Could a vitamin B3 boost erase wrinkles? trial tests topical NAD+ booster

NCT ID NCT07774000

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By invitation only
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Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
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When the status isn't known

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First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This trial tests whether a topical form of niacinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 derivative that boosts NAD+ in cells, can reduce signs of facial aging. Women aged 30-60 with fine lines and wrinkles will apply one of three doses of NR or a placebo gel to their face twice daily for 12 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in skin's biological age, wrinkles, firmness, and other skin qualities to find the most effective dose.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Topical niacinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3 that boosts NAD+ in skin cells, applied as a gel serum twice daily.
What this could lead to
If effective, this could lead to a new anti-aging skincare ingredient that visibly reduces wrinkles and improves skin firmness by boosting skin cell health.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage cosmetic trial, so results may not be dramatic or long-lasting. The active ingredient may cause skin irritation, and the placebo effect could be significant.
Why investors are watching

ChromaDex is testing whether a topical form of its NAD+ precursor, nicotinamide riboside, can reduce facial skin aging in women aged 30 to 60. For a micro-cap company, this 140-person trial is a direct test of whether its science can move beyond supplements into cosmetics, a market where a positive result could open a new revenue line. The readout matters because it will show if the compound works on the skin at all, and which dose works best.

If it works: A positive result could let ChromaDex claim clinical evidence for an anti-aging skincare product, potentially attracting a licensing partner or a new product launch. It would also validate the company's core NAD+ technology in a second, consumer-facing application.

If it fails: A failed or unclear result would close off the skincare route and leave the company reliant on its supplement business. Trials often fail to show a clear dose response, and this one measures subjective signs like wrinkles, which are hard to prove.

AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 140 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Aug 2026

Expected to finish

Mar 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

A company

The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

30 to 60 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Open to all races provided they meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria below: * Gender: Female * Age: 30 to 60 years old * Phototype: I to VI * Subject presenting with fines lines/ wrinkles as Crow's feet, inclusion grade ≥ 3 and ≤ 6 on a 10-points scale. * 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. * Willingness to maintain current lifestyle, wellness and skin care routines (with the exception of the inclusion of the product requirements incorporated into the study protocol). Exclusion Criteria: * Subject not providing consent; * Subject not complying with protocol requirements; * Subject of whom a health condition has changed since the inclusion visit in the I.E.C database, making the subject ineligible or places her at undue risk; * 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 skin recently exposed to excessive sunlight (natural or artificial) within 4 weeks preceding the inclusion; * 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.); * Subject having applied NAD+/B-vitamin products on the concerned area during the 4 weeks before the starting day of the study; * Subject having modified his/her cosmetic habits (on the concerned area by the study) during the last 2 weeks, making her ineligible; * Subject having applied cosmetic or pharmaceutical products (other than their usual cleanser) to the areas of concern during the 96 hours before the starting day of the study and on the day of inclusion; * Subject having applied any cosmetic or pharmaceutical products (only water allowed) to the areas of concern the day of inclusion.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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How to take part

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  2. The places running it

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • I.E.C. Afrique du Sud

    RECRUITING

    Cape Town, Western Cape, 7925, South Africa

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

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