If you’re a skincare enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of The Ordinary, a brand that has taken the beauty industry by storm with its affordable and effective products. Two of their most popular serums are The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. While both serums are designed to nourish the skin, they have different formulations and benefits. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two products and compare their main differences. Whether you’re new to The Ordinary or a fan, this guide will help you choose the right serum for your skin’s needs.
We will talk about the following:
- What are the ingredients differences between The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
- What are the functions of The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
- How are the textures of The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
- How is the ideal usage of The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 in your daily skincare routine?
- What are the packaging and price differences between The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
- Which one to buy?
| The Ordinary Buffet | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 5.91 x 5.91 x 3.94 inches | 3.94 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.06 Ounces | 1.1 Ounces |
About The Ordinary
For a brief introduction, The Ordinary is a brand that is part of the DECIEM umbrella of brands, which focuses on advanced functional beauty while still offering high-quality products at affordable prices. The Ordinary’s mission is to provide clinical formulations with integrity. The brand is focused on using simple, effective, and science-backed ingredients to create products that deliver visible results.
Ingredients: Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid
First of all, let’s delve into the core ingredients that shape these skincare formulations first. Understanding the basic knowledge regarding these ingredients is not just a skincare lesson but a practical guide to identifying and knowing what your skin truly craves.
Peptides take center stage in The Ordinary Buffet, this ingredient is basically proteins and molecules that make up the building blocks of skin, and keep it feeling smooth, firm, and bouncy. Other than peptides, The Ordinary Buffet also contains other 50 ingredients from amino acids like arginine to improve skin hydration, Copper Tripeptide-1, Lysine, hyaluronic acid itself, and many more.
Under other circumstances, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 play a leading role in The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, mirroring its name. The ingredients contain sodium hyaluronate, the salt form (sodium salt) of hyaluronic acid that helps the skin retain moisture by binding water to the skin, sodium hyaluronate crosspoylmer to bind five times more water than regular hyaluronic acid, panthenol that attracts water to the skin and helps it retain moisture, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract to stimulate circulation, glycerin to retain moisture and support a healthy skin barrier, as well as Vitamin B5 that enhances surface hydration.
From these explanations, you can comprehend that both serums contain hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. However, The Ordinary Buffet contains a lot more additional ingredients, while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is heavily focused on two hydrating ingredients.
Functions of The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Buffet
As explained briefly above, the primary ingredient of The Ordinary Buffet is its peptide complex. Peptide basically supports collagen synthesis and address multiple signs of aging. This makes The Ordinary Buffet is suitable choice to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, and boost hydration for all skin types.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This product is a hydrating serum that contains 2% hyaluronic acid (the key molecule involved in skin moisture) and vitamin B5 (a water-soluble acid or gentle antioxidant that helps to keep skin soft, smooth, and healthy). This makes it provides intense hydration to the skin and helps to retain moisture, ideal for dry skin.
Textures of The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Both of these products are two of the most popular serums from The Ordinary. However, just like the different ingredients, these serums also have different textures when applied to our skin.
The Ordinary Buffet is known to have a relatively viscous texture for the first impression. It leaves a slightly tacky finish after application, but is still considered to be quickly absorbed into the skin and the tackiness disappears after a few minutes, leaving the skin feeling smooth and nourished.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a hydrating serum, so it has a watery texture and is easier to apply. The light, liquid, scentless, and water-based formula allows the essence to glide effortlessly onto the skin, gets absorbed quickly, and leaves no residue at all. After application, the skin will feel fresher and hydrated without any heaviness.
Both products aim to provide a pleasant and effective user experience, and the choice between them ultimately depends on individual preferences for texture and sensation on the skin. Whether you lean towards a richer touch or a feather-light embrace, select the product that aligns best with your skin needs and sensory preferences.
The Ideal Usage of The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
In terms of usage, both serums can be used in daily skincare routines. However, always remember that the key distinction lies in their primary focus. Buffet is targeted towards anti-aging concerns, while Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is more suitable for intense skin hydration.
Ideal Usage of The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary Buffet is best incorporated into your daily skincare routine as a concentrated anti-aging treatment. It is commonly used after cleansing and before moisturizers. Due to its slightly thicker texture, Buffet serves well as a serum that is applied before heavier creams or lotions to ensure that the active peptides have direct access to the skin. For optimal results, use the Buffet both in the morning and evening.
Ideal Usage of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This serum is a versatile hydrating serum designed to boost skin moisture levels. It is ideally used as a core part of both your morning and evening routines. Apply a few drops onto damp skin after cleansing and before heavier creams to maximize its hydrating effects. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 can also be mixed with other serums or moisturizers for enhanced hydration, or applied before other serums and moisturizers to help lock in moisture.
Packaging and Price Differences between The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Obviously, The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 are two popular serums from the same skincare brand, The Ordinary. This is why in terms of packaging, both serums come in the same glass bottles with droppers.
However, besides the formulations and functionalities, they also have differences in their pricing. The Ordinary Buffet is priced at around 13.50 for the 30ml size and around $17.50 for the 60ml size. Meanwhile, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is priced at around $7 for a 30ml size.
This means that The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 offers more value for money in terms of cost per fluid ounce, as The Ordinary Buffet is twice more expensive.
| The Ordinary Buffet | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | - Reduces appearance of wrinkles and fine lines: Promotes collagen and elastin production, plumping the skin and smoothing out imperfections. - Multiple Peptide Complexes: Target different aspects of skin aging, boosting collagen, elastin, and hydration. - Lightweight and water-based: Absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, making it suitable for all skin types, even oily ones. | - Deep Hydration: This potent blend of hyaluronic acid (HA) molecules of varying sizes attracts and retains moisture at multiple levels of the skin, leaving it plump and dewy. - Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Ethically produced and aligns with environmental values. - Soothes and Calms: B5 has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritation and redness, making it suitable for sensitive skin. |
Conclusion
In the matter of deciding between The Ordinary Buffet and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, the choice ultimately depends on your specific skincare needs and preferences. Both serums offer distinct formulations, functions, textures, ideal usages, and even prices.
If you are in need of a comprehensive anti-aging skincare product and are willing to invest a bit more, The Ordinary Buffet is an excellent choice. However, if you are seeking intense skin hydration on a budget, then The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 provides a compelling alternative. Ultimately, the decision rests on your skincare goals, preferences, and budget considerations.