Biohacking has entered the skin care arena with the most advanced and effective formula ever. Skin care is as basic as washing your face, applying moisturizer, and protecting with SPF, but new scientific innovations are taking it to the next level with ingredients that target skin health at the cellular level. NMN is one ingredient to look out for.
NMN (also known as nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a naturally occurring molecule in our bodies that plays an important role in cellular energy production. As such, it has attracted the attention of skincare enthusiasts looking to promote visible signs of longevity through topical formulations and supplements.
What does NMN do?
“NMN acts as a precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme that plays an important role in cellular energy production and repair,” says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Gershick, MD, FAAD. “By helping support NAD+ levels, which decline with age, NMN may promote healthier cell function, support the skin’s natural repair processes, and contribute to improved skin quality, including overall radiance.”
Jennifer Nicole Bianchini, MS, RD, IFNCP, a functional nutritionist and founder of Body to Soul Health, says NMN is “considered the beauty of supplements” because it improves cellular energy and supports the skin at the cellular level, allowing it to regenerate, repair, and stay more elastic. Bianchini says the skin benefits of NMN include hydration, increased elasticity, and support for healthy aging, as Dr. Garshick promotes radiant skin.
Comparison of NMN supplements and skin care
NMN is available not only in skin care products but also as a supplement. These two formats “work in different ways and are considered complementary,” Dr. Garshick says. She explains that topical skin care targets the skin directly and provides benefits such as hydration, antioxidant protection, and stimulation of collagen production. NMN supplements, on the other hand, go beyond the skin’s surface and “help support the subsurface cells responsible for skin repair, regeneration, and resilience,” says Bianchini. “Skin cells need energy to function well, so NMN (supplements) can help support healthy skin at a deeper cellular level.”
Dr. Garshick says those interested in adding NMN to their regimen will benefit from combining both NMN supplements and skin care, as they target the skin from different directions and are thought to complement each other.
Who can benefit from NMN supplements?
While topical skin care can be beneficial for toning your skin, those looking to support their skin from within should consider starting with an NMN supplement. “Anyone who is starting to notice dullness, dryness, fine lines, loss of elasticity, or whose skin just doesn’t feel as vibrant as it used to, may benefit from NMN supplements,” says Bianchini. Bianchini adds that NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, so taking NMN supplements can be a more proactive skin care approach that can have noticeable benefits if taken consistently.
Additionally, Bianchini recommends NMN supplements for those interested in biohacking their wellness habits for healthy aging and longevity, as glowing skin isn’t just about what you put on your face. “It’s also about cellular health, inflammation, stress, sleep, hydration, blood sugar levels, and how well your body is functioning from the inside out,” she added.
takeout
Considering all of the amazing benefits of NMN supplements, NMN supplements may seem like a fountain of youth. But Bianchini and Dr. Garshick acknowledge that this is no magic, nor is it a replacement for an intentional skin care routine. Rather, it supports a healthy diet and lifestyle.
