Review: The Ordinary – Natural Moisturising Factors + PhytoCeramides Moisturiser

Where to purchase: The Ordinary Website: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK / Adore Beauty: LINK

Price: £20

Volume: 100ml

Made in: Canada

What is it?: A rich and replenishing, Emulsion-type moisturiser.

The most ”nourishing” moisturiser from The Ordinary as this contains almost 4x more moisturising emollients and x2 more humectants (hydrating ingredients) than their previous Natural Moisturising Factors + HA (HERE).

What does it do?: Aims to boost skin hydration, strengthen the skin’s barrier and hydrate the skin ”all day long”.

What is the difference betwen PhytoCeramides and Ceramides?: Phytoceramide = Ceramides from plants i.e. oats, rice and wheat (obtained via fermentation). Ceramides – created in a lab (from plant origin ingredients). Both are absolutely fine to use.

Aims to: target Dryness via NMFs and PhytoCeramides (plant-derived) + Skin Lipids – to plump up the skin and improve the skin’s texture.

Supposedly Good for: All-day protection for Dry Skin.

What I think: I agree; Normal + Dry + Sensitive Skins (And Combination Skins in Dry / Cold Months).

Vegan?: Yes.

Cruelty Free?: Yes.

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.

pH: N/A

Packaging: Plastic Tube with a Squeeze-y Tip.

Directions: Apply a small amount to the face in the morning and evening (further instructions on the website).

How I use it: I apply this in the PM to both the face and neck. I would not use this in the AM as this would be too rich for me (especially when I work out). A little goes a long way because this sort of melts into the skin and becomes easier to spread. I also use this as a makeup primer (I don’t apply anything except this to avoid feeling too rich / heavy) as this makes the skin feel more smooth and ready for makeup application).

Key Ingredients: Tocopherol + Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone (Antioxidants) / IDC (A Skin hydrator and skin-barrier builder) – it makes sure Glycerin is evenly distributed along the skin to make sure it’s hydrated + helps reduce transepidermal water loss / Hyaluronic Acid (Hydrating) / Allantoin (Soothing).

Natural Moisturising Factors and Hydrating ingredients: Glycerin, Linoleic Acid, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Proline, Threonine, Sodium PCA, Pca, Urea,

Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Proline, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine HCl, Betaine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Triolein, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This doesn’t feel like silicone. It feels like a smooth cream that sort of melts into the skin while rubbing this in. It does make the skin look shiny.

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: Yes (not as bad as an oil, it is an emollient cream).

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see, this comes out as an opaque cream that is smooth and easy to spread along the skin.

• You can see this becomes smoother and easier to spread along the skin. It almost sort of ”melts” when rubbing this in.

Swatch Comparison: No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No.

Summer or Winter?: Dry Skins – All Year. Combination Skins – Dry + Winter Months.

Layerable?: Yes.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is an emollient cream! It does leave the skin a little shiny (not a mattifying cream).

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free (This smells like an emollient cream i.e. like the ingredients. It’s not off-putting but it’s there).

Good Under Makeup?: Yes. In fact this would be a great makeup primer (especially for Normal-Dry Skins). However less-is-more when it comes to the application of this (it will feel oilier and greasier the more product you apply).

How long have I been using this?: 2 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: 4-6 Months (It’s a big bottle).

The Effect?: Immediately moisturised skin that feels smooth.

What I like:

• Cruelty-Free
• Fragrance + EO Free
• Moisturising
• Did not sting or irritate my skin
• Good makeup moisturiser
• Smooths out the skin

What I don’t like:

• Can be too rich/greasy for Oily + Oily-Combo skins + in hot weather
• Shiny/Glowy finish

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (closer to 3.9) / 5 – A really nice moisturising cream that does what it says on the skin; it makes the skin feel smooth as it hydrate and moisturises the skin. It’s a great makeup base or a great evening moisturiser (for my oily-combo skin in the dry months). I do think oily skins and combination skins will find this product uncomfortable during the summer months, but you could give it ago during the dry seasons! I appreciate it is fragrance and essential oil free and contains even more hydrating and moisturising ingredients compared to the previous formulation.

Note: I suspect I wont enjoy this cream (oily-combo skin) during the hot months but I do enjoy it in the dry-er months.

Is this my favourite Moisturiser from The Ordinary?: Stay tuned for my review on all three creams together and their comparison.

Would I repurchase?: Yes I would, not for the hot weather, but for the cold weather I would.

Dupe?: In terms of ingredients and texture; this is very similar to the Original Natural Moisturising Factors HERE

The Ordinary do state that this has a few more emollient and hydrating ingredients than this original cream, however it means oily skins can more comfortably use the original formula.

• This is very similar in texture to the Krave so Simple Water Cream (Swatches + Review HERE)

The Krave Cream is less emollient and more hydrating however

• The Glossier Priming Moisturiser (Swatches + Review HERE).

This product is a good dupe for the Embryolisse – Lait-Crème Concentré Sensitive Cream LINK

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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