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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. banu Dark Spot Milky Serum for Brightening, Post-Acne Marks, and Hyperpigmentation scores 5.8 here versus 2.0 for The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
banu Dark Spot Milky Serum for Brightening, Post-Acne Marks, and Hyperpigmentation brings Tranexamic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, and Niacinamide 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.
At premium pricing with a score of 8.5, banu Dark Spot Milky Serum for Brightening, Post-Acne Marks, and Hyperpigmentation is a decent pick. 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.
