NAD+

What is NAD+?

NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. This coenzyme is found in every living cell and is involved in hundreds of metabolic reactions. The body makes it from vitamin B3 – including niacinamide. In skincare, NAD+ is one of the big anti-ageing trends, especially in Korea.

How does NAD+ work on the skin?

• Energy for cells: NAD+ is central to energy production in the mitochondria. Skin cells need this energy to renew themselves.
• Repair: the enzymes that repair UV-induced DNA damage, as well as the so-called sirtuins, depend on NAD+.
• Declines with age: NAD+ levels fall over the years. Skincare with NAD+ or its precursors aims to offset this decline.

Good to know: NAD+ is a relatively large, delicate molecule. That’s why many products combine it with precursors such as niacinamide or NMN and with well-researched actives.

Which skin types is NAD+ suitable for?

• mature skin with fine lines and loss of firmness – see anti-ageing skincare
• tired, dull skin that needs a fresher look
• sensitive skin, as NAD+ itself is hardly irritating

How to use NAD+

1. Apply an NAD+ toner, essence or serum after cleansing, morning and evening.
2. Follow with a moisturiser.
3. Wear sunscreen during the day – repairing UV damage uses up NAD+, and UV light speeds up skin ageing.

What can you combine NAD+ with?

• Niacinamide is a precursor of NAD+ and also strengthens the skin barrier
• Peptides support firmness and elasticity
• PDRN supports regeneration
• Retinol smooths fine lines – NAD+ complements it well because it adds no extra irritation

NAD+ in Korean skincare

In Korea, NAD+ became popular mainly through numbuzin’s No.9 line. From our range: the No.9 NAD Bio Lifting Essence, the No.9 NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner, the No.9 NAD+ Retinol Volumetox Eye Cream and the No.9 NAD+ Gold 3D Firming Cream by numbuzin, the Retinol Retinal 2000 NAD+ Serum by Purito, the NAD+ Booster Shot by Arencia and the Double Up Cream NAD+ NMN & TXA by epii.

What does the research say?

That NAD+ levels decline with age was shown, among others, in a study of human skin samples (Massudi et al., PLoS One, 2012). Large clinical studies on creams with NAD+ itself are still lacking. Its precursor niacinamide is better researched: in a 12-week study, a cream with 5% niacinamide improved fine lines, dark spots and redness (Bissett et al., Dermatologic Surgery, 2005).