You may have started noticing changes you can’t ignore: your skin looks a little less firm, fine lines are settling in, and that healthy glow you once had seems to be fading. If so, you might start wondering if supplements can help turn back the clock.

Collagen and NAD+ are two options that frequently arise in discussions about anti-aging. Collagen is well known for its role in skin elasticity, but its effects tend to focus on surface-level improvements. NAD+, on the other hand, works deeper, supporting cellular repair, energy, and overall rejuvenation. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we believe true skin health comes from addressing aging at its roots. In this article, we will examine how skin ages, compare collagen and NAD+, and explore why NAD+ may help maintain lasting youthful skin.

The truth about aging skin

Skin aging is the result of complex biological changes happening at the cellular level. As you age, the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin break down, leading to sagging, laxity, and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin also becomes thinner and less able to retain moisture, causing dullness and a lack of radiance.

But the aging process doesn’t stop there. Inside your cells, energy production also slows down, DNA repair becomes less efficient, and oxidative stress damages healthy tissue. Blood flow also decreases over time, which means your skin receives fewer nutrients and less oxygen, resulting in a less vibrant appearance. These underlying processes are what truly drive visible aging.

These mechanisms show that treating aging skin requires more than just cosmetic fixes. It requires an approach that addresses both surface-level changes and the underlying cellular dysfunction. This is where the debate between collagen and NAD+ begins.

NAD+ vs. collagen: two solutions for aging skin

Both NAD+ and collagen supplements aim to improve skin health, but they work in very different ways. Collagen targets structural support, while NAD+ rejuvenates your skin from within by restoring cellular energy and repair systems. Let’s break down the differences.

Impact on cellular health

• NAD+: NAD+ is vital for mitochondrial energy production, the foundation of cellular health. With higher NAD+ levels, your skin cells receive the necessary fuel to repair DNA, combat oxidative stress, and regenerate tissue efficiently. This deeper cellular repair slows the root causes of skin aging rather than simply masking them.
• Collagen: Collagen supplements provide amino acids like glycine and proline that your body can use to make structural proteins. However, these nutrients are distributed throughout the body, rather than being specifically targeted to skin cells. As a result, the benefits for cellular health are indirect, limited, and less predictable in their outcomes.

Effect on skin elasticity and firmness

• NAD+: By restoring healthy cellular metabolism, NAD+ enhances fibroblast function, the cells responsible for producing natural collagen and elastin. This indirect support leads to stronger, more resilient skin structures that rebuild themselves from within. The result is skin that feels naturally firmer and retains elasticity over time, not just temporarily.

• Collagen: Collagen supplements offer a direct supply of building blocks for skin’s connective tissues, which may improve elasticity in the short term. However, once supplementation stops, those effects tend to fade because the underlying decline in fibroblast activity and natural collagen production has not been addressed or corrected at the source.

Influence on moisture and glow

• NAD+: Higher NAD+ levels enhance circulation and optimize cellular water and nutrient utilization, keeping your skin hydrated from the inside out. This efficiency supports natural radiance and glow, as energy-rich cells maintain smoother textures and healthier tones. The improvements are noticeable because the skin functions more like it did in youth.
• Collagen: Collagen peptides can help skin retain moisture by supporting the extracellular matrix, which holds water in tissues. While this may reduce dryness and create a plumper look, it does not address the reduced blood flow or slower metabolism that contribute to dullness, meaning results are often modest and temporary.

Longevity of results

• NAD+: Because NAD+ targets aging at the cellular level, its benefits extend far beyond cosmetic changes. By supporting DNA repair enzymes, activating longevity proteins (sirtuins), and protecting cells from oxidative damage, NAD+ helps preserve skin quality over the long term. This creates resilience that continues even when daily fluctuations occur.
• Collagen: Collagen supplements can produce visible improvements in skin smoothness and firmness, but those benefits tend to fade quickly once supplementation stops. Since they don’t address the root issues, such as DNA damage, mitochondrial decline, or oxidative stress, the results are largely cosmetic and lack the sustainable impact of deeper cellular rejuvenation.

Benefits beyond the skin

• NAD+: One of NAD+’s biggest advantages is its wide-ranging effect on overall health. By fueling metabolism, enhancing brain function, protecting the heart, and improving exercise performance, NAD+ delivers whole-body rejuvenation. This means younger-looking skin is just one part of the bigger picture; your entire body feels and functions more youthfully.
• Collagen: Collagen’s benefits extend mostly to skin, hair, and nails, with only minor influence elsewhere. It may strengthen joints or reduce minor aches, but its effects are narrow in scope. Unlike NAD+, it does not significantly support metabolic, cardiovascular, or neurological health, limiting its role as a true anti-aging solution.

The final verdict: NAD+ is the clear winner

When it comes to supporting youthful, vibrant skin, both NAD+ and collagen have a role. Collagen can help soften fine lines and improve hydration, but its impact is mostly surface-level. NAD+, on the other hand, goes much deeper. By restoring your cellular energy, DNA repair, and longevity pathways, NAD+ doesn’t just make your skin look better: it helps your entire body function at a more youthful level.

At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we prioritize solutions that treat aging from the inside out. Our NAD+ therapies rejuvenate your skin by addressing the true drivers of aging at the cellular level. If you’re ready to go beyond cosmetic fixes and experience a more comprehensive approach to aging, contact us today to learn more about your NAD+ options.