Beauty, Product Review, Skin Care

The Ordinary: Buffet | Review

“Buffet” is the first product I ever came to know about from The Ordinary brand. The ingredients, the very expensive peptide technologies it was using and the load of praise it was recieving seemed too good to be true! I had to see for myself if this Multi-Technology Peptide Serum – “Buffet” was worth the hype it was creating in the skincare community.

The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide serum Review India

The Ordinary- “Buffet” Multi-Technology Peptide Serum

Along with this I got a bunch of other products from the same brand via Beautylish.com since they were shipping stuff faster than the brand itself. I ordered it to a friend’s house in the U.S and then her folks hand carried it to India. Definitely a long drawn process but at least stuff reached me safely, unlike my ColourPop ordeal.

Personally I think Beautylish carrying The Ordinary products is the best thing that has happened to Deciem- The Abnormal Beauty Company (The parent company of The Ordinary.) since they have made it much simpler to help noobs find the right stuff for their concern and build a routine. Otherwise The Ordinary is not a mass-market brand and targets a very educated and aware audience (just look at their names e.g. Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F) who understands ingredients and does not fall for marketing S#!t like Over Night Whitening Miracle Beauty Serum. But let’s be real not everyone is like that and that should not be a reason to not be able to buy the right stuff. So Beautylish for the win! Check out their The Ordinary – Treatment Guide here.

The Ordinary: Buffet - Multi Technology Peptide Serum Review ingredient breakdown efficacy

Cardboard Outer Package + Product related Literature from Beautylish

Cost:

14.80 USD approx 960 INR for 30 ml

Buy Online:

The Ordinary Site or Beautylish.com (I got mine from Beautylish)

Product Claims:

  • This formula combines a comprehensive array of studied technologies to target multiple signs of ageing at once.
  • ph 4.50 – 5.50
  • Alcohol-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Nut-free
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Cruelty-free

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Trehalose, Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, Urea, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide serum Review India Ingredient analysis

Ingredients | The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum

This is an anti ageing peptide serum. Peptides are made up of amino acids. When peptides are formed in a certain way, they make specific proteins.

Proteins are the basic building blocks of skin. Without peptides, skin doesn’t remain intact and the results is loss of firmness, wrinkles, textural changes, and loss of elasticity. Research has clearly shown they can help rebuild these building blocks and hence help revitalize skin.

So Buffet is popular for its use of not one but six peptide complexes (that is why the name “multi technology peptide serum). The total concentration of these technologies in the formula by weight is 25.1% which is significant. This review will be incomplete if I don’t address whats the big deal about this technologies.

The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide serum Review India Ingredient anylisis

Peptide Technologies & Reasons to Use | The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum

1- Matrixyl 3,000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7)

Matrixyl 3000 is made from two new peptides – palmitoyl-tripeptide and palmitoyl-oligopeptide. They are supposed work together to mimic the appearance of broken collagen, causing ones skin to react by producing more collagen, as well as elastin.

2- Matrixyl Synthe’6 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38)

Matrixyl Synthe’6 is palmitoyl tripeptide-38, a peptide produced from derivatives of the amino acids lysine and methione sulfone. Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 regulates cell activity, wound repair and collagen tissue remodeling.

3- Syn-Ake peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate)

Sy-nake is a synthetic version of snake venom and is supposed to freeze muscles. It works like Botox, reducing the contractions of our facial muscles so there is less cell movement. (expression lines) It is claimed to smooth present wrinkles and prevent new ones from appearing.

4- Relistase peptide complex (with acetylarginyltryptophyl diphenylglycine)

This is a tripeptide that inhibits elastase activity and boosts collagen-1 synthesis. It has also been designed to treat sagging and restore firmness to the skin.

5- Argirelox peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18)

Similar to Syn-ake it reduces muscle contractions in the face and is claimed to reduce glabellar lines and crow’s feet. This compound is used in between Botox injections to prolong its effect.

6- Probiotic complex (with lactococcus lactis lysate)

Probiotic bacteria lysates are gaining popularity in the skin care industry as they are believed to help the skin barrier in fighting off bad bacteria as well as adjusting the pH level. Few studies claim this complex can help the skin regenerate the epidermis and help with the production of collagen.

In summary Buffet combines these technologies that have varied anti ageing benefits and along with a host of other ingredients a lot of which are moisturizing agents. In theory it seems like a potent anti-aging formula.

The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum Review and Ingredient Analysis Packaging

Packaged in Glass Bottle | The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum

The Ordinary: Buffet - Multi technology Peptide serum Review Ingredients Packaging

Glass Dropper Style Dispenser

It comes packaged in a translucent glass bottle with a dropper. Basic packaging that does the job. The glass bottle is simple and sturdy but if dropped on the floor the glass will break.

The formula is of a hazy- milky colour and has a runny consistency, so it spreads well and little is enough to cover the whole face and neck. It gets absorbed quickly but does leave the skin slightly tacky. After 10 minutes or so the tacky feeling goes away.

It does not contain any added fragrances which is a huge point in its favor. Although it does have a faint artificial smell, barely there and definitely not overwhelming.

The Ordinary: Buffet - Multi technology Peptide serum Review Ingredients Appearance

Appearance & Colour

The Ordinary: Buffet - Multi technology Peptide serum Review Ingredients Appearance Consistency

Consistency & Texture

The Ordinary Buffet Peptide serum Review India efficasy absorption speed

Matte skin after the serum is absorbed

Since it is a water based serum it is meant to be used after cleansing. It can be used both in the AM and PM skincare routine. Initially I wasn’t sure how to line this up in my routine so I wrote to the brand and they were kind enough to guide me with it. I use this in the mornings since its quite thin and gets absorbed quickly. Over this I layer the Niacinamide, Moisturizer & Sunscreen. In the PM routine I prefer the Estee Lauder ANR since its more moisturizing.

I have fairly stable skin with occasional breakouts before the period. I am in my early thirties and have a lot of evident texture on my face. I also am developing smile lines which are partly hereditary and also I smile a lot! I was hoping to address this issues in particular using Buffet since it contains Syn-ake and Argirelox. I have been using this product since six months now but unfortunately it hasn’t done anything for me. I took a few breaks in this routine to understand if it was working and I wasn’t noticing but alas the results were no different. Six months is still a very short duration to assess long term benefits but there have been no short term perceivable changes.

Also recently I came across a huge thread of conversation on a Facebook group discussing the fact that Buffet is making folks hairy! I didn’t believe it initially but a number of folks claim that the inclusion of castor oil in the ingredients is attributing to the increase in facial hair. This alarmed me to a great extent and now when I look back (call me delusional) but I do feel my peach fuzz is on the rise! I am an Indian woman who is tired of combating body hair all her life so I really don’t need this to add to my misery!

Pros:

  • Affordable price point for the otherwise expensive technologies used.

Cons:

  • The increase in facial hair scare!
  • Not available easily in India.
The Ordinary: Buffet - Multi Technology Peptide Serum Review ingredient breakdown efficacy

Final Thoughts | The Ordinary: Buffet – Multi Technology Peptide Serum

Closing Thoughts:

I have almost used up the complete bottle and don’t intend to re-purchase, due to the fact that I was unable to notice any perceptible change and the increase in facial hair has me spooked. Also its important to consider that skin-care products like this perform differently for people due to many factors. In theory it is a product full of some great peptide compounds and I am truly disappointed that it did not work for me.

If you do choose to give it a shot I definitely recommend a patch test because active ingredients are potent and cause sensitivity. Also if this product worked differently for you, I would love to know your experience in the comments.


Update – 17 Sep 2018

The Ordinary – Brand Review

So far I have tried many products from TO’s portfolio. Namely,

After finishing the above products and experiencing this complete lineup over the past year I want to take a minute and share my opinion of the brand with you folks so that you can make an informed purchase decision.

The Ordinary has taken the global beauty world by storm, this has literally not happened before and there are two big reasons for that

  1. Their rock bottom pricing and
  2. Their unique (but also questionable) Marketing Strategies.

I totally understand that every one wants to try these ultra affordable skin care and anti-aging products mostly because one can collect a host of formula’s at a price of one product from the expensive high-street brands. This has attracted so much chatter about how DECIEM can rationalize the low prices of The Ordinary products when they themselves own other skincare brands like NIOD which sells similar products at a much higher price point. This difference is quite strange to be honest!

TO products feature a lot of ingredients that are also seen in expensive formulas from the high street brands. Some of these are definitely expensive to source especially so when claimed to be cruelty free/ cold pressed /organic etc. Moreover skin care products need to go through some very strict regulatory tests where right from the stability of the formula to the manufacturing units where they are bottled needs to comply with some stringent standards and obviously all this costs a lot of money. So you have to wonder how are they able to price things so low!

It feels like all the marketing budget is focused on attracting consumers to this super affordable brand via social media (and of-course the drama going on with the owner helps to do that; Like they say any publicity is good publicity) to eventually direct them to their more expensive sister brands. I have seen many famous bloggers review The Ordinary offerings and then very casually slip in the fact that with regards to certain aspects like potency/ pH value/ formulation / molecular weight of a particular ingredient etc. the other expensive sister brands are better.

The majority of TO’s products are one ingredient formulas which is unlike products from other skin care brand which offer a potent mix of varied ingredients to target the particular skin requirement. So if one wants to replicate the same they would have to purchase several products at once to round-up those many ingredients. Then there is the obvious question of what goes in what order and the massive confusion revolving around building a routine, which is well know among folks who have attempted to create a regimen using The Ordinary products.

In the end there is no doubt that low prices are very welcome but then based on the stuff I have already tried and the skin care community chatter that I am privy to; I have come to realize- in terms of efficacy there are very few products from TO that actually stand out, the rest just skim the surface and that fact is simply drowned by the noise their marketing creates.

If you agree or agree to disagree I want to hear from you in the comments or find me on Instagram and let’s have a conversation.

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14 thoughts on “The Ordinary: Buffet | Review

  1. Funny when I saw the word buffet I thought this was going to be a food buffet post. But this serum seem to have the right ingredients for proper skin care.

  2. Sorry to hear that it’s not working out for you. Honestly, I’ve never heard of this brand before and I’m so glad I came across this review of yours! No need to waste time and money on it.

  3. I don’t understand much about the ingredients on each product either but they seem very attractive in terms of price, although the grow of hair would put mt off too because I already have that tendency and would not like that to happen to me!

  4. I’m more into the natural side of beauty, so I never tried The Ordinary products, but I saw them in a lot of beauty vlogs and blogposts, so they must really know something. I loved your post, it’s very thorough and with pros and cons both listed it helps a future buyer to decide if that’s what she really wants.

  5. Thanks for the honest review! I like the minimalist packaging on the products that make it look more like medical products than beauty products. You are very patient to keep going with this for 6 months when it hasn’t shown any visible results after 6 months.

  6. lindsaytroncone says:

    Wow! This is really interesting. I’m really big on going natural and using natural cleaning and skin products. I’ll have to check this out!

  7. cageyourage says:

    Loved this post. So informative and everything is broken down well. I was contemplating using Buffet too but I’m a hairy bear too , so will skip it.

  8. Krisztina says:

    Thank you for the review, I was looking for reviews about TO, that’s how I found yours. I agree that different skin types behave differently so it might work for someone and not for others. Though I have to mention that on TO’s website they state that it is for general sings of ageing, and should be used combined with other products. Also if you try to fight a mimic mark which is visible without the facial movements as well then even Botox cannot solve that problem, so in my opinion we shouldn’t expect miracle from a serum.
    Regarding the difficult skin care regime, I think it can be confusing whichever brand you take, and also they give quite an extensive explanation of when and how to use the product on the website, though I agree it takes time to figure out.
    I wanted share one more point, which I feel should be considered. You mentioned that the ingredients are same as high-street brands, so the direct conclusion is that they have to be expensive. I would argue with this. The end cost of a product in today’s luxury branding area has very less connection to the actual cost of the product. I visited Cosmoprof where 90% of the beauty product manufacturers exhibit every year. You would be shocked how less actually these beauty products cost. The big chunk of the margin goes for other things (overheads, marketing, brand ambassador, channel margins, etc), plus the higher the positioning of the brand the more they decide the retail price on perception basis. Personally I don’t find any problem of their marketing strategy of pulling customers from other brands with the low prices of TO and then redirecting these customers to their costlier products. Many many brands do the same (Clothing brands mostly do that: Zara, VS, H&M, etc).
    With all these I can still believe that it didn’t work for you, and it’s sad, but it’s fine, there are tons of options in this world. xoxo

    • Krisztina, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. It’s not often people share such detailed feedback so I thank you for taking the time to let me know your point of view. I am in agreement with most of what you said but at the time I used it the Beauty Community had cumulatively gone bonkers about how good this product was and I was really disappointed that all those things promised never worked out for me!

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