Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Buffet
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 and The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
The Ordinary WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
17% overlapOnly in Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
32 unique
Shared ingredients
8 in common
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.
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum brings Ceramide Np, Tocopherol, and Retinol as actives, while the Ordinary Buffet relies on Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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 premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum delivers strong value. The Ordinary Buffet sits at the budget level with a 8.9 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Buffet?
Based on ingredient analysis, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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 Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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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