Nature Communications, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73780-z It is well established that intense laser pulses can demagnetize magnetic matter; however, the inverse process of magnetic moment enhancement by ultrafast laser light is generally precluded. Here, Sharma and coauthors show how combining a spin-orbit-induced spin texture with strong optical drive in CrSBr and CrI3 leads to substantial increase in magnetic moment.