Gracie

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum vs The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum scores 8.7/9.8 and The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum
Augustinus Bader

The Vitamin C Serum

serumluxury
8.7
VS
The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
The Ordinary

Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness

moisturiserbudget
8.5

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.

1
3
1
Augustinus Bader wins 1
Tied 3
The Ordinary wins 1
8.7Augustinus Bader
vs
8.5The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS
6.3
9.8
Augustinus Bader
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Augustinus Bader
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

Augustinus Bader WINS
6.7
2.0
Augustinus Bader
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Augustinus Bader
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Augustinus Bader
The Ordinary

Ingredient face-off

27% overlap
33Augustinus Bader
12Shared
45The Ordinary

Why these two are neck and neck

These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness scores 9.8 here versus 6.3 for Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum brings Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, and Tocopheryl Acetate as actives, while the Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness relies on Ectoin, Allantoin, and Lysine Hcl. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum is better if you have

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

The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Hydrogenated Lecithin
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Value comparison

At luxury pricing with a score of 8.7, Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum delivers strong value. The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness sits at the budget level with a 8.5 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

8.7Augustinus Bader
vs
8.5The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum or The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?

Based on ingredient analysis, Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum and The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness share ingredients?

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

What's the main difference between Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum and The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?

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