Potential Skin Care Nutraceuticals: Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a bioactive nucleotide derivative of nicotinic acid (niacin). NMN is found primarily in various fruits and vegetables. NMN is used by enzymes in the human body to produce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a central coenzyme of the metabolism.

A severe lack of niacin can lead to the disease pellagra. Pellagra causes skin inflammation, diarrhea, and mouth sores, and eventually causes dementia. The progression of niacin deficiency to pellagra, primarily its relation to skin inflammation, has led to research into general skincare & aging, and how NMN may be beneficial.

Potential Skin Health Benefits of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

NMN research has revealed certain properties that may be beneficial in treating specific skin conditions and general skin aging:

• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Protection of cells exposed to certain environmental stressors
• Antioxidant properties

Research has shown that aging skin has a low NAD pool. NMN supplementation to kickstart NAD production has been an area of focus for researchers looking at slowing skin aging. Studies looking at the effects of NMN supplementation on human cells have noted prolonging replicative cellular lifespan while slowing senescence. 

Clinical studies from Procter & Gamble and the American Academy of Dermatology have provided clinical evidence for the anti-aging efficacy of NMN in cosmeceuticals. These studies and others like them have shown results including:

• Improving lines/wrinkles
• Reduction in areas of hyperpigmentation
• Improving skin hydration
• Skin clarity, evenness, & tone improvements

Slowing senescence has been a popular area of research when it comes to studying NMN. This is primarily due to the fact that NMN has the potential to be used on many different human cells–not just skin-related cells. Current research has not made its way to tests involving human participants.

The effects of longer-term NMN supplementation are still being evaluated for health and safety purposes. Human participants will allow researchers a much broader view of how NMN supplementation can help with bodily aging in general.

The pharmacological actions of NMN are still not totally understood. The complex mechanisms governing the actions of NMN and NAD have prompted researchers to dedicate more time to understanding how NMN works and how supplementation may affect it.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.