The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Can The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA give my dry skin a good dose of hydration?

Let’s face it: skincare can get really expensive. Staying on top of a full skincare routine can sometimes feel like it’s not worth the price or effort you’re putting into maintaining it.

I’ve ummed and ahhed over the different serums, oils, cleansers, and moisturisers in my bathroom cabinet, and have wondered many a time whether a repurchase was really necessary when I was down to the last few drops of a product.

That’s why it was hard to look past The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, a face moisturiser that costs just $17.10 for a 100ml tube. Add to that the hype surrounding The Ordinary, and it seemed like too enticing a product to pass up trying - which I did for almost 2 months (and am still using now).

What does The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA do?

The Ordinary Natural Mosturizing Factors + HA targets dryness and is suited to all skin types.

The key active ingredients in the formula are:

• sodium hyaluronate, which improves hydration from beneath the skin.
• arginine, which has antioxidants, hydrating properties, and helps repair visible skin damage.
• sodium PCA, an amino acid that hydrates and acts as a humectant to trap moisture in the skin. It also helps skin look plumper and more youthful thanks to it being able to increase the skin's water content.
• lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that’s used to remove dead skin cells, reduce appearance of fine lines, and help fade dark spots.

The moisturiser is also free from oil, alcohol, and silicone, so it doesn’t have any glaring ingredients that are likely to cause irritation. Being free of artificial fragrance is the cherry on top for those with sensitive skin.

It's vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, which should tick a lot of boxes for those with certain formulation requirements. It’s also non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t block pores, so it’s suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.

Texture and consistency: lightweight galore

The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is an emulsion moisturiser, which is a water-based formula with a gel-like consistency. These moisturises are seen as a more lightweight version to traditional moisturising creams and face oils, which can leave your skin feeling greasy or weighed down.

I found that this pretty accurately described the moisturiser. It felt lightweight, with an almost silicone-like texture (although there’s no silicone in the formula). It absorbed into the skin quickly, didn’t pill, and didn’t leave any greasy residue.

The lightweight formula did mean that I needed more product than I usually would need to glide on my face and make it feel adequately hydrated, but it still applied smoothly.

How does it feel?

The moisturiser is non-comedogenic, and it lived up to that and didn’t feel like it was clogging my pores. After almost two months of using it, it didn’t look like it was either. It didn’t irritate my skin, but didn’t feel like it was soothing it either - although that’s not what I typically expect of a moisturiser.

Finish: hydration without the glow

This is where The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA fell short for me. I like the feeling of my makeup almost melting into my skin, which is part of the reason why I love thicker, more gloopy moisturisers, like the Clinique Moisture Surge. The Ordinary’s moisturiser just didn’t give me the glow I crave.

I didn’t find it hydrating enough to plump up my face and reduce the appearance of the fine lines around my eyes like other moisturisers do. It might be more suited as a sole moisturiser for those with more normal or oily skin, although it is targeted at dry skin.

I’m used to richer creams that make my somewhat dry skin glow instantly. Alone, this one just isn’t moisturising enough for me. While the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a little too thin for my liking, this wasn’t a huge issue, as I often use a few drops of either rosehip or hemp oil on my face in the evening. I felt like this combination was perfect, and probably overkill for those who don’t particularly like that much of a sheen at night.

Although it wasn’t as obviously hydrating as I hoped it would be, my makeup blended well into it, and didn’t look caked on - even when I was more liberal with my foundation.

Packaging: simple but functional

I love squeeze tube packaging. The matte finish of this moisturiser’s packaging is so satisfying to touch, and the whole thing is pretty travel-friendly, which is perfect for taking on a weekend getaway. It’s even pocket-friendly if you opt for the smaller sized tube.

Final thoughts

What I love about The Ordinary is that from what I’ve seen so far, their products are exactly as they’re advertised: simple, effective, and fuss-free.

If you’re after a moisturiser that’s scented and feels luxurious on the skin, then you’re better off looking elsewhere. But, if you want a cream that does the job, is unlikely to irritate the skin, and won’t break the bank, then this moisturiser should be at the top of your shopping list.

I personally prefer moisturisers that leave my dryer skin pretty glowy and moist looking, and for me, this moisturiser didn’t hit the mark in that way. That’s my own personal preference, and it’s not even a dealbreaker for me.

So if you don’t like that gooey consistency that I do, then this moisturiser might be perfect for you.

For the price, it’s a pretty decent basic moisturiser that I’d recommend to those who don’t have very dry skin and want something lightweight.

You can purchase The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA from the The Ordinary website, Adore Beauty, Priceline, Myer, The Iconic, and select online retailers.