The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Review

If you've been looking to try out some products from The Ordinary, this NMF moisturizer is super talked about and we're going to chat about it today! Hint: I've used up almost all of it and it's not all that it's hyped up to be. Let's dive in!

Quick facts:

Makeup Alley Rating: 3.7/5 out of 138 reviews

EWG's Skin Deep® Ingredient Checker: 3 EWG rating for low-moderate concern

Formulation: On the Deciem website, the Moisturising Factors moisturiser is said to be alcohol-free. Although there are ingredients in this formula such as Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol, these fatty alcohols aren’t toxic and due to its chemical structure, the FDA have allowed these ingredients to be classed as alcohol-free, so don’t be worried when you see the ingredient list! Additionally, the product is also silicone-free, oil-free, vegan, and also cruelty-free.

Potential irritants: The moisturizer has low irritancy levels and comedogenicity levels.

Application: A medium-weight cream that spreads okay but doesn't absorb quickly into the skin.

Scent: No noticeable scent, fragrance-free

Packaging: The moisturizer is in a squeeze tube that comes in two different sizes of 30ml or 100ml. I've found that the product does collect by the lid and gets crusty, but for the most part it's much more sanitary than a jar.

Price: Prices range from $6.40 to $12.00 CAD and $5.80 to $10.50 USD

Where to purchase: The Moisturising Factors + HA moisturizer can be bought from Deciem, Well.ca, Walmart, Sephora, Amazon, Socialite Beauty, Lookfantastic, Harrods, Ulta, Nordik Beauty

Pros:  The Moisturising Factors is an affordable, no-fuss moisturizer. The natural moisturizing factors in the formula are made up of compounds already found in the skin such as hyaluronic acid, multiple amino acids, fatty acids, glycerin, ceramides and many more.

Cons: I dislike the texture of it and how long it takes to massage into the skin. In my opinion, it's really similar to the regular Cera Ve jar cream (more about that below in the ingredients section) and I personally much prefer the Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Cream (see review here) as a basic moisturizer alternative (it's also very affordable).

What does The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors do?

The Deciem website notes that the moisturizer has natural factors - compounds already found in the skin (skin-identical ingredients) which protect the outer layer of the skin, like hyaluronic acid, multiple amino acids, fatty acids, glycerin, ceramides, and more. The moisturizer is supposed to leave the skin with a non-greasy drink of hydration which acts as a “direct topical supplement”!

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ingredients

To learn more about reading this list, check out our in-depth guide on how to read skincare ingredient labels to see if the formulation would be right for you.

Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Sodium Pca, Pca, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Triolein, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

deciem.com

The first thing I noticed about this moisturizer was that it was on the thicker side and took a while to spread and sink in. As you massage it into your face, it drags around a little bit and you have to almost pat in a bit to help it absorb. I remember 10 years+ ago, I tried the Cera Ve tub cream on my face before and this kind of felt similar. After looking at the ingredients list of that, it seems like the base of the formulations are almost the same (AQUA / WATER / EAU, GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL) - thus explaining the similarity in textures.

How do you use The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors and HA?

After cleansing, toning and applying your serum/or actives, apply a nickel-sized amount and spread it onto your face and neck area and massage into your skin like you would any other moisturizer.

Is The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors good for dry skin?

The Ordinary NMF + HA is meant for more dry skin types. But due to its thick texture, I don't find it hydrating. You'd have to use a hydrating serum or hydrating toner underneath, then seal everything with this moisturizer.

Is The Ordinary moisturizer good for acne?

Do not use this if you have acne-prone skin. The moisturizer has low irritancy level and low comedogenicity levels due to the fatty alcohols used in the formulation but the texture of this feels like it doesn't quite sink into the skin and can feel tacky long after application.

Review summary

If you're looking for an affordable basic moisturizer and you have normal/dry skin - this is an OK option. However, I think if you ventured a little further - there are better options out there for a go-to moisturizer, like the Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Cream that I've also reviewed.

Comment below if you've tried this already and feel the same way or you actually really love it!