What is The Ordinary Buffet?
“Buffet” is a pretty interesting name for a skin care product, right? According to The Ordinary, the name of this formula was inspired by some brands referring to their expensive products offering combinations of technologies as a “buffet”, distastefully comparing such products to buffets that offer various kinds of food in one sitting. The Ordinary Buffet formula combines a comprehensive array of studied technologies to target multiple signs of aging at once. In this review, we’ll discuss the key ingredients in this product, how to use it, The Ordinary Buffet reviews from real customers, and more.
What’s Inside The Ordinary Buffet?
The key ingredients — or “technologies” as the brand calls them — in The Ordinary Buffet include several innovative peptide complex and a probiotic complex. All of these technologies are formulated in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes. The total concentration of these technologies in the formula by weight is 25.1%. Let’s discuss each of these key ingredients so that you’ll know exactly what they can do for your skin.
Matrixyl 3000 (Peptide Complex)
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness.
While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.
This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size.
One peptide technology inside The Ordinary Buffet is Matrixyl 3000. In case you aren’t familiar with this ingredient, it’s the trademarked peptide that’s made up of two matrikines (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7).
Matrikines are peptides that regulate cell activities through cell signaling. The two matrikines in Matrixyl 3000 work synergistically to restore and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance by signaling to cells to produce more collagen.
Matrixyl synthe’6 (Peptide Complex)
A similar technology is the Matrixyl synthe’6 peptide complex with palmitoyl tripeptide-38, a peptide derived from the tripeptide KMK naturally found in collagen VI and laminin. In-vitro studies have found palmitoyl tripeptide-38 to have a matrikine-like effect that stimulates the synthesis of collagen I, II, IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, and laminin 5.
SYN-AKE (Peptide Complex)
Another peptide complex in The Ordinary Buffet is SYN-AKE, a synthetic peptide that mimics the effects of the peptide Waglerin 1. Waglerin 1 is a component of the venom found in the Temple Viper, a poisonous snake native to southeast Asia. SYN-AKE peptide complex works by reducing muscular contractions in the face and reduces cell movement; thereby keeping the skin smooth.
Argirelox (Peptide Complex)
The final peptide complex in The Ordinary Buffet is Argirelox peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18). Similar to the SYN-AKE peptide complex, Argirelox helps to prevent the formation of expression wrinkles by modulating the release of neurotransmitters that induce muscle contraction.
Probiotic Complex
The probiotic complex in The Ordinary Buffet is lactococcus ferment lysate, which is obtained from the gram-positive bacteria, Lactococcus lactis.
Probiotics include various strains of helpful bacteria that collaborate with your skin to restore the skin’s microbiome. The microbiome is a population of many types of bacteria (over 10,000 different species) that are both good and bad.
When there’s more bad bacteria than good, skin conditions like acne, sensitive skin, and bumpy, uneven skin texture can develop.
Thus, the probiotic complex in The Ordinary Buffet can help to keep the microbiome balanced and maintain healthy skin.
Amino Acids
These key ingredients are in a base of 11 amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in the body.
For example, amino acids make up the collagen in your skin, and they are also found in the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF).
According to an article by Practical Dermatology, The NMF is composed principally of free amino acids, and various derivatives of these amino acids such as PCA, urocanic acid, and inorganic salts, sugars, as well as lactic acid and urea. All of these substances work together to keep the skin’s surface intact, supple, and hydrated.
The NMF can become depleted as we age, and also from routine exposure to sensitizing ingredients like drying cleansing agents and denatured alcohol. The result is visibly dry, tight-feeling, flaky skin.
Therefore, using skin care products that replenish the components of the NMF — such as the amino acids in The Ordinary Buffet — can help to maintain skin hydration.
Hyaluronic Acid Complexes
There are two hyaluronic acid complexes in The Ordinary Buffet: sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer and sodium hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, a type of glycosaminoglycan (sugar molecule) that attracts moisture from the environment and draws that moisture into the skin’s upper layers.
In fact, hyaluronic acid has the ability to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Therefore, this ingredient can help to improve skin hydration while also giving the skin a plump, youthful look.
How to Use The Ordinary Buffet
After cleansing, apply The Ordinary Buffet to the entire face in the morning and in the evening. If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised.
Where is The Ordinary Buffet Sold?
The Ordinary Buffet and other skin care products by The Ordinary are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party sellers like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora. The brand has a store locator and list of authorized retailers on their website.
What is The Ordinary Return Policy?
All Deciem brands, including The Ordinary, offer a 365-day full refund policy.
Is The Ordinary Cruelty Free?
The Ordinary is cruelty free. DECIEM and The Ordinary do not test on animals and do not ask others to do so. For this reason, none of their brands or products are sold in stores or conventional retailers in mainland China, since such sales require animal testing for registration purposes.
