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Neogen Real Ferment… vs The Ordinary Buffet — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum vs The Ordinary Buffet

Head to head

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Neogen

Real Ferment Micro Serum

serummid-range

7.3

Buy at Olive Young

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.

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The Ordinary

Buffet

serumbudget

8.8

Buy at Amazon

Score comparison

The Ordinary Buffet takes this one, winning 3 of 5 attributes.

Neogen wins 0

Tied 2

The Ordinary wins 3

7.3Neogen

+1.5vs

8.8The Ordinary

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS

5.4

8.7

Neogen

The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

Neogen

The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS

5.4

8.4

Neogen

The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

The Ordinary WINS

7.8

8.5

Neogen

The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

Neogen

The Ordinary

Ingredient face-off

15% overlap

13Neogen

7Shared

48The Ordinary

Only in Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum

6 unique

Water Bifida Ferment Lysate Niacinamide 2-Hexanediol Adenosine Panthenol

Shared ingredients

7 in common

Glycerin Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Carbomer Arginine Ethylhexylglycerin

Only in The Ordinary Buffet

41 unique

Aqua (Water)Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Glycine Alanine Serine+31 more

Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum's 5.4. With Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Trehalose in its top ingredients, The Ordinary Buffet delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.4 here versus 5.4 for Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

The Ordinary Buffet brings Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Allantoin as actives, while neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum relies on Bifida Ferment Lysate, Niacinamide, and Adenosine. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

The Ordinary Buffet is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 does the heavy lifting

Value comparison

At mid-range pricing with a score of 7.3, Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum is a decent pick. The Ordinary Buffet sits at the budget level with a 8.8 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+1.5 lead

The Ordinary Buffet wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.

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7.3Neogen

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8.8The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum or The Ordinary Buffet?

Based on ingredient analysis, The Ordinary Buffet scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum and The Ordinary Buffet share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum and The Ordinary Buffet?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.

Full analysis: Neogen Real Ferment Micro Serum→Full analysis: The Ordinary Buffet→

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