NAD for Skin: Does It Really Make a Difference?

What Does NAD+ Do for Your Skin?

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It’s also your first line of defense against UV rays, pollution, germs, and environmental stress. Every day, your skin cells are regenerating, repairing damage, producing proteins such as collagen and elastin, and maintaining your skin barrier. All of that requires a constant supply of energy and resources.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that exists in every cell of your body. It’s involved in hundreds of biological processes, but two of the most relevant for your skin are energy production and cellular repair. NAD+ also supports the function of enzymes called sirtuins, which are involved in DNA repair and cellular health.

‍

{{primary-cta}}

‍

What Happens to Your Skin When NAD+ Levels Drop?

Your body doesn’t maintain the same NAD+ levels forever. Research shows that NAD+ concentrations in the skin may decrease by at least 50% over the course of adulthood. 

When NAD+ levels dip, your skin cells have less energy to do their jobs. DNA repair may slow down. Collagen and elastin production may decrease. Cell turnover may also become slower. With age, many people notice dullness, uneven texture, loss of firmness, or skin that no longer bounces back the way it used to.

Environmental factors can also accelerate this process. UV exposure triggers enzymes called PARPs that consume NAD+ while repairing DNA damage. On top of this, chronic, low-grade inflammation activates another enzyme, CD38, which further depletes your NAD+ reserves. In other words, it’s not just time working against you. Stress, sun exposure, and environmental pollutants accumulate, and so may the toll these external factors have on NAD+ levels.

‍

NAD+ Benefits for Skin

So, what can healthy NAD+ levels actually do for your skin? 

‍

Cellular Repair and Regeneration

Your skin faces daily damage from UV rays, pollution, and normal metabolic activity. NAD+ supports the enzymes responsible for repairing that damage at the DNA level, including a family of enzymes, mentioned above, called PARPs, that rely on NAD+ to repair UV-induced DNA damage in human skin cells. When NAD+ production is blocked, cells may lose their ability to recover from that damage. 

NAD+ also directly regulates protein interactions involved in DNA repair, and boosting NAD+ levels with precursors, such as NMN, has been shown to reduce DNA damage in animal models. 

‍

Collagen and Elastin Support

Collagen and elastin are the proteins that give your skin its structure and bounce. So, how do these two intersect?

The NAD+-dependent enzyme SIRT6 promotes genes associated with collagen production, while both SIRT1 and SIRT6 help inhibit MMP-1, an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Both SIRT1 and SIRT6 are downregulated in older skin, which correlates with declining NAD+ levels. 

As NAD+ decreases, fibroblasts (the cells responsible for making collagen and elastin) can become senescent, meaning they essentially stop doing their job.

‍

Skin Barrier and Hydration

Your skin barrier helps retain moisture and protects against external irritants. Maintaining it requires cellular energy and balanced skin function. NAD+ plays a role in cellular energy metabolism, which is involved in many normal cellular processes within the skin.

‍

Protection Against Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals outpace your body’s ability to neutralize them. However, in human fibroblasts, NAD+ has been linked with protective effects against UV-induced oxidative stress through improved sirtuin activation and mitochondrial function.

‍

{{primary-cta}}

‍

How to Support NAD+ Levels for Your Skin

If NAD+ is so important, the natural next question is: how do you maintain or restore it? There are a few options you may want to explore.

‍

NAD+ Precursors and Supplements (NMN, NR)

Your body doesn’t absorb NAD+ efficiently on its own, which is why researchers have focused on precursors. Precursors are molecules your body may be able to convert into NAD+. The two most studied are nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR).

Early clinical research suggests that both NMN and NR may help support blood NAD+ levels, though results vary and further studies are needed. Some preliminary research has examined NMN’s potential role in helping skin cells regenerate NAD+, but this area remains in its early stages. 

It’s important to note that NMN and NR supplements are not FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with any supplement, talk to a qualified healthcare provider before adding one to your routine.

‍

Topical Options: What Works and What Doesn’t

You’ve probably seen NAD+ listed on skincare labels. But the NAD+ molecule itself is quite large (663 daltons), which makes it difficult for it to actually penetrate the skin barrier. Thus, many products that market themselves as NAD+ skincare actually use precursors or supporting ingredients instead.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is the most common and well-researched topical NAD+ precursor. It’s small enough to absorb into the skin and supports your cells’ natural NAD+ production. If you’re looking for a topical option, niacinamide-based products are commonly used in skincare routines.

‍

IV and Injection Therapy

NAD+ can also be delivered through IV infusions or injections. Because NAD+ products are not FDA-approved for skin-related indications, individuals considering this option should consult a licensed healthcare provider on the Eden platform to discuss potential risks, benefits, and alternatives.

‍

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, research on NAD+ benefits for skin is still evolving, but what we know so far is promising, particularly for supporting cellular repair, collagen production, and overall skin resilience.

 If you’re considering NAD+ supplements or therapy, talk to a licensed healthcare provider on the Eden platform or your dermatologist first. They can help you weigh the options, flag any potential side effects or interactions, and find an approach that makes sense for your skin and your health.