When it comes to scientific breakthroughs in skincare, there’s always a lot of hype around new ‘buzzword’ ingredients. From hyaluronic acid to retinols – it pays to be clued up on the latest science if you want to know what benefits these products can realistically offer your skin. 

Which is where NAD+ comes into action. From wellness supplements and IV drips to skincare formulations and marketing, here’s everything you need to know about the trending compound and the benefits NAD+ could offer your skin.

NAD+ (otherwise known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that’s found in every single cell of the human body. Its main focus is to protect cells from stress and help repair damaged DNA. But like most things, our levels of NAD+ decrease as we age.

“NAD+ is essential to the creation of energy in the body and the regulation of pivotal cellular processes,” explains Iain De Havilland, founder of NADclinic. 

“NAD+ is found in every cell in your body and is essential for creating cellular energy and maintaining cellular health.” According to research published in the National Library Of Medicine “targeting NAD+ metabolism has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach to ameliorate ageing-related disease and extend the human healthspan and lifespan”. 

Considering NAD+ has been naturally occurring in human cells forever, unlike other biological compounds like collagen and elastin, it seems as though no one has been talking about NAD+ until now. 

“Our formulation for NAD+ was actually first registered in 1974, so it isn’t all that recent,” explains De Havilland – who offers NAD+ IV therapy drips at clinics around the world. However, in 2016, there were estimated to be less than a dozen clinics in the US offering NAD+ therapy. By 2022, there were over 1,100 available clinics. “Currently, NADclinic Group supplies NAD+ products to over 500 doctors, clinics and therapists in Europe and is now the leading NAD+ brand in Japan, so we’re definitely seeing a huge growth in demand. I think perhaps we can attribute this to our consumers’ understanding of their individual wellness better on a cellular level, meaning that the talk and buzz about this sort of treatment is only going to get bigger.

“There’s also been so many more global A-listers and leading athletes advocate for this treatment for a wellness boost, which of course in turn influences more people to open their mind to trying it out.”

“As an active ingredient, the molecule plays a crucial role in improved cellular energy production and the reversal of biomarkers of ageing,” explains De Havilland, so it makes sense that skincare formulations are starting to focus on NAD+ and how best to keep our stores at their optimum health. However, NAD+ is a very large molecule – so formulating it in topical skincare isn’t always easy.

Dr Sam Bunting is one of the first British skincare formulators to really home in on the effects of NAD+ with her moisturiser, Dr Sam’s Flawless Moisturiser Intense, £34. Utilising an ingredient called sunflower shoot extract (SSE), it works to boost levels of NAD+ and charge up your skin in order for it to kick into action and start to repair itself naturally. In fact, Stylist beauty contributor Chloe Burcham highlighted it as the best moisturiser she’d tried all year. 

Another brand that’s leading the way for NAD+ skincare is Intuisse, offering a topical NAD+ cream that works to brighten, tighten, smooth and intensely hydrate to extend your ‘skin span.’

Want to optimise your NAD+ levels and really nourish your skin? Try these NAD+ boosting formulas…

Images: courtesy of brands