Head to head
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid | Vitamin B3 10%, Zinc PCA, Pentylene Glycol |
| Texture | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 25 listed | 11 listed |
| Price | ~€10 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
Both share
Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Dryness & dehydrationCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€10).
Ready to pick one?
Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.
Common questions
Is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€10).
Can I use The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% together?
They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.