The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Review

Regardless of your skin type, you need to moisturize your skin to keep your complexion hydrated and your skin barrier strong. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is formulated to do just that. It is a nourishing moisturizer that contains many active ingredients including hyaluronic acid to hydrate, moisturize and plump your skin.

I’ve reviewed many products from The Ordinary, so I decided it was finally time to discuss my experience with The Ordinary’s one and only cream moisturizer. I’ll discuss product experience, price, benefits, drawbacks, and more in this The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA review.

This The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA review post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.

Active ingredients and Natural Moisturizing Factors in the formula include 11 amino acids, phospholipids, alpha/beta/gamma fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols and sterol esters, glycerin, ceramide precursors, urea, saccharides, sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid.

The moisturizer is a The Ordinary best seller, which isn’t surprising since it is designed to provide non-greasy and immediate hydration that lasts all day.

It helps increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture and improve the appearance of dry/dehydrated skin.

Natural Moisturizing Factors are necessary for optimal hydration in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin.

NMFs occur as part of the skin’s complex structure and function to maintain moisture balance as a byproduct of skin metabolism.

Natural Moisturizing Factors are formed from filaggrin, a type of protein that’s found in the skin. When the skin’s NMF levels are depleted, the skin can become dry, rough, and flaky.

What Are The Benefits of Natural Moisturizing Factors?

Natural Moisturizing Factors bind and hold water in the stratum corneum, which leads to increased hydration and improved skin elasticity.

NMFs are also important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function. The skin’s moisture barrier helps to protect against environmental aggressors, like pollution and UV rays.

When the skin’s barrier is damaged, it can lead to dryness, sensitivity, breakouts, and inflammation. NMFs act as humectants that draw water into the stratum corneum and bind water to the skin, which helps keep the skin’s barrier intact.

Interestingly, research shows that the viscosity of NMFs thickens when humidity is reduced to protect the skin from dehydration, so they have a protective effect against dry environments.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Key Ingredients

• Sodium Hyaluronate: A form of hyaluronic acid that’s able to hold 1000x its weight in water. Sodium hyaluronate is a powerful hydrator that helps to plump the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Arginine: An amino acid that is one of the building blocks of collagen in the skin. This Natural Moisturizing Factor is important for wound healing and skin repair.
• Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine: These amino acids are NMFs that hydrate and moisturize the skin and help maintain its barrier function.
• Glucose, Fructose, Trehalose: These sugars are NMFs that help keep the skin hydrated and prevent water loss.
• Sodium PCA and PCA: Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid are NMFs that help the skin retain moisture.
• Sodium Lactate: The sodium salt of lactic acid is an active ingredient that moisturizes the skin.
• Urea: A NMF in human skin, urea strengthens the skin barrier and has keratolytic properties that help shed the outer layer of the skin.
• Allantoin: An active ingredient that is derived from the comfrey plant. It is a soothing agent that helps heal wounds and protects the skin.

I am not a fan of moisturizers that are too dewy (especially in the warm summer months), so I was glad to see that this moisturizer leaves a natural finish on my skin that isn’t too matte or dewy, yet my skin feels nicely hydrated and moisturized.

For my combination skin which tends to lean toward the oily side, especially when the warm humid weather hits, I find that it provides just the right amount of surface hydration without looking greasy or oily on my skin.

It works as a day cream since it plays well with other skincare products and provides a nice canvas for makeup.

Some may think that this is a basic moisturizer. While it isn’t formulated with strong actives like niacinamide, retinol, or vitamin C, it contains some fantastic moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and sugars that work together to hydrate and moisturize the skin while also helping to maintain its barrier function.

If you are looking for a no-frills, effective moisturizer that won’t break the bank, I would highly recommend The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. This fragrance-free moisturizer could also be a great option for sensitive skin thanks to the gentle formula.

If you have normal, combination, or oily skin, this moisturizer could work well for your skin type.

Drawbacks

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors moisturizer is not too matte or dewy, so if you would prefer those finishes, you should try a different moisturizer.

Also, if you have dry skin, you might want a richer cream. If you want to give this a try for your dry skin, consider supplementing it with a hydrating serum, like The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5, to up your hydration levels. Or mix a few drops of your favorite facial oil into the moisturizer for added moisture.

How To Use The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors

For improved surface hydration, apply this face moisturizer after cleansing, toning, and applying serums or treatments.

As the last step of your morning skincare routine after applying this moisturizer, be sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

The Ordinary recommends patching testing this and any other skincare product before using it for the first time to avoid any potential adverse reactions.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Conflicts

Natural Moisturizing Factors HA does not conflict with other products, making it a great choice for your daily moisturizer. You can use it in both your AM and PM skincare routines.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Price

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA comes in two sizes:

• 30 ml (1.01 oz) for $6.50
• 100 ml (3.38 oz) for $13.50

Both sizes cost less than many basic drugstore moisturizers.

Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer uses a naturally-derived silicone alternative to smooth your complexion and prep your skin for makeup.

Lightweight Daily Moisturizer has the same natural finish as Natural Moisturizing Factors yet has a slightly thicker texture.

It contains macadamia seed oil and shea butter to moisturize and nourish your skin and sodium hyaluronate for hydration and plumping.

Read more about Good Molecules and how they compare to The Ordinary products in this post: Good Molecules vs The Ordinary.

It contains 0.5% Ceramosides (a patented phytoceramide complex) for extended hydration, 3% Betaine Complex to reduce moisture loss, and 5% niacinamide to reduce excess oil and even out skin tone.

Final Thoughts: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Review

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA has an impressive ingredient list filled with multiple amino acids, hydrators, and moisturizers for deep hydration and moisture but is priced at drugstore prices, making it both effective and affordable.

I think The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a great choice for an affordable daily moisturizer thanks to its lightweight, non-greasy formula. I even picked it as a dupe for Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream.

While it may not be rich enough for those with dry skin, this The Ordinary product could be a great option for those with normal to combination or oily skin. If you’re on the fence, you can try the small tube for less than $7.

Thanks for reading!

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