Why Beta-Glucan Moisturizer Might Replace Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare

Beta-Glucan: The Star Ingredient in The Ordinary’s New Moisturizer That Might Just Replace Hyaluronic Acid

If you’re a fan of The Ordinary, you’re probably well aware of the brand’s commitment to affordable, effective skincare backed by science.

In recent months, the company has been busy expanding its line with a slew of new product launches that have taken the beauty world by storm.

From lightweight cleansers to deeply hydrating serums, these recent additions have resonated with both longtime fans and skincare newcomers alike.

Among the most recent releases are:

The Glucoside Foaming Cleanser – a mild yet effective cleanser that’s quickly gained cult status.

The Multi-Peptide Eye Serum – an eye treatment packed with skin-fortifying peptides.

Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides – a rich moisturizer designed specifically for dry, compromised skin.

Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution – a blemish-targeting serum that soothes and reduces post-acne marks.

Glycolipid Cream Cleanser – a gentle, non-stripping cleansing milk that became a staple in many routines.

Now, The Ordinary has added a new member to its moisturizing family—Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta-Glucan, and the buzz is already mounting.

With a unique combination of hydrating ingredients and antioxidant properties, this moisturizer is being hailed as a lightweight yet powerful hydrator, especially for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types.

Let’s explore why beta-glucan is garnering so much attention and whether this new moisturizer truly lives up to the hype.

What Is Beta-Glucan?

If you’re unfamiliar with beta-glucan, you’re not alone.

Despite being widely used in pharmaceuticals and health supplements, it’s only recently started gaining mainstream recognition in the skincare world.

According to celebrity esthetician and skincare expert Cynthia Franco, beta-glucan is a large sugar molecule (a polysaccharide) composed of many smaller sugar units.

It’s typically derived from sources like oats, mushrooms, and yeast, but in The Ordinary’s formulation, it comes from Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as reishi mushroom—a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years.

So, what makes beta-glucan special? Several things:

Moisture Retention: Beta-glucan has been shown in studies to deliver up to 20% more hydration than hyaluronic acid, long considered the holy grail of skin hydration.

Barrier Repair: It aids in skin recovery, making it ideal for those with a compromised skin barrier or irritation due to environmental factors or overuse of actives like retinoids.

Antioxidant Protection: It neutralizes free radicals, reducing oxidative stress from pollution and UV exposure.

Soothing Benefits: It’s known for calming redness, reducing inflammation, and helping sensitive or reactive skin.

In short, beta-glucan does more than just hydrate. It protects, soothes, repairs, and rejuvenates—all in a single ingredient.

Inside The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta-Glucan

While beta-glucan is the headline ingredient, the formula also includes a blend of ceramides, amino acids, and other Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs)—components that naturally occur in the skin and help maintain its hydration and elasticity.

Let’s break down the key players:

Beta-Glucan: Hydrates, soothes, and strengthens the skin barrier.

Ceramides: Lipid molecules that seal in moisture and protect the skin’s outermost layer.

Amino Acids: Essential building blocks that aid in repair and maintain the skin’s hydration balance.

Oil- and Silicone-Free Base: Ideal for those who dislike heavy creams or are prone to breakouts.

The texture is described as a lightweight, water-based gel, making it ideal for oily and combination skin types.

It’s designed to absorb quickly without leaving a greasy or sticky residue, making it perfect for layering under sunscreen or makeup.

A Personal Review: Testing the Moisturizer on Combination Skin

As someone with combination skin, I approach new moisturizers with caution. Too rich, and I break out.

Too light, and my skin feels tight and uncomfortable—especially when using strong actives like retinoids. So naturally, I was intrigued by this product.

Morning Use: Lightweight Yet Effective

In the morning, I applied Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta-Glucan underneath my sunscreen (L’Oréal Revitalift Clinical SPF 50+).

Usually, layering a moisturizer and sunscreen results in a heavy feeling and makes my foundation slide throughout the day. But not this time.

This gel-cream absorbed instantly, leaving my skin soft but not sticky. No greasy film, no excessive shine—just the right level of hydration to keep my skin balanced and prepped for makeup.

My foundation stayed in place all day without any midday oil slicks.

Night Use: Needs a Little Boost for Drier Areas

Nighttime was a slightly different story. I regularly use retinoids, which leave my cheeks dry and occasionally flaky.

After cleansing and toning, I applied a generous layer of the beta-glucan moisturizer, expecting it to calm and replenish my skin overnight.

While it initially felt soothing, I noticed a mild tightness around my eyes and cheeks about 30 minutes later.

It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it told me the moisturizer wasn’t quite enough for the level of dryness caused by my retinoid routine.

However, applying it to slightly damp skin improved the results significantly, helping it lock in more moisture and reduce tightness.

How It Compares to The Ordinary’s Other Moisturizers

With three different moisturizers in its lineup, it’s helpful to understand where Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta-Glucan fits:

Product Texture Key Benefits Best For

Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid Medium Hydrating, dewy finish Normal to slightly dry skin

Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides Rich Deep hydration, barrier repair Dry to very dry skin

Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta-Glucan Light Fast absorption, calming, non-greasy Oily, combination, acne-prone skin

The beta-glucan formula is the lightest of the trio, making it ideal for warmer weather or oilier skin types.

If you need more intense hydration, especially during colder months or if you use actives frequently, you may want to pair it with a thicker product at night.

Ideal for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin

My partner, who has oily, acne-prone skin, also tried the product and became an instant fan. His biggest complaint about moisturizers is that they “sit on the face” or feel greasy.

This formula passed the test—it felt like nothing after it absorbed.

There were no shiny cheekbones, no forehead gleam, and best of all, no breakouts. In fact, his skin has looked clearer, calmer, and more balanced since using it consistently.

He now uses it morning and night as his go-to hydrator.

Is It for Everyone? Not Quite

While this product has a lot going for it, it might not be the best match for everyone. Here’s who it’s most suited for:

Best for:

Oily or combination skin

Acne-prone or sensitive skin

People who dislike heavy moisturizers

Those looking for a gentle hydrator under makeup or SPF

❌ Might not be enough for:

Very dry or flaky skin

Retinoid users with peeling or irritation

Harsh winter conditions where more occlusive products are needed

If you fall into the latter category, consider using it as a light daytime moisturizer and opting for something richer, like the Phytoceramides version, at night.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try It?

The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta-Glucan is a solid, no-fuss moisturizer that ticks many boxes for people with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin.

Its lightweight texture, calming ingredients, and affordable price point make it a welcome addition to The Ordinary’s lineup.

While it may not completely replace hyaluronic acid for everyone, beta-glucan certainly deserves a place in the hydration conversation—and potentially, your skincare routine.

So, if you’ve been hunting for a moisturizer that feels like nothing, delivers meaningful hydration, and won’t clog your pores or interfere with your active treatments, this could be exactly what your routine is missing.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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