innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule vs The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 vs innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule at 8.5/9.8. The Ordinary Buffet wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
Score comparison
The Ordinary Buffet edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
innisfree WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
The Ordinary WINSIngredient Transparency
innisfree WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
15% overlapOnly in innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule
17 unique
Shared ingredients
7 in common
Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead
Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 8.4 compared to innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule's 6.4. Its formula features Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule scores 9.2 here versus 8.7 for The Ordinary Buffet. 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 innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule relies on Niacinamide, Tocopherol, and Retinol. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Butylene Glycol
- 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
Both sit in the budget bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. The Ordinary Buffet gets the nod here with its 8.9 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.
Our verdict
The Ordinary Buffet edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule 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 innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule 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 innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule and The Ordinary Buffet?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
More comparisons
We may earn a commission from purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gracie free and independent.