Versus

Algenist Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm Versus The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Eye Moisturizer
Serum
American Brand United States
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on May 14, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm

Water

Skin Conditioning

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isopropyl Isostearate

Emollient
4-5 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Stearate Se

Emulsifying
3 / 2 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides

Skin Protecting

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Dunaliella Salina Extract

Skin Conditioning

Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Skin Conditioning

Dipeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Coffea Arabica Seed Oil

Masking
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tribehenin

Emollient
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ceramide Ng

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

PEG-10 Phytosterol

Emulsifying

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract

Humectant

Pisum Sativum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glucosamine Hcl

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Pantolactone

Humectant

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Cleansing

Pfaffia Paniculata Root Extract

Soothing

Ptychopetalum Olacoides Bark/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lilium Candidum Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder

Skin Conditioning

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning

Ceteareth-20

Cleansing
2 / 3 May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Disodium EDTA

Aminomethyl Propanol

Buffering

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconSilicon Icon

Steareth-20

Cleansing
2 / 1

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Benzyl Alcohol

Perfuming
Alcohol IconFragrance IconPreservative IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.

Learn more about Caffeine
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose β€” a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol

When to use

21 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
100% use every day
1,015 Routines
56% use in am
44% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Algenist Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm 62 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Hydrating (1)
kyliekasparhowenstein's avatar
Review

In the first few years of my thirties, the skin under my eyes and under my eyebrow near the inner corners of my eyes started to dry out and become scaly. I also developed a few new allergies which impacted my eyes via contact dermatitisβ€”I cut out the allergens, but found that random things seemed to trigger a reaction around my eyes. Everything would worsen in winter and dry weather.

This was Show more

#expensive
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG 25 ingredients

2.4 /5
from 12 ratings
Hydrating (4) Doesn't Work (4) No Scent (4)
fawns's avatar

🐾

10 months ago
Review

β™‘οΈŽ
- π—π—ˆπ—‡'𝗍 π—‹π–Ύπ—‰π—Žπ—‹π–Όπ—π–Ίπ—Œπ–Ύ, π—€π—ˆπ— π—π—π—ˆ 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝗉𝖺𝖼𝗄 π—Œπ—ˆ π—ƒπ—Žπ—Œπ— π–Ώπ—‚π—‡π—‚π—Œπ—π—‚π—‡π—€ 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 π—Žπ—‰
- π—π—π—‚π—Œ π–½π—ˆπ–Ύπ—Œ π—‡π—ˆπ— π—π—ˆπ—‹π—„ 𝖺𝗍 𝖺𝗅𝗅 π–»π—Žπ— 𝗂'𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗅𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀 π—π—ˆ π—†π—’π—Œπ–Ύπ—…π–Ώ 𝖺𝗇𝖽 π—Œπ–Ίπ—’π—‚π—‡π—€ 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗍 π–½π—ˆπ–Ύπ—Œ
- 𝗂 π–½π—ˆ 𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗅𝗒 𝗂𝗍 π—ˆπ–Ώπ—π–Ύπ—‡ π—ƒπ—Žπ—Œπ— π—Œπ—ˆ 𝗂 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝖿𝖺𝗇𝖼𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝖺𝗇 π–Ώπ—‚π—‡π—‚π—Œπ— π—ˆπ—Žπ— 𝗆𝗒 π–»π—ˆπ—π—π—…π–Ύπ—Œ
- π—π—ˆπ—Žπ—…π–½π—‡'𝗍 π—‹π–Ύπ–Όπ—ˆπ—†π—†π–Ύπ—‡π–½

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
ThomasvV's avatar

Thomas VV

23 days ago
Review

A mistake a lot of people make is that they think this eye serum is made for the long term. It's not, it's a great depuff serum in the morning. So if you're prone to puffiness, then this is a great first step in your routine to depuff your eyebags before applying a more rich eye cream.

I hate the fact that the bottle gets a bit dirty because of the crystalization of the caffeine, but that's Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well