The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Review
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA from the Ordinary is a good moisturiser.
Let me explain more…Keep reading to find out if this one is for you.
The main benefit of this product is the hydration it adds to the skin.
It has a few different humectants. Humectants are water magnets. They attract water molecules from the atmosphere, bringing hydration to the skin. If you live in a dry climate where there isn’t much hydration in the atmosphere, they will pull the water molecules from the deeper layers of skin to the surface and keep the surface hydrated.
The top layer of the skin (surface) acts as a barrier. It prevents water loss from the skin through evaporation and protects the skin from attacks from environmental allergens. For the top layer to perform this job well, it needs to be rich in ingredients that help it do this. Hydration is one of these ingredients.
Some of this product’s ingredients are also naturally present on the skin. The skin recognises these ingredients as its own, making them more effective in hydrating skin.
Some of the ingredients the product’s promotional material mentions are in small quantities, not at a concentration where they can make a good impact. But that’s okay—among the top ingredients are good hydrating ingredients, including amino acids.
The product also contains emollients that can help seal this hydration in. The seal is not very thick; it is a light seal.
This product does the job of a moisturiser – it brings in hydration and seals that hydration.
This product suits all skin types, especially oily skin types.
If your skin feels too dry or dehydrated, this product will only partially fix the issue. You can still use it as a moisturiser, but you might need something else to help resolve the hydration issue. A good hydrating serum and topping it off with a thick cream can help fix the hydration issue in these cases.
This product is not rich in emollients, which help seal in hydration. However, because of this, it feels light and easy to apply. Less emollients also make it a nice option to apply underneath sunscreen. You don’t want a thick cream underneath your sunscreen. All this makes it a good day moisturiser, but maybe not so much for the night.
It’s important to note that this product is designed specifically for hydration and does not contain ingredients to calm your skin or strengthen your skin barrier. While these features are not necessary for a moisturizer, understanding its limitations will help you build a comprehensive skincare routine.
How to use the product
Cleanse your face.
If you are using any essence or serums – apply that first.
Then top it off with this moisturiser.
Sunscreen comes on top of this.
Ingredient 1 – Aqua (Water)
Function: Solvent
It helps in dissolving other ingredients in the product.
Dissolved ingredients can spread better on the skin.
Ingredient 2 – Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function: Emollient
It forms a thin layer on the skin’s surface and reduces the loss of hydration from the skin into the atmosphere through evaporation, thus helping to keep the skin hydrated.
Ingredient 3 – Cetyl Alcohol
Function: Emollient, Thickener, Emulsifier
Emollients soften and smoothen the skin.
An emulsifier keeps the oil-based and water-based ingredients in the product together. Without it, the product’s ingredients will not mix. This ingredient also binds all ingredients in the product together and thickens it.
Ingredient 4 – Propanediol
Function: Humectant, Emollient, Solvent, Texture enhancer
When applied to the skin’s surface, it draws water molecules from the atmosphere to the skin and thus hydrates the skin. It also forms a thin surface on the skin’s surface and helps to retain the hydration (reduces the evaporation of hydration into the atmosphere).
It helps in dissolving other ingredients in the product.
It enhances the texture of the product.
Ingredient 5 -Stearyl Alcohol
Function: Emollient
It forms a thin layer on the skin’s surface and reduces the loss of hydration from the skin into the atmosphere through evaporation, thus helping to keep the skin hydrated.
Ingredient 6 – Glycerin
Function: Humectant
It is a water magnet. It pulls water molecules from the atmosphere to the top layer of the skin. This way, it hydrates the skin.
Ingredient 7 – Sodium Hyaluronate
Function: Humectant
It is a water magnet. It pulls water molecules from the atmosphere to the top layer of the skin. This way, it hydrates the skin.
Ingredient 8 – Arginine
Function: Antioxidant, Humectant
Repairs damage to the skin. Hydrates the skin.
Ingredient 9 – Aspartic Acid
Function: Hydrating, pH adjuster
It hydrates the skin.
The pH level refers to how acidic or alkaline a product is. A pH adjuster adjusts the pH level of the product to be compatible with the skin’s pH.
This ingredient if used in higher concentrations can be irritating to the skin.
Ingredient 10 – Glycine
Function: Hydrating
It hydrates the skin.
