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The Ordinary Buffet vs Versed Stroke of Bri… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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The Ordinary Buffet vs Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum

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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Versed

Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum

serumbudget

6.9

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Score comparison

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

The Ordinary wins 3

Tied 2

Versed wins 0

8.8The Ordinary

+1.9vs

6.9Versed

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS

8.7

4.7

The Ordinary

Versed

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

The Ordinary

Versed

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS

8.4

4.5

The Ordinary

Versed

Ingredient Transparency

The Ordinary WINS

8.5

7.5

The Ordinary

Versed

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

The Ordinary

Versed

Ingredient face-off

10% overlap

48The Ordinary

5Shared

12Versed

Only in The Ordinary Buffet

43 unique

Aqua (Water)Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Glycine Alanine Serine+33 more

Shared ingredients

5 in common

Glycerin Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol

Only in Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum

7 unique

Water/Aqua Propanediol Niacinamide Tranexamic Acid Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Polysorbate 60 Isohexadecane

Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum's 4.7. 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 4.5 for Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening 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 versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum relies on Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, and Allantoin. 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

Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum 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

+1.9 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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6.9Versed

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: The Ordinary Buffet or Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum?

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 Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum 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 Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum?

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: Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum→

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