The Truth About NAD in Skincare: What Works & How NAYA Supports Your Skin

What Science Really Says (And How NAYA Supports Your Skin)

You might have heard a lot lately about NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) in skincare. It sounds like a magic ingredient that can give your skin more energy, help it repair itself, and keep it looking young and healthy. But is that really true? At NAYA, we want to be honest and clear about what NAD is, how it works, and what skincare can and cannot do to help your skin.

 

What Is NAD and Why Is It Important for Your Skin?

nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a very important molecule inside all the cell types of your body — including your skin cells. It helps your cells turn the food you eat into energy. It also helps repair damage in your DNA (which is like the instruction book for your cells) and turns on special proteins called sirtuins that help your cells stay healthy and “young.”

As we get older, the amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in our cells goes down. This means the cells have less energy, repair themselves slower, and our skin can start to show signs of aging — like wrinkles, dullness, and uneven tone.

So, boosting NAD levels sounds like a great idea if you want healthier, younger-looking skin. But can you do that with skincare products?

Can NAD Be Applied Directly to the Skin?

Here’s an important fact: NAD+ is a pretty big molecule — it’s quite large compared to many skincare ingredients. And your skin is very good at keeping things out, especially large molecules. This outer layer of skin is called the skin barrier, and it acts like a wall that protects your skin from harmful things.

Because NAD molecules are so big, they can’t pass through this skin barrier very well. So, when you apply a cream or serum with NAD, most of it just sits on the surface of your skin and doesn’t get deep enough to actually help the skin cells where it’s needed.

This means that NAD+ in skincare products probably doesn’t work the way many brands claim — at least not by directly boosting the energy in your skin cells.

 

What About Niacinamide? Is It the Same as NAD?

You might have also heard a lot about niacinamide (which is a form of Vitamin B3) in skincare products. Niacinamide is different from NAD+, but it’s connected to it in your body.

Niacinamide is one of the building blocks your body uses to make NAD. It’s a smaller molecule and can penetrate the skin barrier better than NAD. It is considered a NAD precursor.

Because of this, many people think that niacinamide in skincare can increase levels of NAD in your skin and reverse signs of aging. But the truth is a little more complicated.

Please don't overdo it with Niacinamide. While Niacinamide is a safe ingredient in general, if you are using more than 5% in one go, it can lead to flushing, redness and heat. In particular if you suffer from sensitive skin.

What Does Science Say About Niacinamide and NAD?

Niacinamide is one of the most studied skincare ingredients. It is proven to:

• Improve the skin’s barrier, which helps keep moisture in and irritants out.
• Reduce redness and irritation.
• Even out skin tone and reduce dark spots.
• Smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

But when it comes to boosting NAD levels in skin cells specifically, the science is not clear yet. While niacinamide supports your skin’s ability to make NAD, it does not directly or dramatically increase NAD levels inside your skin cells when applied topically.

So, niacinamide is a great ingredient for healthy skin — but it’s not a “miracle” NAD booster.

How Does NAYA Use Niacinamide and NAD-Related Ingredients?

At NAYA, we believe in honest skincare that works. That’s why our Everyday Glow Serum contains a smart combination to provide you with the right ingredients to recharge and revive your skin everyday. We believe in preventative work than dealing with the aftermath.

We are using an exciting active in the Everyday Glow Serum that helps e are using exciting molecules protect your skin’s mitochondria — the tiny “power plants” inside your cells that produce energy. It also helps reduce oxidative stress (damage from free radicals), which is one of the main causes of the aging process.

Together, these ingredients help your skin stay energised, healthy, and resilient — even if they aren’t directly delivering NAD itself.

Protecting Your Skin’s NAD Levels Is About More Than One Ingredient

NAD levels go down because of several things, including:

• Sun damage (UV radiation is a big enemy of NAD).
• Pollution and environmental stress.
• Inflammation (when your skin gets irritated or stressed).
• Natural aging process.

This means that protecting your skin and supporting NAD isn’t just about applying one ingredient. It’s about a full skincare routine and lifestyle that helps keep your skin barrier strong and shields your skin from damage. Revisit our Skin Barrier Bootcamp to help you reduce inflammation. As inflammation is equal aging and we want to reduce inflammation at all cost.

Here’s how NAYA helps you do this:

• Our Exo Timeless Barrier Embrace protects your skin from UV damage with gentle, effective ingredients, reducing the stress that causes NAD depletion.
• Our NeuroCalm Serum strengthens your skin barrier so your skin can repair itself naturally and stay hydrated - giving you a real Zen-felling.
• Using products that support antioxidants (like vitamins and mitochondrial protectors) helps reduce free radical damage, which wears down NAD levels.

What About Supplements to Boost NAD?

Because it’s hard to get NAD into skin cells through creams, many scientists and skincare experts believe that oral supplements might be a better way to increase NAD levels throughout your body — including your skin.

Supplements like Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) or Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) are popular because they are smaller molecules that your body can absorb and then use to make more NAD inside your cells.

If you’re thinking about supplements, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider to see if they’re right for you.

Lifestyle Habits That Help Your Skin’s NAD and Overall Health

Skincare products and supplements can help, but the best way to protect your skin and its NAD levels is by living a healthy lifestyle:

• Protect your skin from the sun every day, even when it’s cloudy.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants (like fruits and vegetables).
• Get enough sleep so your body can repair itself - circadian rhythm.
• Manage stress through mindfulness, yoga, or relaxing activities.
• Avoid smoking and pollution exposure as much as possible.

 

Final Thoughts: What Can You Really Expect From NAD in Skincare?

• NAD itself cannot get into your skin cells from creams because of its size.
• Niacinamide is a helpful and proven skincare ingredient that supports your skin’s health and its ability to make NAD, but it’s not a direct NAD “fountain of youth.”
• The best results come from a holistic approach: using smart skincare with niacinamide and mitochondrial protectors, protecting your skin from damage, and supporting your body from the inside out.

At NAYA, we focus on real, science-backed ingredients that help your skin stay strong, healthy, and radiant — naturally, sustainably and overall in a holistic way.

There isn't one ingredient that will fix it all. It is about defining a wellbeing strategy for your personal needs.

If you want to learn more about how NAYA products can support your skin’s resilience and glow, or if you want personalised skincare advice, book a consultation with our founder Sarah. Because for us, it’s all about timeless skin wellbeing in the long-term. And if you don't have time to book a skin consultation, take NAYA's personalised skin quiz.

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