Glossary

Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) — a collection of water-attracting compounds within the outer skin cells, including amino acids, urea, lactate, and PCA, that draw and hold moisture in the surface layers. This built-in humectant system helps keep the stratum corneum hydrated and pliable.

Key points

  • NMF is composed largely of free amino acids and their derivatives, plus urea, lactate, and salts.
  • It is produced in part from the breakdown of a protein called filaggrin during skin cell maturation.
  • NMF acts as the skin's own humectant, binding water within the outer layer.
  • Low NMF levels are linked to dryness, flaking, and a rough skin surface.

Frequently asked

Where does NMF come from?

Much of it is generated as skin cells mature and the protein filaggrin breaks down into water-binding amino acids and related compounds.

Can skincare support NMF?

Ingredients like amino acids, urea, glycerin, and lactate are used to help supplement the skin's natural moisturizing factor and support hydration.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Moisturizers StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) Reference text ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Atopic Dermatitis and the Stratum Corneum: Part 1: The Role of Filaggrin in the Stratum Corneum Barrier and Atopic Skin PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Natural moisturizing factor as a biomarker for filaggrin PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Caspase-14 is required for filaggrin degradation to natural moisturizing factors in the skin PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Emollients and Moisturizers (Moisturisers) DermNet NZ Clinical guidance dermnetnz.org
  6. Moisturizers: The Slippery Road PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.