The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Gel Moisturizer: Review

Alyssa Lee
Sep 12, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Nov 8, 2024

Like many of The Ordinary’s products, their Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Gel Moisturizer is both affordable and transparent, with active ingredient concentrations proudly displayed on the front label. When I was researching the skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, I came across natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and amino acids, which led me to this particular product. The ingredient list immediately caught my attention—it’s packed with humectants, the moisture magnets that draw hydration into the skin. However, that’s where I found the issue.

First, I want to briefly outline general information on the product.

What it is: A clear, lightweight gel-cream that is oil-free [1]
Key Ingredients: Beta Glucan, Natural Moisturizing Factors
What it claims to do: Immediately boosts skin hydration, and strengthens/improves skin barrier after one application [1] (ALYSSA LEE TIP: all moisturizers do this)
Who it's for: This product claims it's for all skin types, including oily skin [1]

Humectant Overload Without The Seal

The product is loaded with humectants, however, it’s seriously lacking in occlusive ingredients—those crucial components that lock in the moisture humectants bring to the surface from deeper skin layers. Without enough occlusives to seal in the hydration, the moisture evaporates, leaving the skin even drier than before. This is a flaw I noticed not only in my experience but also in many reviews from others. Users frequently reported feeling tightness, dryness, and a sensation of their skin becoming more parched over time, despite initial softness.

A quick look at the ingredient list confirms this. There are only two occlusive ingredients—phospholipids and sphingolipids—and they’re buried near the bottom of the list, meaning their concentration is likely too low to combat the humectant-heavy formula. With so many humectants and so few occlusives, it’s no wonder the product leaves skin thirsty, as the moisture drawn in evaporates, leading to surface dryness and tightness. In essence, without a better balance of occlusive ingredients, the hydration the product offers ends up being wasted.

Not A Great Choice For Dry Skin

For those with naturally oily skin, this product might work in your favor, as the lack of occlusives might not be as much of a concern. But for anyone prone to dryness, it’s worth considering that this moisturizer may not offer the long-lasting hydration your skin craves.