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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) versus The Ordinary "Buffet" .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on August 10, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Makeup Remover French Brand France
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Makeup Remover

Makeup removers work to remove makeup from the skin.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin)

Starts at $38.99
Shop

Buy "Buffet"

Starts at $17.50

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary "Buffet" contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Ordinary "Buffet" contains this as ingredient number 42.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Ordinary "Buffet" contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) contains this as ingredient number 10.

The Ordinary "Buffet" contains this as ingredient number 33.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

27% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
36% have no rating yet
61% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
22% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) 11 ingredients

Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin) hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary "Buffet" 51 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 5 ratings
MikaylaSmith_706's avatar

MikaylaSmith_706

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Everything you need in one bottle!

matab_172's avatar

matab_172

8 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Plumbed skin

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Uriage Thermal Micellar Water (Sensitive Skin).

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary "Buffet".

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