Hydration and Firmness
NAD+ supports cellular hydration and helps maintain skin firmness by boosting levels of collagen, keratin, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (1).
NAD+ also plays a role in promoting skin hydration and reducing hyperpigmentation. One study found that NAD+ can increase the production of ceramides, which are lipids that help to retain moisture in the skin (3). This can help to keep the skin looking plump and youthful.
May protect against skin cancer
NAD+ depletion with age or following UV radiation may play a major role in skin cancer by impairing processes involved in gene stability. Thus, the maintenance of adequate NAD+ levels is important for skin cancer prevention. In holistic dermatology, sun protection is paramount to maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin.
Over the course of 12 months, one study found oral supplementation with nicotinamide (and NAD+ precursor) reduced skin cancer by 23% (4). Additionally, NAD+ can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, a common complaint associated with premature aging of the skin (2)
Read: Reduce Skin Cancer Risk—Sun Protection & SPF Guide
Other Health Benefits of NAD+
The role of NAD+ isn’t just important for skin health, but has many other implications for aging-related diseases, including those that affect the heart, brain, and skin—the body’s most metabolically active tissues.
NAD+ may support healthy aging by (1,5,6):
- Helping to improve brain function and cognitive health
- Supporting cellular functions, energy production, and vitality
- Improving healing post-surgery
- Enhancing sleep quality
How to Increase NAD+ Levels
You can boost your levels of cellular NAD+ to reduce the visible signs of aging and support cellular energy using supplements, certain skin care productions, and by reducing activities that result in NAD+ decline.
Supplementation: NAD+ itself is not absorbed well by the digestive system, so supplementation is not beneficial. However, studies show that supplementation of 200 mg nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, increases blood NAD+ levels (7).
Topical Application: Some skincare products harness the potential of NAD+ for topical application. Look for serums or creams containing NAD+ to incorporate into your skincare routine.
Lifestyle Practices: Certain lifestyle practices can slow NAD+ decline. Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in NAD+-precursor foods like fish, nuts, and green vegetables, and proper sleep are integral for optimal NAD+ production. Getting adequate sleep and reducing stress have been shown to increase NAD+ levels.
The Future of NAD+ in Anti-Aging
As the science behind NAD+ unfolds, it’s evident that this microscopic coenzyme holds remarkable potential in the realm of anti-aging. From reducing wrinkles to promoting collagen production and maintaining skin hydration, NAD+ emerges as a multifaceted ally in our pursuit of youthful skin.
Whether through supplementation, topical application, or lifestyle practices, integrating NAD+ into our skincare routine could be a transformative step towards radiant and age-defying skin.
While taking NAD+ supplements or using topical products may be helpful, it is also important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to increase your own production of NAD+.
