What Are Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs)?

NMFs are a group of “water loving” compounds found naturally in the outermost layer of the skin. These highly effective humectants attract and bind water in the skin, helping maintain optimal hydration.

NMFs are made up of several components, including:

• Free Amino Acids

• Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid (PCA)

• Sodium Lactate

• Urea

• Sugars and minerals

NMFs are critical for maintaining several functions within the skin. By retaining water, these compounds support:

• Hydration and Elasticity: NMFs help prevent dryness, flaking, and tightness, and contribute to smoother, softer, more supple skin.

• Barrier support: NMFs work alongside lipids in the skin barrier to help prevent excessive water loss and protect the skin from external stressors.

• Skin renewal: Proper hydration helps ensure effective cell turnover and the shedding of dead skin cells.

• pH balance: NMFs contribute to the skin's "acid mantle” and help maintain the protective acidic pH of the surface and support a balanced microbiome.

Focusing on hydration and barrier function to support your NMF levels is one of the most important things you can do for healthy-looking skin.

Without sufficient NMF levels to maintain moisture balance, skin becomes dehydrated and barrier function is compromised. This can result in concerns related to water loss and skin barrier disruption, such as:

• Increased dryness and roughness

• Increased sensitivity and signs of irritation

• More pronounced fine lines

• Reduced elasticity

• Greater susceptibility to weather changes, pollution, and other external stressors

Chronically low NMF levels can seriously impede the skin’s ability to retain moisture, resulting in perennially tight, sensitive skin (even after applying moisturizer), congestion and dullness due to poor cell turnover, and premature signs of aging.

Production of Natural Moisturizing Factors naturally decreases as we age, which can lead to more persistent dryness. However, other factors can influence the NMF levels in our skin.

Over cleansing or using cleansers that aren’t suited to your skin type can strip NMFs. Over-exfoliation can further impact NMF levels by disrupting the skin barrier and impacting its ability to retain moisture.

Environmental factors like low humidity, cold weather, and prolonged exposure to UV radiation can also deplete NMF levels.

Supporting your skin’s NMFs involves reinforcing hydration and skin barrier function. Start by avoiding over cleansing or using formulations that strip the skin. Our Squalane Cleanser effectively removes makeup, dirt and impurities while supporting the skin barrier and leaving skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Consider adding formulations with NMF-supporting ingredients to your routine, like

Amino Acids + B5. Amino acids and amino acid derivatives mimic the skin’s natural moisturizing factors to keep the outer layer of your skin protected and well-hydrated. Pro-vitamin B5 provides multi-level surface hydration and additional barrier support.

Be sure to seal in moisture with a hydrating, barrier-supporting product like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. Using a daily broad spectrum SPF can also help maintain your natural NMF levels by protecting skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation.

Skincare formulations, like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, incorporate ingredients that mimic the skin’s natural hydration systems to help support long-term moisture balance. With regular use, NMFs in skincare promote smoother, softer skin and improved moisture retention.

Our Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA moisturizer contains a comprehensive blend of lipids and NMFs that provide surface hydration and help reinforce the skin barrier. Its lightweight texture keeps the surface of your skin hydrated and protected, without leaving a greasy residue.

This moisturizer replenishes lost moisture and continues fortifying the skin barrier over time, for immediate and lasting hydration support. The addition of hyaluronic acid also supports the skin’s ability to retain moisture, and ceramides and phospholipids ensure your skin remains supple and resilient against environmental stressors.

If your skin needs a richer moisturizer, consider Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides. This formulation combines the benefits of NMFs with nourishing, replenishing plant-derived ceramides.

Natural Moisturizing Factors play a vital role in keeping skin hydrated, comfortable, and resilient. By understanding and supporting NMFs, you can strengthen the foundation of your skincare routine and maintain long-term skin balance with targeted, science-backed care from The Ordinary.