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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel versus The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on September 24, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Eye Moisturizer British Brand United Kingdom
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Eye Moisturizer

Eye moisturizers help add moisture back into the skin around the eyes; these can be creams, gels, or serums.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel

Shop

Buy Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Starts at $9.20

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 25.

4
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 26.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

46% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel 13 ingredients

Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG 26 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 13 ratings
Doesn't Work (3) Drying (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1) Oily (1)
wthtay's avatar

wthtay

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Didn't notice any difference
My bottle lasted for probably 3~4 months I think? And I really didn't notice any difference... It's not hydrating...

Didn't notice any difference
My bottle lasted for probably 3~4 months I think? And I really didn't notice any difference... It's not hydrating enough and it didn't help with puffiness at all.

JuliaTrancoso_671's avatar

JuliaTrancoso_671

2 years ago · Combination Skin
Review

Unfortunately it didn't work for me.
I was very happy with the glow that this product gives the eye area, however, after a few weeks of use it...

Unfortunately it didn't work for me.
I was very happy with the glow that this product gives the eye area, however, after a few weeks of use it dried out my skin a lot.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 43 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Boots Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG.

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