PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY NATURAL MOISTURIZING FACTORS + BETA GLUCAN - What is Beta Glucan? What does Beta Glucan do for skin? What is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors used for?
THE ORDINARY NATURAL MOISTURIZING FACTORS + BETA GLUCAN
I’m a day-one fan of The Ordinary and their accessibly priced, well-formulated products for everyone – every concern and every skin type.
I like to think of The Ordinary as my go-to for no-nonsense, functional products that help me to maintain optimal skin health. While I use numerous products from the brand in my regular skincare routines, none of them are particularly groundbreaking. But that’s what I appreciate most about The Ordinary. It’s not about sexy ingredients and the over-hyped, over-marketed products you get from just about every other brand.
Despite its “unsexiness,” the clincher is that The Ordinary is anything but ordinary! Not many brands offer a simple, functional caffeine serum for puffiness. At just $9, I go through a bottle a month of The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. In fact, it’s the very first product I use in the morning – often within 5 minutes of getting out of bed.
Psst…you can catch my The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG review on the blog here.
Not known for introducing new products often, the company has been somewhat of an innovation machine this year, having launched by my count a half dozen new cleansers, face creams and targeted serums since the start of the year. Without doubt, it’s the biggest burst of product newness from the brand since its founding in 2016.
Among my favorite new products are The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum and the new Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan – which I will review just below.
Best Products from The Ordinary
Just how slow has The Ordinary been at bringing new products to market? Well, the brand offered just a single cleanser for nearly five years. One cleanser for every skin type and texture preference? That always seemed weird to me.
There aren’t many brands the size of The Ordinary which offer one cleanser for all skin types, skin concerns and circumstances. While I love The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser, I don’t want to use a cleansing balm every time I wash my face – which is thrice daily. (Yes, I said thrice!)
Now, seemingly out of no where, the brand offers three distinct cleansers. In addition to the classic Squalane Cleanser, you have the choice of a cleansing cream and a cleansing gel. And I have to say that after not quite feeling it, I’m obsessed with the latter. The Ordinary’s Glucoside Foaming Cleanser is a cleansing gel lover’s dream come true for oily skin and sweaty skin on a hot day. No doubt it’s gonna be my go-to face cleanser this summer!
If you haven’t had the chance to try out The Ordinary’s two new face cleansers yet, you’re missing out!
Which brings me to another franchise trio – The Ordinary’s new range of face creams with “natural moisturizing factors.” If the phrase sounds oddly familiar to you, it’s because the only face cream that the brand offered for-like-ever was the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA moisturizer.
As with the brand’s lone face cleanser, it never made sense to me that The Ordinary offered just one face cream. It’s a brand that prides itself on an uncomplicated skincare routine focused on functional products that help you attain and maintain your skin health. How do you do that if you’re using a moisturizer that’s not quite right for your skin?
I don’t know about you, but my skin has different moisture needs throughout the year. I certainly don’t want to use the same face cream or even sunscreen in June that I do in January.
If you’re super dry, Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA might not have done enough to meet your skin’s needs each day. Of course, you had the option of using one of The Ordinary’s 87 facial oils. (JK!) But, again, not everyone fancies a facial oil. That’s the last thing I want on my face on a hot, humid day!
The Ordinary finally addressed the needs of a dry or very dry skin type several weeks ago with the launch of Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides – the richest face cream of the three. In my product review of it here, I said it was their best face cream yet. And it really is that good.
PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY NATURAL MOISTURIZING FACTORS + PHYTOCERAMIDES
But what if your skin is oily or acne-prone? Does The Ordinary have a moisturizer for oily skin?
If your skin is oily or acne-prone, Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA was certainly overkill! The brand had little to offer for oily skin until two weeks ago when they introduced the third moisturizer in the NMF collection – The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan.
It’s funny how much of a gaping hole there’s been until now in The Ordinary’s catalogue of skincare for oily and acne-prone skins. Go ahead and google the question, Which Ordinary moisturizer is best for oily skin? When you do, you’ll get this random list of skincare products from the brand that don’t actually answer your concern:
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Sure, they all have benefits for oily skin, but moisturizing isn’t one of them! To the brand’s credit, they did recently introduce a new product innovation to address post-acne marks, a key concern of acne-prone skin: The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution. Psst…catch my review of it here.
PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY ALOE 2% + NAG 2% SOLUTION
So it’s great to see the The Ordinary filling product gaps for specific skin types – from oily and acne-prone skin on one end of the spectrum to dry and very dry skin on the other.
And it’s exciting to have the opportunity to experience the new innovations coming out of the “O. Lab” since the brand’s acquisition by the Estée Lauder Companies was finalized last year. The Ordinary has clearly been harnessing the resources of the big beauty conglomerate, including their vast R&D division with access to more advanced technologies than Deciem and The Ordinary were working with previously.
TBH it’s refreshing and I can’t wait to see what the brand has in store in the weeks and months ahead.
Before I get to my product review of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan just below, I wanted to explore what natural moisturizing factors are – and go into detail on the intriguing namesake Beta Glucan and its unique benefits for the skin…
CURIOUS ABOUT THE ORDINARY’S NEW SERUM FOR ACNE MARKS?
1. What is Beta Glucan?
Beta glucan is a type of soluble fiber found in many sources, including oats, barley, and mushrooms, as well as in some types of seaweed and yeasts. More specifically, beta glucan is a long-chain polysaccharide (sugar) made of D-glucose monomers connected through glycosidic linkages, such as 1,3 and 1,6 linkages.
Beta glucan has a wide range of potential health benefits, including helping to support a strong immune system, reducing cholesterol, and improving blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Beta Glucans. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/beta-glucans
2. What does Beta Glucan do for skin?
Beta glucan is believed to have a number of benefits for skin health when applied topically.
Overall, beta glucan is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties when applied to the skin. It also possesses moisturizing properties and may even improve skin’s elasticity.
Beta glucan may also help with wound healing and protecting the skin from environmental damage. And, it has been found to be particularly effective in reducing inflammation and irritation associated with skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Think of beta glucan as a superb skin soother – something all skins can benefit from, but especially irritated or inflamed skin. When beta glucan is found in your moisturizer or face serum, you can bet it’s helping to promote healthy, balanced skin.
Sources: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: "Cosmetic and dermatological use of beta-glucan: A review" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28464361/; International Journal of Cosmetic Science: "Beta-glucans in skincare: A patent review" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ics.12590; International Journal of Molecular Sciences: "Beta-Glucans and Their Applications in Skin Health: A Review" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6891674/
3. What is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors used for?
Today, there are three distinct face creams under The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors franchise. What are natural moisturizing factors?
Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs) are vital components in human skin that work synergistically to keep it hydrated and healthy. These factors are made up of various substances, such as amino acids, urea, lactic acid, sugars such as hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycan, and other components. NMFs help to maintain the skin’s water levels by absorbing moisture from the air and preventing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) from the skin’s surface layers. They also support skin barrier function, which helps protect against external irritants and pollution. Adequate levels of NMFs are key to keeping skin soft, supple, and well-nourished, making them essential for healthy, balanced skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is new and ideal for oily and combination skin – and all skin types on a hot humid day.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides is new and ideal for dry and very dry skin and normal skin types in cold, low-humidity climates.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is the brand’s classic face cream ideal for healthy, balanced skin that is neither overly oily or overly dry.
Sources: Byrdie: “Exclusive: Deciem’s CEO on What, Exactly, The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors Do” https://www.byrdie.com/the-ordinary-natural-moisturizing-factors-review-5070604; Dermatoendocrinology: “Natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in dermal physiology and barrier function”; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: “Natural moisturizing factor components in the stratum corneum as biomarkers of filaggrin genotype: Evaluation of minimally invasive methods”
4. What is the best moisturizer from The Ordinary?
The best moisturizer from The Ordinary is entirely contingent upon your skin type and unique skin concerns.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA has long been a popular option and is designed to hydrate and protect the skin barrier. However, while it’s ideal for normal, balanced skin – and skin that isn’t too oily or too dry – it’s not the best face cream for oily skin or dry skin.
The Ordinary recently introduced two new distinct moisturizers that are more suitable for you if you have oily skin or dry skin.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is formulated specifically for oily and combination skin – and all skin types on a hot humid day. (My review of it begins just below!)
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides is formulated for dry, very dry, and normal skin types in cold, low-humidity climates. You can catch my review of it on the blog here.
Sources: Refinery29: “The Best The Ordinary Products For Acne-Prone Skin” https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/the-ordinary-acne-prone-skin-products; Byrdie: “The 10 Best Moisturizers That Won’t Suffocate Your Skin” https://www.byrdie.com/best-non-comedogenic-moisturizers; Health: “The 10 Best Moisturizers to Hydrate and Protect Your Skin, According to Dermatologists” https://www.health.com/beauty/best-moisturizers-for-dry-skin
5. Product Review
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Review
Let me start out my review of The Ordinary’s new Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan by saying if you’re a fan of lightweight gels, you’ll love this product. I hesitated there for a moment to describe it as a gel-cream because, well, it really isn’t one. There’s simply nothing creamy or cream-like about this face cream.
I think the best way to describe it is to share my first impression of it – the moment a month ago that I peeled back that little foil safety seal and squeezed some out into my palm.
I thought: Hold up. Is this hair gel?!
Fortunately for me, it is not. I shave my head and have no need for hair gel! I can’t tell you how many unboxings I’ve done, excited AF to experience a new product, and it’s a new shampoo, a deep conditioning treatment, a styling gel. My heart sinks to the floor.
While The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan looks a lot like hair gel, it doesn’t feel like one. You know, a hair gel has that thick, sticky feel to it. The Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan formula is similarly transparent, but actually super soft and wet on the skin. It’s not the least bit sticky, so my apologies if I planted that seed.
But it is surprisingly hydrating!
You may now be asking yourself the question, Is the The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan oil-free?
The literal answer is no. The brand doesn’t describe it as oil-free, but it’s damn close to being oil-free. The truth is it contains relatively low levels of lipids, or oils, in the form of phospholipids and sphingolipids.
The whole debate about whether a skincare product can be described as “oil-free” is quite fraught. There’s a huge aversion among big beauty companies to describing a formula as oil-free. As I recall, there was a lawsuit a few years back against Clinique for describing a product as oil-free when the formula contained an ingredient derived from oil. It may have been dimethicone. But don’t quote me.
No matter, I’m here to tell you that The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is for all intents and purposes “oil-free”. If you’re concerned about adding more oil to your already oily skin, you can put that to rest here.
There are few brands that I trust to put skin health first as much as I do The Ordinary. I would put Skinfix and Paula’s Choice in that “skin health first” category. If you're concerned about your skin health and products that literally promote the health of your skin, then you do need to replenish your skin’s lipid levels each day. It’s simply a matter of how much.
Oils are necessary for moisturizing skin and for preventing trans-epidermal water loss. When your skin is stripped of oil, it produces more of it to compensate. That’s something that denatured alcohol causes – and why products with high levels of drying alcohol are problematic for skin, particularly oily skin.
Used as a solvent or preservative in skincare products, denatured alcohol can strip the skin of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness and irritation. While it helps remove excess oil from the skin surface, it can also disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function and cause it to produce more oil in response, leading to an increase in oiliness over time.
That’s why I can appreciate the small amount of lipids in the Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan formula. If you’re oily, it’ll probably be all the lipid replenishment you need.
The formula does contain numerous hydrators and hydrating humectants – among them Betaine, Glycerin and the product’s namesake Beta Glucan.
In fact, The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is so effective at hydrating skin that the brand asserts it is “designed to provide all-day hydration after just one application” with the disclaimer that a “clinical efficacy study was performed on 30 subjects applying Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan over an 8 hour period.”
I can attest to the fact that the formula is quite hydrating. Over the last several weeks here in Brooklyn I have experienced a broad range of climate conditions – with temperatures in the high 30s to the mid-80s. It’s gone from super dry to humid as hell and through it all, The Ordinary’s new Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan has been supremely comfortable on my skin. Whether I used it in my AM routine or just before bed, I’ve felt no need for a heavier moisturizer – no matter the temperature.
The last thing I want to share about it is its exceptional soothing qualities. Beta Glucan happens to be a superb ingredient for soothing inflamed and irritated skin – a particular concern of acne-prone skin. There are several other soothing actives in the formula, including Xylitol.
And while it’s ideal for oily and acne-prone skins, the fact that The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is free of alcohol and fragrance means it’s also one of the best face creams for sensitive skin.
6. Pros & Cons
What I like about it: Filling a glaring hole in the brand’s product offerings, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is one of the best moisturizers for oily skin and acne-prone skin. It delivers just the right amount of hydration and a hint of lipid replenishment to sustain skin health. I love its blend of skin soothers as well, including a high level of Beta Glucan that help to soothe inflamed, irritated and otherwise sensitive skin. That’s another huge plus for those struggling with acne.
What I don’t like about it: Honestly, I like everything about it. Still, it would be nice if it were to include some Niacinamide for added antioxidant protection and to help unclog pores. But then you wouldn’t need to pay an additional $6.60 for The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum would you?
Who it’s for: All skin types, but especially ideal for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skins.
SHOP THE BLOG: Want to try it for yourself? Purchase The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan for $13.50 here.
The Ingredient List of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan:
Aqua (Water), PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Propanediol, Betaine, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Proline, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine HCL, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Xylitol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, P-Anisic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
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