The wellness world is buzzing with the idea of longevity—after all, who wouldn’t want a longer, healthier life? At the heart of this trend is NAD+, a molecule that’s become a hot topic thanks to celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner. They’ve all praised NAD+ infusion therapy for helping them feel their best, so it’s no surprise that NAD+ has moved into the mainstream, first through supplements and now in skincare.
Vogue’s Top NAD+ Skincare Picks
Best Overall
Numbuzin No.9 NAD+ BIO Lifting-sil Essence
$26 at Amazon
Best Refillable
Codeage Maison Rouge NAD+ Face Serum
$68 at Nordstrom
Best Hydrating
Aramore NAD+ Cell Energizing Lotion
$34 at Amazon
What is NAD+?
“NAD+ is a molecule in every cell that helps turn nutrients into energy and supports key functions like DNA repair, cell communication, and metabolism,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko. Dr. Amanda Kahn, a board-certified internist and longevity expert, adds that NAD+ levels drop with age—by nearly 50% by the time we’re 40. This decline contributes to oxidative stress, inflammation, and lower cellular energy (ATP) production.
What does NAD+ do for the skin?
With less ATP, cells age faster, and tissues break down more quickly—something that’s especially noticeable in the skin. “Research suggests NAD+ helps maintain skin elasticity by boosting collagen and elastin production, improving hydration, and supporting nutrient delivery through the skin’s tiny blood vessels,” says Dr. Kahn. It may also reduce inflammation, protect against DNA damage (including from UV exposure), and even help reverse signs of aging.
Does NAD+ skincare actually work?
Given NAD+’s potential to improve skin health and appearance, it’s surprising it’s only now gaining attention in topical products. But there’s a reason: NAD+ is a large, unstable molecule that doesn’t easily penetrate the skin, notes Dr. Reszko. While some cosmetic formulas with NAD+ may offer localized benefits, the most effective products use NAD+ precursors—ingredients your body converts into NAD+. One of the best-known precursors is niacinamide, a skincare favorite. Others include nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and sunflower sprout extract, found in products like Timebeam Moisture Melt Serum Balm and Parëva COLL20 Gel Cream Moisturizer. “A 2022 study showed sunflower sprout extract increased ATP production and protected DNA from UV damage, likely by boosting an enzyme that helps recycle NAD+,” explains Dr. Kahn.
Ultimately, the best way to raise NAD+ levels is through a healthy lifestyle—good sleep, nutritious food, regular exercise (both cardio and strength training), and sun protection—along with supplements or IV drips. But if you’re curious about topical NAD+, here are some of the top products to try.
Best Overall: Numbuzin No.9 NAD+ BIO Lifting-sil Essence
$26 at Amazon
Why we love it: This Korean essence was one of the first NAD+ skincare products to catch our eye over a year ago. Dr. Reszko points out that its blend of active ingredients makes it ideal for those…If you’re looking for firming benefits, this essence has an impressive lineup of ingredients. Along with NAD+, it contains 50 different peptides and hydrating agents like hyaluronic acid and tremella mushroom extract. What really stands out, though, is its unique texture—it’s stretchy, almost like a snail mucin product, but not sticky at all, and it absorbs beautifully. Despite the long list of ingredients, Numbuzin’s NAD+ essence is gentle and fragrance-free. With regular use, it leaves skin looking plumper, smoother, and more lifted.
Key Ingredients: NAD+, niacinamide, tremella mushroom extract, peptides
Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
Best Hydrating: Aramore NAD+ Cell Energizing Lotion
Aramore NAD+ Cell Energizing Lotion
$34 | AMAZON
Why We Love It: Dry, damaged skin will soak up this nourishing treatment from Aramore. Developed with ingredients that Dr. Reszko says help replenish and protect the moisture barrier while supporting cellular health, it includes barrier-strengthening emollients like shea butter, ceramides, and fatty acids, along with β-nicotinamide mononucleotide—a compound naturally found in your body that helps produce NAD+. Its texture falls somewhere between a serum and a cream, and it layers well with other products. Even worn alone, it provides long-lasting moisture.
Key Ingredients: β-nicotinamide mononucleotide, ceramides, shea butter
Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Filorga NCEF-Shot Ultra-Concentrated 10 Day Face Treatment
Filorga NCEF-Shot Ultra-Concentrated 10 Day Face Treatment
$109 | AMAZON
Why We Love It: This small but powerful bottle contains a highly concentrated serum packed with amino acids, hydrators, and NAD+ to improve uneven texture and tone in just 10 days. The brand’s founder, Dr. Michel Tordjman, is a pioneer in mesotherapy—a treatment involving multiple shallow, nutrient-rich injections. This formula delivers a dose equivalent to a daily mesotherapy session, helping skin look radiant, firm, and smooth without a trip to the medspa.
Key Ingredients: NAD+, amino acids, vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate
Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Best With Vitamin C: Dr. Sam’s Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum
Dr. Sam’s Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum
$93 | DR SAM’S
Why We Love It: Many vitamin C serums are runny, sticky, or have a strong smell, but this one is different. It combines vitamin C with NAD+ and NAD+ precursors to firm and brighten skin, according to Dr. Reszko. The vitamin C used is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, an oil-soluble form that’s more stable and penetrates better than traditional L-ascorbic acid. It’s also gentler, and the formula includes ferulic acid and ectoin to fight free radicals, soothe the skin, and protect against environmental stressors. The result is healthy, glowing skin.
Key Ingredients: NAD+, vitamin C, ectoin, ferulic acid
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Refillable: Codeage Maison Rouge NAD+ Face Serum
Codeage Maison Rouge NAD+ Face Serum
$68 | NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Dr. Kahn notes that this silky serum contains NAD+ along with one of its precursors (niacinamide), vitamin C, and plant extracts to target signs of aging. One standout ingredient is Irish moss seaweed extract, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, offers UV protection, and helps fade dark spots. While the serum works to repair and protect your skin, the packaging is designed to reduce environmental impact—the bottle has a removable inner chamber that can be replaced with a refill.
Key Ingredients: NAD+, niacinamide, seaweed extract, vitamin C
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best Splurge: Biologique Recherche Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants
Biologique Recherche Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants
$1,500 | AIDA BICAJ
Why We Love It: If your skin is in need of serious help and you’re ready to invest, consider this set of concentrates from the iconic French skincare brand Biologique Recherche. The ingredients…According to Dr. Kahn, this product contains all 20 amino acids—the building blocks of protein, including collagen and elastin—along with multiple peptides, various vitamins, and NAD+ to revitalize even the most tired-looking skin. You’ll receive 10 vials. For best results, use half a vial daily for 20 days, gently pressing the formula into your skin to help it absorb fully. Be sure to refrigerate any opened vial to maintain the serum’s potency. After finishing the full course, you can expect smoother, healthier, and noticeably radiant skin—making this an ideal treatment before a special occasion.
Key Ingredients: NAD+, peptides, amino acids, retinol, vitamin C
Size: 10 vials, 0.17 fl. oz. each
Meet the Experts:
Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY.
Dr. Amanda Kahn is a board-certified internist and longevity expert in New York, NY.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about the role of NAD in skin health
Beginner Questions The Basics
1 What exactly is NAD
NAD is a crucial coenzyme found in every single cell in your body Think of it as the spark plug that helps convert the food you eat into usable energy for your cells
2 How is NAD related to my skin
Your skin cells are constantly working to repair damage produce collagen and protect you from the environment They need a lot of energy to do this and NAD is essential for providing that energy
3 What are the main benefits of NAD for skin
NAD primarily helps by powering your skins natural repair processes This leads to benefits like a more youthful appearance improved skin elasticity and a brighter complexion
4 Does my body make its own NAD
Yes your body naturally produces NAD However its levels significantly decline as we age which is one reason why our skins ability to repair itself slows down over time
Intermediate Questions Benefits Mechanisms
5 How does NAD help fight signs of aging
NAD fuels enzymes called sirtuins which are often called longevity genes Sirtuins help repair damaged DNA reduce inflammation and boost collagen productionall of which are key to maintaining youthful skin
6 Can NAD improve skin hydration
Indirectly yes By supporting overall skin cell health and barrier function NAD helps your skin better retain moisture and stay hydrated
7 Does NAD protect against sun damage
While it is not a substitute for sunscreen NAD helps power the cellular repair mechanisms that fix the damage caused by UV exposure helping your skin recover more effectively
8 Is there a link between NAD and acne or inflammation
Yes NAD helps regulate inflammation in the body By supporting cellular energy it can help calm inflammatory skin conditions including some forms of acne
Advanced Practical Questions
9 What causes NAD levels in the skin to drop
The primary cause is natural aging Other factors include excessive sun exposure poor diet lack of sleep and high stress levels all of which increase the cellular demand for NAD