Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Lower concern. No known PFAS-prone ingredients in this moisturizer formulation.
The Ordinary's NMF+HA is a hydrating serum with standard moisturizing ingredients and no applied water-repellent or stain-resistant coatings. No public PFAS claims or third-party verification available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is made of, ingredients and materials
This is a water-based humectant blend combining glycerin (a widely used, skin-identical moisturizer), hyaluronic acid (a polysaccharide that holds water in skin), and amino acids (natural compounds that support skin barrier). No synthetic actives, preservatives, dyes, or fragrances are listed. The formulation is minimalist, which reduces the number of potential irritants or contaminant pathways.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Microbial growth due to lack of chemical preservative
No conventional preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol, etc.) are listed. Water-based formulas without preservatives are at higher risk for bacterial or fungal contamination if exposed to moisture, air, or non-sterile applicators over time, especially in warm or humid bathrooms.
Hyaluronic acid purity and source
Hyaluronic acid is typically fermented from bacterial cultures (safe) or extracted from animal tissue (rooster combs). The Ordinary does not disclose source on packaging. Fermented HA is lowest contamination risk and most ethical; tissue-derived HA has no known safety concern but carries small prion or BSE risk if poorly handled.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergens
No fragrance, essential oils, or fragrance-adjacent ingredients (e.g., botanicals) are listed. Allergen risk from scent is not a concern with this formulation.
Heavy metals
Product is formulated as a clear or slightly cloudy serum with no added dyes or pigments. No heavy metal contamination pathway has been identified for this ingredient set.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Neither formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) nor 1,4-dioxane (a byproduct of ethoxylation) are listed. The formulation does not include the class of ingredients known to harbor these contaminants.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The Ordinary is owned by Deciem (L'Oreal subsidiary) and is known for transparent ingredient labeling and competitive pricing. The brand does not hold formal certifications (organic, hypoallergenic) but publishes full ingredient lists and has not faced major safety recalls tied to this product. Parent company L'Oreal is subject to EU cosmetics regulations and periodic third-party audits, though individual product-specific safety testing data is not typically disclosed to consumers.
How it compares in its category
Water-based lightweight moisturizers typically carry lower hazard burden than creams with emulsifiers, silicones, or fragrance. This product's lack of preservatives is unusual; most aqueous formulas require antimicrobials to prevent bacterial or fungal growth during storage. Comparable products (e.g., basic glycerin serums, hyaluronic acid toners) have similar profiles. Price and ingredient simplicity make it competitive, though the no-preservative claim warrants checking batch date and storage conditions.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and do not leave open for extended periods, as the lack of preservative means contamination risk increases with air exposure. Use clean applicators or hands only. Do not heat or microwave the product. Replace if discoloration, odor, or visible particles develop, which may indicate microbial growth. Patch test on arm or behind ear first if you have sensitive skin, though amino acids and hyaluronic acid are rarely sensitizing.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 75% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- The Ordinary has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA?
- Plant oils, butters, waxes
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- Fragrance allergens
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water, oils, glycerin, botanical extracts
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance allergens (botanical extracts)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More moisturizer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.