medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 vs medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum at 8.6/9.8. 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
medicube WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
The Ordinary WINSIngredient Transparency
medicube WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
15% overlapOnly in medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum
45 unique
Shared ingredients
8 in common
Why The Ordinary Buffet comes out ahead
Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 8.4 compared to medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum's 6.7. 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. medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum scores 9.8 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 medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum relies on Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Dipropylene 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
The Ordinary Buffet comes in at budget pricing with a 8.9 score, which is solid value at that tier.
Our verdict
The Ordinary Buffet edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: medicube Deep Vita A Retinol 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 medicube Deep Vita A Retinol 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 medicube Deep Vita A Retinol 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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