The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
The Ordinary
Product
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Claims check
The broad NMF-inspired humectant, amino-acid, sugar, fatty-acid, and emollient system strongly supports the core hydration claim without turning the formula into a targeted treatment product.
Shopper fit
- Dry
- Normal
- Combination
- Oily
- Sensitive
Formula flags
- None identified
Shopper preferences
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
Key ingredients
| Glycerin | Provides central humectant support within the broader NMF-inspired hydration system. |
|---|---|
| Sodium Hyaluronate | Adds water-binding support alongside glycerin and other humectants. |
| Sodium PCA | Contributes a physiologically relevant natural-moisturizing-factor component. |
| Urea | Adds an established NMF component that supports hydration and barrier comfort. |
| Linoleic Acid | Contributes fatty-acid support within the formula's emollient phase. |
Price tier
$ Budget
Value check
The Budget tier is especially well supported by a broad NMF-inspired hydration system rather than a formula built around one headline humectant.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
This is a straightforward cream for shoppers who want dependable daily hydration and a broad NMF-inspired formula at the Budget tier. Its main limitation is role, not formula quality: targeted acne, pigment, or wrinkle concerns still require a separate treatment product.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a straightforward Budget moisturizer with an unusually broad hydration system. Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, urea, amino acids, sugars, and linoleic acid give the formula a credible basis for surface hydration and barrier comfort without turning the moisturizer into a treatment product.[1]
Its main tradeoff is format rather than formula quality: this is a mid-weight cream, not a fluid gel, and shoppers looking for acne treatment, pigmentation correction, or wrinkle treatment need a separate product for those goals.
What it claims
The Ordinary calls this its original surface hydrator and says the formula mimics elements of the skin’s natural hydration system, provides immediate and lasting moisture, supports the skin barrier, and leaves skin softer and smoother. The current U.S. page targets dryness, describes the cream as suitable for all skin types, and lists a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.[1]
Claims vs. formula
The core hydration claim is well aligned with the ingredient list. The formula combines glycerin and sodium hyaluronate with amino acids, sodium PCA, PCA, sodium lactate, urea, sugars, fatty acids, lecithin, triglycerides, and emollient fatty alcohols.[1] Natural moisturizing factor in the stratum corneum includes water-attracting compounds such as amino acids, urea, lactate, and PCA, so the product’s NMF framing has a sound formulation basis rather than depending on one highlighted humectant.[2]
The formula still should be understood as a moisturizer, not a treatment system. Its strongest evidence-based role is helping maintain hydration and surface comfort. The brand’s broader barrier language is reasonable in that context, but the ingredient list by itself does not establish a specialized clinical barrier-repair outcome for this exact finished product.
Ingredients that matter
Glycerin: Provides central humectant support within the broader NMF-inspired system.
Sodium hyaluronate: Adds water-binding support alongside glycerin and the formula’s other humectants.
Sodium PCA: Closely matches the product’s NMF positioning because PCA is one of the water-attracting compounds associated with natural moisturizing factor.[2]
Urea: Adds another physiologically relevant NMF component with established moisturizing and barrier-supporting roles in topical formulations.[3]
Linoleic acid: Contributes fatty-acid support within the emollient phase rather than functioning as a standalone treatment active.
Glycerin
If your skin feels dry or tight, glycerin helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need a high percentage or a separate serum when your moisturizer already works well.
Read the IngredientBrief
Hyaluronic Acid
If your skin feels dry or tight, hyaluronic acid helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need several HA forms or a separate serum when your moisturizer already hydrates well.
Read the IngredientBrief
Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA is a well-established humectant and component of skin's natural moisturizing system. It supports hydration inside a balanced formula but is highly replaceable and usually does not need a…
Read the IngredientBrief
Urea
Urea is a well-supported humectant for dry skin that becomes more keratolytic at higher strengths. The right concentration depends on whether you need hydration or targeted smoothing.
Read the IngredientBriefWhat to expect in the short term
Expect a mid-weight cream designed to reduce dry, tight surface feel without added fragrance. The Ordinary describes the finish as non-greasy and directs users to apply the moisturizer as needed.[1] Shoppers who prefer very fluid gel textures may still find the cream more substantial than necessary.
What to expect over time
With regular use, the most dependable benefit is more consistent hydration and surface softness. The formula supplies several classes of compounds associated with natural moisturizing factor and emollient support, which is a stronger basis for routine moisturization than relying on a single hero humectant.[2] It does not add a retinoid, exfoliating acid, or other treatment active, so targeted concerns still require another step when treatment is needed.
Who it fits
This formula is broadly aligned with dry, normal, combination, oily, and sensitive skin when a cream texture is acceptable. The Ordinary currently positions it for all skin types, while BB’s fit assessment is supported by the fragrance-free formula, straightforward moisturizing role, and lack of strong treatment actives.[1] Very oily shoppers who dislike cream textures may prefer a lighter moisturizer, while very dry skin may want the richer Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides formula.
For controlled Shopper Preferences, BB can verify Vegan and Cruelty-Free: The Ordinary is currently included in PETA’s cruelty-free and vegan-company listings.[4][5]
Compare before you buy
The Ordinary now offers several moisturizer textures, which makes fit more important than simply choosing the cheapest option. The brand describes Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA as its original mid-weight surface hydrator, while Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides is richer and intended for shoppers who want more emollient and humectant support.[6] For shoppers who want a straightforward cream, Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA remains difficult to fault at the Budget tier because the formula combines multiple NMF-related humectants, amino acids, sugars, fatty acids, and emollients rather than leaning on one headline ingredient.
Final Assessment
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA makes the most sense for shoppers who want dependable daily hydration from a simple cream without paying for treatment positioning they do not need. Its broad NMF-inspired formula is the main strength, and the Budget tier is well supported by the ingredient system and routine flexibility. Shoppers who want a very light texture, substantially richer occlusion, or targeted treatment benefits have better-matched options within or beyond the brand.
Where to buy
Choose a retailer to view current pricing and availability.
We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you. This does not affect our BeautyBrief.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
- The Ordinary. Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. Current official U.S. product page. Accessed October 6, 2026.
Used to verify product identity, complete ordered formula, claims, directions, pH, skin-type positioning, size options, current product status, and brand-direct Price Tier context.
- Draelos ZD. Going Beyond Ceramides in Moisturizers: The Role of Natural Moisturizing Factors. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2024;23(6):466-471.
Reviewed for the composition and hydration role of natural moisturizing factor, including amino acids, urea, lactate, and PCA. This is general NMF evidence and does not test this finished product.
- Piquero-Casals J, et al. Urea in Dermatology: A Review of its Emollient, Moisturizing, Keratolytic, Skin Barrier Enhancing and Antimicrobial Properties. Dermatology and Therapy. 2021;11(6):1905-1915.
Reviewed for urea’s role as a hygroscopic component of natural moisturizing factor and its use in topical moisturizing formulations. It does not establish the concentration or independent effect of urea in this product.
- PETA. The Ordinary is Cruelty-Free. Current certification listing. Accessed October 6, 2026.
Used to substantiate BB’s controlled Cruelty-Free Shopper Preference.
- PETA. Vegan Companies That Don’t Test on Animals: T. Current listing. Accessed October 6, 2026.
Used to substantiate BB’s controlled Vegan Shopper Preference for The Ordinary.
- The Ordinary. How to Find the Best Moisturizer and Why it Matters. Current brand moisturizer comparison guide. Accessed October 6, 2026.
Used only to verify the brand’s current differentiation among its moisturizer textures and the richer positioning of Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides.
