Versus

Meebak Cica Serum Versus The Ordinary "Buffet"

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Meebak Cica Serum 59 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

Meebak Cica Serum 59 ingredients

The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Cica Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polysilicone-11

Raffinose

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate

Humectant

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Humectant

Diphenyl Dimethicone

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Triethylhexanoin

Masking

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Polyquaternium-51

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water

Masking

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Oryza Sativa Extract

Absorbent
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Panax Ginseng Berry Extract

Skin Conditioning

Monascus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycosyl Trehalose

Emulsion Stabilising

Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate

Humectant

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Biosaccharide Gum-1

Skin Conditioning

Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Disodium EDTA

Laureth-12

Emulsifying

Lecithin

Emollient

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Japonica Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil

Humectant
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Fructooligosaccharides

Humectant

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine

Emulsifying

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Tromethamine

Buffering
"Buffet"

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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 Gum
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium 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 Hyaluronate
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer 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.

When to use

Meebak Cica Serum 59 ingredients

The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients

6 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
100% use every day
837 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Meebak Cica Serum 59 ingredients

Cica Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 8 ratings
Hydrating (3) Great Value (2) No Scent (2)
lennonwayne's avatar

Lennon Wayne

6 days ago
Review

I love it soooooo much my fav serum ever

#great value
#hydrating
#no scent
#works well
matab_172's avatar

matab_172

1 year ago
Review

Plumbed skin