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NIOD Copper Amino Is… vs The Ordinary Buffet — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) vs The Ordinary Buffet

Head to head

NIOD

Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3)

serum

7.7

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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

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Score comparison

The Ordinary Buffet takes this one, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

NIOD wins 0

Tied 3

The Ordinary wins 2

7.7NIOD

+1.1vs

8.8The Ordinary

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS

4.8

8.7

NIOD

The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

NIOD

The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS

7.7

8.4

NIOD

The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE

8.5

NIOD

The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

NIOD

The Ordinary

Ingredient face-off

21% overlap

21NIOD

10Shared

48The Ordinary

Only in NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3)

11 unique

Tripeptide-29 Tripeptide-1 Copper Acetate Tripeptide-1 Acetate Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 Glycogen Propanediol Dextran Isoceteth-20+1 more

Shared ingredients

10 in common

Aqua (Water)Glycerin Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Pentylene Glycol Dimethyl Isosorbide Ethoxydiglycol Caprylyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin

Only in The Ordinary Buffet

38 unique

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Glycine Alanine Serine+28 more

Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3)'s 4.8. 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 7.7 for NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3). 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, giving it an edge in targeted skincare benefits.

Best for your skin type

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Targeting specific skin concerns with a potent active lineup
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

The Ordinary Buffet comes in at budget pricing with a 8.8 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+1.1 lead

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

7.7NIOD

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8.8The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) 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 NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) 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 NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) 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: NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3)→Full analysis: The Ordinary Buffet→

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