The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 30ml

This is a 100-mL tube of Natural Moisturizing [sic.] Factors with Hyaluronic Acid by Deciem's The Ordinary label. This tube sells for about £21 on here but I've seen it for under £7 elsewhere. The smaller 30-mL tube lasts me about 3 months so this should last me a year, using once a day. Really: you don't need much! It is easy to use too much.The tube comes in a cardboard box with INCI-compliant ingredients list and usage instructions. The box is recyclable and in looking up whether or not the tube and cap were (they are!) I learned Deciem has drop-off points around the UK and will recycle ANY skincare product packaging - how cool is that? So top marks for sustainability!The product is a 'fluffy' white cream. If it dries around the mouth of the tube it becomes a bit waxy but this soon melts into fresh product and can be used just fine. You do not need much at all! I use this only at night and I have been using it about 3 months now - dry skin on my forehead is back to normal. I do get a bit of a sting when I apply this - especially if I use it the evening after an acid peel or lipoic acid treatment - but no redness etc. If you put too much on and look like a 1950s lady caked in cold-cream, it will sink in over about 10 min so don't worry! I've found this very hydrating. Granted, I don't wear make-up so I cannot comments on how it works thereunder. I don't use it in the morning as I use an SPF30 moisturiser then instead - this particular product of course has no sun protection. It is pH 6.5-7.0 so slightly more alkaline than the skin normally is, but the skin will buffer this back to pH 5.5 quite quickly.It contains:Aqua - this is INCI-speak for water!Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - this is a fat (a triglyceride) compose of glycerol with 3 fatty acid tails bound on - these are a mix of caprylic (octanoic, C8) and capric (decylic, C10) fatty acids. This is a common emollient (protects and moisturises the skin by forming a thin fatty film over it) found in moisteurisers.Cetyl Alcohol (hexadecanol, C16) - this is another emollient but it also thickens skin-creams and helps oil-and-water emulsions form properly and stay stable.Propanediol - aka propylene glycol (C3) - this is a common solvent used in skincare products - it is also a humectant - that is to say it attracts water from the air onto the skin.Stearyl Alcohol (octadecanol, C18) - yet another emollient and thickener and emulsifier.Glycerin (propane-1,2,3-triol, C3) - another humectant.Sodium Hyaluronate - this is the salt of hyaluronic acid used in skincare products - the acid itself won't dissolve - and it is a glycosaminoglycan that can bind large amounts of water, thus it is used as a hydrator in such products, and it has some scant evidence of being able to carry active ingredients into the skin,Arginine, Alanine - structural amino acids, ones that adult humans can make themselves. Mild antioxidants.Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Proline- structural amino acids, ones that adult humans can make themselves. May have a role in skin replenishment and repair.Serine - structural amino acids, ones that adult humans can make themselves. May have a role in skin replenishment and repair and are mild antioxidants.Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Phenylalanine - structural amino acids, ones that adult humans cannot make themselves. May have a role in skin replenishment and repair and are mild antioxidants.Histidine - structural amino acids, ones that adult humans cannot make themselves. Mild antioxidants.Glucose - the main hexose (C6) sugar found in the blood - most human cells can take this up as a source of carbon and energy. Binds water.Maltose - a sugar comprised of two molecules of glucose (above) bound together. Binds water.Fructose - another hexose sugar widely used by human cells that binds water.Trehalose - another sugar comprised of two molecules of glucose (above) bound together. Binds water.Sodium PCA - sodium 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate - this is the sodium salt of 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. A common humectant and found naturally in the skin.PCA - 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. A common humectant and found naturally in the skin.Sodium lactate - another humectant, also a mild preservative for the product when still in the tube.Urea - another humectant.Allantoin - humectant, can also help the dead layers of the skin to shed. May increase the water content of the skin and aid wound-healing.Linoleic acid (cis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, C18:2) - an unsaturated fatty acid, helps skin retain moisture.Oleic acid (cis-9-Octadecenoic acid, C18:1) - another unsaturated fatty acid, very similar role to the above.Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides - natural oilseed (rapeseed) lipids containing sterol esters in rapeseed oil. A very good moisturiser that can sooth and smooth the skin.Palmitic Acid (hexadecanoic acid, C16) - a saturated fatty acid, helps skin to retain moisture.Stearic Acid (octadecanoic acid, C18) - a saturated fatty acid, helps skin to retain moisture.Lecithin - emulsifying agent - keeps the oil and water as a nice creamy emulsion.Triolein - this is a fat (a triglyceride) compose of glycerol with 3 fatty acid tails bound on - these are all oleic (cis-9-octadecanoic, C18:1) acid. This is a common emollient (protects and moisturises the skin by forming a thin fatty film over it) found in moisteurisers.Tocopherol - a form of Vitamin E used as an antioxidant to help the product remain fresh in storage. Some roles in skin health.Carbomer - polyacrylic acid, a humectant that holds a lot of water.Isoceteth-20 - surfactant that helps the product wet the skin surface and make proper contact.Polysorbate-60 - also known as TWEEN 60 - a detergent that helps keep the oils and water as an emulsion.Sodium Chloride - table salt - used to balance the ionic strength of the product and to keep the emulsion stable.Citric Acid - an acidity regulator and preservativeTrisodium Ethylenediamine - binds metals thus inhibits bacterial growth when in the tube.BOTTOM LINE: contains nothing but humectants, fats, oils, sugars and amino acids plus the necessaries to form a stable cream and to keep it long-lasting in the tube. I have found this very economical particularly as you don't need much - and excellent results thus far.

Great product using a quality formulationHave found it easy to use and an effective moisturiser. Good value.

Love this cream, only need a small amount and makes.my aged skin feel and look younger. Hence a re-order! 3rd

This is a very effective moisturiser, leaving the skin feeling soft and it definitely helps to reduce wrinkles without collecting as obvious lines in any that might remain.It also seems to help mitigate the rough patches of skin sometimes associated with age blemishes (male and female). It goes on smoothly and easily, and is quickly absorbed.A little goes a long way, and it does not feel greasy.Beware; it lacks any SPF if one is going to venture outside.

I have been using this for a couple months now and my skin has never been better. It’s thick and smooth however as it is quite thick it can feel a bit cakey. A small bit goes a long way with this and I’ve found it’s perfect under makeup or just on its own

Love this moisturiser. I have sensitive slim and this doesn't seem to cause any irritation. Feels lovely on the skin and absorbs well. The texture is creamy but not too heavy. Good value for money, so much cheaper than many brands and I have tried high end creams. This works well if not better than many. Simple packaging and not overloaded with unnecessary ingredients.

Not moisturised enough, soaked straight in. Had to use a lot as I have very dry skin

Quality well priced product, neither to thin or too thick, quickly absorbed, no smell.