Natural Moisturising Factors: Key to Hydrated, Healthy Skin

What Are Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF) and Why Are They Essential for Healthy Skin?

Our skin is truly remarkable — it’s the largest organ of the body and undoubtedly one of the hardest working.

It acts as the first line of defense against a barrage of daily environmental challenges, from the harsh rays of the sun and pollution to bacteria and irritants.

Beyond these external stressors, our skin also responds visibly to internal factors such as hormonal changes, stress, fatigue, and illness.

Considering all this, it’s no surprise that our skin often shows signs of wear and tear over time.

One of the key players in maintaining skin health and resilience is something called the Natural Moisturising Factor, or NMF.

You may have heard this term before in skincare circles, but what exactly is NMF, and why is it so important?

In this article, we will dive deep into the science behind Natural Moisturising Factors, explore how they work to keep your skin hydrated and youthful, and discuss what happens when your skin lacks sufficient NMF

— plus how modern skincare formulations help fill the gap.

What Is Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF)?

Natural Moisturising Factor is a collective term for a group of molecules naturally produced by the skin to maintain hydration and support the skin’s barrier function.

These molecules reside in the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis — the skin’s surface layer.

The primary role of NMF is to attract and retain water within the skin cells, preventing dryness and keeping the skin soft and supple.

This moisture retention is critical because the stratum corneum acts as a barrier, protecting the body from harmful environmental factors while simultaneously regulating water loss.

Interestingly, NMF is not a single substance but a complex blend of water-soluble compounds, including:

Amino acids (breakdown products of skin proteins like filaggrin)

Urea

Lactic acid and other organic acids

Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA)

Sugars

Electrolytes

Each of these components plays a specific role in ensuring the skin remains hydrated and functions optimally.

How Does NMF Benefit Your Skin?

The Natural Moisturising Factor contributes to skin health in several crucial ways:

1. Maintaining the Skin’s Protective Barrier

Your skin’s protective barrier is vital to keep out harmful substances like bacteria, pollutants, and free radicals. NMF helps keep this barrier hydrated and intact.

When the skin barrier is compromised — which can happen due to aging, environmental damage, or harsh skincare products — it becomes less effective at protecting the skin.

This leads to a cascade of problems, including dryness, irritation, inflammation, and increased vulnerability to infection.

A well-hydrated stratum corneum, supported by sufficient NMF, ensures the skin remains resilient against external aggressors.

This hydration also helps maintain a smooth, even texture and reduces the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

2. Preserving Skin Elasticity and Youthfulness

One of the hallmarks of youthful skin is its plumpness and elasticity — qualities that start to diminish with age.

Elastin and collagen production decline over time, making skin more prone to sagging and damage. NMF indirectly supports skin elasticity by ensuring the cells in the epidermis remain well-hydrated. Moisturized skin cells are more flexible and less likely to crack or become damaged.

By sustaining adequate hydration, NMF contributes to a skin appearance that is more vibrant, plumped, and resilient — in other words, a more youthful look.

3. Facilitating Natural Exfoliation and Cell Renewal

The skin naturally sheds dead cells through a process called desquamation, which typically occurs every 28 to 30 days. This process ensures fresh, healthy skin cells replace the older, outer ones.

However, the enzymes responsible for breaking down the connections between dead skin cells — known as hydrolytic enzymes — need an optimal environment to work effectively.

NMF helps activate these enzymes, enabling the skin to slough off dead cells efficiently.

When this process slows down or is disrupted, dead cells accumulate, leading to issues such as dry patches, dullness, blackheads, and acne.

Keeping NMF levels sufficient ensures the skin retains its natural glow and smooth texture.

NMF and Skin pH Balance

Another essential function of Natural Moisturising Factors is maintaining the skin’s acid mantle — a slightly acidic layer on the skin’s surface with a pH typically around 4.5 to 5.5.

This acidity plays a vital role in:

Preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi

Supporting the skin’s natural microbiome (beneficial bacteria)

Regulating enzyme activity involved in skin renewal

NMF components such as lactic acid contribute to this acidic environment.

When skin pH becomes too alkaline — often due to excessive washing or harsh products — the barrier weakens, leading to irritation, dryness, and increased risk of infection.

Thus, NMF acts as a balancing agent, helping to maintain the skin’s optimal pH and protective functions.

What Happens When Your Skin Lacks NMF?

As we age, or when the skin barrier is damaged, the production of Natural Moisturising Factors decreases. This reduction can result in:

Dryness and Dehydration: Without enough NMF, the skin loses its ability to attract and retain moisture, leading to rough, flaky, or tight-feeling skin.

Increased Sensitivity: Dry skin is more prone to irritation and inflammation.

Visible Signs of Aging: Loss of hydration makes fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable.

Compromised Barrier: A weak barrier invites environmental damage and increases the risk of infection.

Many skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and xerosis (extremely dry skin), are associated with deficiencies in NMF components.

How Can Skincare Help Restore NMF?

Fortunately, modern skincare formulations often include ingredients that mimic or replenish the Natural Moisturising Factors in the skin. These include:

Hyaluronic Acid: A powerful humectant that attracts and holds water, often referred to as the “gold standard” for hydration.

Urea: Naturally present in the skin, urea helps bind water and softens rough skin. It also supports enzymatic activity in desquamation.

Lactate: Derived from lactic acid, it helps maintain skin pH and hydration.

Glycerin: Another widely used humectant that draws moisture into the skin.

When used in well-formulated skincare products, these ingredients can effectively compensate for diminished NMF levels, restoring moisture, improving texture, and strengthening the skin barrier.

Important Considerations When Using NMF-Related Ingredients

While ingredients like urea and lactate naturally occur in the skin, they can be potent when applied topically in synthetic formulations. To avoid irritation, dryness, or even burns:

Always follow product usage instructions carefully.

Start with a small amount or lower concentration to assess your skin’s reaction.

Perform a patch test 24 hours before applying new products to your face.

Consult a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or underlying skin conditions.

The Incredible Resilience of Your Skin

It’s truly awe-inspiring how much work your skin does every single day.

From shielding your internal organs to adapting to constant environmental and internal changes, your skin is a dynamic, living organ with a complex defense system — and the Natural Moisturising Factor is a critical part of this.

Thanks to ongoing scientific research and innovative skincare formulations, we now have access to products that help support and restore our skin’s natural hydration systems.

Although nothing beats good overall health habits — like protecting your skin from excessive sun, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a balanced diet — using products that replenish NMF can be a game-

changer for keeping skin glowing, resilient, and youthful-looking.

Of course, nothing beats a vacation to a tropical island to give your skin some well-earned rest, but until then, understanding and supporting your skin’s Natural Moisturising Factor is one of the best ways to help it thrive in our busy, modern world.

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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