Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
A non-greasy daily moisturizer built around skin-identical moisturizing factors and humectants. Also available as a travel-size mini.
One of the best low-drama barrier-supportive moisturizers for people who want simple hydration without fragrance or extra fluff. The NMF ingredient profile is genuinely impressive for the price.
It's a comprehensive barrier-supportive moisturizer with almost no frills. No fragrance, no filler extracts — just skin-identical humectants and NMF components that mirror what skin makes naturally. At The Ordinary's price point, the ingredient profile is remarkable.
Final moisturizer step in morning and/or evening, after serums and actives.
Beginners who want a clean, fragrance-free, reliable daily moisturizer. Minimalists. Anyone in an active retinoid or exfoliant phase who needs a reliable, low-risk barrier support.
If you want your moisturizer to double as a strong treatment product. This is built for support, not transformation — manage expectations accordingly.
This is one of your best options during a barrier flare-up. It's gentle, low-risk, and full of ingredients that support the skin's own recovery processes.
- Any serum
- SPF over the top in the morning
- Actives in the evening — this is an excellent barrier buffer after retinol or acids
Best For
- Dry skin
- Normal skin
- Barrier support
- Beginner routines
- Simple routines
- Layering after serums
How to Use
Apply after serums as your moisturizer step in the morning and/or evening.
Key Ingredients
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.
Acts as a powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin. Because it's skin-identical, it integrates seamlessly with the skin's own hydration mechanisms.
At lower concentrations (2–5%): hydrates and softens skin. At higher concentrations (10–20%+): exfoliates and softens thickened, rough, or callused skin.
Soothes irritated skin, promotes skin cell renewal, smooths rough texture, and supports barrier recovery.
Protects the skin from oxidative stress (free radical damage), stabilizes other active ingredients in formulas, and provides mild moisturizing and barrier-supportive properties.
Ingredients to Note
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
Full Ingredient List
Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Triolein, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
About This Product
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is one of the most complete "skin-identical" moisturizers available at any price point. NMF refers to the collection of naturally occurring components in skin that maintain hydration: amino acids, PCA, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, urea, and sugars. This formula includes the full NMF profile alongside hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids (linoleic, oleic), ceramide-adjacent lipids, and vitamin E. The result is a moisturizer that works with the skin's own hydration systems rather than simply sitting on top of them. The product is also available as a Mini (30 mL) — same formula, travel-friendly size.