The Ordinary Buffet vs Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane
The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 and Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane scores 8.8/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Then I Met You WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
10% overlapOnly in The Ordinary Buffet
43 unique
Only in Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane
43 unique
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.
The Ordinary Buffet brings Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane relies on Niacinamide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, and Centella Asiatica Extract. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
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
Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Propanediol
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide 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
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: The Ordinary Buffet or Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane?
Based on ingredient analysis, The Ordinary Buffet scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do The Ordinary Buffet and Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane share ingredients?
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
What's the main difference between The Ordinary Buffet and Then I Met You Renewing Rich Firming and Barrier Repair Cream with Ginseng and Squalane?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
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