A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement, at two or more depths of investigation, of a subsurface formation containing formation water and a mud filtrate from a water-base mud is obtained, and the mud filtrate is distinguished from the formation water. A NMR logging tool is disposed in a wellbore penetrating the formation containing the mud filtrate and the formation water and NMR measurements at different radial depths of investigation into the formation are made. The mud filtrate is distinguished from the formation water by determining the relative salinities of the mud filtrate and the formation water. The relative salinities are determined by comparing distribution relaxation times across different depths of investigation or by comparing logarithmic mean values across different depths of investigation.