Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum vs The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum scores 8.7/9.8 and The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
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
Glow Recipe WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
13% overlapOnly in Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
27 unique
Shared ingredients
6 in common
Only in The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
39 unique
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.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness scores 9.8 here versus 6.8 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 Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness relies on Ectoin, Allantoin, and Lysine Hcl. 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 Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness 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
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.7, Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum delivers strong value. The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness sits at the budget level with a 8.5 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: Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum or The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?
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 Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness 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 Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.