Loading...
The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner at 8.5/9.8. The Ordinary Buffet wins for active ingredients.
The Ordinary Buffet edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: June 2026
15 unique
Where The Ordinary Buffet really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 8.4 compared to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner's 4.6. 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. The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.7 here versus 6.6 for Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner. 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 paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner relies on Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, and Allantoin. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner is better if you have
The Ordinary Buffet is better if you have
At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.5, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner is a decent pick. The Ordinary Buffet sits at the budget level with a 8.9 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
The Ordinary Buffet edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner is still a solid pick.
Based on ingredient analysis, The Ordinary Buffet scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
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.
Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. 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.
© 2026 Gracie. All rights reserved. Data sourced from Open Beauty Facts (ODbL) and EU CosIng.