Versus

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides Versus Eucerin Urea Repair Face Cream

General Moisturizer
Day Moisturizer
Canadian Brand Canada
German Brand Germany

Updated on March 10, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or parabens

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

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

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
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
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
Buffering, Humectant

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.

This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate
Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.

As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.

Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.

In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.

Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.

Learn more about Urea
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

273 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
115 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

9 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

Eucerin Urea Repair Face Cream 17 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 5 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Light (2)
aw4's avatar

A W

3 months ago
Review

I've been experimenting with moisturizers for the winter because my skin is just so dry, yet acne prone. This cream is an incredible combination of being something light weight enough for my combo skin and somehow hydrating without being occlusive. It's so far the only thing hydrating enough for me that's oil free for the dry harsh winter. I have combo and dehydrated skin that is extremely acne Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
justinetrottier's avatar

Justine Trottier

4 months ago
Review

Good moisturizer, helps with redness and irritation. Nothing extraordinay though

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent