NAD+, explained
NAD+ is a real and important molecule, but there’s little proof yet that putting it on your skin works. Its close relative niacinamide has far stronger evidence, and it’s already in many K-beauty products.
What it is
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a molecule every cell uses to make energy and repair damage, including DNA damage from UV. It isn’t a vitamin or an antioxidant. Think of it as a helper that keeps the cell’s machinery running.
NAD+ levels fall as we age, and UV exposure speeds that up. That’s why it’s become a “longevity” ingredient.
The NAD+ family
Your body makes NAD+ from smaller building blocks. You’ll see three on labels:
- Niacinamide (also called nicotinamide): a form of vitamin B3. Small, stable and well researched in skincare.
- NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide): one step closer to NAD+.
- NAD+ itself: the finished molecule.
Brands sometimes borrow niacinamide’s strong evidence to sell NAD+. They aren’t the same ingredient, so check what’s actually in the bottle.
What the research shows
NAD+ is a large, water-loving and fairly unstable molecule. Skin is built to keep exactly that kind of thing out, so getting it where it’s needed is hard.
A 2025 lab study found that wrapping NAD+ in tiny fat bubbles called liposomes helped it get about 30% further into skin than plain NAD+. But the test used skin from a single donor, in a lab, over 24 hours.
Summarised by Vegalab Beauty Science [1]
Lab studies on skin cells also suggest NAD+ may help protect against UV damage once it gets inside. Studies of real people using NAD+ products are still very limited.
How to choose a NAD+ product
- Look for encapsulated or liposomal NAD+ on the label.
- Check where NAD+ sits in the ingredient list. Near the end means very little is in there.
- Prefer airless pumps or opaque packaging, as NAD+ breaks down easily.
- Look for niacinamide in the formula too. It’s the proven partner.
The numbuzin No.9+ NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner won Stylevana’s Best Toner award for 2026. It combines NAD+ with PDRN and peptides, so it’s a fun one to try, but don’t expect the NAD+ alone to work miracles.
Sources
- NAD+ ingredient evidence review, including the 2025 liposome study. Vegalab Beauty Science.
- What are the benefits of NAD+ for the skin? Typology.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Last updated 31 October 2026.