How The Ordinary Moisturizer Helped My Damaged Skin Barrier

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As someone whose skin barrier has been through it (seriously, send thoughts and prayers), I put The Ordinary Moisturizer to the test. Did it hydrate? Did it absorb like a dream or just sit there like an awkward first date? Most importantly, did it actually help fix my damaged barrier? Keep scrolling to find out.

Since this formula includes phytoceramides, a powerhouse ingredient for strengthening the skin barrier, I tested it on my dry skin and looked into how it performs for oily and combination skin based on research and user experiences. Whether you’re dealing with Sahara-level dryness, an oil spill, or a chaotic mix of both, here’s the tea before you hit ‘add to cart’ on this moisturizer.

The ordinary moisturizer review

I had used The ordinary moisturizer + HA a while back and really liked how it worked for my dry skin. Recently, I just felt like revisiting it, partly because I remembered how well it kept my skin hydrated and soft. While my current moisturizer is great too, I figured it was the perfect time to bring this one back into my routine for a change. why not go back to the moisturizer I used to swear by?

This time I decided to try the ordinary moisturizer + phytoceramides. I needed ceramides in my skincare routine because I’ve been using tretinoin and it’s taken a bit of a toll on my skin barrier.

Ceramides are great for skin moisture and barrier repair. If your skin is dry, sensitive, and freaking out (redness and irritation), chances are you need more ceramides to restore your skin’s protective layer. They’re great for anyone dealing with a compromised skin barrier, eczema, or dehydrated skin.

Application

The Ordinary’s Moisturizer with Phytoceramides is like the OG Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, but an upgraded formula, this one is more creamier, more hydrating, and honestly, a total glow-up. As it leave a radiant finish.

I was shook by the texture of this cream. You know how rich, hydrating moisturizers and creams usually feel thick and heavy? That was not the case with this one. The moment I squeezed it onto my fingertip, it felt insanely lightweight, and I just knew the spread was going to be effortless. And it was.

After slathering this all over my face, I was fully prepared for that heavy, greasy feeling some moisturizers leave behind. But to my surprise, there was none of that. It felt like I had hydrated my skin without my pores filing a complaint, making it a totally summer-friendly pick.

Because I had absolutely wrecked my skin barrier, I did feel a little burning sensation. But that peaced out in about a minute, so no hard feelings. It does leave a radiant finish as well, giving a mild glass skin effect without the full-on ”I bathed in highlighter” look. Honestly, for a moisturizer this rich, the lightweight feel and dewy-but-not-greasy finish were a pleasant surprise.

The Ordinary claims on their website that this moisturizer is more hydrating than their original Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. To quote them, it says,

”Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides is our most hydrating moisturizer, designed with nearly four times the moisturizing emollients and twice the humectants found in our Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. This luxurious, replenishing cream instantly increases skin hydration by 68%”

After using it, I can definitely say that it’s richer and more hydrating.

Is the ordinary moisturizer phytoceramides better for dry or oily skin?

This moisturizer is not oil-free and it definitely leans more toward dry skin territory. The Ordinary claims it’s suitable for all skin types but if you’ve got extremely oily skin or struggle with fungal acne, I’d tread carefully.

It contains linoleic acid, oleic acid, and hydrogenated vegetable oil, aka, potential pore-clogging trouble for oily skin types. That last one is an occlusive. Not exactly a bestie for acne-prone and ultra-oily skin.

If you are dealing with fungal acne and looking for a fungal acne safe moisturizers, I’ve listed a few moisturizers that you’re better off with.

Now, my skin loves to break out when it feels suffocated, but since I lean drier, I had no issues with this moisturizer. It gave me solid hydration and helped my poor, overworked skin barrier. That said, some oily-skin folks are vibing with it. If you still want to try it but have extremely oily skin, I’d steer you toward The Ordinary’s Beta Glucan Moisturizer instead, it’s their lightweight, surface-hydration formula that won’t smother your pores.

The ordinary phytoceramides also contains urea but it’s further down on the ingredient list, which means it’s likely in a lower concentration. So, you might get some mild exfoliation and hydration from its keratolytic properties.

Pros:

• Super hydrating (perfect for dry & compromised skin)
• No pilling, layers well under makeup
• Contains phytoceramides for long-term barrier repair
• Affordable compared to luxury barrier creams

Cons:

• May feel too rich for oily skin types (can cause breakouts)
• Not suitable for fungal acne due to hydrogenated vegetable oil

Final thought

The ordinary moisturizer + phytoceramides is a win for dry and barrier-damaged skin. It’s rich but lightweight, hydrating but not greasy. If your skin leans super oily or you’re battling fungal acne, this might not be your ride-or-die. In that case, Beta Glucan Moisturizer is the better pick. Otherwise, if you’re looking for deep hydration and while you are at it you want a radiant subtle finish, this one gets the job done.

Glowing reviews

kimberlyh3a13 on The ordinary official website says:

One customer shared that she received The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Face Lotion in her last #voxbox. She had tried a few products from The Ordinary before and had always liked them, especially because they’re affordable. At first, she wasn’t a fan of this lotion, feeling that it left her face a bit too “greasy.” However, the more she used it, the more she grew to like it.

Samantha on The ordinary official website says:

It’s clear how much this moisturizer has impressed her, as she rarely finishes a skincare product. Even the trendy $300+ creams couldn’t keep her attention. But this moisturizer? She called it hands down the most hydrating one she’s ever used. It gives that glazed donut glow, a little goes a long way, and it’s fragrance-free with no irritation. She stated that it’s, by far, the best moisturizer she’s tried.

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