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I tested The Ordinary's £8 caffeine serum – it made my skin look instantly brighter
This serum has been designed to combat the signs of tiredness. As a beauty journalist and busy mum, I was keen to see if it could offer energising benefits.
Despite spending years testing products from a variety of brands, I always come back to The Ordinary. With its fuss-free skincare and affordable prices, some of my favourite skincare hails from the brand, including the moisturiser and multi-peptide eye serum. So after hearing about The Ordinary's caffeine 3% + escin 1% face serum launch, I was keen to give it a go. Designed to combat signs of tiredness on skin, such as dullness, wrinkles, and tone and texture changes, the serum is billed as an energising formula. It includes lab-created caffeine and escin – a popular ingredient in Asian skincare that is essentially a group of molecules found in horse-chestnut seeds. The Ordinary claims its new serum can visibly reduce redness in four hours and improve radiance and hydration after just one use.
I spent a week testing the formula to find out whether it can deliver the refreshment it promises. As a busy mum, I know a thing or two about tired skin, with dullness appearing during busy days or weeks, so I look for skincare that offers a brightening boost. Can the formula deliver? I found out.
The serum contains key ingredients to help improve radiance and hydration
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The Ordinary caffeine 3% + escin 1% face serum
Why we love it
- Hydrating
- Brightening
- Soothing
- A little bit goes a long way
Take note
- Has a slightly tangy scent
The serum is a lightweight emulsion with a milky texture, with two small drops going a long way (I didn't need any more than that to cover my whole face). It's recommended to massage the formula into the skin for a couple of minutes. While it has a slightly tangy scent — which I think comes from the bacillus ferment (an ingredient rich in peptides and lipids said to help improve radiance, firmness and hydration) — it fades once applied to the skin.
Just seconds after application, my skin felt softened and soothed. It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasiness or residue; instead, my skin felt hydrated. As someone with dry skin who has tried numerous serums, I was particularly impressed by this. That effect created an instant smoothness and brighter-looking skin. Having tested when my skin looked particularly dull, I was impressed by how refreshed and awake my complexion was. Plus, the serum also improved my early-morning puffiness.
Between the formula's soothing nature and its intensely hydrating finish, this serum has fast become my new favorite — I look forward to applying every morning. As summer continues, I think it will be useful for relief during warmer weather and after any sun exposure, too.
The product claims to lift skin and improve the look of wrinkles. While I can't comment on any changes in firmness or fine lines, I am usually skeptical about such promises. Like with all topical skincare, I suspect this product's benefits are more about improving overall skin health. And with the radiance boost, smoothing hydration and reduction of puffiness I've noticed so far, I'm keen to chart the long-term results. In any case, this product has already fulfilled every single criterion I look for in a serum. All while being under $10.
Key specifications
- Key ingredients: Caffeine, escin, bacillus ferment
- Suitable for: All skin types
- £9 from Theordinary.com
Is The Ordinary caffeine 3% + escin 1% face serum worth it?
The Ordinary caffeine 3% + escin 1% face serum is gentle, soothing and offers intense hydration and brightening benefits for skin. My skin looked more refreshed after just one use. I also saw an improvement in dullness and other effects of tiredness, including puffiness. With this radiance boost and its £8 price, I'd highly recommend this face serum.
How I tested The Ordinary caffeine 3% + escin 1% face serum
I spent a week testing The Ordinary caffeine 3% + escin 1% face serum, and during this time I looked at its formula, key ingredients and benefits seen. As a beauty journalist and busy mum with dry skin that can look dull on tired days, I was keen to see if the serum could offer brightening refreshment and hydration. I considered the following.
- Formula: I looked at the key ingredients and potential skincare benefits they can have for tired skin.
- Application: I applied the serum after cleanser and I looked at the consistency, absorption, how well it layers with other products and its feel on my skin.
- Results: I noted how my skin looked and felt, both after initial use and with continued application. I considered whether there was any improvement to dullness, texture and tone.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Helen Wilson-Beevers is a beauty journalist who has been testing skincare products for over a decade. Within this time, she has given her verdict on products from brands including The Inkey List, Perricone MD and CeraVe. As a 42-year-old with dry skin that is prone to irritation, she is an expert in assessing products to help combat dullness and signs of fatigue. She is able to pinpoint the ingredients needed for anti-ageing benefits that promote skin health.
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