Key takeaways
- Niagen Bioscience has launched its Skincare Innovation Lab to translate supplement science into topical innovations.
- Its first product, NanoCloud, is a waterless, precision‑dose NAD+ treatment designed for maximum stability.
- The formula contains patented Niagen (NR), hyaluronic acid, pullulan, squalane and vitamin E.
- The powder activates when mixed with a water-based serum or moisturiser to form a fresh, potent treatment.
- The brand says benefits include improved texture, hydration, radiance and barrier strength.
- The launch supports a combined “inside-out” skin health approach alongside Tru Niagen supplements.
As the global NAD+ skincare market continues to grow, biotech firm Niagen Bioscience has launched its Skincare Innovation Lab, a new programme designed to translate the science from its supplement line into new innovations for skin.
Each product launch will be released in small batches. Once these are gone, the team will use feedback from these to refine future formulations.
The first skin care product it plans to release is NanoCloud, in a waterless, precision‑dose sachet. According to Niagen, this ensures the formula is delivered at peak potency, avoiding degradation challenges often associated with traditional serums.
The powder formula contains Niagen – a patented nicotinamide riboside (NR), a high‑quality NAD+ precursor – as well as squalane, sodium hyaluronate and vitamin E. The precision‑dosed, water‑activated treatment can be mixed with a water‑based serum or moisturiser to create a potent serum.
The topical product is designed to work alongside the brand’s supplements Tru Niagen and Tru Niagen Beauty for an inside‑out approach. According to the brand, benefits include smoother texture, deep hydration, improved radiance and a stronger skin barrier.
We spoke to Dr Andrew Shao, PhD, who is SVP of Regulatory & Scientific Affairs at Niagen Bioscience, to find out more about the innovation.
Cosmetics Design-Europe: Hi Dr Shao, why did you choose to work with these specific ingredients?
Dr Andrew Shao (AS): At the heart of Niagen NanoCloud is Niagen (patented nicotinamide riboside, NR), the most scientifically validated NAD+ precursor available. Niagen is the same ingredient in Tru Niagen supplements and is backed by 40+ human clinical trials, 500+ peer-reviewed publications, and 300+ academic research partnerships. It was chosen for topical formulation because it supports cellular processes critical to skin health, such as energy production, repair, and resilience, helping the skin look smoother, more radiant, and healthier over time.
Complementing Niagen, each ingredient was carefully selected to enhance the overall efficacy of the treatment:
Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) – deep hydration that helps skin look plumper, smoother, and more refreshed
Pullulan – instantly smooths and refines the look of skin for a soft, lifted appearance
Squalane – a form of vitamin E known for its antioxidant properties. Lightweight nourishment that leaves skin soft, hydrated, and never greasy
Vitamin E – antioxidant protection that helps support healthy, radiant-looking skin.
CDE: We hear a lot about ingestible NAD+ supplements, but can you tell us more about the science of how NAD+ works topically?
AS: NAD+ is a critical molecule for cellular energy and repair, processes that are essential for healthy-looking skin. Niagen NanoCloud brings Niagen (nicotinamide riboside, a NAD+ precursor) into a topical, waterless format, preserving its potency until use and introducing emerging NAD+ science into a skincare routine designed to support healthy-looking skin at the cellular level.
CDE: Can you explain more about the format of the product? Why does it need to be mixed with water?
AS: Niagen NanoCloud was designed to address one of the biggest challenges in NAD+ skincare: ingredient stability. NAD+ precursors like Niagen can degrade in traditional water-based formulas, reducing potency over time. NanoCloud sachets solve this with a waterless nanofibre delivery system made from pullulan and hyaluronic acid, keeping Niagen protected until the moment of use.
When a sachet is mixed with a small amount of a water-based serum or moisturiser, the system activates instantly, releasing a fresh, precision-dosed treatment. This approach preserves potency, allows users to customise the texture and concentration of their treatment, and supports a skincare routine designed to promote improved skin texture, hydration, and radiance while supporting healthy-looking skin over time.
