Gracie

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum scores 8.7/9.8 and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity scores 8.7/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

✶
Glow Recipe

Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum

exfoliantmid-range
8.7
VS
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity
The Ordinary

Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity

serummid-range
8.7

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.

3
2
Glow Recipe wins 0
Tied 3
The Ordinary wins 2
8.7Glow Recipe
vs
8.7The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS
6.8
8.6
Glow Recipe
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Glow Recipe
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS
7.6
8.4
Glow Recipe
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Glow Recipe
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Glow Recipe
The Ordinary

Why these two are neck and neck

These two exfoliants 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 Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity 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.

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum brings Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, and Mandelic Acid as actives, while the Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity 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

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 Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity 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

Both sit in the mid-range bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum gets the nod here with its 8.7 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.

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.

✶
8.7Glow Recipe
vs
8.7The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum or The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity?

Based on ingredient analysis, Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 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 Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity 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 Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity?

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