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Horace Sérum Acide s… vs the ordinary Buffet — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide vs the ordinary Buffet

the ordinary Buffet scores 8.8/9.8 vs Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide at 8.0/9.8. the ordinary Buffet wins for hydration.

Head to head

Horace

Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide

serum

8.0

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.

the ordinary

Buffet

serumbudget

8.8

Buy at Amazon

Score comparison

the ordinary Buffet edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

Horace wins 0

Tied 3

the ordinary wins 2

8.0Horace

+0.8vs

8.8the ordinary

Scores last verified: April 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

the ordinary WINS

5.9

8.7

Horace

the ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

Horace

the ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

the ordinary WINS

7.4

8.4

Horace

the ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE

8.5

Horace

the ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

Horace

the ordinary

Ingredient face-off

19% overlap

22Horace

9Shared

48the ordinary

Only in Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide

13 unique

Propanediol Niacinamide Zinc Pca Salicylic Acid Ascorbyl Glucoside Saccharide Isomerate Glyceryl Caprylate Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate Sodium Citrate Erythritol+3 more

Shared ingredients

9 in common

Aqua (Water)Glycerin Pentylene Glycol Acacia Senegal Gum Xanthan Gum Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Pca Sodium Benzoate Citric Acid

Only in the ordinary Buffet

39 unique

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Glycine Alanine

Why the ordinary Buffet comes out ahead

Where the ordinary Buffet really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide's 5.9. With Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Alanine in its top ingredients, the ordinary Buffet delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. the ordinary Buffet scores 8.4 here versus 7.4 for Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

the ordinary Buffet brings Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as actives, while horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide relies on Niacinamide, Zinc Pca, and Salicylic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide 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

the ordinary Buffet comes in at budget pricing with a 8.8 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+0.8 lead

the ordinary Buffet edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide is still a solid pick.

8.0Horace

8.8the ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide 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 Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide 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 Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide and the ordinary Buffet?

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

Full analysis: Horace Sérum Acide salicylique + Niacinamide→Full analysis: the ordinary Buffet→

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