Gracie

Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set vs The Ordinary Buffet

Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set scores 8.7/9.8 and The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set
Clarins

Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set

moisturisermid-range
8.7
VS
The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary

Buffet

serumbudget
8.9

Score comparison

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

1
3
1
Clarins wins 1
Tied 3
The Ordinary wins 1
8.7Clarins
vs
8.9The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Clarins WINS
9.8
8.7
Clarins
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Clarins
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS
5.8
8.4
Clarins
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Clarins
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Clarins
The 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. Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set scores 9.8 here versus 8.7 for The Ordinary Buffet. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

The Ordinary Buffet brings Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set relies on Niacinamide, Extract, and Tocopheryl Acetate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set is better if you have

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

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

At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.7, Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set is a decent pick. The Ordinary Buffet sits at the budget level with a 8.9 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.

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.

8.7Clarins
vs
8.9The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set 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 Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set 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 Clarins Smooth, Glow-Up & Go Set and The Ordinary Buffet?

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

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