The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
The Ordinary
Product
Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides
Claims check
You get an unusually broad humectant-and-lipid system with direct 30-person evidence for immediate hydration, plus National Eczema Association acceptance and supported Vegan and Cruelty-Free status.
Shopper fit
- Dry
- Normal
- Combination
- Sensitive
Formula flags
- None identified
Shopper preferences
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
Key ingredients
| Glycerin | Provides core humectant support within the broader natural-moisturizing-factor system. |
|---|---|
| Glycosphingolipids | Add barrier-relevant lipid support within the richer moisturizer base. |
| Linoleic Acid | Contributes to the fatty-acid portion of the formula's skin-lipid support. |
| Urea | Adds established humectant support as part of the formula's natural-moisturizing-factor blend. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | Adds further water-binding support alongside glycerin, PCA, lactate, sugars, and amino acids. |
Price tier
$ Budget
Value check
At the Budget tier, you are paying for a rich moisturizer with a broad humectant system, amino acids, fatty acids, barrier-relevant lipids, finished-product hydration data, and strong third-party suitability context.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
If your skin is dry and you want a rich moisturizer without moving into a higher price tier, this gives you excellent Budget value. If you strongly prefer lightweight gels or lotions, choose a lighter texture.
If your skin is dry and lightweight lotions are not enough, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides gives you unusually broad humectant and lipid support at a Budget price. Glycerin, urea, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, amino acids, sugars, sodium hyaluronate, glycosphingolipids, glycolipids, and fatty acids all contribute to the moisturizing structure.
The rich texture is the main fit question. If your skin is oily or you strongly prefer weightless gels, this is probably more cream than you need.
What it claims
The Ordinary calls this its most nourishing moisturizer and says it immediately boosts hydration by 68%, helps strengthen the skin barrier, and provides all-day moisture for dry skin. The 68% result comes from a 30-person clinical test after a single application.[1]
The current product also carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and remains identified as vegan and cruelty-free.[1]
Claims vs. formula
Glycerin, propanediol, betaine, sodium PCA, PCA, sodium lactate, urea, sugars, amino acids, and sodium hyaluronate give you several complementary routes for water-binding support.
Glycosphingolipids, glycolipids, phytosteryl canola glycerides, lecithin, triolein, and fatty acids including linoleic acid add meaningful lipid support, while multiple emollients give the cream its richer moisture-retaining character.
The “PhytoCeramides” name is product positioning; the stronger evidence is the actual listed lipid system plus the 30-person finished-product hydration test.
Tocopherol and allantoin add supporting antioxidant and conditioning value, but they are not the main reason to choose the product.
Ingredients that matter
Glycerin: Gives you core humectant support.
Glycosphingolipids: Add barrier-relevant lipid support.
Linoleic acid: Contributes to the fatty-acid portion of the lipid system.
Urea: Adds humectant support as part of the natural-moisturizing-factor blend.
Sodium hyaluronate: Adds further water-binding support.
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
Linoleic Acid
Linoleic acid is an essential omega-6 fatty acid used as an emollient and involved in normal barrier-lipid biology. Human benefits are strongest in complete moisturizers rather than isolated linoleic acid.
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 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 IngredientBriefWhat to expect in the short term
You get a rich cream feel and more substantial softening than a gel or lightweight lotion. The 30-person test directly supports an immediate hydration increase after one application.
What to expect over time
Used consistently, you can expect maintained hydration and improved comfort from the combined humectant-and-lipid system. The product supports the barrier; it does not treat eczema.
Who it fits
This makes the most sense if your skin is dry, normal-to-dry, combination with dry areas, or sensitive and you want a richer moisturizer. The National Eczema Association seal adds useful suitability context.
Compare before you buy
Choose this formula when persistent dryness calls for a richer humectant-and-lipid system.
Choose a lighter Natural Moisturizing Factors formula when texture weight matters more than maximum richness.
Final assessment
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides gives you unusually complete Budget hydration for dry skin, with direct 30-person hydration data, National Eczema Association acceptance, and supported Vegan and Cruelty-Free preferences. Its main limitation is simply that the rich texture will be more than some skin types want.
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 + PhytoCeramides. Current official U.S. product page. Accessed October 2, 2026.
Source for current $10.80 price, dry-skin positioning, rich-cream format, Vegan and Cruelty-Free status, National Eczema Association seal display, current ordered formula, and 30-person single-application clinical hydration result.
