What is NAD+? The Secret Enzyme to Skin’s Energy

NAD+ has been in skincare for quite some time, since several articles came out in 2021, talking about its potential in healing and regenerative medicine. It's been blowing up since 2025, and has exploded in K-beauty in 2026. With a slew of new releases and the addition of NAD+ enzyme into hydrating, firming products it's important for us to think critically. Is it just hype? Or is there real science behind paying for an expensive NAD+ treatment?

This treatment utilizes a natural enzyme already found in all our cells (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), to help prevent aging, reduce fine lines and revitalize your skin. So, what is NAD+? How does it work? And how can you add it to your routine to see real results? Let’s dive into the facts of this new trend. 

When we learn biochemistry, we learn about how cells produce energy to function. You may have heard that the ‘mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell’ (meaning it produces the majority of the energy of each individual cell) and this is where most of your natural NAD+ is found. It’s a regenerating molecule, that helps refresh the cell after producing energy, beginning the cycle again.

As cells age, they naturally lose NAD+, producing less energy over time and having a more disrupted function. This is one of the many mechanisms that age our skin over time, increasing wrinkle depth, loss of skin firmness and creating a less youthful look. 

But, does this mean that adding NAD+ back into your skin will change how it looks? Well, they did a study that showed applying topical NAD+ directly to skin cells was able to re-boost the levels of this protective molecule inside the cell. It helped heal a small portion of UV damage, 

Although scientists have been able to prove good benefits when applying NAD+ directly to cells in a petri dish, this has not been confirmed in a ‘in vivo’ study (where we look at how people react to NAD+ treatments as a whole). The results in a lab were exciting enough for beauty companies to begin incorporating it into a variety of skincare treatments. It's gentle, soothing and they have shown overall a variation of ~5% of fine line reduction.

There is so much skincare clamouring for your attention, so where does NAD+ fit on the spectrum? Simply put, it's not going to be as effective as more dramatic treatments (such as retinol, microneedling or cosmetic treatments). If you are after fast results, you can definitely achieve plumper and firmer skin using peptides and hydrolysed collagen (if you are after a gentle, soothing treatment).

And you are going to achieve better radiance with vitamin C and niacinamide (for that luscious skin glow ✨).

So, when should you use NAD+? It's ideal in a balanced routine and it gives your skin another way to boost fine lines using a different pathway. If optimising your skin's texture is the goal, there are multiple ways you can improve fine lines and wrinkles and the more ways, the better.

The level of NAD+ in current skincare products is very low (an average of 1 ppm), so it's good to optimise its use. It's best in your evening (PM) routine as your skin absorbs products more easily. It's ideal to use an NAD+ product directly before a barrier or overnight moisturiser, to lock in moisture and maximise absorption.

It's non-irritating (especially at these low doses), so you can use it with a variety of skincare products. If you want to maximise your NAD+ levels, you can also add niacinamide to your routine (as it forms the base of your skin making NAD+). 

So, if you're ready to add NAD+ to your skincare routine for a bit of a mix-up, what should you exactly add to your routine? We've checked the formulas and picked our top 5 favourites for new NAD+ formulas on the market that can elevate your routine!

If you are after gentle skincare that’s perfect for fine lines, this latest Missha serum is a brightening and refreshing capsule serum. It encloses both PDRN (extracted from camellia flowers) and NAD+ enzyme into microcapsules and balances it with fermented extracts and vitamins to deeply boost glow and enhance your hydration. It’s a gentle formula, suited for any skin type that needs a little boost to fine lines. 

This simple container hides a great secret, it’s full of the latest science with a milky texture that improves surface hydration by 136% instantly! It’s infused with niacinamide to brighten, hydrolyzed collagen to hydrate and NAD+ to heal your skin cells. It’s rich, perfectly balanced for dry skin and gives you a fast boost to fine lines. We love Be The Skin for their lower prices that never compromises on quality (making it easy to add to your routine time and again). 

This is a big favourite amongst mist users who need that deep boost of hydration. Not only does it contain barrier-boosting probiotics to improve your natural skin repair, it’s enhanced with NAD+ enzyme to heal skin energy. Lightweight, rich in proteins from the natural rice extract, it also contains ceramides for a maximized, soothing repair. Perfect for dry skin and make-up users who need a creamy boost to skin.

This incredibly popular skin essence was one of the first additions to the NAD+ regime. It is stocked with 50 different skin-transforming peptides and has a rich, elastic quality that absorbs quickly through the skin. It was futuristic when it came out and still is fairly unrivalled in the number of peptides and innovation placed in its formula. If you are after firmer skin and instant results you can feel, this is an exceptional essence to put in your routine.

This serum is a new release from Medicube and is an incredibly balanced and hydrating use of NAD+. It’s boosted with EGF (a growth factor that stimulates new collagen production and reduces fine line texture). It has a soothing, quick-absorbing formula that melts easily into the skin and also brings out a deep radiance.  

If you are after smooth skin that has a youthful glow, this is one of the best serums on the market using NAD+. Check out our review here, to see the before-and-after yourself! 

So, you can add a little NAD+ to your routine (and get in on the trend), but we're still waiting on the science to optimise use of NAD+ in skincare products themselves. Chances are, we're jumping the gun and NAD+ still has a chance to massively improve itself over the next few years.

In the meantime, it does show improvements for your skin, is gently formulated and safe for a variety of routines. It's best suited to dry or UV-damaged skin that needs a little TLC to look absolutely radiant. 

Want to check out more of the latest releases from South Korea? Check out our new products (including several NAD+ skincare lines fresh from Seoul) on Arktastic 😸

Want to learn more about the wonderful world of Korean beauty releases? Check out our guide to PDRN and how it can revolutionize your routine. Or check out our new app-release to upgrade your shopping experience! 

What is NAD+ in skincare and how does it work?

 NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme naturally found in cellular mitochondria that fuels cellular energy, supports DNA repair, and promotes skin regeneration. As skin ages, natural NAD+ levels decline; topical NAD+ formulas help restore cell energy, protect against UV damage, and reduce fine line depth.

How does NAD+ compare to retinol, peptides, or Vitamin C?

 NAD+ is a gentle, non-irritating cellular booster. While retinol or microneedling yield more dramatic structural changes, and Vitamin C delivers faster surface radiance, NAD+ provides a soothing, complementary pathway to revitalize aging or UV-damaged skin without causing peeling or irritation.

When and how should I apply NAD+ products?

 Since average concentrations in products are low (around 1 ppm), NAD+ is best applied during your PM routine. Use it directly before a barrier or overnight moisturizer to seal in hydration and maximize absorption. Pairing it with Niacinamide can also support natural skin NAD+ production.

Can I use NAD+ with sensitive skin? 

Yes. Because NAD+ products are typically formulated to be gentle and non-irritating at standard usage levels, they are safe across various skin types—especially dry, mature, or UV-damaged skin.