Buffet
Multi-Peptide Powerhouse
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Four distinct proprietary peptide complexes targeting aging through complementary pathways
- +Multi-weight hyaluronic acid, 11 amino acids, and NMF components for comprehensive hydration
- +Extraordinary value at $19.90 for a serum rivaling $80+ multi-peptide products
- +Near-zero irritation risk — suitable for sensitive skin and peptide beginners
- +Safe during pregnancy with no retinoids, acids, or flagged ingredients
- +Larger 60 mL size available for even better per-milliliter value
- +Compatible with retinol, niacinamide, and most other routine actives
- +Lactococcus ferment lysate adds probiotic-derived skin support
- −Sticky, tacky texture before moisturizer is applied on top
- −Pilling when layered with silicone-based products
- −Results are gradual and subtle — require 4-8 weeks for visible changes
- −Peptide clinical evidence is less robust than retinoid or vitamin C research
- −Contains Polysorbate 20 — not suitable for fungal-acne-prone skin
- −Dropper can over-dispense product if not handled carefully
The full review.
Texture
Buffet is unassuming on the skin. A few drops of clear, slightly viscous serum spread easily and absorb within one or two minutes. The HA crosspolymer and glycerin combination creates a brief, tacky film-forming feel that disappears once you apply a moisturizer.
Scent
No scent, no tingling, and no visible immediate effect besides mild hydration.
Pairs Well With
Everything else works: niacinamide, retinol, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. Vitamin C derivatives (ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate) are fine.
Conflicts With
Avoid direct L-ascorbic acid and strong direct acids in the same routine step. The pH differential can destabilize the peptides.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list · pH 5
Aqua (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
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Buffet uses four peptide complexes with distinct mechanisms, backed by manufacturer clinical data. Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7) acts as a matrikine—a fragment mimicking collagen breakdown products to trigger the skin's repair-synthesis cascade. The Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 component signals fibroblasts to increase collagen I and III production, while Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 reduces interleukin-6 secretion to limit the chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) that accelerates matrix degradation. A 24-subject half-face study showed a 4% formulation reduced mean wrinkle volume by 17.1% after 2 months.
Matrixyl Synthe'6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38) repairs the matrix beyond collagen. In vitro studies showed increases in collagen I (105%), collagen III (104%), collagen IV (42%), fibronectin, laminin-5, and hyaluronic acid synthesis. A placebo-controlled study of 25 women showed a 31% reduction in forehead wrinkle volume, 28.5% reduction in crow's feet surface area, and 28% improvement in lifting after 2 months of twice-daily application.
The expression line technology uses three muscle-relaxation pathways. ARGIRELOX pairs Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (which inhibits the SNARE complex formation needed for acetylcholine vesicle release) with Pentapeptide-18 (which mimics enkephalin to modulate calcium channel activity). SYN-AKE adds nicotinic acetylcholine receptor blockade, a mechanism inspired by Wagler's pit viper venom. This triple-pathway approach targets neuromuscular contraction at the vesicle, channel, and receptor levels at once. A study using 5% each of pentapeptide-18 and argireline showed up to 47% wrinkle reduction after 28 days.
References
- The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study — American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2013)
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in Cosmeceuticals — A Review of Skin Permeability and Efficacy — International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists see multi-peptide formulations like Buffet as a valid complement to anti-aging staples like retinoids and sunscreen. Board-certified dermatologists note that individual peptide technologies—specifically Matrixyl and Argireline—have clinical evidence for anti-wrinkle activity, though the evidence base is smaller than for retinoids. Dermatologists often recommend peptide serums for patients who cannot tolerate retinoids, pregnant patients seeking anti-aging options, or as part of multi-active routines where peptides complement retinoids and antioxidants. Combining collagen-signaling and muscle-relaxing peptides is a scientifically rational multi-pathway approach, even if long-term independent clinical trials on this specific combination are limited.
Where it fits in your routine.
Apply a few drops (half a dropper covers the full face) to clean skin morning and evening. Pat it into the skin, targeting fine lines on the forehead, around eyes, and smile lines. Wait 1-2 minutes for the initial tackiness to fade before applying moisturizer. Do not use direct L-ascorbic acid vitamin C in the same routine step; use vitamin C derivatives or apply vitamin C at a different time of day. Layer moisturizer on top to remove residual tackiness and seal in the peptide actives.
At $19.90 for 30 mL, Buffet is one of the most aggressively priced multi-peptide serums available. Similar formulas with only some of these peptide technologies cost $50-80 from medical skincare brands and $80-150 from luxury brands. A 60 mL size costs approximately $29.90, which gives better per-milliliter value for regular users. The formula has four proprietary peptide complexes, multi-weight hyaluronic acid, a probiotic ferment, and a full NMF complex. Buying these ingredients in separate products would cost over $100.
People in their late twenties through sixties seeking multi-pathway anti-aging without retinoid or acid irritation. It works well for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals needing pregnancy-safe anti-aging. Peptide beginners can test this category without spending $60+. Users can also use it to complement a retinoid routine with a different mechanism of action.
Peptides work gradually over months, so avoid this if you want fast, dramatic results. Skip this if you already have a complex routine and do not want another serum. Avoid this if you dislike tacky textures or experience pilling. Those with fungal acne should avoid this because it contains Polysorbate 20.
Product details.
Lightweight, slightly viscous liquid serum — thinner than expected and more watery than gel-like. The clear formula has a subtle slip and absorbs within 1-2 minutes. Initial tackiness disappears once a moisturizer is applied on top.
Completely fragrance-free with no detectable scent.
30 mL frosted glass dropper bottle (also available in 60 mL). Standard The Ordinary minimalist design. The dropper can over-dispense — squeeze gently for controlled application.
The hyaluronic acid complex provides immediate hydration and a slight plumping effect. It causes no tingling, stinging, or visible changes. First-time users may find the tackiness before moisturizer surprising, but it resolves once a cream or lotion is layered on top. This is a slow-build product; anti-aging peptide results develop over weeks to months.
2-3 months with twice-daily full-face application
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
The Ordinary launched 'Buffet' in February 2017 with a name that was deliberately tongue-in-cheek: this was a product where you got a little bit of everything, all-you-can-eat style. It was later renamed 'Multi-Peptide + HA Serum' to better describe its contents, though the original name stuck in popular usage. The idea was audacious — four proprietary peptide complexes that would typically each anchor their own $50+ product, combined in a single formula for under $20.
About The Ordinary
Established Brand (5–20 years)The Ordinary launched in 2016 under DECIEM and quickly became a top global clinical skincare brand. Its ingredient-first, transparent approach uses formulation science, but the brand does not run proprietary clinical trials on most products.
Common myths.
Peptide serums are expensive water; they do not reduce wrinkles.
Manufacturer-sponsored clinical data shows measurable wrinkle reduction for each of the four peptide complexes in this formula. Matrixyl Synthe'6 reduced forehead wrinkle volume by 31% in a placebo-controlled study. SYN-AKE smoothed skin in 80% of volunteers. Peptide evidence is less robust than retinoid studies, but dismissing all peptide data as ineffective contradicts the available clinical evidence.
You can't mix different peptide technologies in one formula — they'll interfere with each other.
The peptide complexes in this formula target different biological pathways: Matrixyl 3000 and Synthe'6 stimulate matrix protein synthesis, while ARGIRELOX and SYN-AKE modulate muscle contraction. These mechanisms complement rather than compete. No evidence shows that combining signaling peptides with neurotransmitter-modulating peptides reduces the efficacy of either.
FAQ.
What's the difference between The Ordinary Buffet and Buffet + Copper Peptides?
The standard Buffet uses four peptide complexes (Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl Synthe'6, ARGIRELOX, SYN-AKE) plus hyaluronic acid and amino acids. The Copper Peptides version adds GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) to increase wound-healing and collagen-stimulating properties. But the copper peptide version has more ingredient conflicts — do not use it with direct acids, vitamin C, or strong antioxidants.
Can I use The Ordinary Buffet with retinol?
Yes — this pairing works well with Buffet. Peptides and retinoids use different mechanisms: retinoids speed up cell turnover while peptides signal collagen synthesis and relax expression muscles. Apply Buffet first, then retinol. Use both in the same PM routine.
How long does it take for The Ordinary Buffet to show results?
Expect better hydration and slight smoothness in 1-2 weeks. Fine lines show visible reduction at 4-8 weeks. Full anti-aging benefits take 2-3 months of consistent twice-daily use. Peptides signal biological processes on cellular timescales — patience is essential.
Is The Ordinary Buffet safe during pregnancy?
Yes. The formula uses only peptides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and a probiotic ferment. It lacks retinoids, salicylic acid, or other pregnancy-flagged ingredients. It is one of the most comprehensive anti-aging options for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.
Why does The Ordinary Buffet feel sticky?
Hyaluronic acid crosspolymer and glycerin combine to form a film-forming hydration layer that feels tacky on bare skin. This tackiness disappears once you apply a moisturizer on top. Use a half-dropper amount and wait 1-2 minutes to absorb before the next step.
Can I use The Ordinary Buffet with vitamin C?
Do not use direct L-ascorbic acid in the same routine step; the low pH destabilizes the peptides. Vitamin C derivatives like ascorbyl glucoside, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate work fine. Or, use vitamin C in the AM and Buffet in the PM.
Do peptide serums actually work for wrinkles?
Four peptide complexes in Buffet have clinical data showing measurable wrinkle reduction. Matrixyl Synthe'6 reduced forehead wrinkle volume by 31% in a placebo-controlled study. SYN-AKE smoothed skin in 80% of volunteers. Peptide evidence is less extensive than retinoid research, but available clinical data shows anti-aging efficacy with consistent use.
What the community says.
"Noticeably smoother and more hydrated skin within the first week of use"
"Fine lines appear visibly reduced after 4-8 weeks of consistent application"
"Exceptional value for a multi-peptide serum — comparable products cost $60-150"
"Lightweight formula layers well under moisturizer and sunscreen"
"No irritation even on sensitive skin — suitable for peptide beginners"
"Visible improvement in skin elasticity and firmness over time"
"Sticky or tacky texture before a moisturizer is applied on top"
"Pilling when layered with silicone-based products"
"Results are gradual and subtle — some users expect faster changes"
"Dropper dispenses too much product if squeezed too hard"
"Some users report no noticeable visible difference after months of use"
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