What NAD+ Does for Skin and How to Use It in Your Routine
If you have been reading about longevity, you have probably seen NAD+ everywhere: in supplements, in IV lounges, and now on the ingredient lists of some of the most advanced skincare formulas we carry. It is one of the more interesting ideas in anti-aging skincare right now, and also one of the easiest to overhype.
This guide explains what NAD+ is, why skin cares about it, how topical formulas actually approach it, and where each NAD+ product we carry fits into a real routine. We will keep adding to it as new formulas arrive, so consider it a living reference rather than a one-time list.
What Is NAD+?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell. Its main job is energy: it helps cells turn the nutrients they take in into ATP, the fuel that powers nearly everything a cell does. It is also used by enzymes involved in cellular maintenance, including the pathways cells rely on to handle everyday DNA damage and stress.
Skin is a demanding organ. It renews its outer layers constantly, repairs itself after sun and environmental exposure, and builds collagen and barrier lipids along the way. All of that takes energy, which is why researchers have become interested in how NAD+ availability relates to how skin ages.
Why NAD+ Matters for Aging Skin
Research suggests NAD+ levels can decline in many tissues as we get older, while the demands on those tissues do not. Sun exposure and oxidative stress can also draw on the same NAD+ supply. The working theory behind NAD+ skincare is simple: if skin cells have better access to the building blocks of cellular energy, they are better equipped to keep up with renewal and repair, and the visible results show up as skin that looks firmer, smoother, and more resilient.
It is worth being clear about where the science stands. The role of NAD+ in cellular metabolism is well established. Research on topical NAD+ support is newer, and results from any single product depend on the ingredient form, concentration, stability, and delivery system in the finished formula. That is exactly why the brands below invest so heavily in delivery technology, and why we think NAD+ works best as one part of a complete routine, not a replacement for proven basics like sunscreen, retinoids, and barrier care.
How Topical Formulas Deliver NAD+ Support
Most skincare does not put NAD+ itself on your skin. NAD+ is a relatively large, delicate molecule, so formulators typically take one of three routes instead:
- Supply the building blocks. Precursors such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and vitamin B3 forms like niacinamide give cells raw material they can convert into NAD+. Young Goose uses encapsulated NMN in its NAD+ APEX™ technology to improve stability and delivery.
- Support the skin's own production. Some botanical ingredients are used to support the enzymes skin uses to make NAD+ itself. Hydrinity's NAD+ Boost Technology is built on sunflower sprout extract, and Young Goose's RejuvNAD is described by the brand as activating NAMPT, a key enzyme in the skin's NAD+ recycling pathway.
- Surround it with energy partners. NAD+ does not work alone. Many formulas pair it with ingredients linked to mitochondrial function and cellular housekeeping, such as methylene blue, CoQ10, creatine, spermidine, and resveratrol, plus antioxidants like ergothioneine that help protect cells from the stress that depletes NAD+ in the first place.
You will see all three strategies in the products below, often combined in a single formula.
NAD+ Skincare at a Glance
| Product | Routine Step | NAD+ Approach | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Goose Blue Peptide Spray | Tone / prep | NMN + methylene blue | Hydration and an energizing layer under serums |
| Young Goose Youth Reset | Serum | NMN + spermidine | Fine lines, dullness, loss of firmness |
| Young Goose L.A.D.R. Serum | Serum (before light therapy) | NAD+ APEX™ + spermidine | Red and near-infrared light routines |
| Young Goose Vampire Exosomes | Treatment serum | RejuvNAD | Post-procedure recovery |
| Young Goose EyeC.A.R.E. | Eye cream | NMN + peptides | Fine lines and tired-looking eyes |
| Young Goose Youth Daily | Moisturizer, AM and PM | NAD+ APEX™ + spermidine | Everyday hydration with visible age support |
| Young Goose C.A.R.E. | Moisturizer, AM and PM | NAD+ APEX™ + methylene blue, CoQ10, creatine | A full mitochondrial-support approach |
| Hydrinity Célthera Advanced Overnight Repair Cream | Night cream | NAD+ Boost Technology (sunflower sprout) | Overnight renewal, firmness, barrier support |
| Young Goose NiaPolish | Weekly exfoliation | Niacinamide (vitamin B3) | Dull, uneven texture |
| Young Goose Youth Firming Neck & Chest | Neck and décolleté | NMN + resveratrol + spermidine | Crepey, thinning skin below the jawline |
| Young Goose Youth Firming Body Cream | Body | NMN + spermidine | Dry, crepey body skin |
| Xtressé FR Concentrate Serum | Scalp | NMN | Thinning-looking hair |
| Cymbiotika Liposomal NAD+ | Daily supplement | Liposomal NAD+ | Inside-out cellular energy support |
| Xtressé Hair Growth Gummies | Daily supplement | NAD+ + taurine | Hair support from within |
Building an NAD+ Routine, Step by Step
You do not need every product on this list. Most people get the most from one or two NAD+ steps layered into a routine that already covers cleansing, sun protection, and a proven active. Here is where each one fits.
Step 1: Cleanse Without Stripping
Cellular-support ingredients cannot do much for a barrier that is irritated or depleted, so the routine starts with a gentle cleanse. Young Goose pairs its NAD+ formulas with its own Adaptogenic Cleanser, a gentle, barrier-respecting option that leaves skin clean without the tight feeling that makes serums sting.
Step 2: Prep and Hydrate
A mist is the easiest way to try NAD+ skincare without rebuilding your routine. Blue Peptide Spray combines NMN with methylene blue and copper tripeptide-1, and it works as a post-cleanse toner, a primer before serums, or a midday refresh over makeup. Let it dry fully before your next layer.
Step 3: Treat With a Serum
This is where NAD+ support does its heaviest lifting. Youth Reset is the all-round choice, pairing NMN with spermidine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid for fine lines, dullness, and visible loss of firmness. If you own a red or near-infrared light device, L.A.D.R. Serum is formulated to go on right before your session, so the light and the formula work in the same window.
After a peel, laser, or microneedling appointment, reach for Vampire Exosomes instead. Alongside 3 trillion verified PRP-derived exosomes per bottle, it carries RejuvNAD to support the skin's own NAD+ production while it recovers. If exosomes are new to you, our guide to what exosomes are and how they work is a good primer.
Step 4: Don't Skip the Eyes
The skin around the eyes is thinner and shows fatigue first. EyeC.A.R.E. brings NMN together with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol in a texture that layers cleanly under concealer. Pat a small amount around the orbital bone morning and night, before moisturizer.
Step 5: Moisturize by Day, Repair by Night
For daytime, choose between two NAD+ APEX™ moisturizers. Youth Daily is the lighter everyday option with spermidine, peptides, and vitamin C. C.A.R.E. goes further on the energy side with methylene blue, liposomal creatine, and CoQ10, which makes it the pick for anyone who wants a full mitochondrial-support approach. Either way, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning.
At night, Célthera Advanced Overnight Repair Cream is the newest addition to our NAD+ lineup and a different take on the idea. Hydrinity combines its sunflower sprout NAD+ Boost Technology with its biomimetic exosome-delivered Oligopeptide-1, a senolytic renewal complex, and a multi-ceramide barrier blend, so a single final step addresses firmness, texture, hydration, and barrier support while you sleep. It is formulated for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it goes on as the final step of your evening routine, after any serum or treatment.
Not sure whether you need a separate night cream? See our guide to night cream vs moisturizer.
Once or Twice a Week: Exfoliate
Buildup on the surface makes any treatment work harder. NiaPolish is a rinse-off polish with niacinamide, the vitamin B3 form that also serves as an NAD+ precursor, plus fermented pomegranate and panthenol. Start once a week if you use retinoids or acids.
Beyond the Face
The neck, chest, and body age too, and they get far less attention. Youth Firming Neck & Chest is built for the thinner, less cushioned skin below the jawline, with NMN, resveratrol, and firming peptides. For arms, thighs, knees, and hands, Youth Firming Body Cream brings the same facial-grade thinking to crepey, dry body skin. Our article on why healthy aging extends beyond the face goes deeper on body care.
For finishing touches, Adaptogloss is a lip treatment with a niacin-derived ingredient that delivers a gentle plumping tingle, alongside peptides and nourishing oils.
Scalp skin is skin, too. Xtressé FR Concentrate Serum includes NMN among its peptides, caffeine, and botanicals to support the look of fuller, healthier hair. See our hair growth support guide for the full scalp routine.
Supporting NAD+ From the Inside Out
Topical care works on the skin you can reach. Some people also like to support NAD+ through daily supplementation. Cymbiotika Liposomal NAD+ uses liposomal delivery and a multi-pathway formula with niacin, TMG, and apigenin, taken as one packet a day. For hair specifically, Xtressé Hair Growth Gummies combine NAD+ with taurine and pumpkin seed extract in a biotin-free formula. You can read more about this approach in Cymbiotika and the rise of inside-out wellness. As with any supplement, check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you take medication or are pregnant or nursing.
Where to Start
If you want to try NAD+ skincare with minimal change to your routine, start with one step: Blue Peptide Spray for the lightest introduction, Youth Reset for a dedicated treatment, or Célthera if your night cream is due for an upgrade. Build from there once you know how your skin responds.
Your Skincare Source is an authorized retailer of every brand we carry, so every formula in this guide is the genuine article. Explore the full Young Goose collection and the Hydrinity collection, or read Inside Young Goose: The Science of Biohacking Skincare for a deeper look at the brand behind most of this list. We will keep this guide updated as new NAD+ formulas join our shelves.
