La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum Versus The Ordinary "Buffet"
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and peptides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum 95 ingredients
The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum 95 ingredients
The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPEG-75
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAlgae Extract
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Helichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Oleth-5
Emulsifying
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantSqualane
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningOleth-10 Phosphate
Sorbitol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Tourmaline
Sucrose
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientCoenzyme A
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Styrene/Vp Copolymer
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingCholeth-24
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ceteth-24
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Lactate
BufferingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialOctadecenedioic Acid
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Alcohol Denat., Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Vulgaris Fruit Extract, Yeast Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Oleth-5, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Glycereth-26, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, PEG-8, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Micrococcus Lysate, Oleth-10 Phosphate, Sorbitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Tourmaline, Sucrose, Caffeine, Lecithin, Coenzyme A, Acetyl Glucosamine, Linolenic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Choleth-24, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ceteth-24, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lactate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Octadecenedioic Acid, Carbomer, Sodium PCA, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Ergothioneine, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Limonene, CI 14700, CI 19140, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Pentapeptide-18
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
MaskingTrehalose
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantMaltose
MaskingUrea
Buffering
Sodium PCA
HumectantPCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolAcetyl Hexapeptide-8 is a peptide. A common name for this peptide is Argireline.
Argireline has a similar function to botox; it prevents muscle movement and contractions slightly. By preventing muscles from moving, argireline also prohibits the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. However, research is lacking in proving this ingredient to be as effective as botox.
On the other hand, argireline tells our body to create more collagen. Collagen is a protein that makes connective tissue. Boosting collagen production leads to a healthier skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier means having firm and hydrated skin.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCASodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum 95 ingredients
The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum 95 ingredients
The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients
I love it soooooo much my fav serum ever
