For the first time in three years, The Ordinary has done it and actually released something really exciting, although this gel-type moisturizer might seem rather boring at first. It absolutely isn’t, though. Join me for The Ordinary Beta-Glucan Moisturizer review!
The Brand
The true skincare disruptor. Many may claim it, Deciem is the real deal. With them, skincare changed. Without them, skincare in general wouldn’t have had the incredible boom of the last years. Deciem, though, has been in the slumps a bit since Brandon Truaxe died in 2019 and Nicola Kilner took over . They’ve axed brands, slowed down significantly on releases, and thoses releases has been a bit so-so. This summer, though, they’ve released six new products under the The Ordinary umbrella, and each one of them sounded intriguing. Including this one.
The Ordinary Beta-Glucan Moisturizer review – Description
Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is a lightweight gel moisturizer designed to provide all-day hydration after just one application. It is formulated with natural moisturizing factors, beta glucan and ceramides and works to help strengthen the skin barrier. Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and due to its lightweight gel texture, may be especially suited to oily and combination skin.
The Ordinary
What it is
A thick gel-like moisturizer that’s very gentle and hydrating, suitable for most skintypes. The Ordinary also carries a regular cream moisturiser with NMFs called Natural Moisturizing Factors HA.
What are Natural Moisturizing Factors?
I couldn’t explain it better:
NMFs make up an expansive group of ingredients that include amino acids, lactic acid, sodium PCA, various sugars and minerals, and peptides. Together with the naturally-occurring lipids in skin (examples would be ceramides, cholesterol, and glycosaminoglycans), NMF’s work to keep skin’s surface intact and supple.
Paula’s Choice
Ingredients
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
The Ordinary
Noteworthy ingredients
Beta-Glucan: a polysaccharide (many sugar molecules mashed together) that’s soothing and moisturizing. It also has skin repairing & wound healing properties. That’s the reason why it’s great for sensitive skin or people with a damaged skin barrier. Because of all of that, it can also be called anti-aging.
Amino acids (all those words ending in -ine) are called the building blocks of hair keratin and skin collagen. They all are hydrating, water-binding and, to a degree, promote wound healing.
Different kinds of sugar (all those words ending in -ose): they all have water-binding properties and keep skin hydrated.
Different kinds of lipids: those work as emollients.
Other hydrating ingredients: Sodium PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Glycerin.
Other soothing ingredients: Allantoin.
Sustainability
DECIEM is working to give back to the Earth in five ways: through more responsible packaging, fighting climate change, better waste management, responsible sourcing and product lifecycle, and water conservation.
The Ordinary
Deciem is also very active with community projects, especially in its homeland Canada.
Application
This is a very thick, translucent gel that reminds me of hair gel texture-wise. I use it preferably on damp skin, over toner and serum. When used on damp skin, it sinks in without a trace, leaving hydrated, supple skin. I LOVE to use it as a kind of overnight mask in hot weather, to seal in moisture and for its wonderful cooling sensation.
Finish & Effect
This is immensely hydrating, and works very well in the morning, under sunscreen, or in the evening, as a finishing layer over your treatments. If your skin is very dry, this might not be enough for you – there’re only little emollients in there that your skin might need. For all other skin types, this is great.
Makeup Application
My absolute favorite way to use this one is as an overnight mask in the evening. But as a daytime moisturizer under sunscreen, this gives a great hydration boost. What’s more, it doesn’t lead to pilling as a lot of hydrating boosters can do. It leaves a truly traceless finish that works great as a base under makeup.
Comparison
This one is so interesting, because it doesn’t just rely on hyaluronic acid for hydration. It also isn’t a one-trick-pony – we have, of course, hydrators, but it also offers soothing and repairing properties. The hydrators are also very interesting: not only hyaluronic acid, but also a lot of sugars and amino acids. Look at a simple hydrating serum, like The Inkey List’s, for example: water, propanediol and hyaluronic acid, and that’s basically it. Paula’s Choice’s Hyaluronic Acid Booster also boasts ceramides, but in a formula that’s designed as a booster – and much more expensive. Clinique’s Jelly is similarly designed, but much more expensive, while Vichy’s Mineral 89 is even more basic than The Inkey List’s (and more expensive, too).
The Ordinary’s own Natural Moisturizing Factors HA is completely different: a regular moisturizer that feels like a light cream.
You’re hard-pressed to find a similarly advanced formulation for the price – this is such a big step up from TO’s super simple one-ingredient-formulations from the past!
The Ordinary Beta-Glucan Moisturizer review – Rating
Honestly, for summer, this is my new favourite thing. I love it. It has stepped into the very big shoes of my fave cosrx propolis overnight mask, with the added benefit that it also works as a very light base under sunscreen and makeup, too.
Availability & Price
Super cost-effective 100ml for €14,40 at TO’s own site.
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
