Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide—NAD+ for short—is a coenzyme found throughout the body. More than 300 enzymes in the body rely on it to do their jobs. In short, NAD is a critical ingredient for human health. Systemically, NAD+ triggers a redox reaction (the process of gaining or losing electrons) that provides energy for every cell in the body. It plays a role in maintenance and repair plus serves as a cofactor for several enzymes the body needs to maintain itself. Research has revealed that an age-related decrease in NAD+ levels plus the enzyme that helps recycle it have a direct link or strong correlation to metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders as well as being drivers of cellular senescence (when cells become unable to divide but then go on to misbehave) and immune system impairment. Essentially, what happens with this decline is that enzymes which rely on NAD+ for homeostasis (balance) degrade, which alters how they behave. Two precursors of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide—nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are currently the subjects of intense research on their health-promoting and longevity benefits when taken as supplements. Both play proven roles in increasing the body’s levels of NAD+, although much still needs to be discovered about their long-term benefits and whether such supplements are necessary for a broad aging population. All the above is about the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in the body, but what about when this ingredient is applied to skin? Although nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a registered cosmetic ingredient, it’s of little use in skin care since it cannot penetrate skin’s moisture barrier or impact the pore lining. We’re aware of one supplier who encapsulated this ingredient, but even then it doesn’t remain intact—skin cells must rebuild it to use it. Still, it’s proven that the decline of NAD+ in the body impacts the health and appearance of skin. For example, certain substances that rely on the energy NAD+ provides for repair is one reason aging skin becomes more vulnerable to environmental stressors. Without this maintenance-related repair, environmental damage accumulates faster, taking a visible toll on skin. This includes the attack and breakdown of skin’s healthy collagen and elastin! Interestingly, boosting levels of the NAD+ recycling enzyme in skin has been shown to over-express key enzymes responsible for driving the inflammation behind certain skin disorders. This is one more reason to speak to your doctor if you’re considering any type of NAD+ supplement. What’s the difference between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and niacinamide? Niacinamide is a derivative of the B vitamin niacin. It can be converted to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in the body; however, NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside are better at this. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a coenzyme, and niacinamide is a vitamin. Does niacinamide break down to NAD+ on or within skin? It’s currently unknown if this happens from topical use of products that contain niacinamide. However, it’s thought that applying niacinamide to skin may have a stimulating effect on surface cells capable of generating NAD+ or that niacinamide may boost the ribose enzymes required for NAD+ production. As such, a theoretical indirect relationship exists but direct cause-and-effect evidence is lacking. This doesn’t negate the numerous benefits topical use of niacinamide has for skin, including barrier repair, soothing, pore size reduction, antioxidant-boosting and improving uneven skin tone.

Related ingredients: Niacinamide