A few years ago, NAD+ lived in biochemistry textbooks. Today it sits on beauty shelves, usually next to the words "cellular" and "longevity." That shift happened fast, so it is fair to ask how solid the link between NAD+ and skin aging really is. We took five claims you are likely to see and checked each one against published studies.
First, a quick primer
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Every cell in your body uses it, mainly for two jobs:
- Turning food into energy your cells can use
- Fuelling enzymes, including PARPs and sirtuins, that help repair DNA and manage stress inside the cell
Your body builds NAD+ from forms of vitamin B3 in food. Two of those building blocks are nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which is why supplements call them NAD+ precursors. The difference between them is small: NMN is NR with one extra phosphate group attached, one step closer to NAD+ itself.
With that in place, on to the claims.
Claim 1: NAD+ levels fall with skin aging
Verdict: partly supported.
Much of this evidence comes from animal and cell studies. Still, there is some human data. A 2012 study of skin samples from 49 people, aged newborn to 77, found that DNA damage rose with age. It also reported age-related changes in NAD+ metabolism, including higher activity of PARP enzymes in men.
So that fits the idea that aging skin uses more NAD+ for repair. However, researchers are still working out how much this varies between people and between tissues.
Claim 2: NAD+ supplements raise NAD+ in the body
Verdict: supported, at least in blood.
In a 2018 trial in Nature Communications, 30 healthy middle-aged and older adults took NR or a placebo. NR raised NAD+ levels and appeared to be well tolerated.
NMN has been tested too. In a 2021 study in Science, 25 postmenopausal women with prediabetes took 250 mg of NMN or a placebo daily for 10 weeks. Their muscles responded better to insulin, while blood sugar, blood pressure and several other measures did not change. The researchers said it was too early for clinical recommendations.
Still, notice what both trials measured: blood and metabolism, not skin.
Claim 3: NAD+ supplements reverse skin aging
Verdict: not shown yet.
This is the claim we see most often, and it has the least human evidence. We could not find large, placebo controlled trials showing that NR or NMN taken by mouth makes skin look firmer, smoother or younger.
Some small studies do exist. For example, a 2025 study gave 15 women 500 mg of NMN daily for 12 weeks and reported changes in their hair. However, it had no placebo group, so it cannot show cause and effect on its own.
So, what are the realistic NAD supplement skin benefits today? NAD+ precursors support a process every cell relies on, which makes them a reasonable thing to explore as you get older. But nobody can yet promise a visible change from them alone.
Claim 4: vitamin B3 on the skin can improve how it looks
Verdict: supported, for creams.
By contrast, here the evidence is more direct. Niacinamide is another form of vitamin B3, and it has been tested on skin. In a 12 week study of 50 women, a 5% niacinamide moisturizer improved the look of fine lines, uneven tone and redness compared with a plain moisturizer.
That study used a cream, not a capsule, so the result does not transfer automatically to supplements. Still, it helps explain why the vitamin B3 family keeps appearing in skin care.
Claim 5: NMN is banned in the US
Verdict: out of date.
In 2022, the FDA said NMN could not be sold as a dietary supplement. Then, in September 2025, the agency reversed that position. As a result, NMN can once again be sold as a supplement ingredient in the US.
NAD+ and skin aging: the scorecard
| Claim | Verdict |
|---|---|
| NAD+ levels fall with skin aging | Partly supported |
| Supplements raise NAD+ in the body | Supported in blood |
| Supplements reverse skin aging | Not shown yet |
| Vitamin B3 creams improve how skin looks | Supported for creams |
| NMN is banned in the US |
Out of date |
When you next read a bold promise, it helps to ask a few quick questions. Was the study done in people? Did it measure skin, or only blood? Was there a placebo group? And was it a cream or a capsule?
Protecting aging skin beyond NAD+
No single molecule replaces the basics. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends these habits to reduce early signs of skin aging:
- Protect your skin every day with a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher
- If you smoke, stop, and drink less alcohol
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Cleanse gently and use a facial moisturizer daily
- Stop using products that sting or burn
Why we made Glowgevity, and what we will not claim
We created Glowgevity for people who want to support their skin from the inside, alongside those everyday habits. It lists 450 mg of nicotinamide riboside (NR) and 200 mg of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). It also contains hyaluronic acid, tremella mushroom, plant ceramides, glycine, proline and vitamin C, plus resveratrol, pterostilbene and astaxanthin. Biotin, zinc, copper and bamboo silica complete the formula.
Given the scorecard above, we will not tell you it turns back the clock. In other words, think of any NAD supplement skin benefits as one small part of the bigger picture. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, please check with your healthcare provider first.
NAD+ is a real and fascinating part of how cells work. The research on NAD+ and skin aging is moving quickly, and we will keep reading it with you.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
