Versus

The INKEY List Omega Water Cream Versus The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
British Brand United Kingdom
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 10 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, fragrances, parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

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 Propanediol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine 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 Betaine

Magnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.

In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.

You might recognize Magnesium Sulfate as epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.

One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.

Learn more about Magnesium Sulfate
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Glycosphingolipids are naturally found in the cell membranes of organisms. In animals, they are the major glycolipids found.

Glyolipids help ensure the stability of cell membranes. They also help with cellular recognition, such as allowing cells to form tissues in skin.

Skin Conditioning

Glycolipids are natural, sustainable biosurfactants. They are both surfactants (cleansing agents) and emollients.

Made from lipids and sugars, in-vitro studies show glycolipids are a gentle alternative to conventional surfactants. They also possess foaming properties to give cleaning products a nice texture.

One manufacturer study found their glycolipid also demonstrated sebum reduction and helped reduced oiliness after four weeks. This means it can also be great for scalp care.

Learn more about Glycolipids

Disteardimonium Hectorite comes from the clay mineral named hectorite. It is used to add thickness to a product.

It can also help stabilize a product by helping to disperse other ingredients.

Hectorite is a rare, white clay mineral.

Learn more about Disteardimonium Hectorite
Emollient, Emulsifying

Oleic Acid is an Omega-9 fatty acid. It can be found in many plant oils such as avocado and marula oils.

This ingredient is used to enhance the texture of products and as a cleansing agent.

Oleic Acid may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Oleic Acid
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

784 Routines
51% use in am
48% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
271 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List Omega Water Cream 17 ingredients

3.1 /5
from 23 ratings
Light (9) No Scent (6) Broke Me Out (5)
faulmag's avatar

faulmag

1 year ago
Review

Leaves my skin feeling hydrated, and I like the niacinamide! Extremely glowy, possibly crossing the line, which some people may not like.

#hydrating
#no scent
#works well
TijanaIvanovic's avatar

TijanaIvanovic

1 year ago
Review

its super light weight almost as if it does nothing, after i apply it i feel like my skin needs more moisture

#light
#doesn't work

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides 53 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Hydrating (2) Doesn't Work (2) Broke Me Out (2)
sjordan74's avatar

Shane Jordan

8 months ago
Review

The Ordinary did their big one with this moisturizer. I've been using this a little over six months and it's great in every way, especially if you're looking for a bodied and hydrating moisturizer. I purchased this from Ulta.

I use this primarily at night because it's too heavy for going underneath my sunscreen (unless you have time to let it absorb). I feel like this is working wonders on Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#heavy
#absorbs well
mottrubi's avatar

Ilovemybf

8 months ago
Review

I loveee this moisturizer, leaves my skin very soft and glowy you dont need a lot just a pea sized amount and your good, great for my dry skin

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent