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Walk into any beauty store, and you're hit with shelves packed with products promising glowing skin, wrinkle erasure, and age-defying results. The skincare market thrives on bold claims and fancy packaging, but how many of these products actually deliver? With so much hype, it's hard to separate what works from what's just marketing. More people are starting to question the products they use and want proof that ingredients do what they claim.
Science-backed skincare ingredients don't rely on trends or celebrity endorsements. These ingredients have been tested in studies and shown real, measurable results. When you understand what actually works and why, you can make better choices for your skin.
This article breaks down the science-based skincare ingredients that are proven to support healthy skin, so you know exactly what to look for and why it matters. Keep reading to discover which ingredients deserve a spot in your routine.
Nicotinamide Riboside
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a form of vitamin B3 that the body converts into NAD+, a molecule essential for cellular energy and function.⁽¹⁾
Research shows that NAD+ levels in skin decline with age, which can affect how well skin cells repair and maintain themselves.⁽²⁾ By supporting NAD+ levels, nicotinamide riboside helps maintain the cellular energy production that skin cells—like all cells—depend on to function optimally. This inside-out approach targets skin health at its foundation rather than addressing surface symptoms alone.
Tru Niagen® Beauty combines NR with other science-based skincare ingredients like biotin, vitamin E, and astaxanthin, offering a comprehensive approach to supporting skin health from within.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid holds water like a sponge. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which makes it incredibly effective for keeping skin hydrated and plump.⁽³⁾ As you age, your body produces less hyaluronic acid, which may lead to dryness, fine lines, and loss of volume.⁽⁴⁾
When used in skincare, hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain moisture in the skin's outer layers. This process makes the skin look smoother and supports the skin barrier, which protects against irritants and environmental damage. Studies show that topical and oral hyaluronic acid can improve skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance.⁽³⁾
Tru Niagen® Beauty includes hyaluronic acid to support skin hydration and elasticity while helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles, working from within to maintain healthy-looking skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects skin cells from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging and skin damage. Vitamin E neutralizes these molecules before they can harm your skin. ⁽⁵⁾
Beyond its antioxidant properties, vitamin E supports skin healing and helps strengthen the skin barrier. Research shows that vitamin E can reduce signs of photoaging, improve skin texture, and support wound healing. Vitamin E also helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful effects.⁽⁵⁾
Tru Niagen® Beauty includes vitamin E to provide antioxidant-rich support that helps protect cells against oxidative damage, supporting the skin's natural resilience.
Biotin
Biotin is a well-known skincare ingredient for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. Biotin plays an essential role in the body's metabolic processes that support these tissues.⁽⁶⁾
Research indicates that biotin supplementation helps support skin hydration and smoothness. It helps maintain the skin barrier and may reduce inflammation in certain skin conditions.
You can get biotin from nuts, eggs, and seeds, but it's also commonly included in beauty supplements.⁽⁷⁾ Recognizing that cellular support is the key to better hair and skin, Tru Niagen® Beauty contains biotin to support strong hair and nail growth while maintaining overall skin texture, helping to ensure your body has what it needs for beauty from within.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract contains antioxidants called proanthocyanidins. These compounds have notable antioxidant activity, helping protect against free radical damage.⁽⁸⁾
Grape seed extract can reduce signs of aging and support wound healing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm irritated skin and reduce redness. The proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract help protect collagen and elastin, both of which keep your skin firm and supple.⁽⁸⁾
Tru Niagen® Beauty includes grape seed extract to provide antioxidant support that helps maintain collagen production and skin elasticity while supporting moisture retention for healthier-looking skin.
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a red-orange pigment found in seafood like salmon and shrimp, as well as in certain algae. It's one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. This makes it exceptionally good at protecting skin from oxidative stress.⁽⁹⁾
Research demonstrates that astaxanthin can improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and enhance skin moisture levels. It works by protecting skin cells from UV damage and reducing inflammation.⁽¹⁰⁾
Tru Niagen® Beauty harnesses astaxanthin's powerful antioxidant properties to support skin elasticity, skin hydration, and smoother, more even skin texture.
Retinoids
While not included in Tru Niagen Beauty, retinoids are worth mentioning as one of the most-studied skincare ingredients. They increase cell turnover, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture.⁽¹¹⁾
Decades of research support retinoids as effective treatments for acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. While retinoids are highly effective, they can cause irritation.⁽¹¹⁾
Vitamin C
Vitamin C isn't included in Tru Niagen Beauty—the formula relies on other potent antioxidants like astaxanthin and grape seed extract—but it's a cornerstone ingredient in topical skincare worth knowing about. Vitamin C is a common antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage while also playing a crucial role in collagen synthesis. Without adequate vitamin C, collagen production slows down, leading to weaker, less resilient skin.
Research shows that topical vitamin C can reduce fine lines and brighten dark spots. It's particularly effective at protecting skin from sun damage and environmental pollution.⁽¹²⁾
Skincare Ingredients FAQs
What is science-based skincare?
Science-based skincare uses ingredients that have been tested in clinical studies and shown to produce measurable results. Instead of relying on marketing hype or unproven claims, science-backed skincare ingredients are supported by research that demonstrates how they work and what effects they have on skin.
This approach focuses on ingredients with proven mechanisms of action, whether they're protecting against damage, supporting cell function, or improving skin structure. When you choose science-based skincare, you're making informed decisions based on evidence rather than trends.
What skincare ingredients should you avoid?
While many ingredients in skincare are safe and effective, some can cause irritation or don't have strong evidence supporting their use. Here are ingredients to be cautious about:
- High concentrations of fragrance can cause irritation without providing real benefits, especially if you have sensitive skin
- Harsh physical exfoliants with rough particles can damage the skin barrier and cause micro-tears
- Denatured alcohol in high concentrations can be drying and irritating
- Known personal allergens that you've had reactions to in the past, as repeated exposure can worsen sensitivities
How can you build a science-backed skincare routine?
Start with the basics and build from there. A simple routine includes a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, supplements with proven ingredients like nicotinamide riboside, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day.
From there, you can add targeted treatments based on your specific concerns, such as retinoids for aging or vitamin C for brightness and protection. Consider both topical products and supplements like NAD+ supplements that support skin from within.
The best skincare ingredients work together, so look for products that combine complementary components. Keep your routine consistent and give products time to work, as real results take weeks, not days.
Wrapping Up: Why Science-Based Skincare Delivers Real Results
The skincare industry is crowded with products that promise everything but deliver little. When you focus on science-backed skincare ingredients that have been tested and proven effective, you cut through the noise and invest in what actually works.
Tru Niagen® Beauty takes this science-backed approach seriously by combining proven ingredients like nicotinamide riboside, biotin, vitamin E, grape seed extract, and astaxanthin in one comprehensive formula. Tru Niagen® Beauty supports skin health at the cellular level, addressing the true causes of skin aging rather than just treating surface symptoms. When you invest in science-backed skincare, you're supporting healthy aging from the inside out.