The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan for oily skin
Beta Glucan
Moisturizing Factors
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Allantoin
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate hydration for your oily skin, with beta-glucan and sodium hyaluronate supporting barrier resilience and overall skin health.
- Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential moisture, though the formula does not directly address your primary concern of controlling oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, clear gel moisturizer is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for providing hydration without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue. Users with dry or dehydrated skin often find it insufficient, reporting that it lacks the occlusive properties needed to lock in moisture, sometimes leaving skin feeling tight.
Highlights
Lightweight and non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “It hydrates SO deeply without feeling heavy at all.”
- “Perfect amount of hydration without my skin feeling oily.”
- “Absorbs quickly and feels like nothing on the skin.”
Ideal for oily Often Mentioned
- “Works well for my oily skin, gives better oil control.”
- “Great for acne prone and oily skin, isn't clogging.”
- “Finally a moisturizer that doesn't make me look like a greaseball.”
Insufficient for dry Often Mentioned
- “Left my skin feeling tight and dry after an hour.”
- “Not moisturizing enough, I need something thicker.”
- “My face felt parched even after applying a generous amount.”
Absorbs very quickly Sometimes Noted
- “Dries down fully after a few minutes.”
- “Sinks in really fast and doesn't leave a film.”
- “Disappears into the skin almost instantly.”
Cooling gel texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels very refreshing and cooling upon application.”
- “The clear gel texture is unique and feels like water.”
- “Soothing on my sensitive skin, especially in summer.”
Sticky or tacky Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a sticky residue that takes a while to go away.”
- “Felt tacky on my face, my hair kept sticking to it.”
- “The texture is a bit glue-like before it dries.”
Causes pilling Rarely Noted
- “Pills terribly when I try to apply sunscreen over it.”
- “Balls up if you rub your face too much.”
- “Does not layer well under my makeup.”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Has a weird plastic-y smell to it.”
- “Smells a bit like chemicals, though it fades fast.”
- “Not a fan of the scent, even though it's fragrance-free.”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, sephora.co.uk, sephora.nz, theordinary.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan work for oily skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily skin by offering moderate hydration and keeping the skin calm, though it does not directly control oily shine. A moisturizer for this skin needs ingredients that manage shine without heavy oils, alongside light hydrating and soothing agents that do not clog pores or cause breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Beta-glucan and sodium hyaluronate help support your skin barrier, while glycerin provides essential moisture without causing irritation. However, because this cream does not control oily shine, an oily skin type needs a moisturizer that combines lightweight hydrating agents with ingredients that manage excess oil without heavy oils or clogged pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Beta Glucan do for oily skin?
Beta-glucan helps keep oily skin calm and provides light moisture without feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier and reduces irritation, which is great for skin that gets easily red or blemish-prone.
Food Science & Nutrition, 2025The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016
What do Natural Moisturizing Factors do for oily skin?
Natural Moisturizing Factors help keep oily skin properly hydrated without feeling heavy. They support a balanced skin barrier by holding onto water and maintaining moisture levels.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner in the morning and after your treatment in the evening, though it does not directly control oily shine. Oily skin works best with moisturizers that include ingredients to manage excess oil.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help keep your skin calm and moisturized. Using a moisturizer with retinol is unlikely to cause irritation and may help support your skin barrier during treatment.
How often should I use this cream?
This moisturizer is suitable for daily use to keep your oily skin hydrated and supported. Applying it morning and evening helps maintain skin barrier health, though this product does not directly control oily shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation. However, because it does not directly address your primary concern of controlling oily shine, an oily skin type needs lightweight or oil-controlling ingredients that balance moisture without feeling heavy or sticky.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on the body, as its gentle formula provides safe hydration with very good skin tolerance. A product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients like beta-glucan and glycerin to keep thin or body skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022Topical application of oat beta-glucan ameliorates epidermal hyperplasia and accelerates epidermal barrier recovery by promoting keratinocyte differentiation through dectin-1-mediated ERK and p38 signaling pathways that upregulate CaSR expression.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
Why other moisturizers fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
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, 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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