This gel moisturizer from The Ordinary is designed to provide essential hydration without feeling heavy or occlusive. It's formulated with ingredients that mimic the skin's natural moisturizing factors, plus beta-glucan for barrier support.
Sephora price
$13.50
Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.
Sephora reviews
4.1 / 5
About 689 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.
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Glass take
4.1 / 5 overall fit
A solid, no-frills moisturizer that hydrates without feeling heavy. It's a great option for oily and combination skin types, or anyone looking for a lightweight daily hydrator.
Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026
Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.
View SephoraWhat Sephora says
A lightweight, clear gel moisturizer for all skin types that delivers all-day hydration and protects skin from water loss.
Apply a small amount to your face in the morning and evening.
Precautions:
If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician.
Use only as directed on unbroken skin.
Patch testing prior to use is advised.
Keep out of reach of children.
What Glass adds
This is a reliable, budget-friendly moisturizer that excels at basic hydration. Its lightweight gel texture makes it a good choice for oily and combination skin, but it may not be rich enough for very dry or mature skin types seeking intense nourishment.
Daily essential
Many users appreciate this as a no-fuss daily moisturizer that keeps their skin hydrated without causing breakouts or greasiness.
Best for
Skip if
Routine fit
Apply this moisturizer as the last step in your skincare routine, after serums and treatments, both morning and night. It works well to seal in hydration.
Why it works
The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.
What it actually does well
Where it starts to feel redundant
Routine fit
Morning and night
This moisturizer is suitable for both AM and PM routines. Its lightweight nature makes it comfortable for daytime wear, while its hydrating properties are beneficial overnight.
Glass rating
A solid, no-frills moisturizer that hydrates without feeling heavy. It's a great option for oily and combination skin types, or anyone looking for a lightweight daily hydrator.
Hydration
4.2 / 5
Delivers consistent hydration throughout the day, making it suitable for most skin types.
Texture
4.5 / 5
The gel texture is refreshing and absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy residue.
Full ingredient breakdown
Solvent
Badness
0.0 / 10
The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Emollient
Badness
1.0 / 10
A synthetic emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Rarely, can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.
Humectant
Badness
1.0 / 10
A plant-derived humectant that draws moisture to the skin and improves product texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Humectant
Badness
1.0 / 10
A sugar beet-derived ingredient that helps to hydrate and protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive skin
Watch for
None
Active
Badness
0.0 / 10
A polysaccharide that hydrates, soothes, and supports the skin barrier. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive, irritated skin
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that helps to maintain skin hydration and supports wound healing.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that is a component of collagen and helps with skin hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that contributes to the skin's natural moisturizing factors.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that helps to retain moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that is important for collagen production and skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that is part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
An amino acid that helps to hydrate and support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Amino Acid
Badness
0.0 / 10
A salt form of lysine, an essential amino acid that plays a role in skin repair.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A simple sugar that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A disaccharide that helps to hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A simple sugar that acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A disaccharide known for its excellent moisturizing and protective properties.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive skin
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A sugar alcohol that helps to increase skin hydration and improve the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A derivative of xylitol that enhances its moisturizing capabilities.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A derivative of xylitol that boosts the skin's natural hydration system.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, it attracts and binds water to the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor that helps retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
The sodium salt of lactic acid, it is a humectant that helps to moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
1.0 / 10
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor that helps to hydrate and gently exfoliate.
Usually helps with
Dry, rough skin
Watch for
Can be irritating in higher concentrations or for sensitive skin.
Soothing Agent
Badness
0.0 / 10
Soothes and protects the skin, promoting healing and reducing irritation.
Usually helps with
Sensitive, irritated skin
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that deeply hydrates and plumps the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Watch for
None
Emollient
Badness
0.0 / 10
Lipids that are essential components of cell membranes, helping to maintain skin barrier function and hydration.
Usually helps with
Dry, compromised skin
Watch for
None
Emollient
Badness
0.0 / 10
Lipids that are crucial for maintaining the skin's barrier function and preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Dry, mature skin
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
0.0 / 10
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
Humectant
Badness
1.0 / 10
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as a humectant, emollient, and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Thickener
Badness
2.0 / 10
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
pH Adjuster
Badness
0.0 / 10
Used to adjust the pH of the product to be compatible with the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None in this concentration.
Viscosity Adjuster
Badness
0.0 / 10
Salt, used to adjust the viscosity of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
pH Adjuster
Badness
0.0 / 10
A salt of citric acid used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
pH Adjuster
Badness
0.0 / 10
An alpha hydroxy acid used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None in this concentration.
Antioxidant
Badness
0.0 / 10
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
pH Adjuster
Badness
0.0 / 10
A plant-derived acid used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None
pH Adjuster
Badness
1.0 / 10
Used to neutralize acidic ingredients and adjust the pH.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Preservative
Badness
2.0 / 10
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions or irritation in some individuals.
Preservative
Badness
2.0 / 10
A preservative that helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
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FAQ
Yes, its lightweight gel texture and oil-free formulation make it an excellent choice for oily and combination skin types.
While it provides hydration, very dry or mature skin types might find it insufficient and may prefer a richer cream moisturizer.
Beta Glucan is a humectant derived from mushrooms that hydrates, soothes, and helps support the skin barrier.
