The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Lightweight Gel Moisturizer vs Murad Biome-Balancing Calm & Recover Cream
In comparing The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Lightweight Gel Moisturizer to Murad's Biome-Balancing Calm & Recover Cream, both products emphasize hydration and skin nourishment, but they differ in core ingredients and intended effects. The Ordinary formulates with beta glucan for its calming and hydrating properties; however, it lacks some of the targeted ingredients like niacinamide present in Murad's offering, which is known for its ability to visibly improve uneven skin tone and regulate oil production.
While users might find that both moisturizers provide a refreshing, hydrating experience, the absence of specialized actives in The Ordinary’s moisturizer may leave those with specific concerns feeling like it doesn’t deliver quite as fully as the more complex formulation from Murad. The distinctions in texture and nourishment also suggest that those prioritizing treatment-oriented skincare may lean toward Murad.
- Match
- 71%
- Price
- $13.50
- Category
- Moisturizers Oils
- Type
- Face Moisturizer
- Ingredients
- 40 ingredients
- Match
- 71%
- Price
- $45.00
- Category
- Moisturizers Oils
- Type
- Face Moisturizer
- Ingredients
- 62 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
Key ingredients
Key ingredients
Benefits
Benefits
Concerns
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
- WaterSolvent
- PPG-24-GLYCERETH-24Solvent, Cleansing Surfactant, Emulsifying Surfactant
- PropanediolSolvent, Viscosity Controller
- BetaineHair Conditioner, Humectant, Humectant Skin Conditioner
- BETA-GLUCANBulking Agent, Other Skin Conditioner
- ARGININEAntistatic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- GLYCINEAntistatic, Buffering Agent, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- ALANINEAntistatic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
+32 more ingredients
- SERINEAntistatic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- PROLINEHair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- THREONINEAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Hair Waving or Straightening
- GLUTAMIC ACIDAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant
- LYSINE HCLHair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- GLUCOSEHumectant
- MALTOSEFragrance, Moisturizing, Skin Conditioner
- FRUCTOSEHumectant
- TREHALOSEHumectant, Moisturizing
- XYLITOLAnti-Seborrheic, Deodorant, Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Humectant Skin Conditioner
- ANHYDROXYLITOLHumectant, Skin Conditioner
- XYLITYLGLUCOSIDEHumectant, Skin Conditioner
- SODIUM PCAAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
- PCAHumectant, Moisturizing
- SODIUM LACTATEBuffering Agent, Humectant, Keratolytic
- UREAAntistatic, Buffering Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
- AllantoinSkin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Soothing Agent
- Sodium HyaluronateHumectant, Skin Conditioner
- PHOSPHOLIPIDSSkin Conditioner
- SPHINGOLIPIDSSkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant
- GlycerinDenaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming Agent, Humectant Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controller
- Pentylene GlycolSkin Conditioner, Solvent
- ACRYLATES / C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMEREmulsion Stabilizer, Film Former, Viscosity Controller
- Sodium HydroxideBuffering Agent, Denaturant
- SODIUM CHLORIDEBulking Agent, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controller
- SODIUM CITRATEBuffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Fragrance
- Citric AcidBuffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Fragrance
- TocopherolAntioxidant, Fragrance, Other Skin Conditioner, Occlusive Skin Conditioner
- P-ANISIC ACIDFragrance
- AMINOMETHYL PROPANOLBuffering Agent
- PhenoxyethanolAntimicrobial, Preservative
- CHLORPHENESINAntimicrobial, Preservative
Ingredients Side-by-side
- WaterSolvent
- CAPRYLIC / CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDEFragrance, Perfuming Agent, Occlusive Skin Conditioner, Solvent
- GlycerinDenaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming Agent, Humectant Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controller
- C10-18 TRIGLYCERIDESSkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner, Solvent
- NiacinamideSmoothing Agent
- SODIUM ACRYLATES COPOLYMERBinding Agent, Film Former, Opacifying Agent, Viscosity Controller
- BEHENYL ALCOHOLBinding Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer, Emollient Skin Conditioner, Viscosity Controller
- PUNICA GRANATUM PERICARP EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
+54 more ingredients
- TRANEXAMIC ACIDAstringent, Skin Conditioner
- GLUTAMIC ACIDAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant
- AllantoinSkin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Soothing Agent
- SAXIFRAGA SARMENTOSA EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- SODIUM PCAAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
- Sodium HyaluronateHumectant, Skin Conditioner
- UREAAntistatic, Buffering Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
- YEAST AMINO ACIDSHumectant
- TREHALOSEHumectant, Moisturizing
- INOSITOLAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant
- TAURINEBuffering Agent
- BetaineHair Conditioner, Humectant, Humectant Skin Conditioner
- MELIA AZADIRACHTA LEAF EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- MELIA AZADIRACHTA FLOWER EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- ALOE BARBADENSIS FLOWER EXTRACTSkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
- SOLANUM MELONGENA FRUIT EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- OCIMUM SANCTUM LEAF EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- CURCUMA LONGA ROOT EXTRACTFragrance, Perfuming Agent
- COCCINIA INDICA FRUIT EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- CORALLINA OFFICINALIS EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
- OCIMUM BASILICUM FLOWER / LEAF EXTRACTTonic
- HYDROXYACETOPHENONEAntioxidant
- SACCHAROMYCES FERMENTSkin Conditioner
- Butylene GlycolFragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioner, Solvent, Viscosity Controller
- AMINOBUTYRIC ACIDHair Conditioner
- LAUROYL LYSINEHair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner, Viscosity Controller
- FRUCTOSEHumectant
- Pentylene GlycolSkin Conditioner, Solvent
- MALTOSEFragrance, Moisturizing, Skin Conditioner
- SODIUM LACTATEBuffering Agent, Humectant, Keratolytic
- GLYCINEAntistatic, Buffering Agent, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- LECITHINAntistatic, Skin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner, Emulsifying Surfactant
- POLYGLYCERYL-3 STEARATEEmulsifying Surfactant
- SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL STARCHBinding Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer, Film Former, Viscosity Controller
- CAPRYLIC ACIDCleansing Agent, Fragrance, Perfuming Agent, Cleansing Surfactant, Emulsifying Surfactant
- GLUCOSEHumectant
- MALTODEXTRINAbsorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer, Film Former, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
- SODIUM CHLORIDEBulking Agent, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controller
- LEUCONOSTOC / RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATEAnti-Seborrheic, Antimicrobial
- TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATEChelating Agent
- Sodium HydroxideBuffering Agent, Denaturant
- Citric AcidBuffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Fragrance
- CAPRYLOYL GLYCINEAnti-Seborrheic, Sebum Control, Antimicrobial, Deodorant, Hair Conditioner, Cleansing Surfactant
- CHLORPHENESINAntimicrobial, Preservative
- Dehydroacetic AcidPreservative
- Potassium SorbateFragrance, Preservative
- Sodium BenzoateAnticorrosive, Fragrance, Preservative
- CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA PEEL OILFragrance, Perfuming Agent
- LINALYL ACETATEFragrance
- CITRONELLOLPerfuming Agent
- LINALOOLDeodorant, Perfuming Agent
- CITRUS LIMON PEEL OILFragrance, Perfuming Agent, Skin Conditioner
- LimoneneDeodorant, Perfuming Agent, Solvent
- FragranceFragrance
Ingredients Explained
Water
Solvent · Shared
Aqua, commonly known as water, serves primarily as a solvent in cosmetic formulations. It is the most abundant ingredient in many products and is essential for dissolving other ingredients, facilitating their application and absorption on the skin. Formulators often add Aqua to create a suitable texture and consistency, ensuring that products are easy to spread and apply. Additionally, water can help to hydrate the skin, making it a vital component in many moisturizing formulations.
Betaine
Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Humectant Skin Conditioner · Shared
BETAINE is a versatile ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its hair-conditioning and skin-conditioning properties. As a humectant, it helps to attract and retain moisture, which can enhance the hydration of both hair and skin. This moisture retention is beneficial in cosmetic products, as it can contribute to a smoother and more supple appearance. Formulators may add BETAINE to improve the overall texture and feel of a product, making it more appealing to consumers.
Glycine
Antistatic, Buffering Agent, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner · Shared
GLYCINE is an amino acid that serves multiple functions in cosmetic formulations. It is commonly used for its antistatic properties, helping to reduce static electricity in hair and skin, which can enhance manageability and appearance. Additionally, GLYCINE acts as a buffering agent, helping to maintain the pH balance of products, and it provides conditioning benefits for both hair and skin, contributing to a smoother and softer texture. Formulators may include GLYCINE to improve the overall performance and sensory attributes of their products, making them more appealing to consumers.
Glutamic-Acid
Antistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant · Shared
GLUTAMIC ACID is an amino acid that serves multiple functions in cosmetic formulations. It is commonly used as a humectant, which means it helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin and hair, contributing to hydration. Additionally, GLUTAMIC ACID has antistatic properties, making it beneficial in hair care products by reducing static electricity and improving manageability. Its hair-conditioning abilities also enhance the overall texture and appearance of hair, making it a valuable ingredient for formulators looking to improve the performance of their products.
Glucose
Humectant · Shared
GLUCOSE is a simple sugar that serves primarily as a humectant in cosmetic formulations. As a humectant, it attracts moisture from the environment and helps to retain it within the skin, contributing to hydration and a plump appearance. Formulators may add GLUCOSE to products to enhance their moisturizing properties, making them more effective in providing hydration to the skin. Its ability to bind water makes it a valuable ingredient in various skincare products aimed at improving skin texture and overall moisture levels.
Maltose
Fragrance, Moisturizing, Skin Conditioner · Shared
MALTOSE is a disaccharide sugar that is commonly used in cosmetics for its various beneficial properties. It functions primarily as a moisturising agent, helping to hydrate the skin and improve its overall texture. Additionally, MALTOSE can act as a skin-conditioning agent, enhancing the skin's softness and smoothness. Its ability to provide a mild fragrance also makes it a versatile ingredient in formulation. Formulators may add MALTOSE to products to enhance moisture retention and improve the sensory experience of the product, contributing to a more pleasant application and feel on the skin.
Fructose
Humectant · Shared
FRUCTOSE is a simple sugar that naturally occurs in many fruits and plants. In cosmetics, it primarily functions as a humectant, which means it helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin. By drawing water from the environment or deeper layers of the skin, fructose can contribute to a hydrated and plump appearance. Formulators may add FRUCTOSE to products to enhance hydration, improve skin texture, and provide a smoother feel. Its natural origin and effective moisture-retaining properties make it a desirable ingredient in various cosmetic formulations aimed at promoting skin health and comfort.
Trehalose
Humectant, Moisturizing · Shared
TREHALOSE is a naturally occurring disaccharide sugar that is often utilized in cosmetic formulations for its humectant and moisturising properties. It has the ability to attract and retain moisture, helping to keep the skin hydrated and supple. Formulators may add TREHALOSE to products to enhance skin hydration, improve texture, and provide a protective barrier against environmental stressors. Its unique structure allows it to stabilize proteins and cellular structures, making it a valuable ingredient in formulations aimed at maintaining skin health.