5% Caffeine Serum
Serum
Updated 10 Dec 2025

5% Caffeine Serum

The Derma CO
28Ingredients
0EU Banned
5Caution
0.5/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy SafeNo flagged ingredients
0.5/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy SafeNo flagged ingredients
Allergen-freeNo fragrance allergens
50% Natural46% synthetic

Contains Regulated Ingredients

EU Restricted Ingredients

These ingredients are permitted in the EU but subject to concentration limits, usage conditions, or mandatory labelling requirements under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

RetinolMax 5.0%
Max concentration:5.0%
Product types:(a) Body lotion(b) other leave-on and rinse-off products
Conditions:From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 May 2027 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.
Label warnings: For any cosmetic product containing Retinol, Retinyl Acetate or Retinyl Palmitate the following, labelling is obligatory: ‘Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use’.
Potassium SorbateMax 0.6% (acid)
Max concentration:0.6% (acid)
Sodium BenzoateMax a) 2.5% (acid) | b) 1.7% (acid) | c) 0.5% (acid)
Max concentration:a) 2.5% (acid) | b) 1.7% (acid) | c) 0.5% (acid)
Product types:a) Rinse-off products, except oral care products | b) Oral care products | c) Leave-on products
What does "EU Restricted" mean?

Restricted ingredients are not banned — they are allowed in cosmetic products as long as specific conditions are met:

  • Concentration limits — maximum allowed percentage in the final product
  • Product type restrictions — some ingredients are only allowed in rinse-off or leave-on products
  • pH restrictions — the finished product must stay within a specific pH range
  • Mandatory labelling — certain allergens must be listed on the packaging
  • Usage conditions — must not be combined with certain other ingredients

These limits are based on the EU CosIng database (Annex III) and are updated regularly. Products sold in the EU must comply with all applicable restrictions.

Ingredient Chemistry

pH

pH Efficacy

pH Efficacy

pH 5.6 — Ineffective
5.6
0Neutral 714
pH estimated from category & ingredients: 5.6
Active ingredients: Niacinamide, Retinol, Glycolic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin
Niacinamide at pH 5.6: optimal range (5–7)
Retinol at pH 5.6: optimal range (5–6)
Glycolic Acid at pH 5.6: likely ineffective — above 4.5
Alpha-Arbutin at pH 5.6: optimal range (4–6.5)
Glycolic Acid is at pH 5.6, which is too high for optimal efficacy (3–4).
Detected actives & ideal pH
NiacinamidepH 5–7
RetinolpH 5–6
Glycolic AcidpH 3–4
Alpha-ArbutinpH 4–6.5

Microbiome

Composition & Ethics

Product Details

Attributes

Ethics
VeganLikely
No animal-derived ingredients detected
Cruelty-FreeUnknown
No brand statement — contact manufacturer
Safety
Fragrance-FreeLikely
No fragrance ingredients detected
Key Actives
Contains RetinolConfirmed
Contains vitamin A derivative
Hyaluronic Acid SerumConfirmed
Retinol / Vitamin AConfirmed
Niacinamide SerumConfirmed
Exfoliating SerumConfirmed
Brightening SerumConfirmed
Peptide SerumConfirmed
Confirmed Inferred Unknown Not compliant

Composition

50% natural46% synthetic
14 natural 1 unknown 13 synthetic

Based on 28 ingredients analyzed. 50% natural, 4% unknown and 46% synthetic.

Active ingredients4 actives
Preservatives3 preservatives
Silicones5 silicones

Functions Overview (15)

Texture & Feel

Texture & Feel

Expected texture
Viscous, serum-like — slightly "thick water" feel
SpreadabilityVery easy
AbsorptionVery fast
Tackiness / ResidueNone
Finish:Matte velvet — smooth, shine-free, "soft focus"

Silicones create a smooth, velvety "slip" with a blurring sensory effect. Slight initial tackiness that fades into a hydrated dewy finish. Powder-like dry finish typical of "soft focus" pore-blurring primers.