When talking about skin, the conversation can be endless. Layers, types, lipids, pH, microbiome… a whole world spread over about two square meters. It envelops us, shields us and constantly works in our favor. But there’s one idea that can help everything we know about skin care fall into place: Natural Moisturizing Factorsor NMF.
Have you ever heard of them? Here is the simple version: your skin is smart. It has a built-in hydration system that knows how to retain water without asking much in return. Keep reading, because today—led by Chiyoung Kang Park, ISDIN Medical Marketing Specialist—we break down everything you need to know about NMFs and why they matter more than you think.
What exactly are Natural Moisturizers?
Park says it best: “NMFs are the molecules your skin naturally produces to stay hydrated.” Think of them as your skin’s internal water system. They help retain moisture, so skin stays soft, supple and free of that tight, uncomfortable feeling that often signals dehydration.
What makes NMFs so exciting? “They behave like magnets,” says Park. “They attract water and hold onto it, creating a reservoir of hydration that even the best cream can’t fully replicate if NMF levels are low.” When NMF levels are high, Skin looks radiant and feels balanced. When they fallmoisture escapes faster—and your skin lets you know.
“NMFs behave like magnets. They attract water and hold onto it.” Chiyoung Kang Park, ISDIN Medical Marketing Specialist
What are NMFs made of?
NMF is not just one ingredient. It’s a complex, beautifully orchestrated mix amino acids, urea, lactic acid, PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), glycerin and essential mineralsall work together to attract and retain moisture. “Each plays a unique role,” Park explains. “Some pull in hydration, others help keep keratin smooth, and some strengthen the skin’s barrier so moisture stays where it belongs.”
Why does this matter? Because when these components are reduced – due to cold, heat, stress or aging – water can escape more easily and the skin begins to lose its sense of comfort. That’s where skin care comes in. It cannot replace NMF, but it can support themhelping to restore balance and hydration.
The 5 types of NMF
1. Amino acids
If NMFs were a building, amino acids would be the foundation. They make up most of our skin’s natural moisture reserve, and their job is simple: they hold water. Each one acts like a little hook, drawing in moisture and helping to maintain softness, suppleness and smooth texture.
But these levels can decrease—due to excessive exfoliation, harsh cleansers, or simply aging. And when they do, the skin speaks: tightness, rough patches, makeup that doesn’t stick properly. This minute something is wrong feeling.
How to support amino acids
Look for moisturizing serums or light moisturizers that include amino acids or ingredients that can be passed off as harmful substances. “A well-formulated hyaluronic acid serum is often enough to restore hydration and comfort,” says Park.
2. Urea
Urea plays a dual role in your skin’s hydration story. It doesn’t just attract water – it softens the skin and gently loosens dead skin cells, keeping your texture even and flake-free.
Urea levels may drop with age, in dry climates, or with frequent scaling. And when they do, the skin can feel rougher and less able to retain moisture on its own.
What should I try?
“Our skin already produces urea, so the best way to boost it is to support it with more of it,” explains Park. Choose moisturizers with low to moderate concentrations of urea, especially if you experience persistent dryness.
3. Lactic acid
Like urea, lactic acid is both a moisturizer and a gentle exfoliator. Inside Natural Moisturizers, it locks in water while helping to slough away dead skin, resulting in smoother texture, more radiance and moisture that feels well-balanced – not fleeting.
But what if lactic acid levels drop? It’s completely natural. Age, the wrong skincare routine or harsh weather can all reduce lactic acid in the skin, leading to dullness and reduced product absorption.
Here’s how you can support lactic acid in the skin
Look for products with low concentrations of lactic acid. As Park says: “A carefully formulated AHA serum can restore brightness and comfort, especially to skin that feels dull or uneven.”
4. PCA & derivatives
A Park favorite, PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is a long-lasting moisturizer. It draws water and helps stabilize moisture levels over time, keeping skin balanced and supple. “It’s not just about hydration — it’s about stability,” she tells us.
Dry climates and weakened skin barriers can cause PCA levels to drop, which often leads to faster water loss and a less plump, soft feel.
What to do when the levels drop
The best approach? Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin—and that you enjoy using. “It’s what you reach for without thinking, morning and night,” says Park. “Because your skin feels better with it.”
5. Glycerin
“Glycerin is funny,” Park smiles. “It was never trendy, but it was always necessary.” A true workhorse, glycerin absorbs moisture and holds it in—even when conditions are tough, like cold weather combined with dry indoor heating.
When the skin barrier is weakened, glycerin can be removed more easily, leading to tightness that no cream seems to completely relieve.
What to approach to support glycerin
Before adding more hydration, start with your cleanser. “A lot of cleansers can be too harsh and rinse off longer than they should. This means that in terms of hydration, your skin is already red before you can put on moisturizer,” explains Park.
That’s why an oil cleanser that respects the skin barrier is so important. “It locks in moisture, so the rest of your routine can do its job,” she shares.
6. Minerals and other natural moisturizers
Last but not least: minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium. These silent players regulate the distribution of water in the skin, helping to prevent dry patches or areas that feel too oily or too dry.
Their levels drop for the same reasons as the rest of the NMF family—weather, dehydration, or overwashing. When they run out, The skin feels agitated, often for no apparent reason.
Here’s how to protect them
Gentle routines make the biggest difference. Long hot showers and excessive cleaning can remove these minerals. “Stick to gentle products and a daily consistency,” says Park. “Skin responds to rhythm more than intensity.”
Discover your skin type, learn your phototype and create a routine that really works for you.
A little support goes a long way
A gentle cleanser. A serum to match. A moisturizer you enjoy. It’s not about the perfect routine – it’s about a relationship with your skin. And as Park reminds us: “Everything works better when we stop chasing miracles and focus on balance.”
“Everything works better when we stop chasing miracles and focus on balance.” Chiyoung Kang Park, ISDIN Medical Marketing Specialist
This is the heart of good skin care. It doesn’t require perfection – just presence. Support your skin so it can do what it already knows how to do.
And one last fact: your skin renews itself approximately every 28 days. Enough time to see real results (only if you stay consistent). So start today, stick to it and let your skin show you what is possible.
Amy is a content strategist who turned a part-time skincare obsession into a full-time passion. Her experience as a creative storyteller includes a range of lifestyle and technology topics in Washington DC and Barcelona. What’s in her travel bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, always.
Chiyoung Kang Park
Chiyoung is a pharmacist with a great passion for cosmetics. She also graduated in Business Administration and with a master’s degree in Dermopharmacy and Cosmetics, she combines her passion for outdoor sports with skin care. Always active, she lives and appreciates both Spanish and Korean culture, combining her knowledge and roots in her professional and personal life.
