the ions from spoiling the formula.
- Glycolipids: It helps to improve the texture and stability of a formula.
- Sorbitan Isostearate: An emulsifier that keeps the ingredients blended together seamlessly.
- Butylene Glycol: A humectant that increases skin’s hydration level.
- Citric Acid: It adjusts the pH of skincare products.
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols: It makes skin softer and smoother.
- Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate: A preservative that prevents bacteria from contaminating the product.
- Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that inhibits bacterial growth.
- Tocopherol: An antioxidant that fights free radicals.
- Carbomer: It helps to create a pleasant texture.
- Darutoside: It makes skin softer and smoother.
- Sodium Lactate: It helps to adjust the pH of skincare products.
- Polysorbate 20: A liquid emulsifier that helps blend water and oil together.
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7: Part of Matrixyl 3000 peptide, it soothes inflammation and reduces collagen breakdown.
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1: Part of Matrixyl 3000 peptide, the manufacturer says it helps to boost collagen in the skin.
THE ORDINARY CAFFEINE SOLUTION 5% + EGCG
- Aqua (Water): The main solvent in the product, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
- Propanediol: It enhances the penetration of active ingredients while hydrating skin.
- Maltodextrin: It makes skin softer and smoother.
- Glycerin: A humectant that attracts and binds water to your skin, keeping it hydrated for longer.
- Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside: The main antioxidant in green tea, it fights free radicals and reduces inflammation.
- Gallyl Glucoside: It has antioxidant and soothing properties.
- Oxidized Glutathione: An emollient that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract: A rich source of antioxidants to prevent premature aging.
- Polypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract: According to the manufacturer, it can prevent oxidative damage, one of the main causes of premature aging. I’m giving it a yellow rating cos I’m waiting for independent proof this is true.
- Cetraria Islandica Thallus Extract: It makes skin softer and smoother.
- Sphagnum Magellanicum Extract: Another skin conditioning agent that makes skin softer and smoother.
- Urea: Part of your skin’s natural moisturising factor, it deeply hydrates skin and strengthens its protective barrier. It’s one of the most effective treatments for severely dry skin.
- Hydroxyethylcellulose: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
- Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6: It helps to create elegant textures.
- Xanthan gum: Another texture thickener.
- Lactic Acid: You probably know it as an exfoliant for sensitive skin, but there’s not enough of it here to remove dead cells. Instead, it hydrates skin.
- Citric Acid: It adjusts the pH of products.
- Dehydroacetic Acid: A preservative that prevents bacteria contamination.
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate: A chelating agent that prevents the trace metals found in water to spoil the formula.
- Propyl Gallate: A syntehtic antioxidant that helps prevent wrinkles.
- Dimethyl Isosorbide: A solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients.
- Ethoxydiglycol: Another synthetic solvent that also helps active ingredients better penetrate skin.
- Benzyl Alcohol: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in skincare products.
- 1,2-Hexanediol: A synthetic preservative that also hydrates skin.
- Phenoxyethanol: Another preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in skincare products.
- Caprylyl Glycol: It hydrates skin and has mild preservative properties.
Related: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Full Review
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG uses Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (we’ll call it EGCG, too). It’s a more stable version of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the key antioxidant in green tea.
EGCG fights wrinkles in 3 ways:
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream uses Matrixyl 3000, a peptide that’s super popular at the moment for its ability to boost collagen production, firm skin and reduce wrinkles.
The press jumped on it like it’s the best thing since sliced bread. The truth is a little different: the only studies that prove Matrixyl 3000 can do all that are from the manufacturer.
I’m not saying they’re lying. But they have a vested interested in making Matrixyl 3000 sound as awesome as possible. Take these claims with a pinch of salt.
What’s The Texture Like?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG has a lightweight and fast-absorbing texture.
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream has a creamy, lightweight lotion texture that feels a little tacky on.
What’s The Packaging Like?
How To Use Them
Morning and/or night, just before moisturiser. Apply them with your ring finger, it’s the gentlest.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Let’s get one thing out of the way: if you’re looking for an eye serum that treats dark circles NOT caused by leaky blood vessels, neither of them is a good option for you.
If you’re satisfied with an eye serum that just prevents wrinkles and gives you a little extra hydration, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG has the upper hand. It’s loaded with more effective actives – at higher concentrations, too.
Only if your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, go with The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream. It’s not as effective but a little gentler on the skin.
Related: Dark Circles: Causes + Cures
Price & Availability
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream (£10.00): Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, and The Inkey List
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (£8.40): Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta
Is The Inkey List Caffeine Serum A Dupe For The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG?
| THE ORDINARY | THE INKEY LIST | |
|---|---|---|
| ACTIVE INGREDIENTS | 5% caffeine + hyaluronic acid. | Caffeine (much smaller amount) and hyaluronic acid. |
| OTHER INGREDIENTS | EGCG, the main antioxidant in green tea. | Matrixyl 3000, a peptide the manufacturer claims boosts collagen. |
| TEXTURE | Lightweight, fast-absorbing. | Creamy, a little tacky, fast-absorbing. |
| PACKAGING | Bottle with dropper applicator. | Tube. |
| PERFORMANCE | Moisturises skin and helps prevent wrinkles. | Moisturises skin. |
| IRRITATING POTENTIAL | Medium. | Low. |
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream isn’t a dupe for The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. It just looks like one. Neither of them can treat most types of dark circles, but The Ordinary Caffeine Solution is better at preventing wrinkles.
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream Ingredients:
Water (Aqua / Eau), Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Squalane, Caffeine, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Phospholipids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phytate, Glycolipids, Sorbitan Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Darutoside, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Caffeine, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Gallyl Glucoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Oxidized Glutathione, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Polypodium Vulgare Rhizome Extract, Cetraria Islandica Thallus Extract, Sphagnum Magellanicum Extract, Urea, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan gum, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Propyl Gallate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Benzyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
