NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) has many positive effects in improving skin health.

Promoting Collagen Synthesis

Activating Related Signaling Pathways

After entering the human body, NMN is converted into NAD+, which can activate longevity proteins such as SIRT1. SIRT1 regulates signaling pathways related to collagen synthesis, such as upregulating the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway, thereby promoting fibroblasts to synthesize collagen.

Fibroblasts are the primary cells responsible for collagen production in the skin. Under the stimulation of the TGF-β pathway, they enhance the transcription and translation of collagen genes, increasing collagen synthesis. This leads to firmer, more elastic skin and reduces the formation of wrinkles.

Enhancing Cellular Metabolic Function

Adequate NAD+ levels help maintain normal cellular metabolism, providing sufficient energy and essential building blocks for collagen synthesis.

A smooth intracellular metabolic process ensures the efficient supply and utilization of amino acids and other raw materials needed for collagen production. It also facilitates the processing and secretion of collagen, replenishing and renewing collagen levels in the skin. This improves skin texture and appearance.


Antioxidation and Protection Against Free Radical Damage

Enhancing Antioxidant Enzyme Activity

NMN increases NAD+ levels, activating proteins such as SIRT1, which in turn enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).

These antioxidant enzymes help eliminate free radicals such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide within skin cells, reducing oxidative damage to skin cells.

Free radicals attack lipids, proteins, and DNA in skin cells, leading to cellular dysfunction and aging. By strengthening the body's antioxidant defense system, NMN effectively protects skin cells from free radical damage and helps maintain skin health.

Reducing the Accumulation of Oxidative Stress Byproducts

Oxidative stress leads to the production of numerous oxidative damage byproducts in the skin, such as malondialdehyde (MDA). The antioxidant effects of NMN help reduce the levels of MDA and other byproducts, mitigating lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage while preserving the integrity and function of skin cell membranes.

Additionally, reducing the accumulation of oxidative stress byproducts helps maintain the redox balance within skin cells, creating a favorable environment for normal cellular functions and slowing down the skin aging process.


Enhancing Skin Cell Vitality

Promoting Cell Proliferation and Repair

NMN provides ample energy and metabolic support for skin cells, promoting their proliferation and repair. During external damage or routine cellular renewal, a sufficient energy supply is crucial for cell division and regeneration.

By increasing intracellular ATP levels, NMN powers essential processes like mitosis, accelerating skin cell turnover. This enables damaged skin tissues to repair more quickly, helping to maintain healthy and vibrant skin.

Maintaining Telomere Length

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Once telomeres reach a critical length, cells enter a senescent state. NMN may help maintain telomere length by regulating cellular metabolism and signaling pathways, thereby slowing down cellular aging.

Studies have shown that NMN supplementation increases intracellular NAD+ levels, activating telomerase and other related proteins. This helps protect telomeres to some extent, allowing skin cells to retain their vitality and proliferative capacity for longer, reducing visible signs of skin aging.


Improving Skin Barrier Function

Regulating Lipid Metabolism

The skin barrier is primarily composed of lipids and keratinocytes in the stratum corneum. NMN helps regulate lipid metabolism in skin cells, promoting the synthesis of key lipids such as ceramides and fatty acids.

Ceramides are essential for maintaining skin barrier function, forming a tightly packed lipid bilayer between keratinocytes. This structure prevents moisture loss and protects against external harmful substances.

By enhancing the synthesis of ceramides and other lipids, NMN strengthens the integrity and function of the skin barrier, improving moisture retention and increasing resistance to environmental stressors.

Enhancing Keratinocyte Connections

NMN helps maintain the structural connections between keratinocytes, such as desmosomes. Desmosomes are important adhesive proteins between keratinocytes that enable them to bind tightly together, forming a cohesive stratum corneum.

By regulating intracellular signaling pathways and protein synthesis, NMN enhances the expression and function of desmosomal proteins, making the connections between keratinocytes more robust. This strengthens the skin barrier, reducing moisture loss and preventing the penetration of external pollutants, thereby maintaining healthy and stable skin.