Product Reviews Rated 4.17 out of 5 stars
870 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Absolute holy grail This is the only moisturizer I plan to use for the rest of my life.
I purchased the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100 mL in August of 2019, and as of today, August 5th 2020, I have officially finished that first tube. I used it basically twice a day every single day for a year after cleansing and any serums/other treatments. If my face is still soaking wet from The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution or applying way too much serums or other treatments, the Natural Moisturizing Factor has trouble soaking in and takes an extra minute or so to absorb, but that's user error rather than a product malfunction. Sometimes, when I didn't have any of my Cerave Moisturizing Cream (the only body lotion that I'm not allergic to), I would use the Natural Moisturizing Factors instead and it also worked well as a light body moisturizer.
This product did not make any dramatic changes to my skin besides keeping it healthy and hydrated every day, which I consider a plus. It's the most simple, straight-forward product ever. The only problem I can imagine anyone possibly having is wanting more hydration for dry skin, and Natural Moisturizing Factors mixes and/or layers well with argan oil and squalane oil that I've used it with. There are no active ingredients in it so I don't have to worry about it contradicting or reacting negatively with any serums or treatments I use. It absorbs in less than a minute and truly feels like my skin is naturally moisturized, I can't even tell that there was a lotion on my skin. It doesn't make my face look or feel greasy, even though I have extremely oily skin (if I'm not wearing makeup my t-zone will start to look oily around 5-8 hours after applying, but that's totally natural for my skin).
It wears perfectly under makeup and doesn't cause any pilling or textural problems under any types of primers, powder, cream, stick foundation, or liquid foundation I've used. I would buy this again and again, and give it 10 stars if I could.
Most Helpful Critical Review Not elegant to apply but good for the price This is one of the weirdest moisturizers I have ever used. My first 2-3 uses/impressions I absolutely hated it. I am still undecided on it but I have used it about 6 times so far and I decided that I don't hate it- I just have figured out what I like about it and how to use it more effectively. First of all, I think this definitely applies better on slightly damp skin. This product is not the most elegant in terms of application- it has a streakiness and opacity to it when you first start rubbing it in- similar to a sunscreen. You have to continue rubbing and rubbing and eventually it diffuses into the skin.
What I love about this moisturizer is that once you get it worked into the skin and once it dries, it literally looks like you have NOTHING on your face. No shine, no dewiness, no glow- just a satin healthy looking skin look. I absolutely love that about it. I do agree with some of the other reviews that this has a somewhat waxy sit-on-top-of-your-skin type of feel to it. BUT, remember that this moisturizer is really meant to be a supplement for the lipids in our skin. You can apply this first and apply another one of your favorite moisturizers on top- or even mix them. I prefer to mix (I've mixed it 50/50 with CeraVe PM and it works really well) since it makes the application more elegant and reduces the white cast/streakyness.
I like using this moisturizer when my skin is compromised, when I've overdone it on Tretionin, or when my skin is in the recovery stages of a Tret application. My skin becomes sensitive and stings easy the few days following Tret. I like to apply more nourishing, lipid/cholesterol/fatty acid (linoleic) based moisturizers like this one when I'm trying to recover my skin. Think of this as a skin supplement. Is this the most elegant moisturizer out there? No. But... seriously, you HAVE to remember the price here. This is INSANELY inexpensive. You are getting a TON of good ingredients for a very low low price.
Reviewed by 870 customers Helping my dry skin 5
Holle from Eureka MO
I've only been using it for a week but it's helping with my dry skin, which has been getting worse due to required mask wearing.
Basic 5
Turbo from Mi
Extremely basic but totally kept my skin hydrated in the winter. I was actually dewy with no makeup on! I would repurchase.
Subpar moisturizer 2
Shea from Connecticut
Does not absorb into skin well. Does not moisturize well.
Affordable and Effective 5
ekat from Florida
This is a great, simple moisturizer. Did not cause breakouts and has no irritating fragrance. I personally recommend putting a small amount on wet, clean hands and rubbing first before applying to face, especially if you have more oily or acne-prone skin. This helps to thin the product and make it easier to apply, as it is otherwise quite thick.
Very unique; amazing to mix with oils 4
Stephen from hot springs, AR
I have such a long explanation for this product simply because I've gone from hating it to loving it. One the first few uses when I first got this months ago I HATED it. It applied slightly streakily and opaquely and didn't seem to absorb into my skin. But over time I absolutely love it now and use it for mixing with oils. By itself the finish is VERY nonexistent- you can pile this product on and it literally looks like you're wearing nothing. Not a single evidence of shine, dewiness, or moisturized skin- it simply looks like plain skin. And I LOVE it for that- especially when mixing with oils (more on that below).
I like the ingredients (linoleic acid, allantoin, vitamin E, urea, amino acids (11), ceramide precursors. These are excellent skin repairing ingredients. And this doesn't contain any active ingredients so it won't interact with any of your skincare products. Think of this product as a supplement for your skin that replaces your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF); obviously it's in the name and that's what this product is for.
My absolute favorite way to use this moisturizer, though, is to use it as a mixing medium for my skincare oils (usually rosehip; my go to). I LOVE the finish this gives when mixing 2-3 drops of oils into it. I mix a little puddle in my palm and apply. It literally makes the oils almost undetectable on your skin. Plus, the fatty acids in this moisturizer pair nicely with the fatty acids in your oils so it's a nice pairing.
Overall I find this moisturizer to be a nice mixing moisturizer- either with oils or other moisturizers. I like the skin-repairing ingredients so I use this when I want to mix in some repairing ingredients with other moisturizers that have actives. Plus it's SO CHEAP.
Light day moisturizer 4
newMama from Boston, MA
I use this in the mornings, it's definitely not a really heavy-duty moisturizer. A little goes a long way and great to have a clean product for a great price
Perfect! Lightweight and does not irritate my skin 5
Loredana from Naperville IL
I use it AM and PM
Love it, my new moisturizer 5
Marissa from Vestal
I'm a fan of The Ordinary products and was looking for a new moisturizer. When I first used it I fell in love and it was exactly what I was looking for. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Applies well and moisturizes beautifully.
Excellent moisturizer for all skin types 5
MonaVR from Amarillo Tx
Love this moisturizer product it leaves my skin feeling dewy and not greasy or dry. I have oily skin and do chemical peels on my skin. This product works so well after and before my peels. I definitely recommend trying! The price is awesome as well!!
Should have listened to other reviews 3
Kay from Madison, WI
As other reviewers have mentioned, this moisturizer formula has a thick and sticky consistency. There is a great amount of product for such a low price, which is great! I just wish I would have done more research before choosing such a thick moisturizer that is sticky and doesn't sink in when put onto the face.
You can't beat this product for efficacy & price! 5
Darlene Rx from PA
I've been looking for a new moisturizer to use in the evening that is not a combination moisturizer plus sunscreen. The added bonus is this moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid - a beneficial ingredient I wanted to add to my daily routine, especially during these dry winter days. The reasonable price for this excellent product can't be beaten!
Interestingly amazing 4
BC from WA
I just made it through my first bottle of this moisturizer and am about to order a second. I'll be honest; at first I hated this moisturizer with a passion. I even gave up on it for a while and went back to my old one. Once I ran out of the one I had been using, being a poor college student, I had no choice money-wise but to pick up this bottle from the Ordinary out of my drawer again and hope for the best. I have been using it ever since and let me just say, once my skin got used to it, it was amazing! It's so moisturizing for my combination/sensitive skin. I tried my old moisturizer the other day to compare and I don't think I'll ever go back to that one. The Ordinary is the way to go! It's a great price and has lasted me pretty much all year!
Tip: A little bit goes a long way! I seriously only use about two pea-size dollops for my entire face.
Cleared my skin up beautifully!! Love it!! 5
foxxyone from Pachuta, MS
Use it daily for all day moisture and I love the size.
Impressed! 5
Amber AL from Alabama
I was pleased with the feel & wear of this moisturizer. If it keeps performing, I will definitely buy again.
This is what I've been missing! 5
Crystal from Missouri
This has been the best moisturizer I've ever bought and the price is so good it doesn't seem real!
Very moisturizing but clogs my pores 4
Emily from New York, NY
I bought this moisturizer back in December and wanted to use it for a few months before reviewing. My skin is sensitive, oil prone, and acne prone. However, I tend to get dry patches in the winter. I have an overall positive opinion of this moisturizer, though I think it may just not be right for my skin. It is meant to be a thick moisturizer, not a thin lotion. It will feel a bit heavy on your skin. I opt to use it at night because of that. Nightly use of this moisturizer healed my dry skin within a couple nights. I was really impressed by it. It soothed and healed dry, chapped nose skin from a cold very quickly too. My main issue with it is that it causes a build up of sebaceous filament on my nose and can cause my cheeks and chin to break out. This is probably a good moisturizer to use if you have chronically dry skin or if you are not oil or acne prone. I plan to use this as an intensive spot treatment for dry patches going forward and using a lighter moisturizer as my daily, full face moisturizer. Also worth noting that layering this moisturizer under my Bare Minerals liquid foundation made my makeup patchy, so if you use it before makeup, apply it a couple hours prior.
Just ok 3
Just ok from Las Vegas
I have normal to dry skin. This is not moisturizing enough for me. I love the ordinary and use several of their products but this one I wont buy again. I will use it until its gone though so its not bad just not for me.
Needed Extra Moisturizer This Winter 5
Deanna from McKinney, TX
First time trying The Ordinary products. Prices are amazing. My skin was looking dry and dull, so I wants hoping to find a moisturizer that was not greasy looking. This did the trick. I will buy again.
I just love it! 5
RoboMadeIt from North Carolina
I use this daily in the morning and evening. In the AM, it's the first thing that goes on my skin after I wash it. In the evening I vary using it before or after treatments. It's great to use before harsher treatments your skin may not be used to. It's not too heavy, and absorbs quickly into my skin, keeping it moisturized and soft for the whole day.
Love it! 5
Kay from Ohio
I have oily skin, and this is the perfect moisturizer for my skin type. It doesn't give my face that greasy look, yet it hydrates my skin so well! It is holy grail in my routine and I will definitely be repurchasing.
Not Moisturizing At Allllll 1
LGND from Illinois
I was excited to try this moisturizer bc I really luv The Ordinary but as soon as I put it on my face felt really dry and tight. I would have to use The Heritage Rosewater & Glycerin afterwards to fix that feeling. I feel like I needed a lot of it too because it didn't spread all over my face. I tried to give it a chance fr but I realized that it would make my face look really dull and would not help with acne at all really. Really disappointed bc I love
Amazing! Skin like satin 5
Steph from Charlton Heights, wv
I love this stuff!!!! I have combination skin. My skin is oily in some places and dry in others. I had heard great things about this brand and had done a lot of research on serums vs regular face lotion. This stuff makes my face feel so wonderful. I was using just regular Olay face lotion but I'll be using this now instead! Keeps my makeup from being flakey and the moisture last well into the next day! 10/10
Wonderful moisturizer 5
cs from Detroit
light moisture for daytime use. I'm on my third tube.
My skin drinks this up 5
Raya from Cincinnati
I have dry, sensitive skin. Most moisturizers break me out, even the most simple ones made for sensitive skin, but this doesn't at all. I will say it does burn if you put it on chapped skin (my nose was chapped) but the sting doesn't last long and it really helps heal the skin after one use. I love this moisturizer and being able to layer it with other products.
Best moisturizer 5
Bella from Westlake Village, CA
I just started using The Ordinary brand a few months ago. I think I'm on my 5th moisturizer now lol. Affordability, nice packaging, quality products. After a few weeks, you actually feel the difference in your skin.