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SK-II GenOptics Aura… vs The Ordinary Buffet — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence vs The Ordinary Buffet

Head to head

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SK-II

GenOptics Aura Essence

serumluxury

6.9

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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 3 of 5 attributes.

SK-II wins 0

Tied 2

The Ordinary wins 3

6.9SK-II

+1.9vs

8.8The Ordinary

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS

4.4

8.7

SK-II

The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

SK-II

The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS

4.9

8.4

SK-II

The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

The Ordinary WINS

7.5

8.5

SK-II

The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

SK-II

The Ordinary

Ingredient face-off

8% overlap

15SK-II

4Shared

48The Ordinary

Only in SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence

11 unique

Niacinamide Water Polysilicone-11 Peg/Ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether Sodium Metabisulfite Ascorbyl Glucoside Inositol Methylparaben Adenosine Panthenol+1 more

Shared ingredients

4 in common

Butylene Glycol Glycerin Phenoxyethanol Sodium Benzoate

Only in The Ordinary Buffet

44 unique

Aqua (Water)Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Glycine

Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence's 4.4. 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 4.9 for SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence. 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 sK-II GenOptics Aura Essence relies on Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, and Adenosine. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence 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 luxury pricing with a score of 6.9, SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence 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

+1.9 lead

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

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6.9SK-II

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8.8The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence 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 SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence 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 SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence 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: SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence→Full analysis: The Ordinary Buffet→

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