Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum vs The Ordinary Buffet
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 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
Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
The Ordinary WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
The Ordinary WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
15% overlapOnly in Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
26 unique
Shared ingredients
7 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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.4 here versus 7.6 for Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum. 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 glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum relies on Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, and Mandelic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract does the heavy lifting
- 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, Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 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
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: Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 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 Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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 Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid 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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