Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil vs The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Peptide Serum
Both are serums. They share a 66% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.
An accessible retinol serum-oil with hyaluronic acid, long a drugstore anti-aging staple. Decent entry-level retinol for fine lines; the lightweight oil base suits normal to dry skin more than oily.
A multi-peptide hydration serum stacking Matrixyl 3000, Argireline and probiotic complexes with hyaluronic acid. A sensible, affordable everyday peptide serum for early fine lines; gentle, layerable and fragrance-free.
Which should you choose?
Both sit in the Budget tier, so cost isn't the deciding factor here — choose on texture, finish and the supporting ingredients. On how you'd use them, the Neutrogena is flagged Evening only while the The Ordinary is flagged Morning or evening. The Neutrogena leans toward Photoaging Prevention. The The Ordinary leans toward Dehydration.
What they share
At 66% active overlap, these are the ingredients doing comparable work in both formulas:
Ingredient stacks, side by side
Neutrogena — top of the list
- Caprylic/Capric…~30–70%
- Dimethicone~5–25%
- Retinol~3–10%
- Dimethicone/Vin…~2–6%
- Sodium Hyaluron…~1.5–4%
- Tocopherol~1–2%
The Ordinary — top of the list
- Aqua~50–80%
- Glycerin~5–25%
- Acetyl Hexapept…~3–10%
- Pentapeptide-18~2–6%
- Palmitoyl Tripe…~1.5–4%
● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.
The specs
| Neutrogena | The Ordinary | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Serum | Serum |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget |
| Best for | Fine Lines, Dullness, Photoaging Prevention | Fine Lines, Dehydration, Dullness |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Morning or evening |
| Active overlap | 66% — Hyaluronic Acid | |
Common questions
Is the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil or the The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Peptide Serum better?
What's the difference between the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil and the The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Peptide Serum?
Are the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil and The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Peptide Serum dupes for each other?
Can I use the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil and The Ordinary Buffet Multi-Peptide Serum together?
Related comparisons
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