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The Ordinary Buffet vs The Ordinary Retinol… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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The Ordinary Buffet vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Head to head

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The Ordinary

Buffet

serumbudget

8.8

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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

Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

serumbudget

6.2

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Score comparison

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

The Ordinary wins 3

Tied 2

The Ordinary wins 0

8.8The Ordinary

+2.6vs

6.2The Ordinary

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS

8.7

3.8

The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS

8.4

3.4

The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

The Ordinary WINS

8.5

6.0

The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

The Ordinary

Ingredient face-off

0% overlap

48The Ordinary

0Shared

9The Ordinary

Only in The Ordinary Buffet

48 unique

Aqua (Water)Glycerin Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin+38 more

Shared ingredients

0 in common

Only in The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

9 unique

Squalane Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil Retinol Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone Bht Tocopherol

Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 8.4 compared to The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane's 3.4. Its formula features Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Allantoin in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.7 here versus 3.8 for The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. 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 the Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane relies on Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, and Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

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

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is better if you have

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

Value comparison

Both sit in the budget bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. The Ordinary Buffet gets the nod here with its 8.8 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+2.6 lead

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

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8.8The Ordinary

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6.2The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: The Ordinary Buffet or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?

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

Do The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane share ingredients?

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

What's the main difference between The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?

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

Full analysis: The Ordinary Buffet→Full analysis: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane→

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