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StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum vs The Ordinary Buffet

StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum scores 9.2/9.8 and The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum
StriVectin

Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum

serumpremium
9.2
VS
The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary

Buffet

serumbudget
8.9

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.3 points apart.

1
3
1
StriVectin wins 1
Tied 3
The Ordinary wins 1
9.2StriVectin
vs
8.9The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

The Ordinary WINS
5.8
8.7
StriVectin
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
StriVectin
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

StriVectin WINS
9.7
8.4
StriVectin
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
StriVectin
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
StriVectin
The Ordinary

Why these two are neck and neck

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. StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum scores 9.7 here versus 8.4 for The Ordinary Buffet. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum brings Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, and Ascorbic Acid as actives, while the Ordinary Buffet relies on Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate 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

At premium pricing with a score of 9.2, StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum delivers strong value. The Ordinary Buffet sits at the budget level with a 8.9 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

9.2StriVectin
vs
8.9The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum or The Ordinary Buffet?

Based on ingredient analysis, StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C 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 StriVectin Super-C Retinol Brighten & Correct Vitamin C 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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