Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides
A richer moisturizer designed to target dryness with natural moisturizing factors, plant-derived ceramides, and skin lipids.
A better fit than basic gel moisturizers for people who want richer barrier support and a more cushioned, plumped finish.
Plant-derived ceramides in a full NMF-backed moisturizer formula at The Ordinary's price point is remarkable value. Ceramide moisturizers from premium brands are some of the most expensive in the market — this delivers comparable barrier technology for a fraction of the cost.
Final moisturizer step in morning and/or evening, after all serums. This is a richer final sealing step — use it last in a water-based routine.
Dry and very dry skin types during any season. People whose skin barrier feels chronically tight or flaky. Anyone who tried NMF + HA and wanted something noticeably richer.
Oily skin using this as a face moisturizer expecting a light finish. It's intentionally richer — match it to skin dryness level, not just skin type label.
One of the best options to continue with — ceramides and NMF are barrier-first ingredients, exactly what an overwhelmed skin needs. Simplify the rest of the routine and keep this.
- Any hydrating serum before it — the ceramide layer seals in what's beneath
- A facial oil on top at night for very dry skin wanting extra occlusion
- SPF in the morning on top — the rich base makes an excellent SPF primer for dry skin
Best For
- Dry skin
- Very dry skin
- Barrier support
- Tight skin
- Dullness from dryness
- Richer moisturizers
How to Use
Apply after serums as the 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.
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.
Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, regulates sebum production, fades hyperpigmentation, and minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores.
PhytoCeramides replenish depleted ceramide levels in the skin's lipid matrix, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and restoring barrier integrity — functionally equivalent to synthetic or animal-derived ceramides for barrier repair.
Protects the skin from oxidative stress (free radical damage), stabilizes other active ingredients in formulas, and provides mild moisturizing and barrier-supportive properties.
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.
Ingredients to Note
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
Full Ingredient List
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Allantoin, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Sodium Sphingomyelinase, Ceramide NP, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
About This Product
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides builds on the NMF formula by incorporating plant-derived (phyto) ceramides alongside the full NMF profile. Ceramides are the key structural lipids in the skin barrier — they act as the "mortar" between corneocytes and are critical for preventing transepidermal water loss. Phytoceramides from plant sources (including Vitis Vinifera) have a similar molecular structure to human skin ceramides, making them effective barrier-replenishment ingredients. This makes the PhytoCeramides version a richer, more barrier-focused moisturizer than the original NMF + HA formula.