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cerave Sérum retinol… vs the ordinary Buffet — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas vs the ordinary Buffet

the ordinary Buffet scores 8.8/9.8 vs cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas at 8.4/9.8. the ordinary Buffet wins for hydration.

Head to head

cerave

Sérum retinol anti-marcas

moisturiser

8.4

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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.

the ordinary

Buffet

serumbudget

8.8

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Score comparison

the ordinary Buffet edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.

cerave wins 0

Tied 4

the ordinary wins 1

8.4cerave

+0.4vs

8.8the ordinary

Scores last verified: April 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

the ordinary WINS

7.0

8.7

cerave

the ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

cerave

the ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

TIE

8.3

8.4

cerave

the ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE

8.5

cerave

the ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE

8.8

9.0

cerave

the ordinary

Ingredient face-off

19% overlap

33cerave

9Shared

48the ordinary

Only in cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas

24 unique

Aqua/Water Propanediol Dimethicone Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate Niacinamide Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Hydrogenated Lecithin Potassium Phosphate Ceramide Np+14 more

Shared ingredients

9 in common

Carbomer Sodium Hyaluronate Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol Citric Acid Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Pentylene Glycol Xanthan Gum Polysorbate 20

Only in the ordinary Buffet

39 unique

Aqua (Water)Glycerin Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Allantoin Glycine+29 more

Why the ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where the ordinary Buffet really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas's 7.0. With Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Alanine in its top ingredients, the ordinary Buffet delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

the ordinary Buffet brings Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as actives, while cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas relies on Niacinamide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, and Ceramide Np. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas 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
Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide does the heavy lifting

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 — Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 does the heavy lifting

Value comparison

the ordinary Buffet comes in at budget pricing with a 8.8 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+0.4 lead

the ordinary Buffet edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas is still a solid pick.

8.4cerave

8.8the ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas or the ordinary Buffet?

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

Do cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas and the ordinary Buffet share ingredients?

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

What's the main difference between cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas and the ordinary Buffet?

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

Full analysis: cerave Sérum retinol anti-marcas→Full analysis: the ordinary Buffet→

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