NAD+ Skincare in Denver: What It Is and What Actually Works.
NAD+ Skincare in Denver: What It Is and What Actually Works
A clinical look at NAD+ for skin — what it does, why it matters as we age, and where to try Obagi NU-GEN across our Centennial and Alamosa clinics.
If you've been on TikTok, Instagram, or in any longevity-adjacent corner of the internet lately, you've probably seen NAD+ mentioned more times than you can count. It's been credited with everything from sharper focus to "reversing aging" — claims big enough they're worth a second look.
Here's the part that's actually true: NAD+ is real, the science behind it is genuine, and it's now showing up in topical skincare in a way that's worth understanding. At Defiance Health — across our Centennial and Alamosa clinics — we've added Obagi's new NU-GEN Cellular Renewal Serum to our shelves, and it's prompted a lot of patient questions. So let's walk through what NAD+ is, what it does in the skin, and how to think about it in your routine.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ — short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide — is a coenzyme that exists in every cell in your body. Its job is to help your cells do two of the most important things they do: produce energy, and repair damage. Think of it as the rechargeable battery that powers cellular function, including the cellular function happening in your skin every minute of every day.
Here's the catch: NAD+ levels decline naturally as we age. Research suggests we lose somewhere between 50% and 60% of our NAD+ between our twenties and our fifties. When cells have less NAD+ available, they make less energy and become less efficient at repair. In the skin, that shows up as the things we associate with aging: slower turnover, less elasticity, more visible fine lines, duller tone.
Why this matters for skin — not just longevity
Most of the NAD+ conversation so far has focused on supplements and IV therapy. Both have a place. But your skin is the largest organ in your body, with its own cellular machinery to take care of, and supporting skin cells directly — where they live — is a different and complementary angle.
The historical challenge has been that NAD+ is a relatively unstable molecule. Getting it into the skin in a form that's actually usable required a formulation breakthrough. That's the angle Obagi's AGE CTRL Complex takes — it pairs NAD+ with two well-established partners:
- NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide): a direct NAD+ precursor that cells convert into NAD+.
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3): another precursor that also independently supports the skin barrier, evens tone, and calms the appearance of redness.
Together, these ingredients work along the same biochemical pathway, replenishing NAD+ in skin cells and giving them the resources to behave more like they did at a younger age.
What the clinical data shows
In Obagi's 12-week clinical testing of NU-GEN, participants saw measurable changes:
Based on Obagi's 12-week clinical testing. Individual results may vary.
Those are manufacturer numbers, not independent peer-reviewed results — but they're consistent with what NAD+ pathway science would predict, and they line up with what we're seeing anecdotally in our patients in the early weeks since launch.
What to look for in a topical NAD+ product
Not every product calling itself a "NAD+ serum" is created equally. Three things to look for:
- NAD+ paired with precursors. A formula with NAD+ alone is harder to stabilize. Pairing it with NMN and niacinamide gives the skin multiple ways to support the same pathway.
- A clean, barrier-friendly base. Look for formulas without unnecessary fragrance and with ingredients that support the skin barrier rather than disrupt it.
- Clinical testing — and transparency about what was tested. Twelve weeks, not 12 hours. Real participants, not just lab dishes.
How NAD+ fits into a routine
NU-GEN is designed to layer easily. Here's how I use it with patients across the Denver metro and the San Luis Valley:
- After cleansing, apply 2–3 pumps to clean, dry skin.
- Morning or evening — both work. Many patients use it twice a day.
- It pairs well with vitamin C in the morning (vitamin C is your daytime antioxidant; NAD+ supports your cells' ability to use it).
- It pairs well with retinol at night (retinol drives turnover; NAD+ helps fuel the work that turnover requires).
- Follow with moisturizer, and — in the morning — broad-spectrum SPF. Particularly important here in Colorado, where higher altitude means stronger UV exposure year-round.
It's gentle enough for all skin types and doesn't require the "ramp up" period that retinol does.
Who's a good candidate?
In my experience, the patients who notice the biggest difference are:
- Adults in their thirties through sixties who are seeing the early signs of aging — fine lines, loss of luminosity, less even tone.
- Patients who want to do something before they need more intensive intervention, not after.
- Anyone with thinning, fragile-feeling skin who's been avoiding heavier actives.
It's also become a favorite for patients between in-office treatments — supporting recovery and helping results carry from one visit to the next.
A quick honest note
NAD+ skincare is an evolving space. The cellular biology is well-established; the topical application of it is newer, and the long-term data is still being built. What I tell patients is this:
"If you're already spending money on a good vitamin C, a retinol, and an SPF, a NAD+ serum is a reasonable next addition — not a replacement for any of them. It supports the system you're already running."
Where to find NAD+ skincare in Colorado
We carry NAD+ skincare at both Defiance Health locations — whether you're in the Denver area or southern Colorado.
Defiance Health Centennial
Centennial, CO
Defiance Health Alamosa
Same providers, same care, same products across both locations. If you're not sure which clinic works for you, reach out and we'll help you figure it out.
Curious about NAD+ for your routine?
The best starting place is the same one we recommend for any meaningful change to your skin: a short consult with one of our providers. We'll look at where NU-GEN — or another option — actually fits.
Schedule a Consult