Q + A Amino Acid Oil-Free Moisturiser Versus The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan
Updated on December 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Q + A Amino Acid Oil-Free Moisturiser 18 ingredients
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan 40 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Q + A Amino Acid Oil-Free Moisturiser 18 ingredients
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Arginine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Allantoin, Betaine, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Gluconate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-24-Glycereth-24
EmulsifyingPropanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Maltose
MaskingFructose
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sphingolipids
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinArginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Q + A Amino Acid Oil-Free Moisturiser 18 ingredients
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan 40 ingredients
The moisturiser didnt break me out and it isnt sticky, very easy to spread and apply. The price is alright for the volume it provides.
Used for a few years but had a persistant feeling of stickiness and my skin would be very oily afterwards. Would recommend for dry skin but not oily or combination.
