I’ve been testing The Ordinary Buffet Serum for weeks, and I need to tell you what actually happened. This isn’t just another ordinary buffet serum review with recycled information.
I used this peptide serum every single day. You’re here because you want to know if it’s worth your money. I get it.
I’ll share the real results, break down what’s inside, and tell you about the sticky texture nobody warns you about. We’ll cover the good, the bad, and who should actually buy this.
No hype, just honest experience from my own skin.
Quick Facts About The Ordinary Buffet Serum
This serum brings peptides to your routine without breaking the bank. The formula keeps things clean with no alcohol, silicones, fragrance, or parabens.
Your skin gets active ingredients that matter without unnecessary fillers. This makes it suitable for sensitive skin types too.
The serum feels light and gel-like when you apply it. It sinks in fast but leaves a slightly tacky finish. There’s no smell at all, which I appreciate. The texture spreads easily across your face. You only need three to four drops for your entire face and neck.
You can grab it for $19.90 for a 30ml bottle. Find it on Amazon, Sephora, or The Ordinary’s website. The bottle comes with a dropper for clean application. It lasts about two to three months with daily use, making it even more budget-friendly in the long run.
Ingredients Breakdown
A solid peptide serum with multi-benefit ingredients for aging skin.
Key Active Ingredients:
The serum packs several peptide complexes. Matrixyl 3000 and Matrixyl Synthe-6 lead the charge. Syn-Ake joins them. You also get hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate for moisture. Amino acids round out the formula.
Matrixyl 3000 contains two peptides that work together. They signal your skin to produce more collagen. Matrixyl Synthe-6 targets wrinkles and helps smooth skin texture. Syn-Ake mimics snake venom in a safe way. It helps relax facial muscles and reduce expression lines.
The serum includes multiple forms of hyaluronic acid. Each type reaches different layers of your skin. This creates hydration at various depths. Sodium hyaluronate is smaller and penetrates deeper than regular hyaluronic acid.
Benefits of These Ingredients:
Peptides help your skin make more collagen. This means better firmness and elasticity over time. Hyaluronic acid pulls water into your skin. It plumps and hydrates.
The amino acids support your skin’s natural structure. They help it bounce back and stay resilient.
Regular use of peptides can improve skin thickness. Your skin may look fuller and healthier after several months.
The hydration from hyaluronic acid makes fine lines less visible right away. This gives you both immediate and long-term benefits.
Amino acids act as building blocks for proteins in your skin. They support repair processes and keep your skin barrier strong. This helps protect against environmental damage and moisture loss.
How to Use The Ordinary Buffet Serum
Apply this serum morning and night on damp skin for better absorption. Pat a few drops onto your face after cleansing. Wait about one minute, then apply your moisturizer. Always patch test first if your skin is sensitive.
You can use this serum around your eyes too. Just be gentle and avoid direct contact. Peptides can help with crow’s feet and fine lines in that area.
Keep this away from strong acids like AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). These can break down peptides before they benefit your skin.
I use my acids in the morning and save Buffet for nighttime. Or you can alternate days to give each product space to work.
My Personal Experience
The price is hard to beat. For under $20, you get peptides that actually work. My skin felt more hydrated within days. I noticed a slight plumping effect. Nothing dramatic, but my skin looked fresher.
The serum played well with my other products and caused zero breakouts or irritation. That’s a big win for someone with sensitive skin like me.
However, that sticky texture bugged me. It never fully disappeared. I had to wait 10 to 15 minutes before applying makeup, especially in humid weather.
After six weeks, I didn’t see major changes in my fine lines. Maybe longer use would help, but I expected more visible results. I also wish the bottle had a better dropper. Sometimes too much product came out at once, which led to waste.
Reviews from Other Users
Users report softer skin after a few weeks. Some saw improvements in fine lines with continued use. People with dry skin especially love the moisture boost. The price gets praise from everyone.
Many reviewers mention that their skin feels bouncier. They notice a subtle glow that wasn’t there before. Several people say their makeup applies better now. These small improvements add up over time.
Some users with mature skin report visible results after three months. They see fewer fine lines around their eyes and mouth. Their skin looks firmer and more resilient. These reviews give me hope for longer-term use.
On the flip side, some users struggle with the texture. The tackiness drives certain people away. Others say results took months to appear. A few saw no difference at all.
People with oily skin sometimes find it too heavy. They prefer using it only at night. A handful of users reported pilling when layered with certain moisturizers or sunscreens.
Verdict: Is The Ordinary Buffet Serum Worth Trying?
This serum works best for beginners looking into anti-aging options. It’s affordable, safe for all skin types, and delivers basic hydration. The peptides are real, and the formula is clean. But don’t expect miracles in a month.
- Pros: Budget-friendly, gentle, hydrating, peptide-packed, works well with most routines, fragrance-free, good for sensitive skin.
- Cons: Sticky texture, slow results, not for impatient users, may pill with some products, dropper can dispense too much.
- Best for: People new to peptides, those with dry or normal skin, anyone curious about anti-aging on a budget, beginners building a skincare routine.
- Not ideal for: Those wanting fast results, people who hate tacky textures, anyone looking for dramatic changes quickly.
- My rating: 3.5 out of 5. It’s good, not great. The value is excellent, but the texture and slow results hold it back from a higher rating.
Conclusion
I really wanted to love The Ordinary Buffet Serum. It’s affordable and packed with peptides that science supports. Your results will depend on your skin and patience.
If you’re after deep hydration and willing to wait three months, this could work for you. I appreciated the price but wished for faster results. My skin felt better, just not transformed.
Have you tried this serum? Drop a comment and share your experience with The Ordinary Buffet Serum review. Let’s help each other find what actually works for our skin.
Frequently Answered Questions
Can I use The Ordinary Buffet Serum every day?
Yes, use it twice daily for best results. Apply it morning and night on clean, damp skin. Consistency matters more than anything with peptide serums.
How long before I see results from this serum?
Most people notice hydration within weeks. Visible improvements in fine lines and texture take two to three months of daily use.
Does The Ordinary Buffet Serum work for sensitive skin?
It’s generally gentle and free from common irritants. The formula has no fragrance or alcohol. Still, patch test first to be safe.
Can I layer this serum with retinol?
Yes, but use them carefully. Apply Buffet Serum first, wait for it to absorb, then use retinol. Start slow to avoid irritation.
Is this serum better than other peptide products?
It’s one of the most affordable peptide serums available. For the price, it performs well. More expensive options may show faster or stronger results.
