What Is NAD+ and Why It Matters

If you’ve been hearing more about NAD+ lately, you’re not alone, and there’s a reason it’s getting so much attention in both wellness and skincare conversations.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of the body. It plays a key role in cellular energy production, DNA repair, and overall healthy cell function. In simple terms, it helps your cells stay energized and function efficiently.

NAD+ levels naturally decline with age, which is why researchers and wellness professionals are increasingly interested in how supporting NAD+ relates to energy, longevity, and visible signs of aging.

Let’s explore why NAD+ matters and how we can support it as we age…

Why NAD+ Matters as We Age

As NAD+ levels decrease over time, it impacts several key processes in the body, including:

• Cellular energy production

• Repair and recovery processes

• Oxidative stress balance

• Visible signs of aging in the skin

Studies in longevity science suggest NAD+ levels decline significantly with age, with some research indicating up to approximately a 50% reduction by midlife, around age 40–60, depending on tissue type and measurement method.

While aging is completely natural, supporting the systems that keep our cells functioning optimally has become a major focus in modern wellness and longevity science and when these processes slow down, we often see it reflected in the skin.

Lifestyle Support for Healthy NAD+ Levels

Before getting into products or skincare, it’s important to focus on foundational habits that support overall cellular health and your body’s natural NAD+ production.

• Prioritize quality sleep: Sleep is when the body performs most of its repair and restoration. Aim for 7–9 hours per night to support deep sleep (REM) cycles, where cellular repair and recovery processes are most active.

• Move your body regularly: Exercise supports mitochondrial function and metabolic health. HIIT, strength training, and endurance-based movement have been shown to be especially supportive of NAD+ pathways, but any consistent movement is beneficial.

• Focus on nutrient-dense foods: Vitamin B3 (niacin) supports NAD+ pathways as a direct precursor. It’s found in foods like turkey, salmon, tuna, mushrooms, avocado, peanuts, and brown rice.

• Manage chronic stress: Long-term stress can increase oxidative load and cortisol in the body, which can impact NAD+ levels and overall aging processes.

With these foundational habits in place, there are also emerging clinical and topical approaches being studied to further support NAD+ levels and visible signs of aging.

The Science Behind NAD+ and Skin Aging

What makes NAD+ especially interesting is how closely cellular energy and skin aging are connected.

As skin cells age, natural renewal processes slow down, which can contribute to:

• Fine lines

• Wrinkles

• Loss of firmness

• Uneven texture

• Dullness

Because NAD+ plays a role in cellular energy and repair, it has become a key focus in both wellness and skincare science, and where internal and external support begin to overlap.

Why I’m Excited About NAD+ in Wellness

One of the reasons NAD+ has become such a major conversation is because it represents a more holistic approach to aging, with both internal and external support.

I started researching NAD+ long before Arbonne launched anything in this space. It was showing up frequently across social media and from wellness professionals I follow, especially in the form of NAD+ IV drips. People are going into med spas and injection clinics for infusions aimed at supporting energy, longevity, and cellular health.

I was curious to try it myself so I looked into it locally: pricing, protocols, and frequency. What I found was that NAD+ IV therapy typically ranges from $500 to $900 per 45-60 minute session, and because it requires ongoing maintenance, it’s recommended monthly. Some clinics also offer injections between sessions, adding another $50–$100+ per month. That means it’s not uncommon for people to spend close to $1,000 per month on NAD+ support alone.

From there, I naturally went deeper into the science, something my background in molecular biology and chemistry trained me to do. Seeing NAD+ trends online immediately connected to concepts I already understood, like mitochondrial function and ATP production.

As I explored peer-reviewed research, one key distinction stood out: NAD+ itself may not always be the most efficient form when delivered directly. Much of the research instead highlights NAD+ precursors, which support the body’s natural ability to produce NAD+ internally.

This reminded me of collagen, another popular wellness topic. Rather than directly adding collagen, the body breaks it down into amino acids and uses protein as the building blocks to produce its own collagen. The same principle applies here: it’s about supporting the body’s natural production pathways.

Ultimately, I realized that while NAD+ IV therapy is interesting, it isn’t the most practical or sustainable option long-term for me, or likely for many people seeking consistent results.

Why Arbonne’s NAD+ Launch Stood Out to Me

I’ve been with Arbonne for over 11 years, and one thing I’ve consistently noticed is that their product innovation often aligns with where I am in my own research journey.

It often feels like I’m exploring a concept, researching to understand the science, and then Arbonne releases something that is intentionally designed, clinically researched, and thoughtfully developed.

That was exactly my experience with their NAD+ products! When it was introduced in Vegas, my immediate reaction was: this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. What stood out most is that it was a research-backed system supported by clinical data. Let’s talk about the specific products…

Arbonne Intelligence NAD+ Cellular Energy Support

This consumable powder is designed to help support the body’s natural NAD+ production using Niagen® (nicotinamide riboside), a clinically studied NAD+ precursor. It can be mixed into any flavored beverage and used daily as part of your supplement routine. I personally add it to my morning protein shake.

By supporting NAD+ production, this supplement is designed to support:

• Cellular energy and vitality

• Normal metabolic function

• Cognitive health and memory

• Cardiovascular wellness

• Antioxidant and immune support

Rather than supplying NAD+ directly, it supports the body’s ability to produce it more efficiently. This is where the magic happens!

Arbonne Intelligence NAD+ Cellular Skin Booster

The NAD+ Cellular Skin Booster is a targeted serum designed to support visible signs of aging at the skin level. It focuses on improving the appearance of firmness, elasticity, and overall radiance while supporting skin renewal processes.

With consistent use, it is designed to promote:

• Reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Skin firmness

• Improvements in skin brightness and tone

• Decrease in dullness and fatigue, especially around the eye area

• Skin hydration and barrier support

It absorbs quickly, layers easily into a routine, and enhances the performance of other skincare products. Simply apply it after toning and prior to other serums in your skin care routine.

Clinical Results

Both the NAD+ Cellular Energy Support and the NAD+ Cellular Skin Booster are backed by clinical research evaluating their key ingredients and performance outcomes.

NAD+ Cellular Energy Support

The consumable formula features Niagen® (nicotinamide riboside), one of the most extensively studied NAD+ precursors, with over 45 published clinical studies exploring its impact on NAD+ levels and cellular health. Clinical research has shown that consistent daily use of nicotinamide riboside can significantly increase NAD+ levels in the body. In some studies, up to a 51% increase in NAD+ levels has been observed within approximately two weeks of daily supplementation. This is one of the most notable findings in NAD+ research, not just that levels can increase, but that measurable changes can occur relatively quickly with consistent use.

NAD+ Cellular Skin Booster

In an 8-week clinical study using Arbonne Intelligence® NAD+ Cellular Skin Booster twice daily, participants showed measurable improvements in visible signs of aging:

• 100% of participants maintained or improved the appearance of skin firmness in the face and eye area

• 26% reduction in the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles

• 21% reduction in the appearance of forehead “11” lines and wrinkles

• 20% reduction in forehead wrinkles

The study included 34 participants, with results measured against baseline using clinical grading and image analysis. Overall, the data reflects visible improvements in firmness and wrinkle appearance with consistent use over time.

My Recommended NAD+ Ritual

If you’re looking for a more accessible way to support NAD+ from the inside out, this is the system I recommend:

Arbonne Intelligence NAD+ Longevity Bundle

It combines both internal and topical support for a more complete approach to healthy aging. Because aging isn’t something to fight; it’s something to support intelligently.