Head to head

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum.

The bottom line

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum 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 Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

AnuaNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumSerum · ~€20See every ingredient in Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, decoded
The OrdinaryCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye SerumSerum · ~€10See every ingredient in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if

  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness

Pick Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if

  • you want the more affordable option
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    107
  • Brightening / tone
    94
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    65

Side by side

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Niacinamide 10%, Ceramide 3Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid
TextureA 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.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients51 listed25 listed
Price~€20~€10

What's in one but not the other

Only in Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum

Only in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum

The molecule doing the work

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumGlycerin
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye SerumGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
  • Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€20).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum or The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum 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 Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Which is cheaper, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum or The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum?

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€20).

Can I use Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum and The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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.

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