Efficacy of Topical Niacinamide Riboside on the Signs of Facial Skin Aging

NCT07774000 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: C26-Z083
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Niacinamide riboside (topical NR, also known as nicotinamide riboside) is an endogenous compound and a precursor (building block) to the essential cellular co-enzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Research published by Maussudi et al. 2012 demonstrated that skin NAD+ levels were negatively correlated with age in both males and females, and aged skin was also correlated to an increase in DNA damage. Therefore, it is proposed that supporting skin NAD+ with precursors such as NR may be a strategy to combat DNA damage that leads to undesirable signs of skin aging, thus supporting skin cell resilience. The use of NR as a dietary supplement has produced effective, efficient, and reproducible increases in NAD+ in humans. However, the role of topically applied NR for skin aging requires further investigation. Though not measuring NAD+ directly, this study will explore if topically applied NR reduces the signs of skin aging that may result from cellular NAD+ deficiency. It is hypothesized that the addition of NR to a general skin care regimen will result in healthier, more youthful appearing skin over 12 weeks. The goal of this interventional clinical trial is to identify the most effective, tolerable, and efficient dose of NR for attenuating quantitative and qualitative indicators of facial skin aging in women ages 30-60. The three primary outcome measures are

• Changes in skin biological age,
• Quantitative reduction in fine lines and wrinkles near the eye, and
• Changes in skin firmness and tightening. Secondary quantitative and qualitative outcomes include
• Changes to pores, texture, redness, skin tone evenness, radiance, plumpness, and firmness on the global face.
• Changes in skin moisture and skin barrier integrity, and
• Participant perception of perceived efficacy, acceptability, and irritation. Skin imaging will also be employed in the study. Participants will be randomized into one of four test product groups:
• Placebo
• 2.5% NR,
• 5% NR, or
• 10% NR. The test product will be provided in a dry nanofiber sachet, and the percentage of NR is an estimate based on the final concentration of the applied material when mixed in serum. Following facial cleansing with the provided cleanser, study participants will prepare the test product (immediately before application) by dissolving a single sachet in the provided standardized gel serum. Following application, participants will apply the provided moisturizer and UV serum. Product application will occur twice daily for 84 days (12 weeks). In-clinic assessments will be performed at baseline and days 28, 56, and 84. Participants will also complete at home questionnaires on days 14 and 42. Adverse events and responses will be documented in participant diaries and immediately reported to the clinical research team.

Conditions

Skin Aging on Face; Skin Care Dermocosmetics; Skin Care; Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Keywords

nicotinamide riboside; niacinamide riboside; nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; skin aging; skin aging clock; topical; skin care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in skin's biological age

  Dermal curette sampling of the skin at baseline and day 84 to evaluate changes in epigenetic markers of skin aging.

  baseline and day 84

• Quantitative change in fine lines and wrinkles

  The severity of fine lines and wrinkles will be clinically scored by a trained assessor evaluating 1) the Crow's feet area near the eye, and 2) the area underneath the eye, separately. Scoring for each area will range from 0 to 9, and intermediate scores (including fractions and decimals) will not be allowed. A score of 0 will indicate "no wrinkles," whereas a score of 9 will indicate "very marked wrinkles, accounting for number, surface and depth."

  baseline and days 28, 56, and 84

• Quantitative changes in skin firmness and tightness

  Changes in skin firmness and tightness will be measured by a Cutometer™ to objectively assess and compare the effect of the product on the skin's biomechanical properties. The device measures the deformation of a cutaneous area, submitted to a mechanical suction and its recovering power (Wilhelm et al., 1993). The skin viscoelastic properties are directly correlated to skin suppleness, elasticity, tonicity and firmness. The measurement will take place in the hollow of the cheek, providing a tactile measurement.

  baseline and days 56 and 84

Secondary Outcomes (12)

• Skin hydration

  baseline and day 28

• Moisture retention

  baseline and day 28

• Skin barrier integrity

  baseline and day 28

• Pores

  baseline and days 28, 56, and 84

• Texture/smoothness

  baseline and days 28, 56, and 84

Other Outcomes (3)

• Participant Reported Outcome: Skin redness

  baseline and days 14, 28, 42, 56, and 84

• Participant Reported Outcome: Irritation post application

  baseline and days 14, 28, 42, 56, and 84

• Skin Imaging

  baseline and days 28, 56, and 84

Study Arms (4)

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

The participants randomized to this group will receive a product that results in 0% of NR per application.

Other: Placebo

2.5% NR

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants randomized to this group will receive a product that results in approximately 2.5% of NR per application.

Other: Topical niacinamide riboside

5% NR

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants randomized to this group will receive a product that results in approximately 5% of NR per application.

Other: Topical niacinamide riboside

10% NR

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants randomized to this group will receive a product that results in approximately 10% of NR per application.

Other: Topical niacinamide riboside

Interventions

Topical niacinamide riboside OTHER

Niacinamide chloride (NR) prepared in a dry nanofiber pillow will be applied to the skin using a standardized gel serum twice daily, for 12 weeks. NR is a precursor to the essential cellular co-enzyme, NAD+, which has been directly associated with the molecular hallmarks of aging.

Also known as: Niagen NanoCloud, Nicotinamide riboside

10% NR; 2.5% NR; 5% NR

Placebo OTHER

Topical Skin Care Product: Placebo prepared in a a dry nanofiber pillow, applied topically to the face, twice daily for 12 weeks.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may not qualify if:

• Gender: Female
• Age: 30 to 60 years old
• Phototype: I to VI
• Subject presenting with one or more visible signs of skin aging on face (example of signs of skin aging: wrinkles and fine lines, lack of firmness, lack of radiance, pigmented spots, dry and rough skin, visible pores, skin sagging).
• Subject is not currently using NAD+ or another product containing Vitamin B3 (niacin, niacinamide, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, nicotinamide mononucleotide, myristyl nicotinate, etc.) administered topically, orally intravenously, or through any form of injection, as a part of their current routine or 4 weeks before starting study. The only permitted exception is the use of a multivitamin that contains niacin or nicotinamide. If this is the case, the product and dose of niacin or nicotinamide should be documented at screening and continuation of use of the product should be documented at each site visit.
• Subject not providing consent;
• Subject not complying with protocol requirements;
• Active cancer diagnosis or diagnosis of cancer of any kind less than three years since remission, liver disease, kidney disease, or uncontrolled diabetes;
• Pregnancy, actively breastfeeding, or not willing to take necessary precautions to avoid a pregnancy during the study;
• Subject having a medical treatment, recent vaccination or expecting to be vaccinated during the study, that makes the subject ineligible or places her at undue risk, in particular, medical treatment (either oral or topical) containing tretinoin or isotretinoin during the 3 months before the starting day of the study;
• Subject having a background of intolerance or allergy to cosmetics, NAD+ or any vitamin B3 derivative, ingredients in the auxiliary products or to other substances that makes the subject ineligible or places her at undue risk;
• Subject having visible traces of irritation or any other abnormality on the concerned area;
• Subject having undergone surgery, chemical or physical treatment to the concerned area in the last 12 months (no injection during the last 6 months);
• Subject having applied anti-wrinkle/anti-aging/firming products on concerned area during the 4 weeks before the starting day of the study;
• Subject having had any cosmetic procedures performed in the last six months (including Botox, peels, laser, etc.);

Sponsors & Collaborators

• ChromaDex, Inc.: lead
• IEC France: collaborator
• SGS S.A.: collaborator
• TruDiagnostic: collaborator
• Deciem: collaborator
• IEC Afrique du Sud: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

I.E.C. Afrique du Sud

Cape Town, Western Cape, 7925, South Africa

RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• Wilhelm KP, Cua AB, Maibach HI. In vivo study on age-related elastic properties of human skin. In Noninvasive Methods for the Quantification of Skin Functions: An Update on Methodology and Clinical Applications 1993 (pp. 190-203). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

  BACKGROUND

• Pinnagoda J, Tupker RA, Agner T, Serup J. Guidelines for transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurement. A report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. 1990 Mar;22(3):164-78. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1990.tb01553.x.

  PMID: 2335090 BACKGROUND

• Loden M. Biophysical properties of dry atopic and normal skin with special reference to effects of skin care products. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1995;192:1-48. doi: 10.2340/00015555192148.

  PMID: 7653198 BACKGROUND

• Massudi H, Grant R, Braidy N, Guest J, Farnsworth B, Guillemin GJ. Age-associated changes in oxidative stress and NAD+ metabolism in human tissue. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e42357. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042357. Epub 2012 Jul 27.

  PMID: 22848760 BACKGROUND

• Idoine, R.; Amini-Nik, S.; Mavoyan, J.; Nkrumah-Elie, Y.; Diaz, J.; Shioya, E. Irritation Potential and Acute Efficacy of Topically Applied Niagen® (Niacinamide Riboside Chloride). Preprints 2026, 2026031657. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202603.1657.v1

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

nicotinamide-beta-riboside

Study Officials

• Manoj Choudhry

  IEC Afrique du Sud

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Manoj Choudhry

CONTACT

+27 21 204 4886; manoj.choudhry@iecas.co.za

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 16, 2026
• First Posted: August 19, 2026
• Study Start: August 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 4, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: August 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ZA (1)