Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan
A lightweight gel moisturizer designed to provide all-day hydration while supporting the skin barrier.
A great pick for people who want hydration and barrier support in a lighter, fresher gel texture instead of a richer cream.
The original NMF + HA moisturizer built a huge following for delivering serious skin-matching hydration at a price point that feels almost too low to be real. This Beta Glucan version adds anti-inflammatory power and a fresher gel format — making it the upgrade for oily-skin users who found the original slightly too creamy in summer.
Final step before SPF in the morning. Evening moisturizer for oily and combination skin. On dry skin, layer a richer cream or squalane on top.
Oily, combination, and dehydrated skin types who want a real moisturizer that doesn't break them out, pill under makeup, or leave a greasy film. A strong choice for the "skincare minimalist who still wants real hydration" profile.
On very dry, flaky skin during winter. The gel format will feel refreshing but won't provide enough occlusion for moisture to stay locked in on severely dry skin without something heavier on top.
Very safe to keep using during a flare — the NMF complex and beta glucan are actively calming. No strong actives to worry about. It's actually a good choice during barrier-recovery periods.
- A ceramide serum or toner underneath for deeper barrier support
- SPF 30+ on top in the morning — the light gel texture doesn't interfere with sunscreen finish
- Squalane or a face oil on top on dry-skin days for added occlusion
Best For
- Oily skin
- Combination skin
- Dehydrated skin
- Light summer moisturizers
- Barrier support without heaviness
How to Use
Apply after serums as your moisturizer step in the morning and/or evening. On very dry skin, layer a richer cream or face oil on top for extra occlusion.
Key Ingredients
Beta glucan deeply hydrates through water-retaining (humectant) properties, signals keratinocytes and fibroblasts to reduce inflammatory cytokine activity, and modulates skin immune response — making it effective for calming visible redness and sensitivity while maintaining serious moisture retention. Research suggests some beta glucan forms also support collagen synthesis.
Draws moisture to the skin, helps maintain hydration, and reinforces the skin barrier.
Attracts moisture at multiple skin depths, helping to hydrate both the surface and deeper layers of the skin.
Ceramides fill gaps in the skin's lipid barrier — reducing water loss, improving barrier integrity, and creating the seal that keeps irritants and pathogens out. Topical ceramides replenish levels depleted by age, over-cleansing, harsh actives, and environmental stressors.
At lower concentrations (2–5%): hydrates and softens skin. At higher concentrations (10–20%+): exfoliates and softens thickened, rough, or callused skin.
Ingredients to Note
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
Full Ingredient List
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Beta-Glucan, Urea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arginine, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Proline, Threonine, Leucine, Valine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, PCA, Sodium PCA, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
About This Product
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is a gel-texture reformulation of the classic NMF moisturizer. The NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factors) complex includes the same amino acids, urea, lactic acid, PCA, and sugars found naturally in the skin's stratum corneum — replenishing the moisture-binding factors that environment, washing, and age progressively deplete. The standout addition is Beta Glucan, a polysaccharide that adds potent anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating action alongside HA-comparable moisture retention. Ceramide NP provides barrier lipid support. The gel texture makes this the right pick when you need real hydration without any heaviness — particularly for oily, combination, or warm-weather routines.