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Real Barrier Extreme Cream scores 8.3/9.8 and The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA scores 8.4/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.
Scores last verified: June 2026
15 unique
26 unique
These two serums 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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA scores 6.9 here versus 5.5 for Real Barrier Extreme Cream. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA brings Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Lactic Acid as actives, while real Barrier Extreme Cream relies on Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, and Ceramide Eop. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Real Barrier Extreme Cream is better if you have
The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA is better if you have
At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.3, Real Barrier Extreme Cream is a decent pick. The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA sits at the budget level with a 8.4 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.
Based on ingredient analysis, The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA 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.
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© 2026 Gracie. All rights reserved. Data sourced from Open Beauty Facts (ODbL) and EU CosIng.